The Best Bike Racks for Different Car Types

One of the cheapest and easiest ways carry one or more bikes is a rear-mounted rack. These simply fasten onto the back of your car with straps, making them quite easy to fit. They’ll work well with different car types, particularly hatchbacks and estates, but you’ll need to check before buying whether the rack you’re considering is compatible with your car. Access to your boot will be compromised, but you could always fit a roof box.

If you have a tow-bar fitted, a simple solution can be to fit a tow-bar mounted bike rack, which can hold enough bikes for small families. Installation is easy, too, and they’re generally a lot more stable and secure than rear-mounted racks. Many racks also slide away from the boot when needed to allow access, so storage space isn’t compromised. Of course, all off this depends on you having a tow-bar; you can easily get one fitted professionally if you don’t, but this will add an extra (albeit one-off) cost. As larger cars such as SUVs are generally more likely to come with a tow-bar already installed, a tow-bar mounted bike rack can be a good pairing with these.

If you’ve got roof bars on your car, you can fit a bike rack onto the roof to transport a number of bikes. You might even be able to fit a small roof box on there as well. This means your boot and cabin remain uncluttered, so you won’t lose storage space or ease of access. What’s more, they’ll keep your tow-bar free, too – handy if you need that for towing. Most estates or SUVs will already have roof bars as standard, but these can be retrofitted if your car doesn’t have them.

Regardless of your vehicle or needs, you should be able to find a rear-mounted, tow-bar mounted or roof-mounted bike rack that best suits you. Each has its pros and cons, so choose carefully and consider what’s important for your particular situation. Need a helping hand deciding on your next car? Take a look at our guide to the best cars for cyclists.