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There is nothing better than grabbing your bike and heading out on an adventure, is there?
Feeling the wind rush around you as you hit new speeds or uncover new trails is an adrenaline rush like no other.
If, like us, you are always searching for a new track to head off on a new adventure; you probably need a way to travel with your bike, yes?
A roof-mounted bike rack is a great way to do this. You don’t need to worry about trailer hitches or whether seats and tires will obscure your rearview. Simply load the bikes onto your car roof and drive!
Finding the best roof-mounted bike racks, however, can be a daunting task. There are so many on the market, and with such a price range, it can feel as though your dream bike rack will forever be out of reach.
Well, fear not! For we have found the best roof-mounted bike racks, teamed them with a helpful buyer’s guide, and FAQ section for you to grab your racks with minimal fuss!
In a hurry? Check out our top pick to get your bikes mounted quickly!
- Affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Suitable for a wide range of roof bars
- Universal upright bike rack
- Fits most bicycles
- Quick and easy to mount bikes
- Decently priced
- Lightweight and made of aluminum
- Can carry two bikes with a maxim load of 66lbs
1. Swagman UPRIGHT Roof Mount Bike Rack
An affordable option that will provide excellent security is Swagman’s upright bike rack!
The upright roof rack takes minutes to install, with helpful instructions to walk you through each step. The rack is designed to carry one bike with no need for wheel removal, allowing you to attach your bike quickly with minimal effort!
The rack is incredibly versatile and can suit a range of different existing roof bars. It can be used on square, round, and oval bars up to 3-inches wide.
What is excellent about this rack is that you can use multiple units on one vehicle, allowing you to carry more than one bike safely!
A perfect option for couples or thrill-seeking families!
The rack has a maximum weight capacity of 35lbs per bike too. Swagman’s rack is made with a minimalistic and sleek design that will look great on any vehicle! It is super lightweight also, weighing just 5lbs!
Swagman’s rack is made from plastic and steel to provide a sturdy and durable rack for your roof. The bike rack also comes with tie-down straps for your bike wheels and a locking feature to provide you with peace of mind! These security features will keep your bike firmly in place while you drive or are parked.
Customers were impressed with this rack, given its super low cost, and found it easy to assemble. For those on a tight budget or are after an affordable way to mount several bikes, this is a great option to consider!
- Affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Suitable for a wide range of roof bars
- Can put multiple racks on one vehicle
- Secure tie-down straps for wheels
- The rack only carries one bike.
More time to browse? Check out our other great choices below!
2. Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
Those after a reasonably priced bike rack need look no further than Thule’s upright bike rack!
Their universal rack carries one bike upright with no frame contact to offer maximum protection.
The rack features a hook that securely grabs the front wheel to keep it in place while the vehicle is moving or parked.
Thule’s rack is designed to fit most 20-29-inch wheel bicycles with tires up to 3-inches wide.
You can purchase an additional Thule adaptor to fit tires up to 5-inches wide, an excellent option for those with fat bikes!
The bike rack is suitable for carbon frame bikes, non-traditional designs, rear suspension, and bottle cages. It’s an excellent option for many different bicycles and riders!
You can mount your bike quickly and easily with this rack, thanks to its ratcheting wheel strap and secure hook.
What’s great about this rack is you can switch it easily from one side of the vehicle to the other when it suits you. Some customers did find that the rack wobbled slightly when in use. They combated this by using some additional cabling to secure the roof’s racks, helping solve the problem.
Customers enjoyed the rack’s decent price point, and its wheel grab to keep the bike in place throughout long or short journeys! It’s a great rack for a wide range of bikes, and the opportunity to make it even more versatile with the fat bike adaptor makes it a fantastic choice!
- Universal upright bike rack
- Fits most bicycles
- Quick and easy to mount bikes
- Secure hooks for bike wheels
- Easy to switch from one side of the vehicle to another
- Some customers found the rack a little shaky.
3. CyclingDeal Alloy Car Roof Bicycle Carrier Rack
An excellent option for those wanting to carry two bikes is this rack from CyclingDeal! At a reasonable price, the rack will hold a wide range of bikes worry-free.
The rack is made from 6063 aluminum, making it lightweight but very strong and durable.
It is also rust-resistant, so the weather will never be an issue for this little rack!
Designed to carry two bikes, with a maximum weight load of 66lbs, it’s an excellent option for couples looking to head out on cycling adventures together.
You don’t need to worry about front wheel removal with this rack either; you can load the bikes intact for a quick secure to the rack.
The rack is designed for a range of bikes, with a maximum rim of 50mm deep and a maximum downtube and seat tube perimeter of 7.48 inches. The rack itself is also very diverse, fitting most aero or square crossbars with a maximum thickness of 30mm and a max width of 110mm.
The rack also comes with wheel straps to keep your bikes securely locked into place. You get a strap for the wheel and a frame strap that offers 360-degree turning features. The straps are compatible with all different frame shapes, making it a very versatile rack!
What’s great about this rack is that CyclingDeal offers an impressive lifetime warranty! That is some profound confidence in their rack, right there!
Customers did note that it was a little tricky to load the bikes, often needing two people to do this, so be sure to allow some extra time or enlist a helping pair of hands to make the process quick and easy.
Customers were impressed with the secure hold of the bikes, offering no movement while they drove! A great rack for those who don’t want to spend too much but want to receive outstanding quality!
- Decently priced
- Lightweight and made of aluminum
- Can carry two bikes with a maxim load of 66lbs
- Fits most bikes
- Easy to install on the existing car roof bars
- A little tricky to load the bikes on your own
4. Swagman STANDARD Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Carrier
Another great option from Swagman is their standard fork mount rooftop bike carrier. Swagman’s rack is an excellent option for those wanting to carry one bike worry-free at an affordable price.
Swagman’s rack carries one bike with a maximum weight of 35lbs.
You can add more than one rack to your roof, depending on size, allowing you to carry multiple bikes without the usual hefty price tag.
The rack is straightforward to assemble with no tools required to do so!
Following the instructions, your rack can be built within minutes, giving you plenty of time to grab your bike and hit the road.
Swagman’s rack fits most existing roof bars, suitable for square, round, and oval bars up to 3 inches wide. It is a versatile rack that can work with most vehicle types and sizes, and a great rack can come with you should you change your vehicle!
The rack uses fork mount blocks to secure your bike. The blocks use 9mm quick-release skewers that anchor your bikes to the rack for worry-free security.
Customers enjoyed how easy the rack was to assemble and the excellent value for money you get with Swagman’s rack.
Some customers found that the instructions were a little unclear at times, but thanks to how easy this rack is to assemble, that should not be an issue for you!
- Affordable
- Easy to assemble
- Bikes secured on fork mount blocks for security.
- Works with most vehicles
- Carries one bike
- Assembly instructions are a little unclear.
5. SeaSucker Talon Single Bike Rack for Cars
Different from the other racks on this list, SeaSucker offers a suction style rack that is extremely versatile to use on your car.
This vacuum mount works with many vehicles including, SUVs, Hatchbacks, Tesla, Hondas, and so many more!
You will not have to worry about replacing the rack when you change cars.
Made with a 6-inch vacuum mount to attach to your vehicle, they are designed never to damage your vehicle. It uses a pump-to-attach mechanism to mount your bike easily.
There is a UV inhibitor to keep the rubber and plastic from drying out in the sun. The vacuum mount hardware is made from 316 stainless steel allowing it to be rust-resistant, an excellent choice for all-weather bike hauling!
SeaSuckers mount is easy to detach thanks to its built-in lift tab to allow for a speedy detachment and attaching it. The attachment time takes seconds, with minimal work required so you can jump in your car and take your bike on an adventure at the drop of a hat!
They are very diverse and can be used on the roof, trunk, hatchback, or trunk bed for a truly versatile bike rack.
With a pull rate of over 210lbs, SeaSuckers mount is an excellent road and mountain bike option, making it incredibly diverse. The support itself is very lightweight, weighing 6lbs, and can be stored in your rucksack or car boot when it’s not in use.
Customers enjoyed the flexibility of this vacuum mount and the durability of the product as well.
These are a pricer option than some of the other racks listed today, but if you are after some versatility or perhaps don’t have roof rails already installed, the vacuum mount is an excellent option to go for!
- Works on any car
- Never damages the vehicle.
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Extremely travel friendly
- Pull rated at over 210lbs; it’s an excellent choice for mountain bikes.
- Expensive
Buyer’s Guide
Not sure what to look for? Our handy buyer’s guide will help you there!
Materials
You want your bike rack to be strong and sturdy to keep your bike in place at all times. You don’t want to be on the freeway with your bike rolling down your windscreen, do you?
The materials that your racks are made from are essential to help provide security and durability.
Steel is an excellent material to opt for, providing strength and durability. Racks made entirely from steel can be pricier; those on a budget should consider steel racks blended with other materials such as plastic for a cheaper yet still robust option.
Aluminum is another excellent material that you can opt for. It tends to be cheaper than steel, but you still get an exceptional level of durability. It is also a more lightweight material, allowing your car to be unburdened by extra weight while you drive.
Wheel removal
Some roof-mounted bike racks come with front-wheel removal. This means you will need to remove the front wheel to mount the bike onto the rack. It keeps the bike lower and is the traditional way of hauling bikes.
The lower bike makes this an excellent option for taller SUVs and those after a more lightweight trip.
They require some work beforehand to remove the wheel and then reattach before you can head off on your bike. Those who do not want this hassle can opt for a rack that allows you to keep both wheels on your bike.
Typically, these are more expensive and taller, so you may need to check the height before beginning your journey! Sometimes these racks can be less stable, so be sure to secure your bike down and opt for a rack that will provide added security. They are an excellent option for those who want to avoid frequent wheel removal.
It’s best to go for the option that suits you and your vehicle. Either option should include locks to secure your bike to the rack; we would say that is the bare minimum to look for!
The rack will then lock to the bars on your vehicle and be left on all your rounds; you can even adapt them to carry other loads making them a versatile addition to any vehicle.
Size matters
When purchasing your roof-mounted bike rack, it’s always best to consider the size of the rack.
Generally, most roof racks will attach to the roof rails already on your car, so you will first need to make sure that the bars are suitable. Most racks these days are designed to fit a wide range of vehicles, so this should not be too much of an issue.
The size of the bike you want to carry should also be considered. Most racks will say the size of bikes they can carry based on their wheel size.
If you have multiple bikes that you may want to carry, it’s best to get a rack that can carry the widest bike to save yourself needing multiple racks for numerous bikes!
You will also need to consider the vehicle’s height for those with taller vehicles once the bikes are attached. It is worth knowing your vehicle’s height and your bike before beginning your search so that you can select the appropriate rack.
Those with taller vehicles such as SUVs may find a front-wheel removal rack a better option.
How much?
When it comes to a roof-mounted bike rack, the price can vary considerably. Be sure to set a clear budget before beginning your search and stick to it as best you can.
When setting your budget, it is always worth considering what factors are important to you when purchasing your roof-mounted bike rack. For example, often single racks are cheaper than multiple bike racks, so you may need to spend more if you intend to carry two or three bikes on your roof.
Remember that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get your hands on a good quality bike rack!
Frequently Asked Questions
Get your last-minute queries answered below!
Are roof-mounted bike racks safe?
When attaching anything to your car, safety is bound to be a top priority, and that is the case when you are hauling bikes attached to the roof of your vehicle.
Generally, they are very safe to use and a secure way to travel with your bikes. You will need to make sure that your bike is appropriately secured to the rack; we strongly recommend that you make use of all straps provided.
Some rack users prefer to add their cabling to help secure the bikes, which is a good idea if you are concerned about your bike’s security and rack. We recommend checking your rack before each use, ensuring the bolts are all secure.
With regular checks and a rack made from a strong material, they are perfectly safe to use.
