If You Need To Carry Up To Four Bikes: Saris Superclamp Ex 4
If you need to carry four bikes, we recommend the Saris SuperClamp EX 4-Bike hitch rack, which provides a nice balance of features, ease of use, and price. With clamps on the front and rear tires, the SuperClamp EX held our bikes securely, without contacting their frames. And it can accommodate bikes up to 60 pounds each, in the two positions nearest to the car, and 35 pounds each, in the two positions farthest from the car.
At 63 pounds, the SuperClamp is one of the lightest four-bike tray racks available, so its easier to get on and off of the vehicle than its competitors. By using a simple pull handle at the rear, you can easily fold up the rack when its empty or tilt it down for access to a vehicles cargo area. The SuperClamp has integrated cables for locking bikes to the rack, and it comes with a hitch lock for securing the rack to the vehicle.
Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier
The Thule Passage 2-Bike and 3-Bike Trunk Mount Carriers have two and three bicycle carrying capacities. They utilize Thules easy-to-use, patented FitDial hub adjustment system for a perfect fit to the vehicle exterior, quick installation, and an exclusive push-button feature for attaching and detaching carrier arms and twisting them to the side then down. Hence, they are out of the way when not in use.
Also Offered in Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier
They also feature soft rubberized cradles that lock down bikes while allowing complete adjustment along the bike arm and no-sway Cages that drastically minimize frame movement to keep the bicycles from colliding.
The Thule Passage also provides a super-stable fit to the vehicle with six straps, a classic black finish that looks great on any and every vehicle, and a maximum carrying capacity of 70 lbs.
Carrying Up To 3 Bikes
A trunk bike rack from Thule is a great choice if you and your friends or family want to head out on new adventures with your bikes. Finding the trunk bike rack thats perfect for you and your car couldnt be simpler. First, specify the number of bikes you want to carry. Then you can choose a platform for easier loading and unloading or a tiltable carrier that swings away to give you access to the trunk of the car.
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Thule Thruride Roof Bike Rack Black
The Thule ThruRide is a fork-mount bike rack designed to fit thru-axles without extra adapters. This rooftop bike carrier holds the bike up to 35 lbs. while fitting 9mm quick-release hubs and a bike with 12-20 mm thru-axles requiring no additional adapters. Easy bike loading on this top of the car, thanks to the expanding clamp that accommodates the bikes thru-axle.
- Fork-mount bike rack designed to fit thru-axles without extra adapters.
- It fits bikes with 12-20 mm thru-axles.
- Fits 9 mm quick-release hubs with included non-locking Adapter
- Easy bike loading thanks to the expanding clamp that accommodates the bikes thru-axle
- Lock bike to rack and rack to vehicle
- T-track and around the bar tool-free mounting
- It fits all Thule rack systems and most factory racks
Material And Build Quality
The saying you get what you pay for rings very true in the hitch-mounted bike rack world. In short, if you plan to use your rack a lot or keep it on your vehicle even in the rainy seasons, its well worth paying for a premium design. 1Ups Heavy Duty Double and Recon Rack 6 are among the most expensive racks in our round-up, and both feature high-quality, all-metal constructions that have excellent lifespans. On the other hand, racks like the $120 Swagman XC2 that use a lot of plastic or cheap, thin metal, will be prone to rusting out or breaking down over time. That said, just because a rack is made up of a lot of plastic doesnt necessarily mean that its not durable. One design that does a great job of balancing metal construction and strategic use of tough plastic is our top-rated Thule T2 Pro XTR. Not surprisingly, the Thule comes with a steep $800 price tag.
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Thule Range 4 Bike Rack 2hitch Mount Adjustable
We are offering a Thule RANGE Bike Rack,model 515-0109.This model will hold 4 bikes but is currently set up for two.However I will include the additional 4 bases to fit an additional two bikes as shown in the photos.This Rack is set up for 2″reciever mounts only as I do not have the converter for 1. …
Thule Bike Rack Which One Is The Right Choice For You And Your Car
Bike racks come in many sizes and shapes you can choose any one that fits your car and your needs. Thule Bike Rack collection has solutions for almost any car body and shape. From a mid-size sedan to a full-size truck, Thule has bike racks. Each car body and loading capacity is different, and you need to choose the one that is suitable for your car and the number of bikes you need to carry. Although there are many bike rack manufacturers, you will find Thule Bike Rack as the best and most trusted brand.
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The Best Roof Rack: Yakima Highroad
*At the time of publishing, the price was $269.
If you want to carry your bike on the roof of your vehicle, youll find no easier way to do so than with the Yakima HighRoad. We found it to be the simplest to use of all the roof racks we tested, both when installing the rack on the vehicle and when loading a bike. It secures the bike by the front wheel, avoiding any contact with the frame. And in our tests it held a variety of bikes solidlyeven more so than some fork-mount roof racks .
The HighRoad secures a bike using two hoops that clamp securely onto the front wheel , as well as a ratcheting strap that wraps around the rear rim. During our test drives, this setup held a variety of bikes rock-steady through bumps and swervesmore tightly than any other roof rack we tested. We also found the HighRoad to be one of the quickest and easiest racks to mount to and remove from the vehicle. With other roof racks, you have to fiddle with brackets and Allen screws. But the HighRoad uses three rubber straps that slide under any type of crossbar. Flip a tab and adjust the tension, and the rack grips any type of roof rails firmly, so you dont have to buy dedicated cross-bars from Yakima. Thats a big win.
For security, the HighRoad has locking covers that prevent those tabs from being lifted, so thieves cant remove the bike rack itself from the vehicle some other models that use a similar latching system are not lockable.
Bike And Receiver Hitch Locks
Bike racks in general have very similar feature sets, and one common upgrade that you see on mid-range and premium designs are locks. Starting with bike locks, these flexible cables allow you to secure the bikes frame or wheel to the rack. While not a perfect deterrenta solid set of bolt cutters will make quick work of themthey do provide a degree of security while parking your car . Our favorite bike locks are those that are integrated into the rack, which makes it very convenient to quickly deploy them when needed. Racks that include a separate cable lock that you need to store in your vehicle are less appealing, and in those cases, we prefer to purchase our own metal U-lock.
The second accessory lock is for the receiver hitch, which typically is found on the hitch pin or integrated into the bottom of the rack. The aim is to keep thieves from removing the entire rack from your car. Considering even a budget-friendly design is often $200 or more, this is a sensible addition. There arent major differences between styles in terms of functionality, although weve found the integrated type is a little easier to use. Its worth noting that if the rack youre purchasing doesnt include a receiver lock, every manufacturer on our list above offers one as an accessory.
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Honorable Mention Bike Racks
While these hitch bike racks didnt make our top 10, weve tested and thoroughly vetted them. We are happy to recommend them if they fit your situation and budget better.
Most Flexible Capacity: 3 Bike Hitch Rack
MSRP : $1,179
CAPACITY: 2, 3 or 4 bikes 20 wheels + max tire width 3
FEATURES: Slim, sleek design, 3-bike option, integrated bike locks, tilts for hatch access, anti-wobble hitch system
Clean, sleek and easy to use, the RockyMounts is very adjustable and versatile to fit a wide range of bikes. This high-quality rack comes standard as a 2-tray rack and can be upgraded to a 3 or a 4-tray rack.
In fact, its one of just two tray racks on our list that offer a 3-bike option. Swapping between 2, 3 or 4 trays is also pretty easy, so theres no need to keep extra trays on if you arent going to use them regularly.
As an added perk, each tray on the RockyMounts can be adjusted up to 4 to the left or right to allow for plenty of offset between handlebars and saddles. While the trays do take some time to adjust, we didnt find it challenging or complicated.
PROS:
CAPACITY: 2 or 4 bikes 20+ wheels max tire width 5
FEATURES: Easy ratcheting shepherds arm design, tilt down access, top-quality Thule design
The Classic, however, does not come with individual locking cables. And while it still folds up and tilts down, the folding lever is located near the receiver, so its more challenging to reach.
PROS:
Vertical Hitch Rack for Small Kids Bikes
MSRP : $809
Why You Should Trust Us
Eric Evarts, a fervent cyclist since childhood, has tested roof racks, hitch racks, tray-style hitch racks, trunk racks, and pickup-bed carriers for Wirecutter. He is the author of the most recent edition of this guide. Hes also a seasoned auto journalist, with articles and reviews appearing in Cars.com, The Christian Science Monitor, Consumer Reports, U.S. News & World Report, AAA, Fortune magazine, and Green Car Reports, among others.
Rik Paul served as Wirecutters autos editor, and he edited previous versions of this guide, going back to its beginning. He was previously the automotive editor for Consumer Reports and the senior feature editor for Motor Trend.
Jack Smith, who also tested trunk racks, has been cycling since he was a child, too. As an editorial assistant at Wirecutter, he strapped nine racks on the back of his Acura TSX and tested them during drives around Los Angeles.
This guide also draws on the expertise of several bike-rack experts weve interviewed, on the results of a survey we sent to more than 20 bike clubs across the country, and on input from several other Wirecutter editors who are voracious cyclists and experienced competitors.
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Vertical Hitch Bike Racks
Vertical hitch bike racks position bikes perpendicular to the ground with the front tire pointed up and the rear tire pointed down. Bikes on vertical racks can either hang via their front tire or the headset of the bike and make no contact with the frame of the bike.
Capacities range from 3 to 7, and between all the brands available, vertical hitch racks can accommodate all types and sizes of bikes. Fit does vary between brands, especially in regards to kids bikes 20 and smaller, so be sure to double check compatibility before purchasing.
BEST FOR
Those who need to haul more than 4 bikes. While all vertical hitch racks typically do a great job with mountain and hybrid bikes, some brands fit road and gravel bikes with dropper bars better than others.
Unlike the other hitch rack styles, vertical racks dont obstruct a cars tail lights and rear blinkers nearly as much as platform and hanging racks. In addition to being safer, in many areas blocking tail lights is a legal issue as well.
A PASS FOR
While not as heavy as some platform racks, most vertical bike racks are not easy to get on and off, so once its on, plan on having it stay there for a while.
Due to ground clearance issues, not all vertical hitch racks are suitable for cars with low-set hitches. Either the rack itself will bottom out when driving up steep inclines , or the rear tires of longer wheelbase bikes will be too low to the ground to be safe.
BIKE CAPACITY: 3 to 6
PROS:
MSRP : $449
PROS:
PROS:
Thule Easyfold Xt 2 Bike Rack Hitch Black
The Thule EasyFold XT 2 is a fully foldable, compact, and easy-to-use hitch-mounted bike rack for all types of bikes. The large distance between wheel holders enables the transport of sturdy bikes with large wheelbases. Folded dimensions 31 x 12 x 26 inches.
- Premium, high-load capacity bike rack ideal for e-bikes and heavy mountain bikes
- Integrated folding bike loading ramp
- It fits 1.25 and 2 receivers
- Fast and effortless tool-free installation
- Quickly attach and secure bikes with torque limiting knobs and ratcheting wheel straps.
- Fully foldable design with transport wheels and a carry handle
- Easy trunk access with intelligent foot pedal tilt
Easy mounting
Detachable bike arms with Thule AcuTight torque limiter knobs for an easy, secure fit
Bike loading ramp
The foldable loading ramp integrates into the rack for convenient storage .
Fully foldable
They are designed for convenient mounting, handling, and storage, complete with a carrying handle.
Anti-theft design
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The Best Trunk Rack: Saris Bones Ex 3
*At the time of publishing, the price was $250.
If your car doesnt have a trailer hitch, or you want something you can easily move between vehicles, we recommend the Saris Bones EX 3-Bike. It can adjust to fit almost any vehicle , and the new EX design is even more versatile, able to reach over most factory trunk or hatchback rear spoilers. The Bones EX is also one of the lightest, easiest-to-use, and most solidly built racks weve tested. The experts we talked to at Rack Attack, Roscoe Village Bikes, and Backcountry Bike & Ski all recommend the Bones, too, and it was one of the highest-rated racks of any type in our survey of bike clubs. Like its predecessor, the Bones EX comes in two- and three-bike versions the three-bike version of the EX comes in a variety of colors, with a portion of the sales of some colors going to charities.
The Bones racks arms are made of injection-molded plastic, which makes the rack lighter than competitive aluminum racks we tested. The Bones racks outer legs extend upward onto the trunk or hatch, and the other two extend down to sit on or against the cars bumper. All four legs end in huge, pivoting rubber feetlarger than what you get on other racks they help protect the car and provide serious grip.
Folding up the rack itself is also easy: The curved arms and legs collapse to make the rack pretty compact.
Choosing A Hitch Rack For Carbon Fiber Bikes
Carbon fiber bikes are dream machines for many riders and come with premium price tags, so its no surprise that a common question is how to transport them safely. To keep the material protected, the most important thing to do is select a style that doesnt allow for any frame contact. This means youll want to avoid the standard hanging rack category, as models like the Yakima Ridgeback secure the bike with straps directly over the top tube. Among platform-style racks, its best to choose one of two basic designs: a ratcheting arm that locks in over the front wheel and a strap through the rear wheel or a dual-arm design like 1Ups Heavy Duty that tightens over the front and rear tires. The common denominator among these compatible racks is a high price tag, but its well worth it to avoid any unnecessary damage to your carbon rig.
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Thule Bike Racks For Vehicles With Hitches:
If you have a hitch mounted on your vehicle or if you wish to mount one on the back of your vehicle, you should opt for hitch mount bike racks. These bike racks can accommodate up to 5 bikes and come in various bike holding styles. You can choose the ones that hold your bikes securely by the wheels or the frame.
It would be best if you chose a hitch-mounted bike rack:
- If you carry more than one bike.
- If you wish to use your vehicles trunk fully.
- If you have bikes of different sizes.
- You want to load and unload your bikes quickly.
- You prefer a bike rack system that can be mounted or removed easily.
- You want to keep the interior of your car tidy.
Best Overall Hitch Bike Rack
Number of bikes: 2 Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Loaded with features, well-built, and easy to use.What we dont: Expensive and a bit heavy.
Thule recently updated their popular T2 Pro, but the latest model retains its title as our favorite hitch-mounted rack thanks to its complete feature set and premium build. Taking the place of the top-selling XT, the XTR adds a set of wheels at the base for easier shuttling to and from a garage, but the rest of the design remains exactly the same . The T2 Pros user-friendly tilt feature is best-in-class, providing quick and easy access to the rear of the vehicle, and its versatile carrying system accommodates everything from fat bikes to 20-inch kids models. At $800, the T2 Pro certainly isnt cheap , nor is it particularly light at over 50 pounds, but its sturdy, long-lasting design is ideal for committed riders.
Number of bikes: 2 Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Great price for a versatile platform-style rack.What we dont: Design is a bit less sturdy and feature-rich than premium alternatives.
Weight capacity per bike: 35 lbs.What we like: An inexpensive yet surprisingly reliable way to carry two bikes.What we dont: Not the most user-friendly design and the ratcheting arms scuff bike frames.
Number of bikes: 4 Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Proven, affordable way to haul 4 bikes.What we dont: Need an adapter to carry step-through bikes.
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