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Though biking around your neighborhood is good fun, it can get a little boring and repetitive if you’re always seeing the same scenery, following the same routes time and time again.
If you want to explore some new areas, go biking along your area’s most popular trails, or head to a group biking session with friends, you’ll need a bike rack.
Bike racks are the most convenient way of transporting your bike since taking off a wheel to fit it in your car is time consuming when you get to your destination, and you run the risk of breaking a mechanism by putting the wheel on improperly.
When choosing a bike rack, there are a number of things to consider before making your purchase. They come in a variety of types, price ranges, sizes, and security levels.
Since your bike rack must match your vehicle and your bike, choosing one isn’t as simple as it seems. But we’re here to help with the decisions-making process.
After analyzing 18 products and considering 743 reviews over a 23-hour period, we’ve come up with a list of the best bike mount racks in Canada for you to browse and choose from.
Following our last update, we recommend the Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack for its quality, durability, and ease of use.
Our Top Pick Bike Mount Rack in 2023
We’re pleased by every feature of this hitch mount bike rack. It is incredibly durable, gentle as possible on your bike’s frame for its design, is convenient to use, and keeps your bikes protected and stable during short or long trips.
Pros:
- Has tilt down feature for rear of vehicle access
- Anti-sway cradles so bikes don’t move
- Bike arms fold down when not in use
- Can fit both 1.25” and 2” hitch receivers
Cons:
- Not good for families – only holds 2 bikes
- Pricey
Our selection of the best models available right now:
- Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
- Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
- Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier
- Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
- Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
- MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount
- Retrospec Lenox 4-Bike Mount Hitch
Safe Comparative Table
| Image | Product | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hitch Pick
|
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
|
9,6
|
Check Price on Amazon |
|
Roof Pick
|
Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
|
9,4
|
Check Price on AmazonCheck Price at MEC |
|
Upgrade Pick
|
Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier
|
9,7
|
Check Price on AmazonCheck Price at MEC |
|
Budget Pick
|
Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
|
9,1
|
Check Price on Amazon |
Our Hitch Pick for a Bike Mount Rack
Presentation of the Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
The Best Hitch Choice
Thule
If you’re looking for a bike mount rack for your vehicle that can attach to your hitch, we recommend the Thule Camber hitch bike rack since it is a well-built, high-quality rack that users will appreciate for its easy of use and gentleness on your bike’s frame.
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack Video Review
What We Think of The Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
The Thule Camber hitch bike rack is a top choice out of all the hitch racks out there. It is ideal for singles and couples that bike together since it holds just 2 bikes.
For a 2-bike rack, it is a bit pricey, but its build quality and stability are what give it its higher price point.
There is a 7” space between bike on the rack, and the specially designed integrated anti-sway cradles ensure your bikes don’t sway and hit into each other even if you need to break or accelerate quickly.
This rack is compatible with the 1.25” and 2” hitch receivers, so vehicles of all sizes, makes, and models can use this bike mount rack no problem.
The bikes are very well balanced on this rack and are quick to mount and dismount with ratcheting straps that fit every size of bike from child to adult. Bikes weighing up to 75 lbs combined can be supported on this rack.
I am very happy with this bike rack. My wife and I go biking on trails up to 4 hours away all summer, so we wanted something really sturdy and high-quality since we use it so much and travel far from home sometimes. It is easy to mount and dismount the bikes, and I appreciate that we can fold it down so it doesn’t stick out when we’re not using it.
michael f.
The rack itself weighs 28 lbs, so you certainly won’t want to be taking it on and off regularly. Luckily, it has a tilt down feature that allows access to the back of the vehicle without removing the bikes or the rack from your car.
One of the best features on this bike rack is the folding bike arms.
This prevents people from running into the outstretched arms when you’re parked without bikes on the rack, and it also looks neater when you’re driving without bikes on the rack.
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack Specifications
- Number of Bikes: 2
- Weight: 28 lbs
- Rack Type: Hitch
- Tilt Down: Yes
- Bike Spacing: 7”
- Max Load Capacity: 75 lbs
Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Has tilt down feature for rear of vehicle access
- Anti-sway cradles so bikes don’t move
- Bike arms fold down when not in use
- Can fit both 1.25” and 2” hitch receivers
Cons
- Not good for families – only holds 2 bikes
- Pricey
Our Final Opinion about the Thule Camber Hitch Bike Rack
Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
We’re pleased by every feature of this hitch mount bike rack. It is incredibly durable, gentle as possible on your bike’s frame for its design, is convenient to use, and keeps your bikes protected and stable during short or long trips.
Our Roof Pick for a Bike Mount Rack
Presentation of the Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
The Best Roof Choice
Thule
If you don’t mind a bit of an arm workout when loading and unloading your bike and prefer a roof rack over a trunk or hitch rack, we recommend choosing the Thule UpRide roof bike rack since it is one of the best options on the market for top-riding bikes.
Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack Video Review
What We Think of The Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
The Thule UpRide roof bike rack is one of the best quality options out there with excellent versatility and user-friendly design features.
The rack is incredibly secure since it uses two hooks to hold the front wheel in place, plus a ratcheting strap for the rear tire.
The beauty of this type of rack is there is zero frame contact for no possible damage to your bike during transit, an unfortunate factor with most other racks.
This rack is incredibly versatile with adjustable features. The ratchet straps are flexible enough to hold any tires, and with the Thule UpRide Fat Bike Adapter, it can hold wheels as large as 5” without trouble.
The rack can fit the majority of bikes with tires ranging from 20” to 29” with tires up to 3” for convenience with mountain bikes, road bikes, comfort bikes, and other types of bikes.
This was easy enough to install onto my Thule crossbars. It holds my bike very securely on the top of the car. I really like that the pieces audibly click so you know for sure that its in the right position. The built-in bike lock is great for my peace of mind, though I usually use a second lock as well when parked. It was very easy to adjust for my bike on the ground, then I can just toss the bike up and clip in place.
charlie e.
For the security of the bike, the bike can be locked to the rack, and the rack can be locked to the vehicle. The rack supports up to 44 lbs, leaving plenty of wiggle room for larger, heavy-duty bikes.
The carrier can be switched from either side, so it’s up to you if it’s carried on the driver side of the vehicle or the passenger side.
The only downside to using this rack is that it only holds one bike, so couples and families would need an additional rack on the back or another vehicle to transport multiple bikes.
Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack Specifications
- Number of Bikes: 1
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Rack Type: Roof
- Tilt Down: N/A
- Bike Spacing: N/A
- Max Load Capacity: 44 lbs
Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Fits tires up to 5”
- Can switch the carry side from driver side or passenger side
- Ratcheting wheel strap and hook keep bike very secure
- Great for bikes with irregular frame shapes
Cons
- Only holds one bike
- Expensive
Our Final Opinion about the Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 3.0 out of 5.0 stars
Though the Thule UpRide roof bike rack is fairly pricey, we still find its value is fair considering its quality, bike stability, thoughtful user-friendly design, and versatility to hold bikes of all shapes and sizes.
When it comes to roof bike mount racks, there isn’t a better choice.
Our Upgrade Pick for a Bike Mount Rack
Presentation of the Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier
The Advanced Choice
Thule
If you’re looking for a bike mount rack that goes above and beyond to make transporting your bike easier and more convenient than you thought was possible, we recommend choosing the Thule EasyFold bike carrier.
Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier Video Review
What We Think of the Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier
The Thule EasyFold bike carrier is an industry-leader with all the latest user and security features to make transporting your bikes convenient and safe.
This rack comes with an integrated ramp that you can use to roll your bikes up onto the rack rather than lifting them up and risking injury and embarrassment when you’re not quite strong enough to lift those heavier bikes gracefully.
The rack included bike locks that keep your bike safe from theft when parked or in your driveway. The tilt function uses a pedal so it’s more user-friendly.
This feature gives you 100% access to your vehicle even when you have multiple bikes on the rack. As an added bonus, the rack installs to your vehicle without any tools since it attaches to your hitch. It is compatible with the 1.25” and 2” hitch receivers.
This is the best thing I ever bought for my fitness journey. It’s as expensive as half my exercise equipment, but it’s definitely worth it. The ramp makes it possible for me to get our heavier e-bikes up on it without straining, which is a must since I have an old shoulder injury and can’t lift them onto the rack without the ramp. They take a bit of effort to secure to the rack, but they don’t even wiggle once in place.
bob m.
We recommend this bike rack supports heavier bikes like mountain bikes and e-bikes since it has a 65 lb limit for each bike for a total of 130 lbs. the bikes are spaced 9” apart so they won’t hit or scratched each other when braking, accelerating, or in the wind.
The rack is foldable into a compact unit with transport wheels and a carry handle when it isn’t being used to transport bikes as well. Your bikes will be totally secure with ratcheting straps and torque limiting knobs.
Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier Specifications
- Number of Bikes: 2
- Weight: 48.5 lbs
- Rack Type: Hitch
- Tilt Down: Yes
- Bike Spacing: 9”
- Max Load Capacity: 130 lbs
Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Built in bike lock to keep them safe from theft
- High weight capacity for larger, heavy-duty bikes
- Ramp for ease of loading and unloading
- Fully foldable for compact size when bikes aren’t on the rack
Cons
- Very expensive
Our Final Opinion About the Thule EasyFold Bike Carrier
Quality 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 5.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 1.0 out of 5.0 stars
Despite the high price tag, this Thule EasyFold bike rack is one of the best on the market in every category. Its user-friendly features, incredibly stable design, and overall quality make it a wonderful choice for heavier bikes, longer road trips, and total peace of mind when transporting your bikes.
Our Budget Pick for a Bike Mount Rack
Presentation of the Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
The Affordable Choice
Allen
If you’re an avid biker and want the freedom to head to far away trails and cool places to explore on two wheels but don’t have much room in the budget for a bike rack, we recommend the Allen Sports Deluxe trunk mounted bike rack.
Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Video Review
What We Think of the Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
The Allen Sports deluxe trunk mounted bike rack is unique in that it fits a larger array of vehicles including SUVs and hatchbacks – most trunk racks are designed for sedan trunks rather than hatchbacks.
While this is convenient, it does require a large support bar to keep it steady and this padded arm of the rack covers the license plate on most vehicles.
Since this can get you pulled over and ticketed, we’re very disappointed by this design choice.
This is one of the most user-friendly bike mount racks though since it comes out of its package fully assembled and can be installed on your vehicle’s trunk in a couple of minutes.
The bikes mount easily and quickly, though they aren’t as secure as they would be with a steel rack instead of an alloy. It fits two bikes, and each bike is gripped and tied down separately to keep them immobilized and secure.
This rack does not have any locks to keep your bikes safe, so a lock will need to be purchased separately if you’ll be parked anywhere with bikes on the back.
The product is good quality, serves its function well, and is very well priced. It was really easy to put on and off my sedan and came out of the package ready to go. Unfortunately, the metal clips that attach to the trunk scratch off the paint and damage the car. This could easily be solved by adding rubber to those parts, but I wouldn’t want to use this unless my car was already old and rusty, and I didn’t care about it anymore.
audrey d.
This bike rack isn’t recommended for mountain bikes or e-bikes since it only supports 70 lbs.
If you have a bike without a straight top frame bar, this rack won’t work for you and you’ll need to choose a rack that grips the wheels rather than the frame.
Overall, we are underwhelmed by the quality and design of this trunk-mounted bike rack, but it is a good choice if you need to transport a bike on a stricter budget.
Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Specifications
- Number of Bikes: 2
- Weight: 12.5 lbs
- Rack Type: Trunk
- Tilt Down: N/A
- Max Load Capacity: 70 lbs
Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to take on and off
- Sets up in minutes
- Padded lower frame keeps the bikes away from your vehicle
- Fits all types of vehicles
Cons
- Can’t support heavier bikes
- Doesn’t work for bikes without a top straight frame bar
- Support covers license plate on many vehicle models
- Damages the paint where the hooks connect with the trunk
Our Final Opinion About the Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Quality 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 5.0 out of 5.0 stars
There are as many pros as cons with this trunk bike rack by Allen Sports. Though it is convenient, easy to use, and affordable, it causes damage to the area of the vehicle that connects the clips, covers the license plate which can lead to fines, and is overall an underwhelming design. The idea is good, but the execution is poor on this rack.
Alternative Products to Consider
Presentation of the Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
The Hatchback Alternative
Allen
If you have a hatchback vehicle and want a bike rack that won’t limit your access, we recommend the Allen Deluxe hitch mount rack since it will tilt back and allow you to open your hatch without removing the rack. There is no more convenient option for hatchback vehicles.
Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack Video Review
What We Think of the Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
The Allen Deluxe hitch mount rack is a convenient rack for carrying multiple bikes on the back of an SUV. It only fits the 2” hitch receivers, so smaller cars with a smaller hitch won’t be compatible with this hitch.
Since most hitch racks are compatible with both hitch receiver sizes, this is a bit disappointing but not a deal breaker. The rack is lightweight at 21 lbs, so it can easily be installed by one person.
Each bike will be secured individually with a tie-down cable system designed to fit a variety of frame sizes so that adult bikes and kids’ bikes are equally secure.
There is no bike lock on this rack, so we recommend not parking for long with bikes on the back of your car unless you purchase a lock separately.
The carry arm spacing is ideal for multiple large bikes and varying frame sizes, though it will still be a bit of a challenge to navigate pedals and handlebars.
I’m happy with this rack for transporting 2 or 3 bikes, but for 4 large adult bikes it is questionable. If you have two adult bikes and two child bikes, you’ll probably be okay, but we noticed a lot of rubbing damage and bending arms from the weight of adult bikes. It does hold the bikes steady even at 100km/h, though you will feel the shake a little bit at those high speeds. Fitting 4 bikes is a bit of a Tetris challenge with pedals and handlebars though.
cal h.
A weight capacity of 140 lbs is a bit low for a 4-bike rack, especially considering some 2-bike racks have a weight capacity of over 120 lbs. for this reason, the rack arms are prone to bending if you place 4 adult bikes on the rack, even if they aren’t the heavier mountain bike variety.
One saving grace on this hitch rack is the tilt feature that gives users access to their hatch even when the rack is in place, with or without bikes.
Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack Specifications
- Number of Bikes: 4
- Weight: 21.1 lbs
- Rack Type: Hitch
- Tilt Down: Yes
- Bike Spacing: 8”
- Max Load Capacity: 140 lbs
Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Holds 4 bikes
- Hitch mount is stable
- Tilt down feature for rear of vehicle access
- Accommodates wider variety of frame sizes and designs
Cons
- Only fits 2” hitch receivers
- Low weight limit for a 4-bike rack
Our Final Opinion About the Allen Deluxe Hitch Mount Rack
Quality 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
Unfortunately, we’re not very impressed by the durability and overall quality of this bike rack. It is designed to hold 4 bikes, but it will bend noticeably if loading up 4 adult bikes. For 2 or 3 bikes, it performs much better, but is still disappointing for most users purchasing it to hold 4 bikes.
Presentation of the MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount
The Family Alternative
MaxxHaul
If you have up to 4 people in your family that will bring their bikes along at the same time, we recommend the MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Deluxe hitch mount for your group biking excursions. This larger bike mount rack will allow every member of your family to go biking together.
What We Think of The MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount
The MaxxHaul 4-bike deluxe hitch mount is a user-friendly option for families heading out with up to 4 bikes.
Unfortunately, the bike slots are incredibly close together and it will be a challenge to fit 4 bikes on every slot, even with the kids bikes in between the adult bikes.
You’ll need to play around with pedal and handlebar placement to get them in place. The good part of the tight fit is that they will be very securely held in place. The downside is that they may also rub against each other.
To reduce rub damage on your bike’s frame, the cradles are padded to protect your frame’s finish.
The weight capacity is 150 lbs, which should be plenty for normal road bikes.
If you’re looking to travel with heavier bikes like mountain or e-bikes, you should probably limit the rack to 2 bikes at a time just to be safe and prevent warping or bending of the arm.
We appreciate the built-in reflector on the back of the rack so that following vehicles can clearly see the bikes on the back in the dark.
Honestly can’t beat it for the price. It is challenging to fit 4 bikes on this rack, so it is essential that some of your bikes are kids sizes otherwise they won’t fit very well. Even with two adult bikes and one kid’s bike it was a little cramped. Also, don’t try to lower the rack with bikes on it because you will get injured. Only use the tilt if the rack is empty.
michaela f.
The hitch rack is only compatible with 2” hitch receivers, so make sure to confirm your hitch receiver size before choosing this bike rack.
The rack has two very important features for convenience when not transporting bikes: a foldable arm for compact storage on the back of your vehicle and a tilt down feature that gives you access to the rear of your vehicle – just don’t pull the pin if bikes are on the back because it’ll come down too fast and can injure you or someone standing too close.
MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount Specifications
- Number of Bikes: 4
- Weight: 25 lbs
- Rack Type: Hitch
- Tilt Down: Yes
- Max Load Capacity: 150 lbs
MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Affordable for a 4-bike mount
- Swing-down feature for rear of vehicle access
- Rigid steel construction is stable
- Frame has reflector built in for added safety at night for following vehicles
Cons
- Only fits 2” receivers
- Bikes must have a straight horizontal top bar
- Not enough room between bike spots
Our Final Opinion About the MaxxHaul 70210 4-Bike Deluxe Hitch Mount
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 3.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
For families that include smaller kids’ bikes, this 4-bike mount rack by MaxxHaul is a great option.
Though there are a few design issues that are a bit confusing, the overall usability and ease of use are fair for the price you pay.
Presentation of the Retrospec Lenox 4-Bike Mount Hitch
The Accomodating Alternative
Retrospec
If your bike doesn’t have that classic horizontal top bar that most bike mount racks need to secure your bike for travel, your best choice is the Retrospec Lenox 4-Bike mount hitch is the best option since it secures your bicycles with straps and cradles that accommodate a variety of frame styles.
What We Think of the Retrospec Lenox 4-Bike Mount Hitch
The Retrospec Lenox 4-bike mount hitch is designed with spacing convenient for an array of frame styles. The cradles use a tie-down design that conforms to your bike’s specific frame size to keep all bikes secure without movement.
The cradles are padded, and the rubber tie downs don’t cause as much rubbing damage as some other racks.
The 4-bike rack has a 140-pound weight load capacity, so it shouldn’t be used for more than two of the heavier bikes such as e-bikes, but it can comfortably and reliably support 4 of normal road/comfort bikes.
The Lenox rack included an adapter that reduces wobble of bikes during transport, so this is a good choice for longer road trips more so than other racks.
I am pleasantly surprised by how well this really affordable bike rack is performing. We took it on a 2000km road trip and had no problems whatsoever. We did buy a bike lock to keep them secure when we were parked at hotels overnight. The rack is easy to assemble, the bikes go in securely with minimal rubbing on the frame, and it is as sturdy as any other bike rack. No complaints.
dylan u.
We would’ve liked to see a bit larger spacing between the cradles, but if you turn the wheels 90°, they will fit a bit easier and free up some much needed space.
There is a tilt down feature for hatchbacks, so users have access to the back of their vehicle with the rack still in place. Plus, the arm folds down to be less obtrusive when not carrying bikes.
Before settling on this bike rack, you’ll need to confirm that your vehicle has a Class II or IV hitch since this rack is specific to this hitch receiver.
Retrospec Lenox 4-Bike Mount Hitch Specifications
- Number of Bikes: 4
- Weight: 23 lbs
- Rack Type: Hitch
- Tilt Down: Yes
- Bike Spacing: 6”
- Max Load Capacity: 140 lbs
Retrospec Lenox 4-Bike Mount Hitch Pros and Cons
Pros
Pros
- Holds a wide variety of frames
- Holds up to 4 bikes at once
- Tilt down feature for rear of vehicle access
- Padded cradles help reduce rubbing on the frame
Cons
Cons
- Only compatible with Class II or IV 2” hitch receiver
Our Final Opinion About the Retrospec Lenox 4-Bike Mount Hitch
Quality 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Effectiveness 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Design 4.0 out of 5.0 stars Price 4.0 out of 5.0 stars
All things considered this is one of the best 4-bike mount racks for this price point.
Though its design is a bit simplistic and there aren’t too many user-friendly features, the rack is accommodating for a variety of frames and it is durable for longer trips without fear of bikes falling off or getting damaged beyond the acceptable amounts for a frame-cradled rack.
Why Should You Trust Us?
All the recommendations we make on The Good Choice are the result of many hours of research, comparisons, analysis of consumer reviews and, if necessary, expert feedbacks.
The products we recommend here are the ones that will best perform their daily tasks, passing all security, reliability and efficiency tests while having an appealing price-quality ratio for everyone.
What are our criteria for judging the products reviewed and selected by The Good Choice?
- Quality: Does the product have a solid construction? Will it be reliable over time? Does it have a good warranty?
- Efficiency: Is the product efficient in its task or do you need to give it some help? Is it for example powerful, fast, quiet?
- Usability: Is the product easy to handle, easy to use and maintain?
- Price: Is the price of the product and/or accessories and/or spare parts reasonable compared to the rest of the market?
In addition to these main criteria, we then establish a list of specific criteria for each product category, detailed a little further down in this article.
In the end, the products we recommend are the ones we would want to buy, and the ones we would also choose for our friends and family.
Things to Know Before Buying a Bike Mount Rack
Which Type of Bike Mount Should I Choose?
This largely depends on personal preference. Your budget will determine which type of bike mount is best since the trunk mount is the most affordable while roof and hitch racks are the more expensive options.
There are also more subtle differences between a few types of racks within these broad categories, and some features are better for some uses than others.
For example, a rack that holds bikes vertically rather than horizontally is usually better for 3+ bikes since the weight is centred closer to the vehicle and they fit more easily.
If your bike is more expensive and you’re concerned over rubbing on the frame, a roof rack may be your best option since they secure the tires rather than the frame so no damage occurs.
Of course, not everyone is able to lift a bike over their head onto their vehicle, so that may only be a good option on shorter cars.
In the end, it is up to your individual situation, number of bikes you’ll need to transport, physical capabilities, budget, and vehicle type.
Do Bike Racks Work on Every Type of Vehicle?
Unfortunately, no. You’ll need to choose your rack based on the type of vehicle you have, especially when choosing a hitch rack mount.
Most trunk racks and roof racks fit on every type of vehicle, but if you have a fifth tire or want to mount your bikes to an RV or other more unique vehicle, you’ll need to purchase a rack more carefully as not all are compatible with these types of vehicles.
Are All Bikes Compatible With Bike Mount Racks?
Again, no. Bikes that are heavier, such as mountain bikes with large tires or e-bikes, will be too heavy for some types of racks.
Bikes that don’t have a horizontal top bar but have a curved bar or no top bar at all may only be compatible with a roof rack that holds onto tires.
Each bike mount rack is different, and you’ll need to verify their ability to hold onto your more unique bike. If you have a normal road bike with a top horizontal bar, you’ll be able to use any type of bike rack for transport.
How to Properly Choose Your Bike Mount Rack
- Price.
Fortunately, bike mount racks vary in price by the hundreds, sometimes even the thousands, so you’ll be able to find a suitable option no matter your budget.
The trunk rack style is the most affordable, usually at under $100, so these are the best budget-friendly options. Hitch and roof racks can be equally costly depending on features and number of bikes they hold.
If you’re willing and able to splurge, we recommend choosing a bike mount rack that has a higher weight limit and user-friendly features like a ramp for loading and unloading.
- Number of Bikes Held.
This is one of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a bike mount rack since your bike rack must be able to accommodate the amount of bikes you’ll be travelling with.
It is a good idea to plan ahead if you have young children since you’ll most likely want to bring them and their bikes along on trails when they’re old enough, so choosing a larger rack from the start will be more affordable and more convenient.
- Frame Compatibility.
Depending on the type of bike you have, not all racks will work. Standard bikes work with all bike mounts, but bikes that have wavy bars or no top bar (step-through bikes, for example) will need a roof rack or one that holds onto the tires rather than frame.
- Frame Contact.
An unfortunate result of using a bike rack is that the frame rubs on the cradles. This can cause a loss of paint and obvious wear and damage on the frame of your bike.
Most racks hold the frame, but roof racks and some hitch racks will hold onto the wheels of your bike instead so that there is no damage to your bike’s frame.
Many people prefer racks that hold the tires, but this is the more expensive rack design, so those that must choose a frame-contact rack, check for rubber grips and padded cradles to reduce damage as much as possible.
- Ease of Loading and Unloading.
Bikes can get pretty heavy depending on their type, so ease of loading and unloading is an important consideration. Roof racks are obviously the hardest to load since you’re lifting the bike on top of your vehicle.
On the other hand, hitch mounts that include ramps are the easiest to load and unload since there is no lifting required.
The distance between bike cradles is also a key factor here since the more space you have between bikes, the easier it is to fit multiple bikes and secure them to the rack.
- Trunk Access.
It’s important to have access to your vehicle at all times, so bike racks that give you trunk access is key.
Roof racks are the obvious choice here, but most hitch racks have a tilt function that lowers the rack away from the back of your vehicle so you can open your trunk safely.
Trunk mounts usually have to be removed to open the trunk, but some will allow trunk access.
- Security and Locks.
Bikes can be very expensive, and when you’re travelling with 2 or 4 high-end bikes, security is a big deal. Some of the more expensive bike racks will include locks that keep your bikes safe and secure, but most won’t. Some racks even lock to your vehicle so that can’t be removed.
We do our best to provide you with a comparative guide of bike mount racks allowing you to choose the best product possible. If we are missing information or new models, do not hesitate to leave a comment below or to send us a message.
