The Finest Roof Bike Racks of 2024

The very best roof bike racks permit bikes to be transported safely and securely up and out of the way in which of your automobile’s trunk or rear hatch. Whereas the rooftop type of motorbike rack will not be fairly as well-liked because it was once, the accessible choices are higher than ever.

If you happen to don’t need to set up a tow hitch in your automobile, roof racks are a fantastic various to hitch racks. They work nice on their very own or may be a simple approach so as to add carrying capability to your automobile’s hitch rack setup. Additionally, the crossbars that maintain your bike roof rack can help racks for different varieties of out of doors actions as a way to customise your journey rig.

To search out the very best roof bike racks of 2024, we rounded up a collection of 7 completely different fashions to check and examine aspect by aspect. We tasked biking knowledgeable Bennett Shane with placing every mannequin by means of its paces to determine their strengths and weaknesses and to see how they carry out in the actual world.

From the top-rated Yakima HighRoad to the high-end Kuat Piston SR, we’ve received suggestions to fit your rooftop bike-carrying wants. To see the entire fashions we examined and their specs at a fast look, take a look at our Comparability Chart. If you happen to need assistance deciding which roof bike rack is greatest for you, we’ve included useful info in our detailed Shopping for Recommendation and Worth & Worth part so you’ll be able to study extra.

Editor’s Observe: This information was up to date on October 25, 2024, with the addition of a brand new Worth & Worth part.

The Finest Roof Bike Racks of 2024

Roof Bike Rack Comparability Chart

How We Examined Roof Bike Racks

At GearJunkie, we love driving from the home at any time when doable, however such as you, we frequently drive with our bikes earlier than beginning our rides. Having a high quality rack to securely and securely transport our treasured bikes is an extremely vital a part of our transportation scenario.

Not solely do we would like our bikes to keep away from harm to our bikes in transit, however we additionally prefer it when the rack is straightforward to make use of, secure, and appears good too. To that finish, we’ve examined the very best roof bike racks available on the market to search out the very best in 2024.

Our Skilled Tester

For our roof bike racks purchaser’s information, we recruited biking knowledgeable Bennett Shane to check and examine seven of the newest and biggest fashions we might discover. Bennett is an obsessive bicycle owner and biking gear aficionado who takes nice pleasure in his small fleet of high-end highway bikes.

Not solely is he meticulous concerning the situation of his gear, however he’s additionally been biking significantly for over 2 many years and has seen the evolution of motorbike racks in that point. Bennett additionally spent a few years working for a number of distinguished manufacturers within the biking business and has developed an uncanny depth of information about all issues biking, together with bike racks.

Our Testing Course of

After rounding up a various collection of seven roof bike rack fashions, Bennet spent months testing them side-by-side. With a set of Thule Wing Bar Evo crossbars mounted to his Subaru Forester, he put every of those racks by means of our rigorous testing course of.

Every was put in and eliminated quite a few instances, and bikes have been loaded and unloaded repeatedly. From stop-and-go driving on metropolis streets to freeway speeds on the freeway, we examined every rack’s stability and bike safety, together with vital elements like bike compatibility, ease of use, safety features, and sturdiness.

Shopping for Recommendation: Learn how to Select a Roof Bike Rack

With quite a few roof bike rack choices available on the market to select from, discovering the proper one generally is a problem. With completely different bike mounting types, wheel and tire dimension compatibility, and weight limits, there are various elements to contemplate. If a hitch bike rack isn’t for you, our helpful information can assist you discover the suitable roof bike rack.

Bike Mount Type

Historically, bikes have been mechanically clamped into roof racks on the fork dropout, and the entrance wheel was saved contained in the automobile. Fork mount racks are nonetheless an choice, however each main model has developed an alternate type of roof bike rack that permits the entrance wheel to stay on by grabbing the entrance tire with a clamping system.

This design saves time getting the bike mounted onto the rack and house contained in the automobile. General, wheel-on racks have grow to be the most well-liked type of roof racks as they’re barely extra user-friendly.

Wheel On

Throughout the wheel-on class, the bulk use a clamping arm to safe the entrance wheel whereas a ratcheting belt cinches down on the rear rim, which sits near the tray of the rack. For the reason that rear wheel is locked in its vertical place by the rear triangle of the body, this a part of the bike doesn’t require as a lot enclosure because the entrance wheel.

Typically talking, a lot of these racks keep away from body and fork contact, however the strap by means of the rear wheel will at all times make contact together with your rear rim. The one potential draw back is that there isn’t any mechanical attachment between the rack and the bike.

Some manufacturers, like 1Up USA and Kuat, design their racks with clamping arms at each ends. This design permits you to orient the bike in whichever route you need within the tray and alter them fore and aft if wanted. The twin clamping arm system additionally solely makes contact with the bike’s tires, so there isn’t any body, fork, and even rim contact to scuff up your fancy bike.

Fork Mount

Fork-mount racks are precisely what they sound like. They safe the bike by the fork’s axle and seize the rear wheel on the tray with a strap. Mounting the bike requires eradicating its entrance wheel, but it surely offers a secure and safe mechanical connection between the bike and the rack.

Apart from stability, the opposite fundamental advantage of fork mount racks is that you just don’t should elevate the bike fairly as excessive to load it. Since trendy bikes include a wide range of completely different diameter and width axles, most high quality fork mount racks include a couple of choices, or the suitable dimension is on the market as a further buy.

Wheel Dimension, Tire Dimension, and Wheelbase Size

If you happen to plan to mount a motorbike with a protracted or brief wheelbase, super-wide tires, or smaller wheels, verify the rack’s specs to make sure that it might probably accommodate your wants. For highway and gravel bikes, this received’t be a problem, however for Fats, Downhill, and BMX bikes, it’s vital to know the bounds of any rack’s compatibility before you purchase.

Most wheel-on roof racks have a reasonably wide selection of match that can be capable to deal with the wheel and tire sizes of most traditional, adult-sized bicycles. If you happen to’re principally carrying the identical bike or sort of motorbike, you often don’t have to make any adjustments. When switching between wheel sizes, nonetheless, you’ll often have to regulate the wheel clamps barely to suit. That is sometimes fairly fast and straightforward and may be achieved with out instruments on most fashions.

For fork mount racks, wheel and tire dimension is far much less of a problem, because the bikes mount by the entrance axle of the fork. Axle compatibility is an even bigger concern right here, so you must make certain that you have got the right dimension adapters for the entire bikes you propose to hold.

Once more, verify the specs of the rack to see what axle adapters a mannequin comes with. Most manufacturers promote further axle adapters if the rack doesn’t mechanically include the one you want.

Bike Weight

Along with dimensions, verify to make sure that the rack’s weight restrict exceeds the burden of your bike. Typically talking, the burden limits of roof bike racks are decrease than these of hitch bike racks. That mentioned, you additionally should elevate your bike to roof degree to load it onto the rack, in order that’s one other limiting issue to contemplate. It may be onerous sufficient to elevate and steadiness a 30-pound bike, so most of us don’t need to hoist a 50-pound eMTB up there anyway.

A lot of the roof bike racks we examined have weight limits within the 40 to 45-pound vary, which is greater than ample for almost all of highway, gravel, CX, and XC/path mountain bikes. Some long-travel mountain bikes and e-road bikes will creep near the burden restrict in some instances.

Two outliers are the Kuat Piston SR and the 1Up USA Roof Rack, with 67- and 75-pound weight limits, respectively. Whereas it will be onerous to elevate bikes that heavy to roof degree and would doubtless be greater than many crossbars can deal with these weight limits replicate the truth that these racks can each be transformed to hitch racks with equipment.

Safety

Many racks have cable locks constructed into them for the aim of securing your bike to the rack and deterring theft. You’ll nonetheless need to be sure you can lock the rack to your automobile crossbars to forestall theft of the rack and presumably the bikes which can be mounted to it.

So, verify to see if lock cores are included within the worth or if they’re offered individually. As a rule, the racks are made to simply accept lock cores, however they don’t mechanically include them. Usually, a set of lock cores will add about $75 {dollars} to the price of a rack if they don’t seem to be included.

Crossbar Compatibility

It’s vital to make it possible for the roof rack you might be selecting is appropriate together with your automobile’s crossbars. Many autos have manufacturing facility crossbars of various shapes, and whereas the mounting {hardware} included with most racks is adaptable to most manufacturing facility crossbars, it’s not a given.

In case you are buying crossbars concurrently your roof rack, you’ll be able to guarantee clean compatibility by going with the identical model for each rack and crossbars. Thankfully, most racks now have virtually common crossbar compatibility, so you’ll be able to relaxation assured that with Yakima and Thule crossbars, you’ll be capable to mount nearly any roof rack simply. Most producers additionally record a rack’s crossbar compatibility on their web sites so that you don’t have to guess.

If you would like a clear look with a mechanical connection between the rack and crossbar, then T-track crossbars are the way in which to go. T-track cross bars have a channel that holds the mounting {hardware} that the rack then threads into, making a super-secure maintain for driving on tough surfaces and in addition deterring theft of the complete rack system. The one small draw back to that is that it takes a bit longer to take away and set up the rack between journeys, and also you’ll have some small components to maintain observe of in storage.

Alternatively, many racks hook up with the cross bars with 4 heavy-duty coated straps that make set up and elimination a snap. Many racks are designed to be put in tool-free, assuming they don’t seem to be going into T-type crossbars. Others would require a typical hex software to clamp the {hardware} onto the crossbars.

Some racks may also require a little bit of meeting previous to set up, however most will likely be totally assembled out of the field. Plan forward and allocate about half-hour to put in and familiarize your self with the rack’s operate earlier than hitting the highway.

Loading Top

One of many largest challenges with roof bike racks is that you need to elevate your bike as much as the peak of your automobile’s roof to load it. Because of this, roof racks are greatest fitted to use on shorter autos like sedans, station wagons, and compact SUVs. That is additionally a operate of your top in addition to your power and skill to elevate and steadiness a motorbike whereas loading it.

Relying on the roof top of your automobile, some racks will likely be simpler to function than others. You probably have a compact SUV, for instance, think about whether or not a wheel-on rack will will let you attain and apply downward drive to the entrance arm comfortably. On this case, a fork mount rack with a fork clamp positioned near the tray is likely to be a better option.

Some racks require the applying of downforce from a comparatively excessive place, which means that some customers may want to face on the trim of an open door to achieve ample leverage to clamp the bike into the rack. Given that you just’ll be lifting your bike above shoulder top, this may require a measure of coordination and observe. 

Versatility

Unsure in order for you a roof rack or hitch rack? A couple of manufacturers produce racks that may work as both type, offered you buy the hitch-mounted add-on attachment. Each the 1Up USA Roof Rack and Kuat Piston SR we examined are designed this fashion, permitting people who buy these racks to adapt the rack if their storage wants or alternative of car adjustments sooner or later.

Within the case of the Piston SR, Kuat sells a 2-inch hitch adapter ($159) that turns it right into a single bike hitch rack. For the 1Up, you should buy a 1.25-inch ($232) or 2-inch ($255) Single Hitch Meeting, or they promote a 2-inch Double ($355) that may convert 2 roof racks right into a double hitch rack.

Moreover, each the 1Up USA and the Kuat Piston may be mounted horizontally to the again of campervans. This permits for customized rack setups above different cargo containers, and so on. We’ve even seen some individuals mount the 1Up vertically on the again of vans, though Kuat particularly doesn’t advocate that for the Piston SR.

Sturdiness

Whereas many racks use plastic {hardware} that may degrade and fail after years of publicity to harsh situations, extra firms are starting to supply totally steel designs with more durable finishes that can most likely outlast most automobiles. We applaud this as a result of it retains racks the place they belong — on the highway and out of landfills — and saves a ton of cash in the long term.

Realistically, any of the racks on our record will final fairly a very long time, however the 1UP-USA Roof Rack will outlast all of them. With a totally steel building, replaceable {hardware}, and a full suite of alternative components accessible, 1UP desires you to get your cash’s value. These racks will significantly outlast the autos you employ them on.

Kuat can also be bringing some severe sturdiness to the desk with the Piston SR. Sure, this rack is pricey, but it surely additionally has an virtually utterly steel building and sturdy construct that may deal with extra weight and abuse than different roof racks. It additionally has a great-looking and super-durable end that may be very proof against highway spray and corrosion.

Worth & Worth

In comparison with hitch-mounted choices, roof bike racks are usually fairly a bit inexpensive, however there’s nonetheless a reasonably wide selection in worth. Contemplating the truth that every roof rack can solely carry one bike at a time, you might have to buy multiple if you must haul two or extra bikes. Moreover, if you must buy crossbars and lock cores, the associated fee can add up fairly rapidly. It’s value including up the entire price and evaluating your whole bike rack choices to see what works greatest on your funds.

Price range

On the subject of transporting bikes, we don’t suppose that purchasing the most affordable rack doable is the very best concept. Certain, yow will discover very cheap roof racks that price round $100, however they’re poorly made, aren’t very secure or safe, and can doubtless maintain your bike by the body and harm your paint over time. Because of this the least costly fashions we advocate are within the $200 to $250 vary.

Simply because these racks price lower than the others we examined doesn’t imply they don’t work effectively. Kuat’s Trio ($198) fork-mount rack has a modern look, holds the bike very securely, and even comes with an built-in cable lock. For contemporary highway and gravel bikes, you’ll have to buy a 12 mm thru-axle adapter individually, but it surely nonetheless prices lower than the competitors. Within the wheel-on class, the RockyMounts BrassKnuckles ($250) is comparatively simple to make use of, secure, and sturdy, too. It’s not successful any vogue reveals, but it surely does its job effectively.

Mid-Tier

A lot of the roof racks available on the market fall into the center of the worth spectrum at round $300. Basically, we see enhancements in aesthetics, supplies, or user-friendliness. Yakima’s HighRoad ($299) will get our nod for the very best total roof rack as a result of it’s so simple to make use of. That is notably vital with roof racks, given how awkward it’s to elevate your bike to roof top and safe it in a rack. The front-wheel clamping system and TorqueRight knob present a hassle-free expertise. The identical is true of the Yakima HighSpeed ($289) fork-mount rack. The fork attachment system and TorqueRight knob make loading bikes just a bit simpler.

Whereas it isn’t fairly as user-friendly, the 1Up USA Roof Rack ($270 to $290) has a sturdy, all-metal building that can doubtless outlast the automobile you mount it on. It’s additionally extremely adaptable and might convert to a hitch-mount rack and even be mounted to a campervan or overlanding rack in case your wants change.

Premium

Whereas it’s arguably the highest-quality and best-performing roof rack available on the market, the Kuat Piston SR ($498) is probably going priced out of attain for a lot of. That mentioned, the premium worth buys you a rack with a end high quality and ease of use which can be by means of the roof (on the roof?).

With hydraulically actuated, ratcheting entrance and rear wheel clamps, it’s extremely simple to load and safe your bike, plus its tire-hold design avoids contact together with your fancy body and rims. Like Fox’s top-tier suspension elements, the gold Kashima coating on the pistons absolutely provides to the worth, however the remainder of the construct is simply as spectacular. The powder coat end is as handsome as it’s sturdy, and the automotive-grade {hardware} goals to make sure you get your cash’s value. Just like the 1Up Roof rack, the Piston SR may also be transformed to a hitch rack with the acquisition of an adapter.

Often Requested Questions