Transporting your bike safely and conveniently is crucial for any cyclist, whether you’re heading to a trail, a race, or simply moving locations. The market offers a wide array of bike holders for cars, each with unique features, pros, and cons. Choosing the best bike holder for your car depends on various factors, including the type of bike, vehicle, frequency of use, and budget. This guide delves into different types of bike racks, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks: Robust and Easy Loading
Tray-style hitch racks are known for their stability and ease of use, as bikes are secured by their wheels, minimizing frame contact. These racks generally offer a convenient platform for loading and unloading bikes. However, models vary in features and performance.
Considerations for Two to Four Bikes
Several tray-style hitch racks cater to carrying multiple bikes. Let’s examine some options and their characteristics:
The Hollywood Racks Destination E-Bike Rack for Electric Bikes is presented as a foldable, space-saving option, particularly for e-bikes.
While it includes a ramp for easier e-bike loading and is more budget-friendly, it’s noted as being more tedious to load, unload, and tilt compared to higher-end models. Assembly is also more involved. For users prioritizing ease of use and willing to invest more, the Thule Epos is suggested as a superior alternative.
The Küat NV 2.0 expands on the features of the Sherpa 2.0, accommodating up to four bikes with an add-on.
It includes an integrated work stand, a useful feature for bike maintenance on the go. However, it’s heavier and pricier than the Sherpa 2.0. The Küat NV Base 2.0, a variant without the work stand, is slightly lighter and less expensive but still considered less optimal than the Sherpa 2.0 in the original review.
The Thule T2 Pro XT, now succeeded by the T2 Pro XTR, was noted as a heavier and more expensive option in the non-motorized tray rack category. While the XTR version adds wheels for easier maneuverability, it remains a heavy and premium-priced choice.
The 1UP USA 2″ Heavy Duty Double rack received high ratings in surveys but was found less user-friendly than top picks.
Its clamping arm and tilt release were less convenient to operate. 1UP USA also offers the Equip-D, but it’s not highlighted as offering significant advantages over the Heavy Duty Double.
The Yakima HoldUp EVO is described as heavier than the Küat Sherpa 2.0 and perceived as less refined in engineering. Bike wobble was more pronounced, and tilting was less convenient.
Mounting the RockyMounts SplitRail LS is less straightforward, requiring a wrench for secure attachment. Its wider profile can be cumbersome, and the included locks were noted as being short.
The Küat Transfer v2 2-Bike, positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Sherpa 2.0, is described as heavier, less easily installed, requiring more assembly, and lacking integrated locks. Notably, certain batches of the Transfer v2 were recalled in June 2024 due to a potential pivot cam issue.
The Thule T2 Classic, an earlier iteration of the T2 Pro XT, lacks some of the user-friendly features of newer models, such as a hitch receiver knob and a convenient tilting handle. It’s also heavier than comparable hitch racks and omits bike locks.
While the four-bike Saris SuperClamp EX excelled in the four-bike category, its two-bike version was not a top performer. The mounting bar’s thinness contributed to more sway compared to other two-bike tray racks.
The Yakima HoldUp encountered issues with stripped threads, preventing secure hitch receiver mounting. Despite its tilting feature, handlebar interference with vehicle doors was also noted.
The RockyMounts BackStage, featuring a swing-away design for cargo access, is heavier than recommended picks.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks for Single Bikes
For solo riders or specific vehicle requirements like RV compatibility, single-bike tray racks are available.
The Küat Transfer v2 1-Bike was previously recommended for single bike transport and RV use, but most versions, including the single-bike model, have been recalled in June 2024.
The 1UP USA Quik Rack Single requires no assembly but is considered less user-friendly than the Küat Transfer. Its wheel hoops necessitate two-handed operation, making bike handling during loading and unloading less convenient.
The RockyMounts MonoRail Solo presented a safety concern with its tilt handle, which reportedly pinched users’ fingers during operation.
Hanging-Style Hitch Racks: Simpler and Often Lighter
Hanging-style hitch racks suspend bikes by their frames. They are generally simpler in design and often lighter than tray-style racks, but frame contact is more direct.
The Saris Bones Hitch 2-Bike is comparable in weight to the Küat Beta but is considered less desirable. Adjusting its arms is less convenient, and bikes exhibited more wobble during driving.
The Yakima RidgeBack struggled to accommodate four bikes due to tight spacing. It also lacks a built-in lock, a feature expected in its price range.
The Thule Apex XT 4 four-bike rack does not fold flat for storage, which can be a consideration for some users.
The Yakima HangTight, a vertical hanging hitch rack, presents several drawbacks.
Loading requires lifting bikes from underneath, potentially near dirty components. Compatibility issues were noted with certain bike types due to handlebar reflectors or cable interference. Hitch bolt tightening requires tools and crawling underneath the vehicle, and height adjustments are also tool-dependent and cumbersome.
The Thule Apex Swing 4 swing-away hanging rack is lighter than other swing-away hanging models but tray-style racks are still favored for simplicity and stability overall.
The Yakima FullSwing, another swing-away design, is significantly heavier than the Thule Apex Swing 4, making hitch receiver alignment more challenging.
Trunk Racks: Budget-Friendly and Compact
Trunk racks are an economical option that attaches to the vehicle’s trunk or hatch. They are compact and easy to store, but generally less stable and secure than hitch or roof racks, and can cause vehicle paint damage if not carefully installed and used.
Adjusting the Thule Passage 2 involves less user-friendly spring-loaded snap buttons with limited adjustability.
The Yakima HangOut is described as more difficult to install and adjust compared to competitors.
The Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike rack is deemed difficult to install, and its arms are not adjustable, limiting bike compatibility.
The Ultra Compact 2-Bike from Allen Sports is perceived as cheap and potentially less durable, exhibiting noticeable shaking during driving.
The Saris Solo, a single-bike trunk rack, is made of inexpensive plastic and lacks adjustability. Its fixed angle can cause bike-vehicle contact.
Roof Racks: Versatile but Require Lifting
Roof racks mount bikes on top of the vehicle. They offer versatility and keep the hitch free for other uses but require lifting bikes onto the roof, which can be challenging, especially for heavier bikes or taller vehicles.
The Küat Trio is considered less easily mounted than the RockyMounts SwitchHitter. It seems primarily designed for thru-axle bikes, with fork skewer conversion described as tricky.
While the fork-mount Yakima HighSpeed‘s clamp assembly is easily tightened, its design requires assembly and disassembly with each bike mounting, which is inconvenient. Its bike stability was also rated as less secure compared to some other roof racks.
The SeaSucker Talon, a suction cup-mounted fork rack, presented fit issues on vehicles with roof ribs. When it did adhere, its strong suction could cause roof flexing with bike sway, a concern echoed in user reviews.
Although the Swagman Race Ready allows bike locking, it lacks a feature to lock the rack to the vehicle itself. Bike security on this rack was also rated as less robust.
Pickup Truck Carriers: Tailgate and Bed Options
Pickup truck owners have specialized options, including tailgate pads and bed-mounted carriers.
The Thule Insta-Gater Pro utilizes the truck tailgate for securing the rack and clamps onto the bike’s front wheel. It requires ensuring bike fit within the truck bed with wheels on and necessitates careful wheel clamp tightening to prevent bike slippage, as experienced in testing.
The Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad wraps around the tailgate and uses Velcro straps to secure bikes. Its straps were found too short for secure bike retention, loosening on winding roads.
The Thule GateMate Pro tailgate pad, in contrast, had straps that were too long for standard bike frames, designed for larger mountain bike frames, making it less suitable for general use.
Conclusion: Choosing Your Best Bike Holder
Selecting the best bike holder for your car is a personalized decision based on your specific needs and priorities. Tray-style hitch racks offer stability and ease of use, while hanging-style hitch racks can be lighter and simpler. Trunk racks are budget-friendly and compact, and roof racks offer versatility. Pickup truck carriers cater to truck owners with tailgate and bed options.
Consider the number of bikes you need to carry, the type of bikes, your vehicle type, your budget, and how frequently you’ll use the rack. Carefully evaluate the features, pros, and cons of each rack type and model to find the best bike holder that perfectly fits your cycling lifestyle and vehicle.
