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Best bike racks 2022


Bike racks have become one of the best selling motoring accessories, and never more so than this year when staycations – or simply family days out – have had to fill the void left by the lack of overseas summer holidays. But what rack should you choose?To get more news about ebike car rack, you can visit magicyclebike.com official website.

Well, racks can be divided into three main types: roof-mounted, tow bar mounted, and tailgate-mounted. Roof-mounted racks are by far the most popular, tow bar mounted kits are closing the gap and are the fastest-growing sector, and tailgate models are somewhat in decline for various reasons, one being that they shouldn’t be used on the lightweight plastic tailgates are becoming increasingly popular.
In this test, we’ll focus on roof-mounted and towbar-mounted racks, but before diving into the detail, it’s prudent to muse over the pros and cons of the two types. Roof mounted racks are affordable (the cheapest here is less than £30), compact and easy to store when not in use and can be fitted on almost all vehicles. But it’s not always easy to get bikes up onto roof racks, especially atop tall SUVs and 4x4s. Plus bikes on the roof do nothing for aerodynamics; you’ll hear extra wind noise and your fuel economy will take a hit. Car parks with height barriers, or ferries, can also be an issue.
Changes in vehicle design are making it less viable to carry cargo on the roof, too. Many SUVs have surprisingly low maximum roof load limits, as do cars with multiple sunroofs, which are becoming increasingly popular. And long gone are the days when gutters, or raised roof rails, meant that a set of roof bars would fit most vehicles. Now, when you change your car, a new set of model-specific bars is almost always required.

Tow bar-mounted bike racks, in contrast, are a universal fit. But going down this route means that you will need a car with a tow bar and those are not cheap. Price aside, however, tow bar-mounted racks have many advantages. With the rack at ground level, the bikes are easy to load and unload. You don’t get the extra noise and fuel economy hit that roof systems cause. And even the traditional bugbears of difficult boot access, and the racks being too big to store easily, have largely been overcome. Most models slide or tilt so you can get to the boot, and many either fold or break down completely so they can be stashed away without taking over your garage.
Some important considerations apply equally to both rack types. The max weight your vehicle’s roof/tow bar can support is your starting point. Remember to consider not only the bikes’ weights but also the weight of the rack and – with roof systems – not only the roof bars’ weights, but their maximum load limits too. Clearly, the lower a rack’s own weight, and the higher its max load capacity, the more flexibility you have.

Security is another critical issue. Systems that can be locked to the vehicle, as well as allowing bikes to be locked to the rack, have a massive advantage. And whilst the vast majority of bikes will happily fit onto the bulk of racks available, look especially closely – before buying – if your bike has exceptionally fat tyres or an unusually chunky frame.

With roof-mounted racks, check what types of roof bars each rack is compatible with. For example, T-Track bolts, which work in conjunction with T-Tracks (an accessory channel that’s cast into premium bars), make installation easier but don't work on traditional square-section bars. We’d also pay close attention to how much preparation the rack needs before being mounted. On the best models, everything is adjustable even after the rack is fitted in place and the bike is placed upon it. More basic systems require much more adjustment prior to fitting.
Lastly, it’s worth thinking about versatility. For example, a number of tow bar-mounted racks are multipurpose, doubling up as luggage racks and even cargo box carriers, both of which offer benefits over roof racks and roof boxes. And whilst most tow bar racks fit on the tow ball itself, some brands provide the option of using a dedicated mount on the tow bar assembly, leaving the tow ball itself free for a caravan or trailer. Clever.

Perhaps the cheapest four-bike platform rack on the market, but there’s a degree of getting what you pay for. Not from a quality viewpoint; the rack is sturdy and feels well screwed together. But it’s rather sparse when it comes to features. Forget, for instance, accessing your boot whilst the rack is fitted – this model doesn't tilt or slide for easy access. And there's a distinct lack of security in terms of locking bikes to the rack or the rack to the vehicle. Aftermarket wire/chain security locks, or padlocks, are one solution, but you should factor in their costs before choosing this product.

Despite carrying one bike fewer, Atera’s Strada DL3 is almost double the price of Halfords’ rack. But this long-running, highly respected design delivers where the Halfords model falls short. Installation onto the tow bar is a simple tool-free procedure, complete with a reassuring 'safe to go' indicator. The tow coupling and each of the bike stabiliser arms have locks to secure the rack and the cargo placed upon it. Tough plastic-coated steel wheel straps add another layer of protection. And an ingenious slide-back-and-down mechanism means that even a full rack won't obscure boot access.