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Trunk-Mounted Racks
halbergman//Getty Images The most popular—and most affordable—type of car bike rack, trunk-mounted racks use a combination of straps, weight, and leverage to carry your bikes. They come in a variety of styles and shapes to carry (usually) up to four bikes.
Best 2-bike trunk-mounted bike rack
Allen Sports S-102 2-Bike Trunk Rack
Best 2-bike trunk-mounted bike rack
Allen Sports S-102 2-Bike Trunk Rack
Credit: AmazonAllen Sport's S-102 trunk-mounted 2-bike rack offers a secure lightweight option for transporting your bikes. It features Allen's patented Sure Strap lower straps which keep the bottom hooks in place during use, as well as large pads to help distribute weight. It can hold up to two bikes or a total of 70 pounds.
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Best premium trunk-mounted bike rack
Thule 910XT Passage 2-Bike Trunk Mounted Carrier
Best premium trunk-mounted bike rack
Thule 910XT Passage 2-Bike Trunk Mounted Carrier
Now 21% Off
Credit: AmazonFrom the leader in car cargo solutions, this trunk-mounted bike carrier also comes in a three-bike version. Your bikes hang, which may result in them clanking around. But those bars fold down when they're not in use, which is a handy perk. If you're looking for a trusted brand name, you can't go wrong with Thule.
Best portable trunk-mounted bike rack
Allen Sports Ultra Compact Folding 1-Bike Trunk Mount Rack
Best portable trunk-mounted bike rack
Allen Sports Ultra Compact Folding 1-Bike Trunk Mount Rack
Now 28% Off
Credit: AmazonWhat makes this trunk-mounted offering from Allen Sports different from the rest is its incredibly compact size when not in use. It fits neatly into a carrying bag or backpack so it can easily be stowed in your vehicle's cargo area. It comes pre-assembled and ready for use and features a padded spine to protect both bike and vehicle.
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Hitch-mounted Bike Racks
picture alliance//Getty Images Hitch bike racks are generally designed to slip into 1.25- or 2-inch hitch receivers. They come in two general types. Hanging racks are lighter, more affordable, and usually provide more ground clearance than platform styles. The negative is that the bikes can swing and bump into one another while you're driving. Platform mounts are the simplest and safest way to load and secure your bikes. However, they are often more expensive and can be tricky to mount, remove, and store when not in use.
Best premium hitch-mounted bike rack
Thule Helium Pro Hanging Bike Rack
Best premium hitch-mounted bike rack
Thule Helium Pro Hanging Bike Rack
Now 40% Off
Credit: AmazonThule's Helium Pro hitch-mounted rack is made from super-lightweight aluminum, making it much lighter than most similar systems. It folds down for easy access to your cargo area and has a number of cool features including a 3-bike (112-pound) capacity, integrated cable locks, compatibility with 1.25- or 2-inch receivers, and integrated anti-sway tech that prevents bike-to-bike contact.
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Best budget hitch adapter
MaxxHaul 50025 Hitch Mount 2-Bike Rack
Best budget hitch adapter
MaxxHaul 50025 Hitch Mount 2-Bike Rack
Credit: AmazonMaxxHaul is another well-known brand name in car cargo carriers and haulers, and its 50025 bike rack has a ton of features at a great price. It has a padded column to prevent scratching and improved cradles and buckle straps to secure and transport up to two bikes (maximum capacity is 50 pounds per bike). A built-in locking knob keeps your bikes steady, and the entire unit tilts to provide easy access to trunks and rear hatches.
Best hitch bike rack for a variety of bikes
Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Best hitch bike rack for a variety of bikes
Thule T2 Pro XTR 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Credit: AmazonThe T2 Pro XTR is another serious offering from the folks at Thule. It offers all of the same features as the more lightweight Helium (above) but adds an overall more rigid build. It has a 2-bike, 120-pound capacity which can be expanded to four with the addition of the Thule T2 Pro XT Add-On. It has large 12.5-inch spacing between each bike and fits 20–29-inch wheels and up to 5-inch tires without adapters, making it great for all types of bikes.
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Best hitch bike rack for e-bikes
SIMETU&HS Heavy Duty Tilting Bike Rack
Best hitch bike rack for e-bikes
SIMETU&HS Heavy Duty Tilting Bike Rack
Credit: AmazonThis hitch-style rack is a solid option for those who want to haul today's heavier e-bikes. Its 132-pound capacity makes it ideal for electric bikes, and it features a patented Anti-Wobble System to keep things tight. It tilts down for easy trunk/hatch access and folds up out of the way when it's not in use.
Roof-Mounted Bike Racks
Solovyova//Getty Images Roof-mounted bike racks get your bikes up and out of the way, opening up sightlines and providing easy access to trunks and rear hatches. They most often mount to roof racks and rails, so they're ideal for SUVs and CUVs with roof racks already installed. Yes, lifting your bike up to the roof may be a hefty task for some. And they're not exactly subtle! But for security and peace of mind, rooftop bike carriers provide the sturdiest form of bicycle transport.
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Best value roof-mounted bike rack
Erkul Aluminum Bicycle Carrier for Roof Rack
Best value roof-mounted bike rack
Erkul Aluminum Bicycle Carrier for Roof Rack
Now 34% Off
Credit: AmazonHere's a simple, affordable solution to getting your bike onto the roof of your car or truck. The Erkul fits a variety of wheel and tire sizes without adjustment (or removing your wheels) and features an integrated TorqueRight tightening knob that makes it easy to secure your bikes. An existing roof rack is required; optional crossbars and accessories add versatility.
Best roof-mounted fork bike rack
Rhino Rack Mountain Trail Universal Bike Rack
Best roof-mounted fork bike rack
Rhino Rack Mountain Trail Universal Bike Rack
Credit: AmazonRhino Rack's roof-mounted bike rack is built to hold your bike tight. It is designed to hold road, mountain, kids, and fat-tire bikes with the front wheel removed. It's up for the job thanks to a dual-locking system that holds both the bike and the carrier secure. It also has a rear-wheel strap and works with most roof rack crossbars.
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Best premium roof-mounted bike rack
Yakima HighRoad Rooftop Bike Mount
Best premium roof-mounted bike rack
Yakima HighRoad Rooftop Bike Mount
Now 20% Off
Credit: AmazonThe HighRoad makes transporting your bike a breeze. The TorqueRight tightening knob fits almost any bike with tires up to 4 inches. It requires no wheel removal and doesn't make contact with the bike frame, making it a great option for carbon-fiber bikes and custom paint jobs. The universal mounting hardware fits most roof racks and it can be converted to integrate with T-slot crossbars with the SmarT-Slot Kit (sold separately).
Most versatile roof-mounted bike rack
Kupper Mount Suction Cup Bike Rack System
Most versatile roof-mounted bike rack
Kupper Mount Suction Cup Bike Rack System
Credit: AmazonThis is perhaps the most portable and versatile way to mount your bike to your roof; they're ideal for use with rental cars while traveling. These suction-cup mounts use a vacuum seal to attach to the roof of your car, meaning there's no need for a rack or roof rails. Installation involves simply wiping the area clean, placing the cups on the roof, and repeatedly depressing the plunger until the cup is firmly sealed. Better still, Kupper Mounts look far more sleek than traditional bike racks.
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Spare Tire–Mounted Bike Racks
Hollywood Racks An excellent option for sport-utility or off-road vehicles, spare-tire bike racks are ideal for Jeeps—or any vehicle with an externally mounted spare. Similar to a trunk-mounted rack, they attach via straps to the tire mount or rest directly on the tire.
Best bike rack for Jeeps
Hollywood Racks SR1 2-Bike Spare Tire Mount Rack
Best bike rack for Jeeps
Hollywood Racks SR1 2-Bike Spare Tire Mount Rack
Credit: AmazonHopefully, your spare tire doesn't see much use—which makes it a great place to set-and-forget your bike rack. The SR1 has a 2-bike 35-pound capacity, is very lightweight (only 10 pounds), and is easy to install. Adjustable to fit most spare tires, the support arms can be centered for side-mounted tires and folds away when not in use.
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Most durable spare tire–mounted bike rack
Apex Legends BC-8407-2 Blue Devil Spare Tire Mounted Rack
Most durable spare tire–mounted bike rack
Apex Legends BC-8407-2 Blue Devil Spare Tire Mounted Rack
Credit: AmazonIf you like the idea of a spare-mounted bike rack, Apex Legends' BC-8407-2 offers superior rigidity. It's made from duty steel and mounts to your hatch rear-spare hub mount rather than the tire itself. It can hold up to two bikes, is key-lockable, and includes tie-down straps, a rear reflector, and two keys.
Truck Bed Bike Racks
Amazon For pickup owners, the easiest way to move your bikes will be in the bed of your truck—but you'll still need a mount to keep them from jostling around. Mounted directly, bed racks allow you to transport multiple bikes safely in the bed of your truck with clamps, belts, or other attachments providing stability. Bed racks also usually include safeguards for your truck bed and bikes, such as padding or foam blocks.
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Best traditional truck bed bike rack
Pipeline Racks Truck Bed 4 Bike Rack
Best traditional truck bed bike rack
Pipeline Racks Truck Bed 4 Bike Rack
Credit: AmazonPipeline racks use a strap system that requires no drilling into your truck's bed. It works with a variety of bikes, and the company offers a range of accessories to expand the rack's capacity and security. It's made of lightweight, rust-resistant aluminum, and its rubber feet won't scratch bed finishes. Also available in 2-, 3-, and 5-bike options.
Most innovative truck bed bike rack
Inno RT201 Truck Bed Bike Mount
Most innovative truck bed bike rack
Inno RT201 Truck Bed Bike Mount
Credit: AmazonThe RT201 from Inno is a different type of bed-mounting system. There's no "rack;" instead, the Inno uses sturdy C-clamps to mount to the side of your truck's bed and ratcheting straps to secure the bike, leaving the rest of the bed open for additional cargo. Installation is a breeze and only involves two clamps with ratcheting straps. That said, it only holds one bike at a time.
Assistant Commerce Editor
The Assistant Commerce Editor for Hearst Autos, Justin Helton is an enthusiast with a passion for heavily depreciated autos and a penchant for philosophical debate. As a lifelong Manhattanite, he has mastered the ins and outs of classic car ownership in one of the least car-friendly cities in the world.
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