This article will review the best Rooftop mounted and Trunk-mounted Bike racks.
If you are looking for Hitch Racks, I develop this in a second article: Best Hitch Mount Bike Rack for 2020 (Folding, Capacity, Lightness)
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
| Bike Rack | Type | Price | Why this Rack? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thule Passage
| Trunk-Mount Carrier | ~$150 | Bike Protection. Six strap system | |
| Hollywood Racks Express Trunk
| Trunk-Mount Carrier | Latest Price | Easy to install. Holds up to 70 lbs. | |
| Saris Bones 2-Bike Trunk Rack | Trunk-Mount Carrier | $150 - $200 | Carries 2 to 4 bikes. Compatible with most vehicles | |
| Allen Sports
| Trunk-Mount Carrier | ~$60 | Best value for the money. adjustable security straps | |
| Swagman Upright | Roof Mount Bike Rack | ~$80 | Good price. Easy to install. Multiple racks can be used on a single vehicle | |
YAKIMA FRONTLOADER | Roof Mount Bike Rack | ~$200 | ||
CyclingDeal 1 Bike | Roof Mount Bike Rack | Latest Price | ||
Prorack Frame Mount Carrier | Roof Mount Bike Rack | Latest Price | ||
RockyMounts TieTod | Roof Mount Bike Rack | Latest Price | ||
Travel Life Alloy Car | Roof Mount Bike Rack | ~$180 | ||
Venzo Premium | Roof Mount Bike Rack |
|
Continue reading
| Best Hitch Bike Rack For The Money | The Best 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack |
| Best 2 Bike Hitch Rack | Best Roof Bike Rack |
Most bicycle racks can be utilized on SUVs, like Ford Explorer or Toyota 4Runner.
Since numerous SUVs are planned more for uncompromising utility use than the standard car, they are bound to have a hitch or crossbars.
If your SUV has these additional highlights, you can utilize any of the three fundamental bicycle racks: hitch, rooftop, and trunk-mounted.
Moreover, you wont need to introduce any additional gear to your vehicle.
These are the three fundamental kinds of bicycle racks:
- Hitch-mounted - these racks join to a hitch at the rear of your vehicle
- Rooftop mounted - these join to a rooftop rack framework that has crossbars
- Trunk-mounted - these racks join the storage compartment, bring forth, or back entryways of your vehicle, van, or SUV.
Lets see their features, pros, and cons.
Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier
The Thule Passage is a safe and affordable way to get your bikes from point A to point B.
It mounts securely to your vehicles trunk or rear hatch with a patented fit dial and straps.
The fit dial offers nine adjustment levels to help the passage accommodate various vehicles.
The six straps have rubber-coated hooks, and the bike rack has four pads, both of which will protect your vehicles finish.
The dual arms provide excellent stability for two bikes, And adjustability because the cradles themselves are adjustable along the dual arms.
There are also cutout grooves to accommodate brake lines and cables holding our bike at multiple points to avoid movement.
When not in use, the components rotate down for storage
Pros
- Soft Rubber cradles
- Stay-Put anti-sway cages
- Patented FitDial
- Arms fold down when not in use
- SoftCushion leg pads protect the trunk and hatch
Cons
- Thule is known for a better quality product than this.
Hollywood Racks Express Trunk
The Express rack has a 3-bike capacity.
It features an adjustable hub system rubber that cradles six attachment straps and comes fully preassembled out of the box.
When mounting your bikes, putting the heaviest bike on first is best.
After installing the first spike on the support arms, you can mount the second bike with the handlebars in the opposite direction.
Please remember to check the rack and bikes regularly during use.
Pros
- Carries up to three bikes
- Soft rubber cradles
- Fits most vehicles
- Easy-to-use adjustment hubs
- Six attachment straps
Cons
- Installation is not that easy.
Saris Bones 2-Bike Trunk Rack
This is one of the most common trunk racks, arguably the best on the market.
Yes, for around $200, you can use this rack as Trunk Rack.
3 sizes are available, allowing you to mount 2 to 4 Bicycles.
The Superclamp holds your bike in place using only the wheels, so at no point does it contact the frame or cables.
It even has cable locks, which arent sufficient for overnight parking but secure the bike during pitstop.
In a few seconds, you can load up two bikes and drive off with No scratches on your car and no setup time.
Pros
- Injection-molded arms and legs
- Built with 100% recyclable materials
- Carries 2 to 4 bikes (35lbs/bike)
- Compatible with most vehicles
- Vinyl-coated hooks
Cons
- It can damage your car if not well installed
Allen Sports Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
A decent bicycle can be exceedingly costly, and it isnt phenomenal for a cyclist to have minimal expenditure left in their spending plan for a bicycle rack.
Notwithstanding, because you dont have a lot of cash to forfeit for a bicycle rack doesnt imply that you cant manage the cost of a top-notch one.
The Allen Sports Ultra Compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack Is a high-caliber, strong bicycle rack accessible at a small amount of the cost of other bicycle racks.
It can hold a solitary bicycle or two bicycles, contingent upon the specific adaptation you buy.
What truly makes this bicycle rack remain above many of the other less expensive contenders is that its lower cost doesnt mean a penance of value.
It is built out of top-notch steel that can transport your bicycle for a considerable time without much of a stretch. It comes with a cushioned spine to ensure your bicycle and your vehicle.
In case youre despite everything stressed over the quality, this bicycle rack likewise accompanies a lifetime guarantee.
This bicycle rack additionally takes a shot at most vehicles, SUVs, hatchbacks, and minivans, regardless of whether you have a hitch or not.
Not at all like many bicycle racks, which implies that you can utilize it without having a particular kind of trailer hitch.
Shockingly, this bicycle rack can likewise overlay into a size that is sufficiently little to fit in a rucksack. Presently, not exclusively are your bicycles simple to move. However, your bicycle rack is as well.
Pros
- Folds for simple stockpiling
- Convey sack included
- Works with countless vehicles
- Cushioned spine to secure your vehicle and bicycle
Cons
- Missing protection on the metal hooks that sit on the car. It could scratch your car.
Best Roof Bike Rack
Swagman Upright Roof Mount Bike Rack
Not all customary bicycle racks work for everybodys vehicle. Most require a specific hitch, or regardless of whether they dont, they need an SUV or hatchback.
You should investigate a rooftop rack if you have a little vehicle or one that doesnt work with a customary bicycle rack.
Out of those available, the Swagman Upright Roof Mount Bike Rack is the best bicycle rack accessible.
It sits on your vehicle, which implies that it can chip away at a more extensive assortment of makes and models than other bicycle racks. It is unfathomably secure and accompanies secure ties for the haggles lockable upstanding arm.
The casing is steel and plastic, guaranteeing a durable and robust structure. You dont need to stress over your bicycle being taken or coincidentally tumbling off with this bicycle rack.
This bicycle rooftop rack holds one bicycle. However, various units can be utilized with one vehicle.
Since this bicycle rack is so reasonable, buying multiple on the off chance you have numerous bicycles to pull around is not an issue.
Clients cherished how secure and straightforward it was to utilize this bicycle rack without requiring the expulsion of their bicycles wheels or the complex establishment of the rack.
Pros
- Plastic and steel construction
- Carries one bike
- Multiple racks can be used on a single vehicle
- Lockable
Cons
- Not the highest quality product on this list
YAKIMA FRONTLOADER
Features
- It has a built-in lock which is pretty convenient
- Up to 40 lbs. Each
- Holds wheelbases up to 47″.
- Holds tires as large as 3″.
- Increased spacing between bikes.
- 2 bike capacity.
CyclingDeal 1 Bike Car Roof Mount Rooftop Carrier Rack
Features
- Stable
- Effectively made sure about
- Steel powder covering
Prorack Frame Mount Carrier
Features
- Simple to utilize
- No knot snares
- Safely holds bicycle
RockyMounts TieTod
Features
- Low profile
- Hardened steel
- Holds thin street tires
Travel Life Alloy Car Roof Bicycle Carrier
Features
- All embellishments included
- Fits most crossbars
- A standout amongst other selling bicycle racks available
Venzo Premium Car Mount
Features
- Lock-on front wheel
- Fits 24″ to 29″ edges
- Elastic clasp
Buyer’s considerations For trunk mount bike racks
Truck-mounted bike racks are the most economical of all bike racks and the easiest to install.
Some have 4 straps, and some have six straps, which attach to the trunk of your car. The racks fit one to up to three bicycles.
Two of the significant advantages of trunk-mount racks are:
- No adaptation of the vehicle is required. If you have a trunk for your car, you are all set. No other equipment is needed.
- Almost every car, van, and SUV can be fitted with a trunk rack.
The only exception is vehicles with automatic rear windshield wipers. The two are not compatible with a trunk-mounted bike rack.
Trunk racks are best suited for bicycles with a standard frame. Alternative frames such as womens bikes are less secure. It depends upon the arm spacing on the bike.
Because fit is essential, most beginners are wise to purchase their rack at a bicycle shop rather than online to be sure they have the right fit.
Special equipment such as adapters bars used for unusual fitting bicycles and racks for cars with spoilers.
Standard trunk racks are as low as $50, while more sophisticated racks, particularly those designed to go around spoilers, can be as high as $250.
Buyer’s considerations for roof bike racks
Roof bike racks are among the most common other than trunk-style roof racks. For one thing, the cheaper models are inexpensive, as low as $45.
And theyre especially great for leased cars since they dont require a hitch
Theyre usually sold in different pieces:
- You got your foot-beds.
- You got your bars
- And youve got the actual attachment that you put your bike on
In addition, you dont have to worry about spoilers, automatic windshield wipers, or a rack that fits onto a trailer hitch.
Still, there are concerns. The first is plenty of height between your car (mainly if its an SUV and the top of the bicycle.
Many bicycles have been ruined, along with insurance claims paid, by forgetting that many places such as drive-in restaurants have strict height limits.
Another thing is that some roof bicycle racks wobble in the wind and also place a definite drag on fuel economy.
Of course, roof racks have some downsides: installations are a bit challenging. The biggest obstacle is lifting the bicycle up and down on the rack. If you are physically fit, this is no problem, but if not, you may have back problems or worse.
The other thing about these roof racks is when youre short. Its hard to get the bike on there.
Still, this is a good choice for as low as $45 if you only carry a bicycle three times or so monthly. Again:
- Pay careful attention to how well the system locks.
- You probably cant go to a parking garage and similar spaces unless you want to smash your bike.