(Part 3) Best bicycle car racks according to redditors

Here's the exact unit:

https://www.amazon.com/Kuat-Dirtbag-Truck-Mount-12x100/dp/B07MK55P2X/ref=sr_1_92?keywords=truck+bike+mount&qid=1572410661&sr=8-92

This is the one I got. There are a few that all look the same.

Ordered and picked mine up at a local Walmart for $97 after tax since I needed it the next day.

I think it says not for scooters, but it works fine. My scooter (SYM HD200) is around the 300 lb max too.

There's two options in the hitch-realm.

1. Tray-style like this which is what I recommend, especially if you have a carbon-frame bike where resting the bike on the top-tube is ill-advised. I have this one but I think any similar would work just the same. Love the rack, only fixes I've needed after two years is some touch-up paint and a new corrosion-free cotter pin.
   
2. Arm-style like this which is great if you need to carry more than two bikes, but again not advised for higher-end bikes. Benefit is that you can buy conversion kits to allow you to carry skis/snowboards and kayaks.
   
   With both, find something that's going to allow you to tilt or swing the rack away from the hatch so you can open the trunk without removing the bikes.
   
   I can't speak to locking style - I would never leave my bike on the rack regardless of the lock. Any thief will be able to thwart whatever you're going to throw out there. I'll take my bike into the local 7-11 if I'm parking for 5 minutes. It's too simple to just lift and run.

Yep, that’s referring to the 2x2 receiver hitch.

Something like this would be your best bet.
(Can’t comment on the actual quality of this rack but it’s a good example)

Retrospec Lenox Car Hitch Mount Bike Rack with 2-Inch Receiver; 4 Bicycle Carrier https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GM5V3P8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_82XADbR49ZZRH

I bought some of these, I put them on the side tracks, the bikes are perpendicular to the truck.

Delta Cycle BH1030N Bike Hitch Pro 2 Locking Fork Mount with Lock https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B000ACAM88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9UTWCb7TGZT1T

Nope, it kinda looks like this one and everything stays in place.

I suggest to get these
Yakima Highroad Bike Rack, Black https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N14Z8KU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_B7owCb6PRXNSD
I tried trunk racks and it was not really reliable, also you lose using your trunk or you have to remove rack every time.
It's more expensive but easier to use and more reliable. I already have two of them on my Jeep.

Love my Thule cam straps. I’ve used cheapo ones prior and will never go back.


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MBP7I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_UWUzDbB299GW3

I had a trunk mounted strap-on rack for my previous car - Chevy Malibu.
For the CX-5 I wanted something that didn’t contact with paintwork and could be removed when not in use.

I bought the hitch and the rack from Amazon...

Draw-Tite 76138 Class III... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073XQJG3Z?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078YN9MXJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

Fitted the hitch with a friend in less than an hour with no issues.
The rack has a key lock to prevent removal which works well.

I’ve been really happy with the solution, particularly for the price point.

This one.I’d recommend it.

I have this one.

Allen Sports Deluxe Locking Quick Release 4-Bike Carrier for 2" Hitch, Model 542QR https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792V7HB5/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_i_swUtDb7TVJB2D


I like it. It goes on and off easily and has a pivot point so I can drop it back from the car enabling me to open the hatchback without detaching it.

https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Sports-Locking-Release-Carrier/dp/B078YNXL26/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=allen+hitch+bike+rack&qid=1565052870&s=gateway&sprefix=allen+hitch&sr=8-4

Picked up 2 of these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000SL1AEG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and was surprised, like many reviewers, at how well they stand up our MTBs. I'm bolting them to the bed rails using some after market nuts and bolts.

To add to OP's info, you can add a hitch swivel extension, but they are pricey.

I strongly recommend the Rockymounts, which is cheaper than everything else with a lifetime warranty. https://www.amazon.com/RockyMounts-MonoRail-Expandable-Platform-Bicycle/dp/B076WTCZD5/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmrnull_3?crid=1VLAWKSRNU4HH&keywords=rockymounts+monorail+solo&qid=1557179130&s=gateway&sprefix=rockymounts+mono&sr=8-3-fkmrnull

The Pro brand on Amazon but they don't fold.

I have run the four bike version of this one for years. It does not fold.

https://www.amazon.com/IKURAM-Bicycle-Foldable-minivans-Receiver/dp/B07GWCQGLV/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?keywords=Pro+bike+rack&qid=1563717111&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A2OW4TPTEBKQRO

This on folds but I cannot speak to quality.

https://www.amazon.com/IKURAM-Bicycle-Foldable-minivans-Receiver/dp/B07GWCQGLV/ref=mp_s_a_1_2_sspa?keywords=Pro+bike+rack&qid=1563717111&s=gateway&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A2OW4TPTEBKQRO

answering my own question. I just found this one. https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Sports-Deluxe-Mounted-Carrier/dp/B07GYH56TM/

I was in the market for a bike rack and was looking into this: https://www.rei.com/product/794782/yakima-raptoraero-bike-mount

But I was in a rush and I needed it the following day for a trip, so I ended up ordering: https://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Upright-Roof-Mount-Bike/dp/B000SL1AEG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=rooftop+bike+rack&qid=1562599266&s=gateway&sr=8-3


It's a little low quality than I'd like but it worked great! I felt confident with going at highway speeds 65+, local roads and since it's NJ... ALOT OF POTHOLES.

The wobble you got from your Schwinn rack may have been because the bikes were just suspended from their top tubes, and were free to swing around. The rack also might not have utilized an anti-sway pin to attach it to the car. If your new car has a hitch, I'd recommend a platform style rack. To hold 4 bikes, you'll need a 2" receiver, but it's definitely the way to go.

Nice ones from Saris, Thule, and Kuat are going to be expensive, but I've had good luck with the moderately priced offerings from Hollywood and Swagman. These brands use more metal than Saris, Thule, and Kuat, who often opt for high-density plastic. This makes them heavier and not as pretty, but they work just the same. All racks from these brands will have an anti-sway pin to remove most of the wobble the actual rack has.

If you don't have a hitch, and you're looking for a secure hold on your bikes, you probably aren't going to find a solution that will hang from your car.

Can you give us any additional information about your car? and whether or not it has a hitch?

Example of a Swagman 4 bike rack.

2 inch receiver/hitch or 1 1/4?

It is pretty easy to find 4 bike racks for 2" receivers and while 3 bike racks for 1 1/4" receivers are out there they aren't plentiful. If you have a 2" one of the 4 bike swagman or it's clones will probably work, not 100% positive about the 20" bike.
http://www.amazon.com/Swagman-Cross-Country-4-Bike-2-Inch-Receiver/dp/B000GKN45C
There are tons of copies. They aren't fancy and are a bit awkward to use but they will get the job done.

If you want to get fancy and you only have a 1 1/4 receiver
https://www.1upusa.com/
is damn nice, I have one, but would cost you $800 by the time you bought the single bike rack and two add ons.

Of coarse the other and cheapest option is just buy a 2 bike rack from swagman/clones for around $100 and throw the 20" bike in the back of the rav4 :).

Getcha one of these and mount it to a sturdy 2*4. Then use big u bolts or even straps to attach that to the frame. Another strap to hold the back tire down and your done.

Delta Bike Hitch Pro Locking Fork Mount with Lock https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000ACAM88/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_J8tKDbY85GVXG

I have this Bell Bike Rack. Pretty sure I paid under 40$ on Amazon when I bought it.

Does it work? Yes

Can it haul two bike safely? Yes

Have I had any problems? No

I will note that it scares the shit out of me though. When I am cruising down the highway and there is nothing more than a plastic buckle and a thin nylon strap holding my pride and joy to my trunk deck, it really freaks me out. I am currently contemplating putting a hitch on my car (180$) and getting a hitch mount bike rack (40$ on craigslist) just to have that peace of mind. The only reason I haven't put a hitch on is I rarely car my bike someplace.

well there are some that say "Fits most cars" or "Universal fits" like this one made by Bell


I have heard good things about this one that is made by saris.

or theres this schwinn one but it didnt get very good reviews.


I know that on my local cl there's always a bunch of these for sale so you might wanna check on that.

I'be been using this for the past two years without one single issue and plan to continue using it next year. It's a much more practical solution. Just make sure your tongue weight rating is over ~300lbs and you're good.

Are you talking about like a cheap Bell bike rack? Usually those are universal, ive put them on trucks, vans, sedans and hatchbacks of all shapes and sizes. Should be no problem at all since the the straps for them are adjustable. The only downside Id says is that they tend to leave some scratches so I only use them on rental cars haha. text

The Bell Cantilever is based, and improves upon, the popular classic design for sedans and wagons that's been in use for 40+ years now. Works on every minivan, SUV, sedan or wagon that doesn't have a spoiler (and some that do, see below; why these are a thing that exists on anything but supercars is beyond me) or rear tire carrier. Highly effective, fits very securely to everything I've put it on (an 84 Chevy Celebrity wagon with a spoiler; a 1995 and later a 2000 Kia Sportage 4x4 (had to take the tire carrier off the 2000, though), and a 99 Chevy Malibu; even worked on a 2006 Malibu with severe pre-existing damage to the trunk lid).

It can be found for about $40 at most places, the highest being $75 at Fred Meyer (which is what I paid and where I bought mine when I was getting ready to haul my bike 1700 miles across the US; only to be annoyed that The Bike Gallery had it for $30 cheaper when I went to pick up my bike from the shop before leaving Oregon for good), the lowest being about $25 on eBay. You can find similar designs that cost more but aren't as universal or as effective (Thule and Allen both come to mind as make crappier (read, more complicated, less universal, less secure) versions more expensively).

Thule 523 Load Straps (2 Pack, 15 Foot) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002MBP7I/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_FiThDb9TBKPTC

Much better.