PICK YOUR PERFECT CAR RACK
First Things First
Before we dive too deep, first think about the bike you want to transport. Then answer the two following questions, which will help guide your selection of bike rack:
- Is it okay for the bike frame to come into contact with the bike rack?
- How much does the bicycle weigh?
TO TOUCH THE FRAME OR NOT, THAT IS THE QUESTION
Most bike owners have strong feelings about whether they are comfortable with a car rack touching the frame of their bicycle. That's why we offer bicycle carriers that cater to both persuasions: car racks that hold the bike by its frame, and racks that do not – designed instead to hold the bike by its wheels.
Unsure if this feature matters for you? Follow this general rule: if you have carbon, opt for the wheel-clamping option. Fun Fact: No-frame contact bike racks are typically much easier and faster to load and unload. This leads to more time on two wheels, and who doesn't want that?
WEIGH YOUR OPTIONS
Almost all bicycle carriers list the maximum bike weight in their specs, and for good reason: to protect you, your car, your bike and everyone traveling around you.
Most companies have bike racks that are divided into two weight classes: 1) car racks that can carry bikes up to 35 pounds; and 2) car racks that can carry bikes up to 60 pounds. The former is a collection of racks that hold bikes by the top tubes, either hanging style racks for trunk or hitch; while the latter applies to our entire family of platform hitch racks.
Not sure how much your bike weighs? Here's a pro tip: most hybrids, commuter bikes, road bikes, and kid's bikes fall under the 35-pound mark; while downhill bikes, mountain bikes, fat bikes and eBikes (minus battery) tend to be in the under 60-pound range.
Let's Find Your Match
Now that you've figured out your options by frame contact and bike weight, let's find the best car rack for your bike.
THE DO-IT-ALL BIKES
Hybrid haulers, cyclocross commuters, touring travelers – these workhorses of your fleet all have two things in common: they can handle frame contact and they're almost always 35 pounds or less.
With these two factors combined, you get the widest range of options available to transport this bike. However, we recommend the Bones family of car racks as they are quick to load, and can be easily adjusted for slight frame variations by simply moving the arms to the best configuration for your ride. Plus, fenders are a non-issue for any bicycle carrier bearing the Bones name.
On the trunk side, the Bones or SUPERBones are both excellent options. As for hitch racks, the Bones Hitch is the go-to choice. Although if you have a step-through bike, we encourage you to purchase a Bike Beam to ensure proper transport.
ROAD & TRIATHLON BIKES
Carbon has become the frame material of choice among the racing sect, and for good reason. It's lighter, absorbs vibrations better and basically makes you feel like you're riding a cloud. A really, really fast cloud.
For these carbon set-ups, there's no better choice than the SuperClamp EX platform racks. This hitch rack will never come into contact with the frame of the bike, as it transports the bike by holding the front and rear wheel with dual shepard's hooks. Plus, the wheel tray has a special groove designed to specifically cradle a skinny tire. This configuration just so happens to be the most secure way to haul a bicycle, thereby ensuring your little slice of heaven is in safe hands.
For those sporting old school steel roadsters and eye-catching aluminum builds, the SUPERBones is right up your alley. This trunk rack is designed to the hilt with sleek lines, an internal strap management system, and integrated locks that secure bike to rack and rack to car to help deter anyone eyeing up your ride.
MOUNTAIN BIKES
A stellar car rack is a basic requirement to shred. While local mountain biking trails are growing, those who want to get rad often find themselves hauling their MTB to trailheads.
With varying geometries, frame builds and weights, the best bicycle carrier for mountain bikes depends on your specific rig. Most mountain bikes come in around the 35-pound mark, although heftier downhill rigs and fat tire bikes often find themselves on the trails, and likely in your garage.
With this in mind, we recommend a platform style bike rack for your mountain bike. The Freedom rack holds the bikes by both wheels plus downtube, and accommodates any combination of bike sizes (unicycles included).
Other chariots for your shred-sled include our SuperClamp EX 2- and 4-bike models. This platform rack securely holds the bikes solely by the wheels, and accommodates tires up to 4 inches wide. With folding capabilities to garner hatch access and the load speed, the SuperClamp EX bike racks will get you and your crew on the trails faster than ever.
E-BIKES
Yes bike-lover, electric bicycles use transport racks too. Whether they're tagging along on the next getaway or in need of a tune-up, eBikes need a way to get around.
When it comes to hauling these electric-equipped bikes there is one option that rules them all: a platform hitch rack. Our platform rack family, with its small footprint created by hauling two bikes along a single bar, makes them the easiest-to-load hitch bike rack around.
KID'S BIKES
There's a ubiquitous rule that comes with parenthood: where there are children, there is stuff. We're talking extra layers, books, snacks – none of which includes bike-specific gear. And while your kid's bike may be small enough to fit inside your car, chances are that space is already claimed.
For little to big kid bikes, the Bones Hitch is the perfect family of racks for families on the go. The adjustable arms help fit anywhere from 2- to 4-bikes, depending on your need and easily transport the range of bikes that accompany childhood growth. Plus, the Bones Hitch racks are some the lightest hitch racks around. That makes for easy install when your hands are full and the little ones are ready to hit the road.
A WHOLE COLLECTION OF BIKES
The old joke says that the perfect number of bikes is n+1, with "n" being the current number of bikes. Here this is less of a joke than it is a truth. As a company of cyclists, we know that the ability to transport your whole fleet of bikes is very important. Yet often, a 4-bike rack is so large it looks more suited for a Roald Dahl book than your car. Not so with SuperClamp EX and Freedom 4-bike. With size in mind they are specifically designed to transport two bikes along a single bar. Doing so cuts the footprint, and weight, of the car rack in half compared to other 4-bike carriers around. Yes, half. This bulk savings is especially appreciated when installing or moving the rack. Plus, the low-profile build is real slick when folded up along the rear of the vehicle when not in use.