Best Car Bike Racks [Review] in 2021
written by Cycle expert Alex Bristol
Check out the results fast – here are our review winners
Allen Sports Rack
TOP CHOICE
BV Bike Hitch Mount Rack
OUR PICK
YAKIMA Ridgeback Bike Rack
RUNNER UP
If you are a cycling enthusiast, you may need to carry your bike when going for weekend trips or any other outdoor tours. However, it may not be easy to carry them inside your car especially due to space. This means that you need a more convenient alternative and the best solution would be a car rack. These products allows you to mount your bike at the easily on the car for easier carrying. In this article, we shall review the top 4 car racks you can find on the market.
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Top Car Bike Racks on the Market
Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Top Choice Item
Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack has a patented design that makes it compatible with hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs and minivans. In order to boost lateral stability, you will find that it has side straps. Besides that, it has a single configuration design for easier installation. The lower frame is well padded to protect your bike from the vehicle. You will also find that it has individual tie downs that keeps your bike secure. Also note that it has narrow arms which accommodates bike frames wit different styles and sizes. Lastly, it comes fully pre-assembled to save your time during set up.
Pros
Side straps to enhance stability
Affordable
Secures your bike firmly
Easy to install
Cons
Not very sturdy
Latest deal: Deluxe Trunk Mounted Rack
BV Bike Bicycle Hitch Mount Rack Carrier for Car Truck SUV
Prime Picked Item
The first thing you should note about this rack is that it has a tilt back design which allows you to open the rear gates even without removing the hitch rack. You will also find that it is easy to fold which makes it easy to store when not in use. Another awesome feature is the safety reflector which enhances visibility at night. The other incredible feature is the patented 2-way anti wobble system which prevents wobbling between the hitch and the rack. The padded arms and the tray-styled loops holds the bike firmly on the car.
Pros
Anti wobble design
Safety reflector
Reasonable price
Sturdy
Cons
Sometimes unstable
Latest deal: BV Bike Hitch Rack
YAKIMA – Ridgeback Tilt-Away Hitch Bike Rack
Best Value Item
If you are searching for the most durable and stable car rack, your search ends with this product. Unlike others, it features reliable zipstrips which secures your bike to the rack. Again, it has anti-sway cradle design which prevents bike to bike contact. In terms of installation, you will find that it takes just 5 minutes or less to install. It also folds flat which makes it easy to store. With this rack, you can attach up to 4 bikes depending on the frame but you may need to buy an extender.
Pros
Very strong
Long lasting
Easy to use
Easy to install
Cons
Very heavy
Latest deal: YAKIMA – Ridgeback Rack
Thule Apex XT Bike Hitch Rack
This one is among the most secure car racks you will ever find. It provides a pacing of 7 inches between bikes. Again, it has an integrated anti-sway which provides excellent bike stability. The integrated cable lock, secures the bike firmly to the rack. Another awesome thing is that you won’t need any tools to install. When it is not in use, you can easily fold it for safe storage. The ratcheting cradle strap also allows you to attach the bike easily. Also note that it allows a load capacity of 150 lbs.
Pros
Provides excellent bike stability
Nice design
Sturdy
Long lasting
Cons
None
Latest deal: Thule Apex XT Bike Rack
How we did our research
We always take our time when researching different products because we do not want you to spend your money on a non-functional product. Below were our major concerns when selecting the above products.
Protection – You do not need a car rack that will always create scratches on your car. Again, it should not cause any damage to your vehicle. All the four products we have mentioned are top quality products which won’t have any effect on your vehicle. Some of them have a padding which prevents scratches.
Construction – A good car rack should be strong enough to hold your bike firmly on the car. It should also be able to support several bikes. None of the products in this list is made of cheap materials. This also means that all these racks are durable and reliable.
Adaptability– When buying a car rack, you should be aware that not all of them can fit in your car. Some are made for specific models only. We tried to pick only those models that can fit in almost all cars.
Weight– If you are searching for bike rack that you can use to carry several bikes, then it means that it should be very strong. In most cases, such racks are very heavy which means that it may not be easy to remove them from the vehicle. They are good if you do not plan to remove them from them frequently.
Reviews– Reviews are the surest way of determining the quality of the product. All the products in this article have very positive reviews which means that they are indeed the best.
Types of Car Bike Racks
The most common types of bike racks are, tow mounted bike racks, roof mounted bike racks and rear mounted bike racks. Their only difference is that roof mounted racks are attached on top of the car while the rear mounted racks are attached at the back of your vehicle. On the other hand, tow mounted bikes are attached on the tow bar of your vehicle.
Benefits of rear mounted bike racks
- They are sturdy to carry up to 4 bikes
- They are easy to lock
- These racks do not require accessories such as roof bars or a tow bar. As a result, they save you the cost of buying these accessories.
- Another benefit is that the fit easily on different cars.
Benefits of tow mounted racks
- You can use them to carry up to four bikes
- They allow you to use the roof to carry other things
- Allow you to lift the bike easily in the rack. Due to this, they are the best for tall cars.
- Some are easy to tilt to give you access to the boot
Benefits of roof mounted car racks
- They hold the bike more securely than the lockable racks
- Allow you to open the boot easily
- You can carry several bikes when using these racks
Frequently Asked Questions
Are car bike racks worth it?
If you require carrying your bike frequently using a car, there is no doubt that you will need to invest in a car rack. Apart from saving space, they also allow you to carry several bikes in a more convenient manner.
Are car racks expensive?
Car bike racks are available in different prices. When buying, you need to look for a product that is within your budgets. Ensure that it has good customer reviews and rating.
Can bike racks damage your car?
Most of the bike racks especially hose we have reviews comes with a platform that rest on the trunk of your car. They also have a padding which prevents scratches.
Conclusion
Car racks provides the most convenient way of carrying bikes. The good thing about them is that they are easy to mount on your car. Again, they are made of strong materials which means that you can use them to carry more than one bike. In terms of price, they are not very expensive.
Alex Bristol
Content Manager at Pedallers
ABOUT
Alex is a cycling expert at Pedallers and focuses on reviewing bikes, accessories, and general cycling. He searches for the most up to date products that match the needs of cyclists across the world. Whether it's recent news or the best bike set-ups, Alex is a trusted source for anything around cycling.
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