Carrying your bike in your car comes with many challenges and risks. Firstly, it may become loose and the next thing that follows is the bike will hit the hard tarmac or rocky terrain and get damaged. Secondly, it may roll down the cliff and that will be the last you will see of your trusty bike. Thirdly, a bike that breaks loose may smash into the oncoming car or nearby passengers and cause damage or injury. Fourthly, poorly-harnessed bike(s) may make opening the trunk/boot difficult. Fifthly, the bicycles may also scratch each other or damage the smooth surface and fine graphics. To stop these and other issues from happening, it’s vital to invest in a good rack. We reviewed the top 10 best bike racks for cars in 2021 and came up with the following list:
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Best Bike Racks For Cars In 2021
Last update on 2021-09-15 (UCT) / Affiliate links / Price / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
10. Yakima Double Down 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack
This is one of the safest and most popular bike racks for car use. It is ruggedly-built to withstand heavy weights, rough terrain, and road vibrations. The metal unit can safely and conveniently hold up to 4 bikes at a go and is mounted on the car’s rear. It features the well-known TriggerFingers mechanism that causes minimal obstruction. To minimize the odds of the bikes touching and damaging each other, the mount rack comes with SwitchBlade anti-sway cradle. You, however, need to mount it properly to avoid unnecessary wobbling, especially when driving over rough surfaces.
9. Hollywood Racks Bike Rack
Individuals who want to conveniently carry their bikes or bikes on their cars will find the Hollywood Rack a good choice. Known for its simplicity and easy mounting, this rack can be mounted on the trunk, hatch, or roof. It can accommodate two bikes and is safely harnessed via the fast connect hooks and hatch anchors. The unit also includes anti-sway cradles for minimizing accidental opening or unnecessary movement. It comes fully-pre-assembled and does need any assembly. The only concern is the front wheel may spin or flap during high speed. This can be avoided by using an extra strap to tie down the wheel.
8. Inno Velo Gripper bike rack
Featuring two mounts, the Inno Velo Gripper is perfect for carrying two bicycles in your car. The unit comes with a convenient design that saves as much as 90% of the space. It is constructed from premium metal and leaves enough space between the vehicle and the bikes. The quick mount mechanism is also easy to use and mounting doesn’t require any specific skills or tools. Its biggest drawback is that it’s best-designed for pickups and isn’t very ideal for sedans, SUVs, minivans, or hatchbacks.
7. Allen Sports 102DN Deluxe
The Allen Sports carrier can fit two adult bikes. It can be mounted on hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and minivans. It comes with a patented design that offers quality harnessing, absorbs shocks & impact, and is easy to mount. Each bike holding point comes with individual tie-downs while the padded lower frame protects both the bike and vehicle. Setting up the fully-assembled truck mount is straightforward and needs special tools. Some consumers have complained this accessory doesn’t tilt down and this limits access to the door.
6. Swagman Bicycle hitch Mount rack
The Swagman XTC is designed to carry 1 or 2 bikes on your car. The rack features 1.25 and 2-Inch hitch receiver and can support a maximum load of up to 35 pounds per bike. This unit is liked for its soft yet firm frame that holds and protects the bike at the same time. It also comes with a foldable center arm that provides easy access without removing the entire piece. To prevent wobbling, the mounting rack features a built-in anti-wobble device. Unfortunately, the location of the securing Allen nuts isn’t the best and can be accessed by thieves.
5. Hollywood Racks F1B Trunk Mount Rack
Mounting 1, 2, or 3 bikes at the same time to your car is what this mount rack does. Additionally, the Hollywood Racks F1B comes in its original 1973 design that is respected for not only keeping the bikes intact but also protecting your car. You don’t have to worry amount assembling the unit since it comes preassembled. For simplicity and fast mounting, it comes with a versatile hinge that can be mounted in varied positions. Although it can fit most cars, including vans, cars, and SUVs, this unit isn’t well-cut for female bikes.
4. Yakima FullSwing Premium Locking Bike Rack
This hitch bike rack by Yakima is targeted at users looking for safety and convenience when traveling with their bike(s). The metal piece can carry up to 4 full-size backs and allow you to conveniently operate different accesses, including the trunk. It features a premium locking hitch for added safety. Assembly is relatively easy and basic and is done via the single bolt, better known as Speedknob. And to eliminate any chance of several bikes rubbing against each other, the rack features anti-sway cradles. Unfortunately, this unit is heavier than other top races on our list.
3. Pro-Series 63124 Eclipse Bike Carrier
This bike carrier by Pro-Series can carry as many as 4 bikes. It provides firm support courtesy of the quality built strong metal construction. The design leaves ample space and this stops the bikes from rubbing on each other. This is further improved by the soft rubber cradles that prevent accidental scratching and also absorb shocks. The unit also features hook and loop straps for better harnessing and a rear reflector for added safety. Although it improves stability, reaching the threaded receiver pin isn’t very simple.
2. Tyger Autotruck Mount Bike Rack
The TYGER Autotruck Deluxe will fit on most hatchbacks, sedans, SUV, and minivans. The rear- mounted unit can accommodate up to 3 bikes and comes 100% preassembled. The easy-to-install unit is well-made to withstand shock and vibrations as well as the bike’s weight. And to prevent the bicycles from damaging the vehicle, the lower section is padded. Also noticeable is the foldable arm that can easily be tucked away when not in use. This stylish piece, unfortunately, isn’t suitable for vehicles with a rear spoiler.
1. Thule Helium Aero Bike Rack
Carrying your bike on your car is easy with the Thule Helium Aero Rack. This hitch carrier is well designed for simplicity and will fit most cars, including the small ones. The aluminum-made unit is light, strong, and very portable. It features patented Road Dampening Technology (RDT) and Holdfast Cradles that not only firmly secure the bike but also absorb the shock from road vibration and movement. Other positives include the sturdy Integrated Locking Cable, easy-use AutoAttach Lock Knob, and Sleek Aero-Design that improves the distance between several bikes. Its price, however, is slightly higher than other featured brands.
Conclusion
Traveling with your bike doesn’t have to be inconvenience or complicated. You don’t need to drive too slowly or keep staring behind to see if your bike is still there or developed some “wings” and flew off. Also, you don’t need to mount ugly, bulky and heavy racks that not only do a poor job but may also damage your vehicle. We have outlined the top 10 best bike racks for cars in 2021 that we believe are best-suited for daily usage. They come in a good and simple design that makes mounting easy. They are versatile and will fit on most cars in the market. Also, they are light, compact and won’t interfere with the car’s functionality, for instance, opening & closing the doors, windows, or trunk. Choose the right bike rack and have a more relaxed and safer ride.
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