Choosing a Bike Rack for your Car - A Thule Rear Mounted Rack
Guest Post by Nate Schrader.
Maybe you’re gearing up for your first biking road trip with a few buddies. Or maybe you found a sweet trail a little further afield from your own backyard. Or perhaps you just want to bring the family bikes on the next vacation to see the sights & give the kids something to do. Whatever the case is, you’ll need a bike rack for your car to haul everything. But which kind of bike carrier do you need? There are so many types of bike racks to fit the thousands of bicycle shapes and vehicles out there, it’s tough to make a quick, informed decision.
Because I couldn’t make the decision on my own, I consulted James, an seasoned cyclist at Bicycle Garage Indy (thanks James, you the man!). Between the two of us, here are the best places to start when picking a bike rack for your car, the pluses and minuses of each type, and a few top recommendations.
Choosing a Bike Rack for a car: Where to Start
The most important thing is finding a bicycle rack that fits your car (or cars if you’re sharing). Talking to an expert like James at your local bike shop is the best bet for making sure the rack will fit your car, but you can get a good idea of what’s required by each type in our info below. Many manufacturers also provide fitting guides, such as that provided here by Thule. There are so many different types of vehicle and corresponding bike rack that it’s worth putting a bit of research in before purchasing.
Next, make sure your bike fits the rack. If you have a low-frame women’s bike or oddly shaped soft-tail bike frame, you’ll need a bike beam to replace the absence of an appropriate frame bar (see below).
Next, think about what’s most important to you in a bike rack:
- Can a lock the bike and the rack to the car to prevent theft?
- How many bikes will you need to put on?
- Will the bikes scratch or dent my car?
- Will you use the rack on different vehicles?
- Will I need a bike beam with certain racks and not others?
- Can I open the trunk with the rack still attached?
Then among the bike racks that fit your car, you must choose which type you want:
Bike Roof Racks for your Car
These bike racks attach to your car’s cargo racks or roof bars (if you have them) on top of your car. These are a very stable, secure type of bike rack, and they stay out of the way while driving or loading the car.
Pros of a Bike Roof Rack
+ won’t warp trunk or scratch vehicle
+ can lock bike to rack and rack to car for best theft prevention
+ no bike beam necessary
+clear rear window view
Cons of a Bike Roof Rack
- could be a tough reach on vans and trucks for heavy bikes
- may not work for multiple vehicles, they’re not easy to change
RECOMMENDED: Thule ProRide 591 (£89.99) for its versatility and good lookin’ appeal (via James). Thule make their living out of quality car racks, and this one isn’t any different.
The Yamika Fork Lift - A Roof Rack Bike Carrier
Hitch or Towbar Bike Racks
If your car has a towbar or a hitch, this bike rack attaches to that towbar. These racks are often considered the best bang for your buck between security, stability, and carrying capacity.
Pros of a Hitch Bike Rack
+most stable option
+won’t warp your trunk
+works for multiple cars with a hitch size adapter (usually included)
+some like the Swing Daddy swing away from split-door SUV trunks
+carry many bikes
Cons of a Towbar bike Rack
-mechanically more complicated than a trunk rack
RECOMMENDED: Thule 2-Bike Towball Carrier (£130) for the rock-solid Thule stamp of quality and reliability. You can find it and variants at: Thule 2-Bike Towball Carrier UK . Or if nothing but the best will do, go for the Thule 929 Euroclassic G6 3-Bike Towball Carrier. You’ll never leave home without your bikes again!
Boot or Trunk Bike Racks
These racks attach to the boot or trunk lid of your car. These are pretty versatile, and fit to just about any car. As a consequence, they’re best for people using the bike rack on multiple vehicles.
A sturdy looking Rear Mounted Bike Rack
Pros for Boot Bike Racks
+most versatile – works for many different cars
+most affordable
+easy installation
Cons for Boot Bike Racks
-bikes less stable than in other options IF no seat straps
-more scratch and dent prone from bikes swinging
-may not be able to open your trunk while attached
-more prone to warping trunk lid if attached incorrectly and too much bike weight
-easily stolen if not reinforced with wire cable
RECOMMENDED: Saris Bones III (£139) for its capacity, seat stabilization, and versatility. James said he’s used it on 10 different cars, including a 1970s Chrysler Newport. Check out the current prices: Saris Bones III in the UK
For a cheaper alternative, check out the number 3′s little brother, the Saris Bones II (£115).
Would you like to write for us? Get in contact via the comments.
Image credits: Yamika.com, saris.com
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Hi Colin,
I’ve always enjoyed biking, but after my hip replacement (I know, I’m too young for one. That’s what the dr’s said, but I was bone on bone,), I have to use a recumbent bike at the gym. I would like to find a recumbent bike to use on paths.
You have a very nice site. Sally
Re Pros of Bike Roof Rack
“+can lock bike to rack and rack to car for best theft prevention”
Left my bike for less than 5 mins locked on Thule 591 – bike stolen that quickly.
Wheel straps cut and lock left intact and closed but no bike!