The 10 best bike racks for cars to buy in the UK
If you love cycling then buying a good bike rack for your car is a great idea. This lets you travel further distances for your cycling adventures, making it easier to visit incredible cycling trails that you would otherwise miss out on.
However, finding the best bike rack for cars is difficult for first-time buyers, as there are a few considerations that must be made to ensure you get the right rack for your needs. To help with this, we have created a handy buying guide that covers all the information you need to know to find the best bike rack for your car!
What are bike racks for cars?
A bike rack for a car is a type of bike carrier that is attached to the exterior of a vehicle for easier transportation. There are a few designs available, with each one attaching the bike to a different position in the vehicle, and they all make transporting your bike by car much easier.
Why should you buy a good bike rack for cars?
Anyone that loves cycling may be limited to how far they can travel to ride their bike. With a good bike rack for a car, you can easily attach the bike to the outside of the vehicle for effortless transportation. This lets you take your bike further afield for all kinds of enjoyable cycling adventures, whether it’s down to a nearby park or travelling long-distance for a weekend of cycling.
How to choose the right bike rack for cars in 2024?
It is important to choose a quality bike rack for your car, so here are some things to consider that will help choose the right one for your needs:
- Capacity: Think about how many bikes you need to transport using the rack, as some have a higher capacity than others. For example, a tow bar mounted rack holds up to four bikes, roof mounts between two and four (depending on vehicle size), and most rear-mounted racks only hold two to three. always know how many bikes you are travelling with to make sure you get something suitable.
- Weight: Bike racks come with certain weight capacities, so you need to determine the weight of your bikes, then choose a rack that can hold this weight. Choose something that can’t bear the load and the rack is likely to break, which is something you’d want to avoid when driving! Tow bar bike racks usually hold the highest weights.
- Tyre Width: Certain bikes, such as a mountain and electric bikes, come with wider wheels than a standard road bike, meaning they may not fit every rack on the market. So, it helps to measure tyre width to ensure you choose a rack that has enough space to fit the wheels, especially if it is a mountain bike.
What is the best kind of bike rack for cars in the UK?
Here are the best-selling bike racks that are currently available:
- Roof Mounted Bike Racks: This type of rack is mounted to the roof bars on top of a car, so make sure your vehicle has roof bars. Larger vehicles can hold up to four bikes while smaller cars hold two to three, and the fact they stay on the roof means you have easy access to the boot and the rear-view isn’t impaired.
- Rear Mounted Bike Racks: The most affordable type of bike rack for a car, rear-mounted racks usually have a smaller capacity of between two to three bikes, while they are very easy to attach to the car. However, it needs to be specific to your vehicle, so make sure to check this when looking for rear-mounted racks.
- Tow Bar Mounted Bike Racks: This type of bike rack attaches to a tow bar and trails behind your vehicle. It carries up to four bikes and has a great weight capacity, while the position behind the car means it’s more fuel-efficient than having the bikes on the roof or rear of the car. Accessing the bikes is quick and easy with this rack, as they can be easily lifted out.
Top 10 list of bike racks for cars in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their bike racks for cars. Which bike rack for cars is the best?
- : The Taylor & Brown bike rack is quick and easy to install. No tools are required,…
- : Equipped with high-quality straps and padded hooks, this rack ensures your bikes…
- : The compact, foldable design allows for easy storage when not in use. Simply fold…
- Padded lower frame protects vehicle, and left and right side straps for lateral…
- Fully assembled, installs in seconds
- Individual tie-downs secure and protect bicycles
- Designed To Fit Most Saloons, Coupes, People Carriers, MPVs and Hatchbacks.
- Heavy Duty Construction And Easy Fitting To Your Car
- Transports Up To 3 Bikes, Foldable For Easy Storage
- Fully assembled, installs in seconds
- Padded lower frame protects vehicle
- Individual tie-downs secure and protect bicycles
- EASY INSTALLATION: The bicycle rack for car is designed for quick and hassle-free…
- UNIVERSAL FIT: This bike carrier is versatile and compatible with most vehicle types…
- HEAVY-DUTY CONSTRUCTION: Built with robust materials, this car bike rack for 3 bikes…
- Color : Black
- Product Type : Transport Rack
- Brand : Shield Autocare
- Installation Manual Included: Here to help and provide an easy method of installation.…
- Max Weight Load: This model cycle rack can withstand the weight of a maximum of 30kg.…
- Easy Installation: Included with easy fasten straps. This rear cycle mount is easy…
- Engineered-resin construction is the strongest on the market
- Injection moulded
- Fits most mountain, road, women′s and children′s bikes
- International products have separate terms, are sold from abroad and may differ from…
- 100 lb - Maximum capacity is 50 lbs per bike.NOTE : The pad color may slightly d…
- Built-in locking knob keep main upright sturdy to reduce wobble during transport
- Padded lower frame protects vehicle
- Folds up small and fits inside carrying bag or backpack
- Individual tie-downs secure and protect bicycles
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