Even today, bicycles are some of the most efficient means of transportation all over the world. There are also many cycling enthusiasts who like to use bikes for recreational purposes, and the most troublesome part for them is carrying their bikes to their favorite locations for an epic ride. The only easy option available to carry your bikes is by opting for a bike rack that can be fitted on your vehicle. There are many types and models of bike racks available on the market that can be fitted upon the roof, on the trunk, or hitch-mounted with your vehicle for easy transportation of single or multiple bikes. This article discusses the top-ranking models available on the market and goes through the best bike rack reviews to help you to find the perfect model to carry your cycle to your favorite spot.
When looking at bike racks, they should fulfill several requirements. They should fit within your budget, of course, but they should also be easy to mount and be durable, as they’ll be exposed to the hazards of the open road. Also, they should hold your bikes securely and keep them protected during travel.
Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack
The Allen Sports Deluxe 2 Bike 102 DN rack is designed to fit a majority of the sedans, hatchbacks, minivans, and SUVs out there, but you must be sure to confirm on the manufacturer’s site whether this rack is compatible with your specific vehicle before buying it. This rack is very easy to install and allows you to carry a couple of bicycles across the country. It includes two side straps to provide exceptional lateral stability. Its patented tie-down system is designed to protect and secure each of your bicycles individually. The Allen Sports Deluxe 2 Bike 102 DN rack is currently available at a price of $39.97.
Pros:
- This frame sets up in couple of minutes
- Comes fully assembled
- Patented tie-down system secures and protects bicycles
- Comes with narrow-set carry arms compatible with a broad range of bicycles and their sizes
- Comes with padded lower frame to keep bicycles away from the body of the vehicle
- Comes with Allen’s lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Some of the people who reviewed this product have complaints about having to lift the bike to a significant height and to hold it there away from themselves while mounting on the rack. This can be quite a burden for people with less upper-body strength
Conclusion: The Allen Sports Deluxe 2 Bike rack 102 DN at the current price is quite a good purchase, as it allows you to carry a couple of bikes and has easy installation. The foam cushions on the trunk do not allow any chipping or scraping of your bicycles’ paint. When you’re not using it, you can easily remove the rack and store it in the trunk of the car because it’s compact. At this price, however, you can expect it’s a little less durable than other models.
Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1/1/4 and 2-Inch Receiver)
This hitch-mounted two-bike rack is compatible with 1 ¼-inch and 2-inch receiver hitches and can easily accommodate a couple of adult bikes. You just have to slide this rack onto a 2-inch hitch and you can carry your bikes to your favorite destination. This rack is quite adjustable for the different frame sizes of most bikes and has dimensions of 11 x 34 x 5 inches. It comes with a foldable center arm, which can be collapsed to access the back of the vehicle. The Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack is currently available at a price of $119.99.
Pros:
- Comes with adjustable quick-release tire hoops and ratcheting arm adjustable to hold most bikes
- Foldable ratcheting arm for easy access to the back of the vehicle
- Foldable central arm and foldable base for ease of storage
- Soft frame coating on ratchets to protect the bike
- Very easy to assemble
- Wheel hoops fit 20- to 29-inch tire sizes
Cons:
- Some customers who purchased the Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack found that the plastic adaptor for the 2-inch receiver did not provide adequate support
Conclusion: Mounting and securing your bikes on the Swagman XC Cross-Country 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack is quite easy. The best feature of this rack can be attributed to the fact that, due to the availability of wheel hoops, the weight of the bikes sits on the tires rather than the central frame, thus providing safety and stability. At its current price, this rack is quite a good bargain because of its durability, even though it is costlier than some models.
Kuat 2 Bike NV Rack
This two-bike rack is one of the most expensive racks currently available on the market. It is ergonomically designed to suit every type of biking enthusiast. The rack has the capacity to hold a combined weight of up to 120 lbs. It comes with ratcheting arms to clamp the front wheel and tire of the bike and is quite suitable for bikes having 26- to 29-inch wheel sizes. As the front wheel and tire are used as primary attachment points, this rack is compatible with a majority of frame designs. The main body of the rack needs to be attached to the trays on which the bikes will sit. After assembling these, the rack is ready to be inserted into the hitch receiver, and a locking hitch pin is inserted to complete the assembly. The Kuat 2 Bike NV Rack for 2-inch receiver is currently available at a price of $534.99.
Pros:
- Maximum weight capacity of 120lbs
- Suitable for up to a 48-inch bike wheelbase
- Suitable for tires up to 4 inches wide
- Comes with Trail Doc-integrated repair stand
- Comes in variant of 1.25- and 2-inch receiver variants with hand tight cam system
Cons:
- It is quite expensive and is bit too heavy to be installed by a single person
Conclusion: Despite being a bit expensive, the Kuat 2 Bike NV Rack represents a good value in quality for the money invested to buy this rack. State-of-the-art construction and ergonomic design make it one of the top-rated products in its category.
Curt 18084 Hitch-Mounted Tray-Style Bike Rack
This hitch-mounted tray-style bike rack has the capacity to carry two bikes with a maximum weight of 90 lbs. It is compatible with both 1 ¼-inch and 2-inch hitch receivers. The padded arms on this rack are easily adjustable for all sizes of bikes. The tilt-away feature allows ease of access to the back of the vehicle. The shank is threaded to prevent wobble, thus increasing the stability when the rack is fully loaded, and the ratcheting arm and the wheel loops can be folded when not in use for ease of storage. You can also fold the whole rack by using the tilting mechanism to create a compact unit behind your vehicle. The Curt 18084 Hitch-Mounted Tray-Style Bike Rack is currently available at a price of $137.50.
Pros:
- This rack has dimensions of 9.8 x 35.5 x 16.5 inches, so it’s relatively compact
- Comes with adjustable wheel loops and ratcheting arm
- Compact and foldable design for ease of storage
- Special tilt-down feature to access the back of your vehicle
Cons:
- Some of the people who reviewed this bike rack felt that the support strap for the 1 ¼-inch receiver should be provided within the package.
Conclusion: The Curt 18084 Hitch-Mounted Tray-Style Bike Rack is currently available at a great price, which makes it a decent purchase. This rack has all the features present in the other expensive, top-end bike racks, which makes it quite a good bargain. It’s also an ideal model to choose if you are looking for a smaller rack that still maintains all the functionality of larger models.
Saris Bones 805 (2-Bike) Trunk Mount Rack
This rack is designed by famous Italian designer Fabio Pedrini and is not only suitable for mounting on any vehicle that has a trunk but is also suitable for any vehicle ranging from sedans to minivans. This rack has dimensions of 8 x 16 x 22 inches and can store two bikes. The Saris Bones 805 is currently available at a price of $149.99.
Pros:
- Ease of installation
- Manufactured with rust-resistant materials
- Comes with ratcheting anti-sway straps for safety and stability of the bikes
- Arc-based design is appropriate for trunk installation and keeps bikes on different levels to prevent damage
Cons:
- This rack allows a little movement of the front tires of the bikes, which can lead to scratching of your bumper
Conclusion: The Saris Bones 805 (2-Bike) Trunk Mount Rack is stylishly designed to be easily mounted on a car trunk and it is made up of curved adjustable arms to provide stability to the bikes during the drive. This rack is quite appropriate for any vehicle that has a rear spoiler as well. It’s expensive, but that is a true reflection of its quality.
Summary
Comparing all the top models listed above, you will find that the Kuat 2 Bike NV Rack is the most expensive bike rack in the hitch-mounted rack category, and it is also one of the best. It is ergonomically designed and manufactured using materials that provide this product with longevity and ease of installation. It will last you for years, making its cost-per-use amount relatively low considering you won’t need to invest in another rack. If money is not an issue, then it is the best choice in its category. If you have a modest budget, then you can opt for the Curt 18084 Hitch-Mounted Tray-Style Bike Rack, which has somewhat similar features and is currently available at a good price. If you have a vehicle with a trunk or spoiler, then your best option is the Saris Bones 805 (2-Bike) Trunk Mount Rack. This model loses points, however, because it can end up scratching your car if you’re not careful.