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Roof top bike carrier - Thule ProRide with bikes in a beautiful mountain view
Guide - Bike Rack

How to choose the best bike rack for your car

A guide on how to choose the best bike rack for your car, number of bikes and bike styles.

If you want to be free, explore the unknown, and bike on distant roads, you need a bike rack to get you there. We know that everyone's needs are unique, and that different bike styles and different car models require different bike rack solutions. That’s why we have written this guide – to help you choose a bike carrier that fits your needs without compromise.

Choosing the best bike rack for your car

The first thing you should think about when choosing a bike rack for your vehicle is what type of vehicle you have and how many bikes you would like to carry.
Hitch bike carriers tow bar bike carrier Thule EasyFold XT with mountain bikes

Why you should choose a hitch bike rack

This category of bike carriers is perfect for families or a group of friends with ebikes, if you want to spend time on the forest trail or experience downhill racing. If you have an e-vehicle that can’t take a heavy load on the roof, or if you want a super aerodynamic solution to save on fuel consumption, a hitch bike rack is an excellent choice.

Hitch-mounted bike racks are the most common style of bike carriers and are a great option if you already have a Class 1-5 receiver hitch on your vehicle, or plan on installing one. They are designed to make loading and unloading of bikes quick and easy, they can also accommodate to fit a variety of frame styles.

Thule Epos is our innovative new hitch bike rack that is fully-foldable and tilts to give you trunk access. It can carry all frame sizes and geometries thanks to the innovative telescopic bike attachment system. The new design allows you to load or unload your bikes in any order, which is super convenient if you want to use a bike attached in the middle but don't want to remove all the bikes at once.

If you need a versatile hitch bike rack for all kind of bikes, the Thule T2 Pro XTR is perfect for e-bikes, and fat bikes, and carbon fiber bikes since it makes zero frame contact. It also tilts so that you can access the trunk even with the bikes loaded.

If you need a compact and fully-foldable hitch bike rack that you can easily store in the trunk of your car and bring with you wherever you go, the best option Thule EasyFold XT. It’s easy to install, fits most bikes and ebikes, and also gives you access to the trunk even with the bikes loaded.

These bike racks can carry 1 to 5 bikes, are easy to mount, and limit heavy and high lifting. Hitch racks also come in two styles:

Platform hitch racks:

These racks carry up to 4 bikes and have a platform to make loading and unloading your bikes quick and easy. They also fold up when not in use, and easily accommodate a variety of frame styles.

Hanging hitch racks:

These bike racks can carry up to 5 bikes which hang securely on the rack. They come in two variations, some that tilt down or swing away to allow for trunk access. Both styles come in models that accommodate 1 ¼” and 2” hitch receivers. 

You should choose a hitch-mounted bike rack if...

  • You want to carry multiple bikes
  • You need to easily load and unload them
  • You need to carry different bike frame styles
  • You want to transport heavy bikes or electric bikes

A woman unloads her bike from a hitch mount bike rack on a city street while a man does a wheelie on his bike.
On a mountainous country road two cyclists have brought their bikes on a Thule roof bike rack.

You should choose a hitch-mounted bike rack if...

  • You want to carry multiple bikes
  • You need to easily load and unload them
  • You need to carry different bike frame styles
  • You want to transport heavy bikes or electric bikes


Why you should choose a roof bike rack:

This category of bike rack is perfect for the cycling enthusiasts who are heading for the road, MTB trails or the gravel path, with a road bike or a cross country bike. 

While these styles require that you have roof racks on your car, fork-mounted or upright roof bike racks are great for sedans and smaller SUVs with a lower loading height or car models that do not have a towbar installed. If you choose a fork or wheel-mounted roof bike rack, you ensure that the rack will make absolutely zero contact with your precious carbon fiber frame.

Rooftop bike racks have a stylish, sporty design and fit almost all bike dimensions. They can be fork-mounted, wheel-mounted and frame-mounted:

Fork-mounted roof bike racks

An iconic, sporty bike rack solution that attaches to the dropout or thru-axle of your fork when you remove the front wheel. This attachment method ensures secure transport and zero frame contact for carbon fiber frames.

Frame-mounted roof bike racks:

These upright roof bike racks attach to the frame so that you don’t have to remove the front wheel.

Wheel-mounted roof bike racks:

These bike racks attach to the wheel of your bike which ensures zero-frame contact if you have a carbon fiber bike, for example.

You should choose a roof bike rack if...

  • You have roof racks on your vehicle
  • Your vehicle has a lower roof height
  • You need full access to the rear of the vehicle
  • You want a sporty, classic look

On a mountainous country road two cyclists have brought their bikes on a Thule roof bike rack.
On a mountainous country road two cyclists have brought their bikes on a Thule roof bike rack.

You should choose a roof bike rack if...

  • You have roof racks on your vehicle
  • Your vehicle has a lower roof height
  • You need full access to the rear of the vehicle
  • You want a sporty, classic look


Why you should choose a trunk bike rack

This category of bike racks is perfect for cyclists who ride less often, who don’t have a towbar on their car or don’t want to lift the bike up on the car roof.

This style of racks can transport 1 to 3 bikes, are foldable, and store easily when not in use, which makes them a great option for cyclists who ride infrequently or have limited storage space in their garage or home.

Thule OutWay Platform is a great option, this robust and secure trunk bike rack can be installed in seconds with no assembly required. The raised platform design makes sure that the rear lights and license plate is visible at all times.

You should choose a trunk bike rack if...

  • You do not have a towbar or hitch receiver
  • You are a casual rider that does not ride often
  • You don’t want to lift the bikes up onto the roof
  • You want a more economical option

On a country trail a cyclists unloads bike from a Thule trunk bike rack as a man starts biking.
On a country trail a cyclists unloads bike from a Thule trunk bike rack as a man starts biking.

You should choose a trunk bike rack if...

  • You do not have a towbar or hitch receiver
  • You are a casual rider that does not ride often
  • You don’t want to lift the bikes up onto the roof
  • You want a more economical option


Why you should choose a truck bike rack

Truck bed bike racks are bike racks that are specifically designed to be carried either in your pick-up truck bed, or on the tailgate. Read about the different types below.

Fork and wheel-mounted truck bed bike racks:

These bike racks secure to either the fork or the wheel or your bike, for zero frame contact if you're transporting bikes with fragile frames.

Tailgate bike racks:

These are truck bed bike racks that secure the bikes to a protective pad on the tailgate. These bike racks let you transport lots of bikes at a time.

You should choose a truck bike rack if...

  • You do not have a roof rack system or hitch receiver and do not want to install one
  • You use the hitch receiver for other purposes
  • You want to transport bikes in your truck bed
  • You live close to where you ride and need a simple option for a quick commute

A cyclists loads his bike onto a Thule truck bed bike rack.
A cyclists loads his bike onto a Thule truck bed bike rack.

You should choose a truck bike rack if...

  • You do not have a roof rack system or hitch receiver and do not want to install one
  • You use the hitch receiver for other purposes
  • You want to transport bikes in your truck bed
  • You live close to where you ride and need a simple option for a quick commute


Bike rack sizes

The type of bike rack you want to choose also varies depending on how many bikes you plan on carrying. For example, since roof bike racks carry bikes on the roof of your car, you are limited on how many you can bring with you.

2 bike rack

All of the bike rack types are perfect for 2 bikes. If they’re light and easy to lift, you can even use two roof bike racks. For heavier bikes, you might appreciate a bike rack on the trunk of your car so that you don’t have to lift the bikes so high.

3 bike rack

If you’re carrying three bikes, there are hitch or towbar bike racks that can carry all three, or even trunk bike racks that can handle the weight.

4 bike rack

If you want to carry four bikes, a 4 bike hitch rack or towbar bike rack is the best option. If you have a tiltable bike rack, or a rack with swingaway technology, then you can have access to your trunk even with the bikes loaded.

Whatever your car or however many bikes you’re bringing, there is a bike rack for you. Before you select your bike rack, take a look at the different options to find the best model for your car and your needs.

All Thule bike racks have been tested extensively both in real life and in the Thule Test Center, a state-of-the-art facility for testing Thule products to the extreme. That way you know our bike carriers will carry your bikes safely and securely, wherever you are going.


What bike rack solution are you looking for?

A car with a Thule hitch bike rack installed and two bikes loaded.

Hitch bike racks

If you’re transporting lots of heavy bikes or ebikes on your next family vacation, look no further than a hitch bike rack. These sturdy bike racks take mere minutes to install on your hitch receiver and carry up to 5 bikes.
A car with a Thule roof bike rack installed and one bike loaded.

Roof bike racks

Stylish, sporty bike racks that are easy to use and fit almost all bike dimensions. All our fork, frame and wheel-mounted racks are designed to keep your favorite bike secure and protected. Perfect for road bikes, gravel bikes, MTB bikes and more!
A car with a Thule trunk bike rack installed and two bikes loaded.

Trunk bike racks

If you don’t have a towbar and prefer not to load your bike(s) on the roof of the car, then trunk bike racks are a perfect fit for you. These bike racks are easy to install – no preassembly required. Perfect for family bike trips or road biking.
A pickup with a Thule truck bed bike rack installed and one bike loaded.

Truck bed bike racks

Bring up to 8 bikes in your pickup truck. Thule truck bed bike racks are a secure way to transport your bikes and protect both the bikes and the truck from any damage. The ultimate way to transport bikes for the whole crew!