Choosing the Best Bike Car Mount is crucial for cyclists who love to explore new trails or need to transport their bikes safely and conveniently. With numerous options available, from hitch racks to roof and trunk mounts, finding the ideal solution can feel overwhelming. This guide breaks down various types of bike car mounts, highlighting their pros and cons based on expert reviews and user experiences, helping you choose the best bike car mount for your specific needs.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks: Secure and Easy Loading
Tray-style hitch racks are a popular choice for their stability and ease of use, securely holding bikes by their wheels without frame contact. For those considering an option for electric bikes, the Hollywood Racks Destination E-Bike Rack offers a ramp for easier loading and folds flat when not in use, making it a space-saving choice. While it’s a more budget-friendly option, users have noted that loading, unloading, and tilting can be a multi-step process, and it requires more assembly compared to higher-end models.
For a premium experience, the Thule Epos stands out as a top-tier option, particularly for heavier electric bikes. Although it comes at a higher price point, its user-friendly design simplifies loading and unloading, making it a worthwhile investment for frequent cyclists seeking convenience and reliability.
The Küat NV 2.0, a robust option in the tray-style category, expands on the features of the Sherpa 2.0, accommodating up to four bikes with an add-on. It includes a useful integrated work stand for bike maintenance on the go. However, its substantial weight of 56 pounds and higher price tag might make the Sherpa 2.0 a more appealing option for many. The Küat NV Base 2.0 offers similar features to the NV 2.0 but omits the work stand, resulting in a slightly lighter and less expensive model, yet the Sherpa 2.0 often remains the preferred choice for its balance of features and usability.
The Thule T2 Pro XT, while a sturdy tray-style rack, was noted as one of the heavier and pricier non-motorized models. Its successor, the T2 Pro XTR, addresses maneuverability with added wheels but remains on the heavier and more expensive side. User feedback from bike clubs indicates that the 1UP USA 2″ Heavy Duty Double is highly rated for its durability. However, its usability is slightly hampered by a clamping arm that requires two hands to operate, making bike loading and unloading a bit less fluid. The tilt release handle is also less accessible compared to other models. 1UP USA also offers the Equip-D in single and two-bike versions, but these don’t present significant advantages over the Heavy Duty Double.
The Yakima HoldUp EVO, while a contender in the tray-style hitch rack market, is heavier than the Küat Sherpa 2.0 and considered less refined in its overall design. Users have reported more bike wobble and a less accessible tilt lever. Mounting the RockyMounts SplitRail LS can be cumbersome, requiring a wrench for secure installation. Its wider profile can also be unwieldy, and the provided locks have been noted as being too short for some bike frames.
The Küat Transfer v2 2-Bike, positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Sherpa 2.0, falls short in several areas. It is heavier, more complex to install, requires more assembly, and lacks integrated locks. Furthermore, a recall in June 2024 due to a pivot cam issue that could lead to bikes falling off raises concerns about its reliability. The Thule T2 Classic, an earlier iteration of the T2 Pro XT, lacks modern conveniences like a hitch receiver knob and a user-friendly pull-handle tilting system. Weighing in at 50 pounds and missing bike locks, it’s notably less appealing than other top hitch-rack picks.
While the Saris SuperClamp EX 4-Bike excels as a four-bike carrier, its two-bike version doesn’t quite reach the same heights. The thinner mounting bar contributes to more sway compared to competitors, a common issue in four-bike racks but less desirable in two-bike models where greater stability is typically expected. The Yakima HoldUp faced issues with stripped threads on the hitch receiver bolt, hindering secure mounting. Even with its tilt function, rear door access on vehicles like the Toyota 4Runner remained restricted due to handlebar interference. The RockyMounts BackStage, with its swing-away and tilt features for cargo access, is weighed down by its 68-pound bulk, making it less convenient than lighter alternatives.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks for Single Bikes: Compact Options
For solo riders or those needing a tray rack compatible with RVs or trailers, the Küat Transfer v2 1-Bike was previously recommended. However, the widespread recall in June 2024, affecting even the single-bike version, makes it a risky choice. The 1UP USA Quik Rack Single, requiring no assembly, is another option, but users found it less intuitive than the Küat Transfer. Operating the wheel hoops necessitates two hands, complicating bike loading and unloading. The RockyMounts MonoRail Solo’s tilt release handle presented a safety concern, with testers reporting finger pinching due to its snap-back action.
Hanging-Style Hitch Racks: Simpler Designs, Consider Bike Compatibility
Hanging-style hitch racks offer a simpler design, often at a lower price point. The Saris Bones Hitch 2-Bike is comparable in weight to the Küat Beta but is generally less favored. Adjusting the Bones’s arms is less user-friendly, and bikes tend to wobble more during transit compared to other hanging hitch racks. Fitting four bikes onto the Yakima RidgeBack can be challenging due to tight spacing. The RidgeBack also lacks a built-in lock, a feature expected at its price. The Thule Apex XT 4, designed for four bikes, doesn’t fold flat for storage, which can be a drawback for some users.
The Yakima HangTight vertical hanging hitch rack, available in four and six-bike versions, holds bikes vertically by their handlebars. This design presents several challenges: lifting bikes into the rack requires handling them from underneath, near the chain and chainrings, and compatibility issues arose with certain bikes due to handlebar reflectors or cable interference. Securing the rack involves crawling underneath the vehicle to tighten the hitch bolt, and adjusting the vertical post height is a two-wrench operation. The Thule Apex Swing 4, a swing-away hanging hitch rack for four bikes, is lighter than other swing-away models at 45 pounds, but tray-style racks generally offer greater simplicity and stability. The Yakima FullSwing, another swing-away design, is significantly heavier than the Thule, making hitch receiver alignment more difficult.
Trunk Racks: Budget-Friendly and Compact, But Limited
Trunk racks are generally the most budget-friendly and compact bike car mount option, attaching to the vehicle’s trunk or hatch. However, they can be less stable and may not be compatible with all vehicle types. Adjusting the Thule Passage 2 involves cumbersome spring-loaded snap buttons with limited flexibility. The Yakima HangOut is reported to be more difficult to install and adjust compared to competitors. The Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike rack is challenging to install, and its arms are non-adjustable. The Allen Sports Ultra Compact 2-Bike is perceived as cheaply made and prone to shaking during driving. The Saris Solo, a single-bike trunk rack constructed from inexpensive plastic, lacks adjustability, potentially causing bike-vehicle contact depending on the car model.
Roof Racks: Versatile, But Lifting Required
Roof racks offer versatility, allowing roof box or kayak carrier use when bikes aren’t being transported. However, they require lifting bikes onto the roof, which can be difficult, especially for heavier bikes or taller vehicles. The Küat Trio is less user-friendly than the RockyMounts SwitchHitter in terms of mounting, and appears optimized for thru-axle bikes, making fork skewer adjustments tricky. The fork-mount Yakima HighSpeed, while featuring an easy-to-tighten clamp knob, requires assembly for each bike mount and dismount, and doesn’t hold bikes as securely as some alternatives. The SeaSucker Talon, a fork-mount rack utilizing suction cups, can have fit issues on roofs with raised ribs. Even when properly attached, the strong suction can cause roof flexing with bike sway. The Swagman Race Ready, while offering bike locking, lacks rack-to-vehicle locking and doesn’t provide the same level of bike security as top-rated roof racks.
Pickup Truck Carriers: Tailgate Pads and Bed Mounts
Pickup truck carriers range from tailgate pads to more structured bed mounts. The Thule Insta-Gater Pro, secured by the truck’s tailgate and clamping onto the front wheel, requires ensuring bike fit within the truck bed with wheels on. The wheel clamp’s security is crucial, as slippage can occur on bumpy roads, potentially causing the bike to fall. The Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad, a nylon pad wrapping around the tailgate, uses Velcro straps to secure up to five bikes. However, the straps may be too short for secure bike retention, loosening on winding roads. The Thule GateMate Pro tailgate pad features longer straps designed for modern mountain bikes with beefier frames, potentially making them too long for standard bike frames.
Choosing the Best Bike Car Mount:
Ultimately, the best bike car mount depends on your specific needs, bike type, vehicle, and budget. Tray-style hitch racks offer the best combination of security and ease of use, making them a top choice for many cyclists. Hanging hitch racks are more economical but may require more care in loading and ensuring bike compatibility. Trunk racks are budget-friendly and compact but have limitations in stability and vehicle compatibility. Roof racks provide versatility but necessitate lifting bikes. Pickup truck carriers cater specifically to truck owners, with tailgate pads offering a simple solution and bed mounts providing more structured support. By considering these factors and the detailed reviews, you can confidently select the best bike car mount to facilitate your cycling adventures.
