Choosing the right bike carrier is essential for safely and conveniently transporting your bicycles, whether you’re heading out for a weekend adventure or just a local trail ride. With a plethora of options on the market, it’s crucial to understand the different types and features available to make an informed decision. This guide examines a range of bike carriers, evaluating their strengths and weaknesses to help you find the best solution for your specific needs.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks: Platform Perfection for Multiple Bikes
Tray-style hitch racks are known for their stability and ease of use, holding bikes securely by their wheels without frame contact. For carrying two to four bikes, several models offer robust performance, though some have drawbacks in terms of weight, ease of loading, and specific features.
The Hollywood Racks Destination E-Bike Rack for Electric Bikes presents a more budget-friendly option for e-bikes, folding compactly when not in use and including a ramp for easier loading. However, users might find the loading, unloading, and tilting processes somewhat cumbersome due to multiple steps involved. Furthermore, it requires more assembly compared to some competitors. For those willing to invest more, the Thule Epos is often recommended as a superior, user-friendlier alternative, particularly for heavier electric bikes.
The Küat NV 2.0, an expanded version of the Sherpa 2.0, can accommodate up to four bikes with an add-on accessory. A notable feature is its integrated work stand, handy for on-the-go bike maintenance. However, it’s a heavier rack, weighing 56 pounds, and comes with a higher price tag. The Küat NV Base 2.0 is a stripped-down version of the NV 2.0, lacking the work stand, which makes it slightly lighter and more affordable. Despite these variations, the Küat Sherpa 2.0 often emerges as a more balanced and practical choice for many users.
The Thule T2 Pro XT (now replaced by the T2 Pro XTR) was noted as a heavier and pricier option in the non-motorized tray rack category. While the updated T2 Pro XTR includes wheels for easier maneuvering, it remains a heavy and expensive choice.
While highly rated in bike-club surveys, the 1UP USA 2″ Heavy Duty Double is considered less user-friendly than top picks. Its clamping arm requires two hands to release, which can be inconvenient when loading and unloading bikes. The tilt release handle is also less accessible. 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 is heavier than the Küat Sherpa 2.0 and perceived as less refined in its design. Bike wobble was more pronounced, and the tilt lever was difficult to access. Mounting the RockyMounts SplitRail LS is less straightforward, requiring a wrench for secure attachment. Its wider profile can be cumbersome, and the included locks are notably short.
The Küat Transfer v2 2-Bike, a more budget-oriented option from Küat, is heavier and less user-friendly in terms of installation and assembly compared to the Sherpa 2.0. It also lacks included locks. It’s important to note that in June 2024, Küat issued a recall for certain batches of the Transfer v2 due to a pivot cam issue that could lead to bikes detaching from the rack.
An older model, the Thule T2 Classic, lacks features found in newer models like the Pro XT and SuperClamp EX, such as a hitch receiver knob and a convenient pull-handle tilting system. Weighing 50 pounds, it is also heavier than comparable hitch racks and does not include bike locks.
While the four-bike SuperClamp EX excels in the four-bike category, its two-bike version doesn’t stand out in the competitive two-bike tray rack market. The thinner mounting bar contributes to more sway compared to competitors, a common issue with loaded four-bike racks, but two-bike tray racks are generally more stable.
The Yakima HoldUp encountered issues with stripped threads on the hitch receiver bolt during testing. Furthermore, even when tilted, handlebar interference prevented full opening of a Toyota 4Runner’s rear door. The RockyMounts BackStage, which swings to the side and tilts, offers cargo area access but is heavier than many alternatives, weighing in at 68 pounds.
Tray-Style Hitch Racks for Solo Riders
For individuals primarily transporting a single bike, or those needing a tray rack suitable for RV or trailer use, single-bike tray racks are available. However, the Küat Transfer v2 1-Bike was subject to the same June 2024 recall as the multi-bike version, impacting its recommendation.
The 1UP USA Quik Rack Single, while requiring no assembly, is considered less user-friendly than the Küat Transfer due to its wheel hoops needing two hands for operation, making bike loading and unloading slightly more challenging. A significant concern with the RockyMounts MonoRail Solo is its tilt release handle, which testers reported snapping back and pinching fingers during use, posing a potential safety hazard.
Hanging-Style Hitch Racks: Simpler and More Compact
Hanging-style hitch racks offer a simpler design and often a more compact storage footprint compared to tray-style racks. However, they typically require bikes to be hung by their frames, which may not be suitable for all bike types and can lead to bike sway.
The Saris Bones Hitch 2-Bike, while lightweight, is considered less desirable than the Küat Beta. Repositioning the Bones’s arms is less convenient, and bikes exhibited more wobble during travel. Fitting four bikes onto the Yakima RidgeBack proved challenging due to tight spacing, and it lacks a built-in lock, a feature expected in its price range. The Thule Apex XT 4 does not fold flat for storage, which can be a disadvantage for some users.
Vertical hanging hitch racks, like the Yakima HangTight, which holds bikes by their handlebars, present unique challenges. Lifting bikes into the rack can be awkward, requiring grabbing the bike near the chain. Furthermore, compatibility issues were noted, with the HangTight failing to securely hold two out of four test bikes due to handlebar reflectors or cable interference. Securing the rack to the hitch is also cumbersome, requiring tools and under-vehicle access. Adjusting the vertical post height is also a two-wrench process.
Swing-away hanging hitch racks, such as the Thule Apex Swing 4, offer cargo area access without unloading bikes. The Apex Swing 4 is the lightest swing-away hanging rack tested but tray-style racks generally offer simpler and more stable bike transport. The Yakima FullSwing is another swing-away option, but its significant weight (17 pounds heavier than the Thule) makes it less practical. Installation into the hitch receiver is also reported to be difficult due to its weight.
Trunk Racks: Budget-Friendly and Basic
Trunk racks are typically the most affordable and basic bike carrier option, attaching to the vehicle’s trunk or hatchback with straps and hooks. However, they can be less stable, may scratch vehicle paint, and often limit trunk access.
Adjusting the Thule Passage 2 involves fiddling with spring-loaded snap buttons, which are considered inconvenient and offer limited adjustability. The Yakima HangOut is reported to be more difficult to install and adjust compared to competitors. The Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike rack is described as difficult to install with non-adjustable arms.
The Ultra Compact 2-Bike, also from Allen Sports, is perceived as cheaply made and not durable, exhibiting significant side-to-side shaking during driving. The Saris Solo, a single-bike trunk rack made of inexpensive plastic, is non-adjustable, and its fixed angle caused bike contact with a VW Jetta’s rear.
Roof Racks: For Versatile Cargo Carrying
Roof racks mount to the vehicle’s roof, offering versatility for carrying bikes and other cargo. Fork-mount roof racks require removing the bike’s front wheel, while wheel-on roof racks keep both wheels attached.
The Küat Trio is considered less user-friendly for mounting compared to the RockyMounts SwitchHitter, and primarily designed for thru-axle bikes, with fork skewer conversion being tricky. The fork-mount Yakima HighSpeed, despite an easy-to-tighten clamp knob, is cumbersome due to the need for assembly and disassembly for each bike mount. Its bike security is also rated as less solid than some competitors.
The SeaSucker Talon, a fork-mount rack using suction cups for roof attachment, has fitment issues on vehicles with roof ribs. When suction cups do adhere, they can create excessive roof flex with bike sway, a concern echoed in user reviews. While the Swagman Race Ready allows bike locking, it lacks a mechanism to lock the rack to the vehicle itself and bike security is also not as robust as top picks.
Pickup Truck Carriers: Tailgate Solutions
Pickup truck carriers offer options for transporting bikes in the truck bed, utilizing either tailgate pads or hitch-mounted systems designed for trucks.
The Thule Insta-Gater Pro relies on tailgate support and front-wheel clamping. Tailgate lowering is restricted while the rack is in use, and ensuring bike fit within the truck bed with wheels attached is crucial. Wheel clamp security is also paramount, as clamp slippage on bumpy roads can lead to bike fall-over incidents.
Tailgate pads, like the Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad, wrap around the tailgate and use Velcro straps to secure bikes by their down tubes. However, strap length limitations were noted, with straps proving too short for secure bike retention, leading to loosening on winding roads. The Thule GateMate Pro tailgate pad, conversely, features excessively long straps designed for larger mountain bike frames, making it unsuitable for bikes with more standard frame dimensions.
Article edited by Christine Ryan.
