With the recent rise in popularity of long-distance cycling and bike riding in general, many people are looking to get a bike rack for their car. This allows them to take trips further away from home, or even to collect a new bike they have purchased. However, as the amount of people riding bikes has increased, so has the number of bike racks. Now that there are so many, it can be very confusing to work out which one to get, or even where to start. So, what is the best type of car bike rack?
In general, there are three main types of bike racks. Rear-mounted bike racks, Tow-ball/Hitch bike racks and Roof racks. They all have their own individual advantages and disadvantages, however, I would suggest using a Tow-ball/Hitch bike rack if you can as these are the most durable and stable when holding a bike.
So, now we know the different types of bike racks, but which one is right for you? In the rest of the article, I take a look at each of the different types in more detail, as well as look at the best budget and overall bike racks for each type.
What are the different types of bike car racks?
Rear-mounted bike rack
Rear-mounted bike racks are the most common type of bike rack. These are often the cheapest and most readily available. Rear-mounted bike racks are formed from a large frame (normally made from metal or plastic) that sits on the back of the car over the boot opening. They attach to your car using multiple straps that hook around the edge of the car and the boot.
Rear-mounted bike racks come in two main forms. The first are those that have the straps going inside the boot of the car (commonly used for hatchbacks) and the second are those that have the clips attached to the outside of the boot (commonly used for coupes or saloon cars).
Most rear-mounted bike racks hold onto your bike via 2 large bars that slip into the main triangle of your bike frame. With these racks, your bike needs to have a flat top tube (the bar that runs between your saddle and the handlebars). Certain bikes such as full-suspension mountain bikes or step-through bikes do not have this and thus are not stable on this type of rack without adaptation.
Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks
At first glance, Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks look similar to Rear-mounted bike racks, however, these attach to the tow ball or hitch underneath the car (part of the tow bar). These are often more stable than rear-mounted bike racks, however only work with cars that have a tow bar.
When looking to buy a Tow-ball or Hitch bike rack, you need to ensure your car is compatible with the model you are buying. These types of bike racks tend to have 3 main connectors.
- Tow-ball
- 2″ Receiver
- 1 1/4″ Receiver
In the images below you can see an example of a tow-ball and a 2-inch receiver. 1 1/4″ receivers look the same as the 2″ version below but the opening is smaller. In reality, there are many adaptors to convert these types of tow-bar connectors from one form to another, but this is something you need to confirm before you purchase a bike rack.
Most Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks attach to your bike via the wheels, with 2 large tray-style receivers that hold your wheels in place (these are called tray racks). However, some tow ball bike racks use the same horizontal bar method used in rear-mounted bike racks.
Roof rack
The last type of bike rack is a roof rack. These sit on the top of your car and attach via the cross bars (roof bars) on the roof of the car. Thus, roof racks only work with cars that have cross bars.
Roof racks come in two main forms, some that require you to remove the front wheel of your bike, and some that work with both wheels still attached to the bike. The roof rack then holds onto the bike using both wheels or the rear wheel and front fork of the bike.
In general, racks that require you to remove the front wheel keep the bike lower (which can be vital if you have a certain height restriction on your route), and are easier to load as you don’t have to lift the bike as high.
On the other hand, racks that keep both wheels on the bike are taller, generally cost more, and avoid the need for frequent wheel removal and re-installation.
Which type of bike car racks works with which type of car?
As we’ve established, certain types of bike racks do not work with certain types of cars, or on cars being used for certain types of trips. Below you can see a summary of the restrictions that certain racks have.
| Rear-mounted | Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks | Roof Bike Rack |
|---|---|---|
| Cars with a spoiler | Cars with no tow bar | Car with no crossbars (you can install these separately) |
| Soft top cars | Cars with a low nose weight limit | Cars driving in poor weather conditions |
| Cars with a composite body panel | Cars with a low towing limit | Cars driving on routes with height restrictions |
| Cars needing to carry multiple bikes (each roof rack can only hold one bike) |
What factors to consider when buying a bike rack?
Type of bike
The type of bike you have will impact which type of bike rack you can use. As we’ve already established, full-suspension mountain bikes or step-through bikes do not work with bike racks that use horizontal cross bars.
If this is the case for your bike, you can purchase a false crossbar that attaches to your bike (for example this one on amazon), which gives the bike rack an area to attach to.
Size of bike
The size of your bike will also play a role in which model of bike rack you purchase. Some bike racks can hold multiple bikes, if you have larger bikes (for example with wide tires or handlebars), then you will want to ensure that the gap between the bikes is large enough to fit all the bikes you need to load.
You also need to ensure that the rack you buy is compatible with the frame size you have. This is more important for smaller frames or children’s bikes as most bike racks can fit all sizes of adult bike frames.
Number of bikes
Bike racks can hold between 1 and 6 bikes depending on the type of rack and model. Roof-mounted racks are only able to carry one bike each, however, you can install multiple racks on one roof, allowing you to carry many bikes.
Rear-mounted bike racks can again store multiple bikes depending on the model but tend to have lower weight limits than Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks that, in my opinion, are the best suited for carrying multiple bikes.
Wheel size
Different bike racks have different restrictions on the size of your wheels and the width of your tires. It is important to check this, even with bike racks that attach to the frame of your bike and not the wheels.
If your wheels are too large for your rack, they may hit the car/road as you drive, and may sit in the wrong position on the car. For example, some riders have noticed their wheels end up sitting in front of the exhaust pipe which can damage them.
Bike weight
As expected, the weight of your bike or bikes can have a big impact on which model of bike rack you can get. Some bike racks can only hold bikes weighing up to 33lb (15kg), which is only the average weight of a mountain bike.
If you have a particularly heavy bike, for example, an electric bike, checking the weight limit on your rack is very important.
Vehicle type
As we established above, certain types of cars are not compatible with all types of bike racks. With rear-mounted bike racks in particular., it is important to measure the width and height of your boot door to ensure that the straps will be tight when the rack is installed.
Obviously, Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks will only work if you have a tow bar, and roof racks will only work if you have cross bars.
Access to the boot
Whether or not you require access to your boot while the bike rack is attached or when the bike rack is loaded with bikes is important to consider. If you need constant access to your boot then a roof rack or more expensive Tow-ball/Hitch bike rack may be a good option.
Roof racks allow you constant access to your boot and the more expensive models of Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks can tilt away from your car, allowing you to access the trunk when needed.
Security
Some bike racks come with built-in security measures, both for the bikes and the rack itself. When looking at bike racks consider whether or not the rack can be locked to your car (many come with this feature included), and then look to see if they come with a separate lock for the bikes when they are loaded.
If the model you are looking at does not come with a bike lock, remember that you can use any regular bike lock to attach your bike to the rack.
Ease of use
Ease of use is particularly important to consider when thinking about getting a roof rack, if you are shorter, or not able to lift your bike over your head, these types of rack may be very hard to use.
If you struggle to reach the roof of your car, you can try using a ladder, parking your car next to a deep pavement, or opening the door of the car and using the inside of the car as a ledge. My friends use a small step ladder like as this one found on amazon that they keep in their car.
Cost
As is always the case in the world of bikes and car accessories, bike racks can cost a considerable amount of money, with the most luxury models coming in at over $1000. It is important to consider your budget before you start looking at racks to ensure you don’t spend more than you planned.
Which type of bike car rack is right for you?
Given this overload of information about different types of bike racks, it can be a little daunting to decide which type of bike rack is right for you.
In general, I would suggest using a Tow-ball or Hitch bike rack if your car is compatible and you have the budget for one of these options. In my opinion, these are the most durable, stable and well-designed types of bike racks and are the easiest to use.
However, if you are still unsure, take a look at the table below for the advantages and disadvantages of the different types of bike racks.
| Bike Rack Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Rear-mounted bike racks | Easy to set up Cheaper than other types of bike rack Easy to fit and remove bikes | Limit visibility while driving You are unable to access your boot Only bikes with a “through axel” or flat top tube are compatible Obstruct your car’s registration plate The rack may damage car paintwork or the bike frame Bikes are more at risk in a crash |
| Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks | Easy to set up Expensive models can fold away Easy to fit and remove bikes Expensive models allow access to the boot Compatible with all types of bike | Limit visibility while driving Certain models limit access to your boot Requires your car to have a tow ball/hitch Obstruct your car’s registration plate Bikes are more at risk in a crash |
| Roof rack | You have access to car boot Compatible with all types of bike Unrestricted view through rear-window Compatible with all types of bike | Difficult initial set-up Hard to load bikes Requires your car to have roof bars Can limit your ability to drive on height-restricted routes Worse fuel efficiency when driving Large impact on car handling |
What are the best rear-mounted bike car racks?
Below you can see my pick for the best overall rear-mounted bike rack as well as my pick if you are looking to purchase a rack on a budget.
| Rear-mounted rack | Budget | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Bike Rack | Halfords Rear Low Mount 2-Bike Bike Rack | The Saris Bones 2-bike |
| What does it look like? |  |  |
| Cost | $50 | $199.99 |
| Rack Weight | 10.5lb | 9lb |
| Bike Capacity | 2 bikes 33lb weight limit per bike | 2 bikes 35lb weight limit per bike |
| Method of bike loading | Horizontal bar through the frame | Horizontal bar through the frame |
| Ease of use | Quick-release straps make loading a bike easy Instructional installation video available from Halfords | Easy to use compared to other rear-mounted bike racks Compatible with the majority of cars Spoiler-compatible version available (Saris Bones Ex 2) Instructional installation video available from Saris |
| Security Features | No locks or locking mechanism | No locking mechanism included on the base model Lock available as an additional purchase |
| Benefits | Cheap Folds flat for easy storage | Built with 100% recyclable materials The large gap between holds is good for larger bikes Rust-free plastic materials Lifetime warranty |
| Negatives | The foam padding that goes between the car and rack can wear away Not compatible with bikes without a flat top tube bar May hide your number plate depending on your car Installation is required each time it is used (cannot remain on the car) No boot access | Not compatible with bikes without a flat top tube bar May hide your number plate depending on your car Installation is required each time it is used (cannot remain on the car) No boot access Rack and bikes sit close to the car, risking scratches or bumps |
What are the best Tow-ball and Hitch bike racks?
Below you can see my pick for the best overall Tow-ball and Hitch racks as well as my pick if you are looking to purchase a rack on a budget.
| Tow-ball/Hitch racks | Budget | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Bike Rack | Halfords 4-Bike Towbar Mounted Bike Rack | NV 2.0 |
| What does it look like? |  |   |
| Cost | $225 | $849.99 |
| Rack Weight | 32lb | 52lb |
| Bike Capacity | 4 bikes 130lb total | 2 bikes 60lb per bike tray |
| Method of bike loading | Tray-style rack | Tray-style rack |
| Ease of use | Comes with all the tools required to install the rack Comes with a number plate illuminator. loading a bike easy Instructional installation video available from Halfords | Very easy to use and install Compatible with 2″ and 1 1/4″ receiver sizes (check which model you are buying) Very easy to attach a bike to the rack |
| Security Features | Comes with a key lock to lock the rack to your car | Comes with a key lock to lock the rack to your car The wedge mechanism deters thieves from stealing even if it were unlocked Extra long 2-piece cable lock to attach a bike to rack |
| Benefits | 5-year guarantee Large bike capacity Sturdy Boot access while bikes aren’t loaded | Looks good Boot access while bikes are loaded Comes with a built-in bike maintenance rack Very durable |
| Negatives | Boot access while bikes are loaded is limited No lock for individual bikes Heavy | Only works with bike tires up to 4 inches Very expensive Heavy |
What are the best roof bike racks?
Below you can see my pick for the best overall roof rack as well as my pick if you are looking to purchase a rack on a budget.
| Roof Racks | Budget | Luxury |
|---|---|---|
| Bike Rack | RockyMounts Tomahawk | Piston SR |
| What does it look like? |  |   |
| Cost | $199.95 | $449 |
| Rack Weight | 16lb | 22lb |
| Bike Capacity | 1 bike 40 lbs per bike on Thule® or Yakima® crossbars 35 lbs per bike on factory crossbars | 1 bike 67lb per bike |
| Method of bike loading | Roof-mounted Tray-style rack | Roof-mounted Tray-style rack |
| Ease of use | Fits most square, round, factory, and aero crossbars Easy to fit the bike into the rack | Mounts onto a variety of different crossbars Dual arms attach to the bike tires, holding it in place easily Initial set-up can be difficult but the rack can remain on your car once installed Instructional installation video available from Kuat |
| Security Features | A rack lock is included in the main section of the rack, however, bike locks need to be purchased separately | Integrated cable lock for your bike |
| Benefits | No contact with the bike frame Carries tires up to 5.0” wide Carriers wheels from 20” to 29” | No contact with the bike frame Looks good Can hold a variety of bike wheel sizes up to 5 inches |
| Negatives | Have to purchase an extra bike locking mechanism | Cost Can be hard to obtain due to supply issues Heavy |
Overall
As you can see, once you know the right things to look for when buying a bike rack it all gets a lot easier. In general, I would still suggest a Tow-ball or Hitch bike rack if your car can work with these types of racks.
