Bike Carrier Types and Budget Choices

There are several types of bike carriers to choose from, including hitch-mounted carriers, roof carriers, and trunk-mounted carriers. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Hitch-mounted carriers are a popular choice for their ease of use and versatility. They can carry multiple bikes and are often equipped with features like tilting and swiveling.

Roof carriers are ideal for those with SUVs or trucks, offering a secure and easy-to-use option. They can also be folded up when not in use.

For those on a budget, trunk-mounted carriers are a cost-effective option. They can be installed in minutes and are usually priced under $100.

So, you're looking for a bike carrier that fits your needs. There are several types to choose from, each with its own pros and cons. A tray-style hitch rack is considered the easiest to use and the most versatile.

If your vehicle has a trailer hitch, a hitch rack is a great option. But if it doesn't, you'll need to consider another style. The size of the hitch receiver tube also matters - most racks fit a 2-inch receiver, but fewer have 1.25-inch versions.

Here are the main types of bike carriers:

If you're carrying one to three bikes, any style of rack will do. But if you want to carry more, you'll need to use a hitch rack or a combination of trunk and roof racks.

If you're on a budget, there are still great options for bike carriers out there.

Our top pick is actually quite expensive, but it's worth it for the ease of use and durability.

However, there's a less expensive, more compact option that's great for carrying bikes weighing up to 75 pounds.

It's light and easy to install, and it folds flat for storage, making it a great choice for those with limited space.

For pickup truck owners, finding the right bike carrier can be a challenge. The Thule Insta-Gater Pro is a popular choice, but it's essential to ensure the bike fits in the pickup bed with both wheels on.

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It's also crucial to tighten the wheel clamp securely, as we found out on a twisty, bumpy road on a rainy day. The clamp slid down the tire of one bike, causing it to fall over.

The Yakima GateKeeper Tailgate Pad is another option, but its Velcro straps weren't long enough to hold our bikes securely. On a twisty road, the straps came loose, causing the bikes to shift.

On the other hand, the straps on the Thule GateMate Pro tailgate pad were too long and wouldn't fit snugly around our bike frames. However, Thule representatives explained that the straps are designed for larger frame dimensions, making it a better fit for mountain bikes.

If you're looking for a simple and portable solution, the Thule Insta-Gater Pro is a great choice, especially for carrying one bike in the bed of a pickup.

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If you're on a tight budget, you'll love the budget pick option. It's a one-bike roof rack that's simple to install and allows easy access to your car.

It holds a bike securely with no frame contact, which is a big plus. However, it's harder to load bikes onto this rack than onto our other picks.

This option is great for those who only need to carry one bike at a time. It's a straightforward solution that gets the job done without breaking the bank.

The Küat Beta is a great option for those on a budget, weighing in at only 18 pounds and folding down to a tiny size that's perfect for small spaces. It's also a hanging hitch-mount aluminum rack that's easy to put on and pull off your car.

This rack is designed for city or apartment dwellers who need to street-park their car but still want the benefits of a hitch rack. It's a cost-effective solution that won't break the bank, with a price point lower than most other hitch racks.

The Beta has a few limitations, however - it's not as easy to load and secure bikes as a tray rack like the Sherpa 2.0, and you'll need to unload the bikes to access the rear of your vehicle. But for those who prioritize affordability and compactness, the Beta is a solid choice.

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The Küat Sherpa 2.0 is the best overall hitch rack for transporting one or two bikes, making it our top pick.

It's the lightest two-bike tray rack we tested, weighing less than 32 pounds, which makes it easy to install and remove. The Sherpa 2.0 is available for 1.25-inch and 2-inch tow hitches, providing flexibility for different vehicle setups.

The rack holds bikes securely by the front wheel, with minimal side-to-side movement and without frame contact. This design ensures a safe and damage-free ride for your bikes.

Here's a comparison of the Sherpa 2.0 with other two-bike tray racks:

The Sherpa 2.0's low lift height and ample space between bikes make it an excellent choice for protecting your bikes during transport.

The Küat Sherpa 2.0 is our top pick for a hitch rack, weighing in at less than 32 pounds, making it the lightest two-bike tray rack we tested.

This lightweight model is one of the easiest to mount on your vehicle and load bikes onto, thanks to a smooth, lockable pin and a quick-turning knob that tightens the rack in the receiver hitch.

The Sherpa 2.0 has a beautiful finish, with a metallic powder-coated aluminum frame, and comes with locking systems for securing the rack to the vehicle and bikes to the rack.

We measured 12 inches of space between bikes, compared to 8 to 10 inches for most other tray racks, minimizing the chances of bikes damaging each other.

The Sherpa 2.0 also has one of the lowest lift heights, at only 26.5 inches, making it easy to access the rear of your vehicle.

Here are some key features of the Küat Sherpa 2.0:

Overall, the Küat Sherpa 2.0 is a reliable and easy-to-use hitch rack that's perfect for transporting one or two bikes.

If you're in the market for a bike rack, you've got options. Hitch-mount bike racks are a popular choice, but they require a 2-inch hitch receiver.

The number of bikes you can carry varies by type of rack. Hitch-mount racks can hold up to four bikes, while frame-hanging racks can hold up to seven.

Some bike racks can be a bit tricky to load and unload, especially if you have a lot of bikes. Frame-hanging racks can be fairly easy to very difficult to load, depending on the model.

If you're concerned about visibility while driving, you might want to consider a rack that doesn't extend too far back. Hitch-mount and trunk racks can potentially limit rear visibility.

Here's a comparison of some common types of bike racks:

Ultimately, the best bike rack for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors like ease of loading, visibility, and weight capacity when making your decision.

We tested each bike rack by going through the whole ownership experience. We noted whether the necessary tools were included and how easy the instructions were to follow.

We mounted each rack on one or more vehicles, including sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and pickup trucks. We used 2-inch hitch receivers for hitch racks.

We loaded bikes, noting how high we had to lift them and how easily they could be secured. For example, we had to lift bikes high enough to fit them on the Küat Sherpa 2.0 hitch rack.

We drove along various road types, including curvy two-lane back roads, highways, and dirt roads. We made frequent quick stops and sharp turns to test the rack's stability.

We also folded, tilted, or swung the rack to see how easily we could access a vehicle's cargo area. We removed the bikes and rack, and folded the rack (if possible) for storage.

Our test vehicles included a Toyota RAV4, which came with factory bars that we used as one of the crossbar sets. We also tried the rack on a Thule AeroBlade Edge system and Yakima JetStream bars.

Here's a list of the vehicles we used for testing:

The Thule Epos is a great option for carrying heavy electric bikes, with each tray able to hold up to 75 pounds and a total capacity of 140 pounds.

If you have a pickup truck, the Inno Velo Gripper is a good choice for securing a bike in the bed of the truck, without needing to remove the front wheel.

The Thule Epos is manageably light, weighing 38 pounds, and folds up to the size of a large airline carry-on bag, making it easy to get on and off the car.

If you live in the city or an apartment, consider the Küat Beta, a great two-bike rack that's perfect for street-parking your car.

The Küat Beta is a hanging hitch-mount aluminum rack that's easy to put on and pull off your car. It weighs only 18 pounds and folds down tiny enough to stash in a closet.

It's a cost-effective option, costing less than most other hitch racks. However, it's not as easy to load and secure bikes as a tray rack like the Sherpa 2.0.

To secure the Beta in the hitch receiver, you insert a smooth pin and turn a knob. A hitch lock is optional, but it costs an extra $30.

The straps securing the bikes were the easiest to use on any hanging-style hitch rack we tested.

If you need to carry up to four bikes, consider the Saris SuperClamp EX 4-Bike hitch rack, which provides a great balance of features and ease of use.

The SuperClamp EX is one of the lightest four-bike tray racks available, weighing in at 63 pounds. This makes it easier to get on and off of the vehicle than its competitors.

For carrying heavy electric bikes, the Thule Epos is a top choice, with each tray able to hold a bike weighing up to 75 pounds.

The Thule Epos is also a cinch to install and load a bike onto, thanks to its simple hitch-locking system.

If you want to carry your bike on the roof of your vehicle, the Yakima HighRoad is the way to go, with its simple installation process and secure front-wheel clamping system.

The Yakima HighRoad can hold bikes up to 45 pounds, which is the upper limit for most roof racks.

For carrying bikes on the trunk of your car, the Saris Bones EX 3-Bike rack is a great option, with its innovative design and easy-to-use straps.

The Saris Bones EX is also one of the lightest and most solidly built racks we've tested, weighing in at just 11 pounds.

Hitch racks are a great option for frequent users, especially those needing to carry more than three bikes, but they can be more expensive, ranging from $150 to over $500.

Platform-style hitch racks are the easiest and most secure way to load bikes, but they can be heavy and awkward to carry and store when not in use.

The Inno Velo Gripper is a top pick for securing bikes in pickup truck beds. It's a great balance of compactness, ease of use, effectiveness, and affordability.

This model doesn't require you to remove the front wheel of a bike, which is a plus. It held our bike securely in the bed – and off to the side, where it didn't interfere with our rear vision while we were driving.

The Velo Gripper includes two clamps that attach securely to the side rail of a truck's bed. You'll need to do some measuring to get the grippers in the right place on the truck bed, but this is a one-time task.

It takes less than a minute to remove the bike and grippers. However, there's no way to lock the clamps to the truck.

There are two versions of the Velo Gripper: the original RT201, which fits standard truck beds, and the newer RT202, designed for C-channel bed-rail systems.

Be sure to measure your bed and bike before buying, as many pickups have relatively short beds that may not provide enough room to carry an adult-size bike with both wheels on.

Tray-style hitch racks are a popular option for carrying single bikes. They're often easy to install and use, but not always.

The 1UP USA Quik Rack Single requires no assembly out of the box, but it can be tricky to use, especially when loading or unloading a bike. You'll need two hands to operate the wheel hoops, which can make it difficult to hold the bike steady.

On the other hand, the Küat Transfer is a great option if you're looking for a hassle-free experience. It's easy to use and doesn't require any assembly.

The release handle on the RockyMounts MonoRail Solo is a dealbreaker for some users. At least three testers had the handle snap back and pinch their fingers against the rack's frame, which can be painful.

Overall, tray-style hitch racks are a good option for carrying single bikes, but be sure to do your research and choose a model that suits your needs.

Mounting and installation can be a bit of a challenge, especially if you're new to bike carriers. The 1UP USA Quik Rack Single requires no assembly out of the box, which is a huge plus.

However, some bike carriers can be tricky to use, like the Küat Transfer, which we found to be relatively easy to use. The wheel hoops are designed to be operated with one hand, making it easier to hold the bike while loading or unloading.

The release handle for some bike carriers, like the RockyMounts MonoRail Solo, can be a dealbreaker. At least three of our testers had the handle snap back and pinch their fingers against the rack's frame, which is not ideal.

Trunk Mounts are a popular choice for cyclists, and for good reason - they're relatively inexpensive, ranging from $50 to $200. These racks are designed to rest on the back of a car trunk while straps secure it in place.

One of the biggest advantages of trunk mounts is their adjustability, making them suitable for use on multiple vehicles. They're also incredibly light and portable, making them easy to store when not in use.

Trunk mounts have a limited load capacity, typically able to hold two to three bikes at most. This can be a drawback for those who need to transport multiple bikes at once.

With practice, trunk mounts are relatively easy to mount and take off, but it's essential to make sure the straps are secured tightly to prevent the bikes from shifting or swaying while driving.

Hitch racks are generally simple to install, but it's essential to check the tongue load capacity of your vehicle's hitch before doing so. Typically, this is 10 percent of the towing capacity.

Platform-style hitch racks are the easiest and most secure way to load your bikes, but they can be heavy and awkward to carry and store when not in use. They're also the most expensive option.

Hanging cradle-style hitch racks are lighter and less expensive than platform-style racks, but they can cause minor abrasions to your bike paint due to swaying and contact with other bikes.

To determine the load capacity of your hitch, check your owner's manual or the hitch itself if it was installed aftermarket. This will ensure you don't overload your hitch and risk it bending or breaking.

Some hitch racks come with locks or can be easily secured to a hitch with a cable lock, providing an added layer of security for your bikes.

Roof Mount Racks can be a fantastic option for serious cycling or outdoor enthusiasts, offering versatility and a secure way to carry bikes or other gear.

They can be quite expensive, with costs ranging from $200 to over $500, especially if you need to add multiple cradles or build a custom rack system.

Lifting and reaching are required to secure bikes, which might not be ideal for taller vehicles or people with difficulty with heavy lifting.

Racks are not as easily removable as hitch- or trunk-mounted systems and often require some tools.

Wind resistance or wind noise while driving can be noticeable and may have a slight negative effect on gas mileage.

It's essential to be mindful of clearance on your vehicle when carrying gear on the roof, as it may not fit in certain low-clearance areas like parking garages.

Some roof racks, like the Küat Trio, can be tricky to mount, especially if you have thru-axle bikes.

The SeaSucker Talon, a fork-mount rack, uses large suction cups to attach to the vehicle's roof, but they might not fit well on vehicles with raised ribs.

Roof racks can be a great option for carrying small boats, skis, or cargo boxes, in addition to bikes.

A bike carrier is a great way to transport your bike, and it's essential to know the basics.

Bike carriers are designed to hold a bike securely in place, typically on a roof rack or hitch mount.

They usually come with a maximum weight capacity, which is usually around 40-50 pounds.

You should choose a bike carrier that fits your vehicle's make and model.

Some bike carriers are specifically designed for certain types of bikes, such as road bikes or mountain bikes.

Make sure to check the installation instructions before setting up your bike carrier.