Bike Rack Buyer's Guide

Bicycles are some of the most awkward pieces of kit to transport. Their size makes a good quality bike rack an absolute necessity. There are many things to consider though which is why we put together this handy buyers guide.

When shopping for a bike rack the first decision is where do you want to carry your bike. There are basically four choices:

  • Roof Mounts - Attaches to the roof of your car and provides the greatest flexibilty for loading different types of gear.
    • Upright mounts
    • Fork mounts
  • Hitch Carriers - Attaches to the tow hitch of your car and is the quickest and easiest to load.
    • Tray Style mounts
    • Mast Style mounts
  • Trunk/Hatck Carriers - Attaches to the rear of your car allowing you to load your bike at about chest height.
  • Truck Mounts - Attaches your bike securely to your pickup

 Bicycles are some of the most awkward pieces of kit to transport. Their size makes a good quality bike rack an absolute necesity. There are many things to consider though which is why we put together this handy buyers guide. 


Best Bike Racks for different mount types

Thule ProRide - Best Upright Bike Rack

The Thule ProRide is a rooftop bike rack that allows you to carry your bike on your roof while keeping both wheels attached. It attaches to an existing roof rack creating a secure fit. If you are not sure about which roof rack base system to choose, check out our roof rack buyer’s guide.

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What we like

  • Quick and easy to load and unload
  • Compatible with a variety of bikes
  • Front wheel stays on for easy transport

What we don't like

  • Higher load height
  • Loading on bigger cars becomes more difficult

 Yakima Forkchop - Best fork mounted bike rack

When you need a lower load profile and don't mind removing the front wheel, a fork mounted bike rack might be suitable for you.

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What we like

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What we don't like

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H4: Product Highlights

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H4: The Good/What I like

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H4: The Bad/What I don’t like

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 Thule T2 Pro XT 2 - Best tray style hitch mounted bike rack

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What we like

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What we don't like

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H4: Product Highlights

Section where you cover the main features and characteristics that make this product an interesting choice

H4: The Good/What I like

Section where you cover specific parts where this product is better than other choices in the same price range, where the manufacturer did a really good job, special features you wished other choices had, etc.

 


Bike Rack Buyer’s Guide

When shopping for a bike rack the first decision is where do you want to carry your bike. There are basically four choices:

  • Roof Mounts - Attaches to the roof of your car and provides the greatest flexibilty for loading different types of gear.
    • Upright mounts
    • Fork mounts
  • Hitch Carriers - Attaches to the tow hitch of your car and is the quickest and easiest to load.
    • Tray Style mounts
    • Mast Style mounts
  • Trunk/Hatck Carriers - Attaches to the rear of your car allowing you to load your bike at about chest height.
  • Truck Mounts - Attaches your bike securely to your pickup

Roof mounted bike racks

Upright Bike Rack

Yakima Frontloader

Thule ProRide

Advantages

  • No/minimal frame contact
  • Easy to load
  • No need to remove front wheel
  • Works with many types of bikes

Disadvantages

  • High loading height
  • Requires a roof rack

Fork Mounted Bike Rack

Yakima Forkchop

Thule ThruRide

Advantages

  • Lower profile once loaded
  • No frame contact

Disadvantages

  • You still need space for the front wheel
  • More difficult to load

 

Tray style racks

Thule T2 Pro XT 2

Yakima Holdup

Advantages

  • Easy to load bikes
  • Minimal frame contact
  • Minimal swaying

Disadvantages

  • Quite large
  • Takes up lots of storage space

Mast style racks

Thule Vertex Swing Away

Yakima SwingDaddy

Advantages

  • Can fold down when not in use
  • Easy to store

Disadvantages

  • Bikes can sway while driving
  • Secured through frame contact

 

 

Trunk & Tire mounted bike rack

Mast style racks

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H3:Key Feature n1

Explain this feature/spec/function/component so that the reader knows exactly what it does and how it matters, etc.

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The buyer’s guide is a great spot to place your authority links quoting highly authoritative, niche-specific sources (no, wikipedia isn’t a good source) to help readers dig deeper into a certain topic if they so wish and improve your on-page SEO at the same time.

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Other options

If a cargo box doesn't quite fit your needs, other options to consider are cargo baskets or soft-sided cargo bags. A cargo basket is an open-air container where all contents must be secured in place or covered by a cargo net. Perfect if you just have to move extra luggage around. Soft-sided cargo bags are strapped directly to your vehicles roof or secured to existing roof racks.

H2: Conclusion/Wrapping up/Final Verdict

Here you close the article with a final recommendation with [Product nºX] as the best [product] because A, B, and C. You may alternatively give a second recommendation for a much cheaper option for those who are on a budget.



 

ProRide Upright Bike Rack

Thule Vertex Swing Away Bike Rack

Tech Specs: Thule ProRide

  • Model Number: #598
  • Weight: 9.9 lb
  • Dimensions: 57 x 13 x 3.5 in
  • Load capacity: 44 lb

The Thule ProRide is a rooftop bike rack that allows you to carry your bike on your roof while keeping both wheels attached. It attaches to an existing roof rack creating a secure fit.

The ProRide can be fitted to most roof rack cross bars, including round and square bars. It secures your bike using two wheel holders with quick-release straps and a padded frame clamp.

Because there is no need to remove any wheels, it’s suitable for both quick release/open ended and thru-axle/closed end fork types. Bicycles with fenders are also accommodated since the wheel holders attach to the bottom of the wheel.


Thule Vertex Swing Away Bike Rack

Thule Vertex Swing Away Bike Rack

Tech Specs: Thule Vertex

  • Bike carrying capacity: 4
  • Weight capacity: 140 lbs
  • Hitch receiver: Class 2 - 2 inch
  • Hatch access: Swing away

The Thule Vertex Swing is a swing away hitch mounted bike rack that swings to one side to allow access to your vehicle’s hatch. The rack can also be locked in place to prevent it accidentally swinging back and causing damage to the bike of vehicle.

The anti sway cradles are ribbed to accommodate any cables that run underneath the bike frame. It has an integrated cable lock to secure the bikes to the rack.

Hide-away, heavy-duty integrated cable lock allows you to lock the bikes to the rack and stores inside hitch rack when not in use.

Even though the Vertex has a stated carrying capacity of 4 bikes, some users have noted it difficult to load more than three bikes at a time, especially mountain bikes.

If you have a bicycle with a non-conventional frame, such as a woman's, child's, or full-suspension bike, you may need a frame adapter to carry your bike on a hanging-style rear mount bike rack. The Thule frame adapter part number is: 982XT


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