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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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. These bike racks can take a lot of weight, and can sometimes carry up to 5 bikes as well. 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.