Choosing the right bike rack is crucial for safely and conveniently transporting your bicycles, whether you’re heading out for a weekend adventure or just a local trail. With numerous options available, it’s important to understand the different types and features to select a rack that best suits your needs and vehicle. This guide explores various bike racks, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses based on expert testing and user feedback, helping you find the Recommended Bike Racks for your specific situation.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks: Options for Multiple Bikes
Tray-style hitch racks are a popular choice for their ease of use and stability, securely holding bikes by their wheels without frame contact. For those considering electric bikes, the Hollywood Racks Destination E-Bike Rack for Electric Bikes is designed to carry heavier e-bikes and conveniently folds flat when not in use. It also includes a ramp to assist with loading bikes. However, some users may find the loading and unloading process, along with tilting the rack, a bit cumbersome due to multiple steps involved. While it’s a more budget-friendly option, the Thule Epos is considered a worthwhile investment for its superior ease of use, particularly when handling heavier electric bikes.
For those needing to carry up to four bikes, the Küat NV 2.0, a larger version of the Sherpa 2.0, can be expanded with an add-on accessory. The NV 2.0 also features a useful integrated work stand for bike maintenance on the go. However, it’s considerably heavier than the Sherpa 2.0 and comes with a higher price tag. The Küat NV Base 2.0 offers a similar experience to the NV 2.0, but without the integrated work stand, making it slightly lighter and more affordable. Despite these variations, the Sherpa 2.0 often stands out as a more balanced and recommended option for many users.
The Thule T2 Pro XT and its successor, the T2 Pro XTR, are among the heavier and pricier non-motorized tray-style racks tested. While the XTR version includes wheels for easier maneuverability, both models remain heavy and expensive compared to other recommended bike racks in the tray style category. User surveys have shown the 1UP USA 2″ Heavy Duty Double to be highly rated for its robust construction. However, some aspects of its usability, such as the two-handed clamping arm and less accessible tilt release handle, make it less convenient compared to top picks. 1UP USA also offers the Equip-D in single- and two-bike versions, though these do not present significant advantages over the Heavy Duty Double model.
The Yakima HoldUp EVO is noted as being heavier than the Küat Sherpa 2.0 and exhibiting less refined engineering. Testing revealed more bike wobble and a less accessible lever for tilting. Mounting the RockyMounts SplitRail LS involves a less user-friendly process, requiring a wrench for secure attachment. Its wider profile can also be cumbersome, and the included locks were found to be too short for some bike frames. The Küat Transfer v2 2-Bike, while positioned as a more budget-friendly alternative to the Sherpa 2.0, is heavier, less straightforward to install, requires more assembly, and lacks included locks. Notably, several batches of the Transfer v2 were recalled by Küat in June 2024 due to pivot cam issues that could lead to bikes falling off. The Thule T2 Classic, an older iteration of the Thule T2 Pro XT, lacks features like a hitch receiver knob and the convenient pull-handle tilting system found in newer models. Weighing in heavier than recommended hitch-rack picks and missing bike locks, it may not be the most competitive option.
While the four-bike SuperClamp EX excelled among four-bike hitch-mount trays, its two-bike version didn’t reach the same top ranking. Its thinner mounting bar contributed to more rack sway compared to competitors, which is typical for loaded four-bike racks but less desirable in two-bike tray racks that are generally more stable. The Yakima HoldUp presented issues with stripped threads on the hitch receiver bolt, hindering secure installation. Furthermore, despite its tilting feature, handlebar interference with a Toyota 4Runner’s rear door limited full opening. The RockyMounts BackStage, with its swing-away and tilting design, offers excellent cargo area access. However, its heavier weight compared to top recommendations may be a drawback for some users.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks for Single Bikes
For solo riders or those needing a rack compatible with RVs or trailers, the Küat Transfer v2 1-Bike was previously a suggested option. However, the June 2024 recall by Küat affecting most Transfer v2 versions, including the single-bike model, impacts its recommendation. The 1UP USA Quik Rack Single comes fully assembled, but its usability is considered less intuitive than the Küat Transfer. Operating the wheel hoops with two hands makes it challenging to manage the bike during loading and unloading. The RockyMounts MonoRail Solo presented a significant safety concern during testing. Multiple testers experienced the tilt release handle snapping back and pinching their fingers against the rack frame, raising serious usability issues.
Hanging-Style Hitch Racks: Simpler and More Compact
Hanging-style hitch racks offer a simpler and often more compact design, hanging bikes by their frames. The Saris Bones Hitch 2-Bike shares a similar weight with the Küat Beta but is considered less desirable overall. Repositioning the Bones’ arms was found to be less convenient, and bikes exhibited more wobble during travel compared to other hanging hitch racks tested. Fitting four bikes onto the Yakima RidgeBack proved challenging due to the tight spacing between bikes. Additionally, the RidgeBack lacks a built-in lock, a feature typically expected at its price point. The Thule Apex XT 4 is noted for not folding flat for storage, which can be a disadvantage for some users.
The Yakima HangTight vertical-hanging hitch rack, available in four- and six-bike versions, holds bikes by their handlebars instead of front wheels. This design presented several problems: lifting bikes into the rack requires gripping near the chain and chainrings, and incompatibility issues arose with some bikes due to handlebar reflectors or cable interference. Securing the rack to the hitch involves cumbersome under-vehicle tightening with tools, and adjusting the vertical post height is a two-wrench process. The Thule Apex Swing 4 is a swing-away hanging-style rack that allows cargo area access without unloading bikes. While being the lightest swing-away hanging rack tested, tray-style hitch racks are generally considered simpler and more stable. The Yakima FullSwing, another swing-away design, is significantly heavier than the Thule, making hitch receiver alignment more difficult.
Trunk Racks: Budget-Friendly and Basic
Trunk racks are often a more budget-friendly option, attaching directly to the vehicle’s trunk or rear hatch. Adjusting the Thule Passage 2 involves less user-friendly spring-loaded snap buttons with limited adjustability. The Yakima HangOut was found to be more challenging to install and adjust compared to competitors. The Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike rack is difficult to install and lacks arm adjustability. The Ultra Compact 2-Bike, also from Allen Sports, is perceived as cheaply made and less durable, exhibiting considerable side-to-side shaking during driving. The Saris Solo, a single-bike trunk rack, is constructed from inexpensive plastic, lacks adjustability, and its fixed angle may cause bike-to-vehicle contact on certain car models like the VW Jetta.
Roof Racks: For Versatility and Vehicle Compatibility
Roof racks mount bikes on top of the vehicle, offering versatility and compatibility with various car types. The Küat Trio is less user-friendly to mount compared to the RockyMounts SwitchHitter, and seems primarily designed for thru-axle bikes, making fork skewer adjustments tricky. The fork-mount Yakima HighSpeed, while featuring an easy-to-tighten clamp knob, requires cumbersome assembly for each bike mounting and dismounting. Its bike stability was also noted as less secure than some other roof rack options. The SeaSucker Talon fork-mount rack utilizes suction cups for vehicle attachment. Suction cup fitment issues were observed on some vehicles, especially those with ribbed roofs. When properly fitted, the strong suction could cause roof flex under bike sway, a concern echoed in user reviews. While the Swagman Race Ready allows bike locking, it lacks a rack-to-vehicle locking mechanism and provided less secure bike holding compared to recommended picks.
Pickup Truck Carriers: Tailgate and Bed Options
Pickup truck carriers offer solutions for transporting bikes in the truck bed. The Thule Insta-Gater Pro secures to the tailgate and holds bikes by the front wheel. However, tailgate lowering is restricted, and ensuring bike fit within the truck bed with wheels on is crucial. Wheel clamp slippage on bumpy roads leading to bike fall-over was also observed. The Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad tailgate pad uses Velcro straps to secure bikes. Strap length was found insufficient for secure bike holding, with loosening occurring on winding roads. In contrast, the Thule GateMate Pro tailgate pad featured excessively long straps, unsuitable for standard bike frames but potentially designed for larger mountain bike frames.
Conclusion:
Choosing the recommended bike rack depends heavily on your vehicle type, the number and type of bikes you need to carry, and your budget. Tray-style hitch racks generally offer the best combination of ease of use and stability, while hanging-style hitch racks provide a more compact and often more affordable option. Trunk racks are budget-friendly for occasional use, and roof racks offer versatility for various vehicles. Pickup truck carriers cater specifically to truck owners. Carefully consider your specific needs and the pros and cons of each type to select the best bike rack for your cycling adventures.
