{"id":33919,"date":"2022-02-25T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-25T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=2862"},"modified":"2022-02-25T11:17:38","modified_gmt":"2022-02-25T10:17:38","slug":"best-bike-racks-for-cars-2022-11-roof-towbar-and-rear-mounted-carriers-reviewed","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/best-bike-racks-for-cars-2022-11-roof-towbar-and-rear-mounted-carriers-reviewed\/","title":{"rendered":"Best bike racks for cars 2022 | 11 roof, towbar and rear-mounted carriers reviewed"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Matthew Loveridge\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 25 February 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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The best bike racks for cars make transporting your ride less of a chore and are an absolute essential if you can\u2019t squeeze everything inside your vehicle.<\/p>\n

There are multiple bike-rack styles available at a range of budgets, and this guide covers everything you need to know when you\u2019re deciding which one suits your needs.<\/p>\n

Keep reading for a full explanation of roof racks, boot or trunk-mounted racks, and hitch or towbar-mounted racks, with reviews of those that scored highest when rated by our expert team of testers.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re heading off on a cycling holiday, check out our article on how to pack your road bike for a trip abroad<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The best bike racks for cars in 2022, as rated by our expert testers<\/h2>\n

What type of bike rack do I need?<\/h3>\n

The first question is: how far and how frequently do you need to carry bikes? Then what type of bikes and how many bikes you need to carry. Which vehicle \u2013 or vehicles \u2013 do you have, and will you be taking a mixture of bikes? Are they heavy, do they have thru-axles, and will they be getting dirty?<\/p>\n

The next question is how do you want to carry the bikes? On top of the vehicle? Off the back? Does your vehicle have a receiver hitch? Bike\u2019s front wheel on or off? Another thing to consider is if you want or need to carry other sporting equipment.<\/p>\n

Bikes vary widely in cost, style, size and weight too, all of which should be factors when looking for a means of transporting them. You probably won\u2019t want to risk carrying your road bike<\/a> on a rack that costs less than one of its ultra-light tyres.<\/p>\n

Also consider practicality: whether the rack will suit your needs now and in the future; ease of use \u2013 how easy it is to fit to the vehicle and load; security \u2013 whether it holds the bikes safely and locks the bikes to the rack and the vehicle; and how much storage space it will take up when not in use.<\/p>\n

The main types of bike rack are roof-mounted, <\/strong>boot<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0trunk-<\/strong>mounted <\/strong>and towbar or hitch-mounted<\/strong>. Plus there are options for truck beds and speciality racks for unique situations.<\/p>\n

Roof-mounted bike racks<\/h2>\n
\""droprack\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
A T-bolt attachment is compatible with the the most common bike racks.<\/span><\/figcaption> Russell Burton \/ Our Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Most roof racks consist of feet that attach to your vehicle\u2019s roof, and cross bars to which the accessories attach. Bike racks for roof racks vary between ones that require front-wheel removal and racks that allow both wheels to remain on the bike.<\/p>\n

Front-wheel removal keeps the bike lower (great for tall SUVs), can be easier and lighter to load, and is the classic way of hauling bikes up-top.<\/p>\n

Bike racks that keep both wheels on the bike are taller, generally cost more, and can be less stable. However, they avoid frequent wheel removal and re-installation.<\/p>\n

Either option often includes integrated locks to secure your bike to the rack. And, of course, the rack is locked to the bars, and the bars are locked to your vehicle.<\/p>\n

There are simpler roof-mounted bike racks available that don\u2019t require a dedicated base bar setup, such as the SeaSucker rack<\/a> (below), which uses suction cups to attach to your car. There are also roof-mounted bike racks that attach to your vehicle\u2019s factory-installed roof rack.<\/p>\n

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Roof-mounted bike racks can be simple and much less involved.<\/span><\/figcaption> Sea Sucker<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

While not permanent, roof racks generally stay on your vehicle all the time because they are hugely versatile \u2013 being able to add and remove sport-specific accessories enables you to carry bikes, kayaks, skis, SUP boards, cargo boxes, etc.<\/p>\n

Basically, any big, bulky item is fair game for a roof rack, even ladders, lumber and other non-sport items.<\/p>\n

\""Roof-mounted\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Roof racks can be used for a huge variety of gear-hauling duties.<\/span><\/figcaption> Yakima<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n
  • Pros:<\/strong> Super-versatile for all kinds of gear hauling; one of the most secure rack types available; doesn\u2019t hinder access to any doors\/boot\/hatch\/tailgate<\/li>\n
  • Cons:<\/strong> Drive under something low if you\u2019ve forgotten about your bikes and you could wreck them and damage your vehicle; you\u2019re also adding aero drag to your vehicle, so fuel consumption will likely increase<\/li>\n<\/ul>

    Thule ProRide 598<\/h3>
    <\/div> 5.0 out of 5 star rating<\/span> <\/span> <\/div> <\/div>
    • <\/li>\n<\/ul>