If you’re the sort of person or family who likes taking their bike with them on outdoor excursions, it might be time to switch from stuffing your push irons into the car to using a rack. You’ll get your boot space back for essential items, plus your bikes will be secure and easier to mount and de-mount when you arrive at your destination.
In this article, we’ll look at everything from how to tell which will fit your hatchback or SUV to the pros and cons of tow bar, rooftop and rear-mounted styles. Once all this has been taken into account, check out our list of the best bicycle racks you can buy from reliable brands like Thule and Halfords. Whether you need to secure one electric bike or 4 bikes at once, we've got you sorted!
Quick List - Top Bike Racks
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Finding the right bike rack can be confusing, especially if it’s your first time. But, armed with a little bit of knowledge and understanding about the options and what they’re best suited to, you should find the right one in no time.
Knowing how many bikes you want to transport is pretty important as different racks have different capabilities. So, depending on whether you plan on taking off just you and the bike or heading on a group cycling holiday, you’ll need to consider the recommended amount a rack can carry and its loading capacity.
Thankfully, this is all pretty easy to find out from a glance at the product specs. You’ll generally find that racks are able to load between one to four bikes. As you’d imagine, the loading capacity rises parallel with the number one can carry, but it is usually somewhere between 15 and 70 kg.
One thing to remember is that if you plan on loading an electric bike, you will have to take its heavier weight into account. So, you’ll want to ensure that the rack is both suitable for this type of bike and that the load is sufficient to carry it safely.
Next up, you'll need to make sure the rack is suitable for the type of car you own. Bike racks aren’t universal, so you don’t want to be disappointed when it turns up and doesn’t fit. However, naming all the cars that fit certain models is a bit excessive, so there’ll be some work to be done on your part.
Many bike rack brands provide vehicle fit guides that you can use to identify the correct model for your car. Likewise, some websites will allow you to input your registration, which will automatically confirm whether it’s a match or not.
As there are so many types of cars to list, for our recommendations, we have added whatever information we can to help you. For example, the types of cars (SUVs, hatchbacks, 4X4s) or whether there are any requirements such as roof racks. That said, if you like the look of something, it’s still worth checking with the company for a guide to the vehicles it will fit.
Once you’ve considered the number of bikes and the type of car you have, then it’s time to look at the different styles of racks available. There are generally three main categories: roof, rear and towbar. In this section, we’ll look at each individually and consider their pros and cons.
Roof racks are one of the most popular systems. They’re often very versatile and can accommodate different types of equipment, which is handy if you like to partake in other excursions as well. Furthermore, they’re solid and stable, and one of everyone’s favourite parts – they don’t block access to your car doors or boot.
However, it’s not all hunky-dory. Firstly, as they distress the aerodynamics of the vehicle, roof racks can affect your fuel economy, even increasing the cost by up to 30%. Also, these styles are frequently designed for only one bike, which means you may be required to buy multiple separate racks if you need to transport more than this.
Rear-mounted racks are fitted to the back of your car, usually with some straps. As well as being generally cheaper than the other options, they don’t require roof bars or towbars so you won’t have to shell out for those either. Rear racks can often carry multiple bikes or e-bikes and are easy to assemble or disassemble.
The downside is that this type can interfere with access to your boot, though if you want to be able to get in while travelling, have a look for tiltable syles that are designed to solve this dilemma. Secondly, if bikes aren't strapped in properly, they can be known to sway a little. This could cause contact with your car and other bikes, resulting in scratching or dinging.
If you already have a tow bar or are happy to buy one, then a bar-mounted rack becomes an option. This style is known to be the best for carrying more bikes and has a large load capacity. Therefore, if you’re looking to take the whole family, these are a solid option. And of course, as they mount directly to the towbar, you can leave the roof free to carry other things.
Again, though, this does mean that access to the boot of your car could be restricted, which can be frustrating. Not only that, but if you don't already have a tow bar, you'll need to find out whether your car can actually be fitted with one. Smaller city cars, sports cars and some hybrids are among those which may not be suitable.
Finally, you’ll want to consider any security or anti-theft features. One wouldn’t usually leave their equipment strapped to the car, but sometimes, it has to be done. Sadly, this is a feature that isn’t all too common in a bike rack, but it’s even less likely in roof or rear-mounted types. Therefore, your best chances are with a towbar-mounted rack.
It’s still rare with this style, but some offer full locking systems that ensure the rack is bolted to the car and the bikes are secured to the rack. While it’s not ideal, you can use your regular bike lock as a temporary solution if you do need to leave the vehicle. However, it’s important to remember to take this off before you continue to drive.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Saris Bones Car Bike Rack | ![]() | A Total Game Changer for Almost Every Vehicle | |
2 | Thule ProRide 598 | ![]() | Top Marks for Its Excellent Additional Features | |
3 | Pendle Bikes 2-Bike Wheel Support Bicycle Carrier | ![]() | Made in the Heart of Great Britain | |
4 | Halfords Roof Mount Bike Rack | ![]() | A Classic Design That Does Exactly What You'd Expect | |
5 | Thule Velocompact 927 | ![]() | An Intuitive Design That Allows Boot Access | |
6 | Streetwise Universal Twin Cycle Carrier | ![]() | The Economical Option for Two | |
7 | Halfords Advanced 3-Bike Tow Bar Bike Rack | ![]() | Solid and Secure With Plenty of Bike Space | |
8 | Kupper Mount Suction Cup Bike Rack System | ![]() | A Unique Take On the Roof Rack |
Taking our top spot is the Bones EX 3 by Saris. It is a rear-style option that can hold three bikes (there's a 2-bike version too), and it has a particularly unique feature. You see, there's a game-changing leg, which allows the rack to fit a whopping 72% of cars – this is much more than many other racks.
Not only is it versatile when it comes to cars, but it can also hold a wide range of bikes. Add to that the fact that it's one of the strongest frames available, it's fast and easy to use, it has unique strap management so nothing will be flapping about and it's all made from recyclable materials, and you can see why it sits pretty at the head of our ranking.
Capable of accomodating gravel, road, mountain and cyclocross bikes, this is the perfect rack for those that have no interest in removing the wheels every time they load up. Also, while many racks have a limited wheel size, this gives you the option of purchasing an adapter that can take wheels up to five inches thick. Yes, five inches!
There are plenty of other features we admire too, such as the inclusion of a torque indicator to protect the frame from overtightening. It's not suitable for electric bikes, but if you have a roof bar and want a quick, easy and secure top rack, this is a winner.
Crafted in the heart of Great Britain, these Pendle racks are super reliable. They're made from high tensile steel, which results in the admirable 70 kg loading capacity – perfect for e-bike owners. This particular model can carry up to two cycles, but they have other options available for four bikes and even trikes.
All the paintwork is powder-coated, so you don't have to worry too much about the elements wearing it down. They opted for some colour too; the grey and orange looks cool and adds a little character to something that otherwise can be all about function.
Here we have Halfords' take on the classic roof rack. It's nothing fancy, but it offers a secure and stable way to transport your bike from A to B. Plus, it fits a full range of different roof bars, whether they're square or Aero.
However, that is also a potential shortcoming – it requires a roof bar. So, if you don't already have one, then there'll be an extra cost. That said, you can probably afford to fit your car with the bar and buy the rack for cheaper than some of the options in this ranking, it will just take a bit more time to assemble!
We'll be seeing plenty from Thule throughout this article, but here is our first look at one of their masterpieces. This three-bike rack is compatible with a range of bikes, such as mountain, racking and electric. It can also be upgraded to hold four bikes by adding an adaptor.
The clever design ensures that you still have access to your boot thanks to a foot-tilt apparatus, and if you're not using it, it is straightforward to disassemble and store away. It's a very dependable option from one of the market leaders, but it is costly.
Not everyone has hundreds of pounds to blow on a bike rack, so we searched high and low for affordable options as well as top-tier ones. This two-bike rear rack from Streetwise is a great one to consider. The back is fitted with straps and the frame has protective rubber absorbers, which assures no damage to the car or your bikes.
The company claim that it works with a wide range of cars. However, as we stated earlier, it's always good practice to check before buying. Sadly, the instructions aren't supposed to be the easiest to follow, so you might want to enlist a helper if you're not too DIY-inclined.
Halfords are one of the most trusted brands in the country, and their in-house equipment can easily match up to the quality of competitors. Take this three-bike tow bar rack, for example. It has a solid load capacity and can carry both regular and e-bikes. Plus, it tilts with the boot, so you still have access should you need it.
This is also one of the safest racks thanks to the extra security features that ensure everything is locked together. Some people have found that it's not suitable for all bikes in terms of wheelbase size, so this might be worth figuring out before purchasing.
Getting us underway is this unique take on a bike rack from Kupper Mount. While you might never have seen one quite like it, this offering is incredibly intuitive as it can be quickly and easily placed on any hardtop car, making it one of the most universal options there is.
Alongside being easy to use and very lightweight, it has a decent load capacity for something so small. There are some concerns, though. Firstly, the company advise to never drive over the national speed limit with it on (which you obviously don't anyway!). Secondly, there's barely any security against accidents or potential thieves.
Looking for more products for your cycling excursions? Whether you favour going for solo Sunday rides, family day outs or touring holidays, we've linked three more bike-related articles below that we think will be of interest.
So there you have it – our comprehensive guide to finding the perfect bike rack. We hope that you found the buying guide informative and helpful, and fingers crossed we had something in the ranking to suit your vehicle. All that's left to do is load up and get out and explore!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Saris|Bones Car Bike Rack
No. 2: Thule|ProRide 598
No. 3: Pendle Bikes|2-Bike Wheel Support Bicycle Carrier
No. 4: Halfords|Roof Mount Bike Rack
No. 5: Thule|Velocompact 927
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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