As more and more of us take up outdoor sports travel options, it is only fitting to look into the basics of biking utility. Transporting a bike can be a bit of a hassle. For smaller cars, it usually means taking up space inside the car. The result is muddy backseats and bike handles poking the passengers upfront in the back of their heads.
For bikers around the world, choosing the best bike rack for your car can be a headache. The process involves loads of trial and error, which makes it confusing for the bikers to choose the best product.
On that note, please look at the seven best options for bike racks for your car to avoid these inconveniences.
1. Bikerbar by Yakima
If you are willing to buy a bike carrier for a UTE, the BikerBar is your safest bet. It is the most convenient option because it needs no drilling or permanent modification. It is designed to fit the width of most mid-sized utility vehicles. Fixing it on will hardly take an hour, and even the people, who do not know anything, will be able to finish the job with ease. This bike rack is extremely stable and once it is on, you can take it anywhere without worry.
2. Thule ProRide XT
For those looking to carry their bikes on rooftops, this is a great option. Best suited for MTBs, gravel, or road bikes, you will not even need to take out the tires of your bikes with this rack. It can carry up to 45 pounds (roughly 20 kgs) worth of weight. If you choose to use the fat bike adapter, the clamp that holds the tires in position can be used for tires up to 5 inches in width.
It is important to remember, with all rooftop bike racks, that carrying a bike on the roof of a car increases the height substantially. This is especially true in this style of carrier because the tires are left attached. So, if you drive a tall SUV, this may not be the best option for you.
3. Küat Sherpa 2.0
The Küat Sherpa 2.0 is a hitch-mounted carrier rack. This comes in a tray-style that is a great way to carry your bikes. The rack is very sleek with its finishes and design. Its lightweight gives it a distinct advantage over similar options. An added benefit is the easy assembly which makes it accessible to a lot of novices. You can mount two bikes each of 40 pounds (about 18 kgs), making it a particularly suitable option for couples.
4. Thule EasyFold XT 2
For the electric bikers looking for a carrier, you need not look any further. Most people with heavier bikes find it difficult to load and unload their vehicles from their cars. The Thule EasyFold XT 2 solves this problem rather innovatively. The folding ramp helps the user roll the bike into position without having to pick it up. The capacity of this bike rack is 65 pounds (29 kgs), and its foldable design makes it easy to store this when not in use.
5. Thule T2 Pro XT
Next on the list is another tried and tested option, the Thule T2 Pro XT. This, too, is a hitch carrier and one that is known in the biking community to be reliable and stable. Its design makes it very user-friendly. It can be easily raised and lowered according to the needs of the user using one hand. This rack is on the heavier side at around 52 pounds (23 kgs). So, while the assembly is relatively easy, it is better to have assistance for putting it in place.
6. Saris SuperClamp EX 4-Bike
If you are looking to carry a few bikes for your family or friends, this is the best available option in the market. The Saris SuperClamp EX 4-Bike allows the user to mount up to four bikes of 30 pounds each. If you plan to carry only two bikes, then each can be up to 60 pounds in weight. The only possible inconvenience with this is that for the rack to be hitched, the tightening process requires a wrench.
7. RockyMounts BackStage Swing Away
The RockyMounts BackStage Swing Away is a unique variant of hitch racks. It is a one-of-a-kind product available on the market. Most bike racks, to prevent restricting trunk use completely, have the option of tilting away. But this, too, can prove to be inconvenient in many cases.
For preventing accessibility issues, this rack has the swing away option, where the rack moves entirely to the side of the vehicle. This allows complete access to the trunk as and when required. It is only available for vehicles with a 2-inch receiver hitch.
The assembly is not too complicated and the design does not require you to bend over to fix it in place. The rack can accommodate two bikes with 5-inch tires at its max. The design is stable and convenient.
The Bottom Line
Outdoor exploring and sports have found a new surge of enthusiasts who are health conscious and looking for a new adventure. With the pandemic, more and more people have appreciated the opportunities for day trips and hikes. A bike affords a lot of freedom to explore nature, and, remarkably, more people are taking advantage of that. So, choose any of these seven bike carriers for cars while going on a trip and make it all the more memorable!
