Don’t leave your trusty two-wheeler at home the next time you get the urge to adventure – invest in a decent bike rack for your car and you can take it just about anywhere. Whether you’re heading off on holiday, hunting out new places to explore, or want to drive part of the way to work before finishing your journey by bike, we’ve tested a wide range of solutions to bring you the very best on the market.
We’ve fitted and removed bike carriers of all shapes and sizes – loaded and unloaded them, and tried them out on twisting country lanes and motorways – to find a selection we think are secure and safe at a range of prices. There’s a huge variety of cycle carrier styles on offer – from roof-mounted ones through to models which strap into place on a car tailgate – so there is certain to be one that fits your needs.
Before buying, have a think about how often you will need to move your bike around. There’s no point investing a fortune in the latest towbar-mounted design if you only plan to use it once a year on holiday. Equally, if you’re a regular bike hauler you will probably want a design you can leave attached to your car year-round.
Your choice of bike rack for your car will also depend on the type of bike you own. Owners of hefty mountain bikes and e-bikes won’t want to lift them very far off the ground, while shorter riders are unlikely to be able to use a roof-mounted carrier even for a super-light racing machine.
A bike carrier, and any associated kit needed to attach it to your car, can involve quite a big investment – especially if you have to start buying tow balls or roof bars. If your motor came fitted with such items then you might as well make use of them and save a few pounds, but if you’re likely to be an infrequent user then you may be better off with a design that clips straight on to your car.
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Storage is another thing to think about when buying a carrier. Roof-mounted models can be left in place year-round, although they will have a small effect on your fuel consumption. Whereas many towbar-mounted models can take up a large amount of space, meaning you will need a garage or shed to store one.
When buying a tail-mounted carrier, don’t forget to buy a rear number plate carrier/lights board to ensure you stay legal on the roads. And whichever design you choose, never set out on a journey without being 100 per cent certain both your bikes and the carrier are secure – it’s always worth getting a second person to check you have loaded your rack correctly, especially after a tiring ride.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
The best bike racks for your car in 2021 are:
- Best overall – Thule proride 598: £125.99, Halfords.com
- Best for simplicity – Pendle hang on bike rack: £269.99, Pbr.co.uk
- Best for looks – Thule fastride 564 : £145, Halfords.com
- Best for hatchbacks – Saris bones EX 2-bike: £199.99, Halfords.com
- Best for e-bikes – Thule easyfold XT 2: £675, Thule.com
- Best for kids’ bikes – Halfords advanced 1: £60, Halfords.com
- Best for sports cars – Sea Sucker talon QR 1-bike: £279.99, Wiggle.co.uk
- Best for family adventures – Evans FWE three-bike : £40, Evanscycles.com