Car bike racks are a great way to transport two bikes on a car. There are many different types of racks that can be used for carrying 2 bikes. The most common type of bike rack is the hitch bike rack, which attaches to the back of a car with a hitch receiver. But there are also trunk and roof racks available for carrying 2 bikes.
Keep in mind buying a 2-bike rack:
- You can buy any rack type for this purpose (hitch, trunk or roof). However, in order to install a hitch rack, you will have to buy a trailer hitch of the proper size and class. For roof racks, crossbars are required. Trunk racks, on the other hand, are installed directly on a vehicle,
- What’s the budget? Trunk racks for 2-bikes are much more affordable in comparison to hitch and roof racks,
- Are your bikes heavy? If so (by heavy bikes I mean 40 lb and more), the hitch rack is the only rack type that can get the job done,
- Do you need to carry non-standard bikes (such as fat-tire, women’s, kid’s, e-bikes, BMX, etc.)? If the answer is yes, then you need to verify the compatibility since not all racks fit all bikes,
- Are your bikes expensive and it would be sad that they get damaged? If so, then go with zero frame contact racks. Other racks that secure bikes by the frame will inevitably lead to scratches on your bikes,
- On top of that, trunk racks since they are installed directly on your car can easily leave scratches as well.
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Best hitch 2-bike racks
There are quite a few hitch racks that are specifically designed for carrying 2 bikes. Moreover, I would highly recommend this rack type since its the best overall: the whole construction is super sturdy, no risk of damaging your car, easy to load bikes on.
Thule EasyFold XT (2)- Premium hitch rack
- Max number of bikes: 2
- Max bike weight: 65 lb (29.5 kg)
- Total load capacity: 130 lb (59 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29″ (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″ (4.7″ with an adapter)
- Max wheelbase: 51″ (130 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 45 lb (20.4 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ and 2″ both compatible (class 2-4)
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
Thule EasyFold XT is a high-quality bike rack that will carry 2 bikes and fold up to save space when not in use. The aluminum and plastic materials are both durable and lightweight, making it easy to transport. The Thule EasyFold XT requires a hitch receiver to be installed, but there are both 1.25″ and 2″ sizes available. It can carry 2 heavy bikes (up to 65 lb each)
Key Takeaways
- Great choice if you don’t have a budget (i.e.: if the monetary expense is not an issue). It offers high-quality features and thus, the expense is well worth it,
- No wimpy motions of the bike and no wobbling,
- This rack is very easy to use (both bikes mounting and access of the trunk) so it is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who will use it often,
- Perfect choice for not fat-tire heavy bikes,
- I would not recommend it for fat-tire bikes since it won’t be much space between bikes,
- I would not recommend it for carbon frame and other expensive bikes as it might leave scratches.
PROS
- Premium quality materials (rust-resistant)
- Super easy to install (no assembly required)
- Bikes and rack itself are very sturdy
- Has additional taillights and license plate frame
- No risk of damaging your car
- Won’t reduce your mileage much
- Bike rack to the receiver lock included
- Can carry really heavy bikes
- Bike loading ramp (no heavy lifting required)
- Foot pedal tilt (trunk access with bikes mounted)
- Fits both 1.25″ and 2″ receivers
- Compact since it is fully foldable
CONS
- Quite expensive
- Bikes to the rack locks are not reliable
- Clearance between fat-tire bikes could be better
- Frame contact (not recommended for expensive bikes)
Yakima Dr.Tray (2) – Awesome hitch rack for not too heavy bikes
- Max number of bikes: 2
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Total load capacity: 80 lb (36.3 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 26” to 29” (66 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 4.8″ (fat-tire compatible)
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 41 lb (18.6 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ (class 2)
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): Yes
- No frame contact
Yakima’s Dr. Tray is the perfect solution for carrying your bikes with you on your next adventure. Made from aluminum and plastic, this rack can carry up to two bikes 40 lb each (including fat-tire bikes) and mounts the bikes without contact with the frame. Dr. Tray comes with a hitch receiver for easy installation, and is available in 1.25″ exclusively.
Key Takeaways
- Very robust and high quality materials make this rack a very good choice,
- Rack itself and bikes on it will be secured very sturdy,
- The installation process is very straightforward and takes less then 10 minutes,
- Perfect choice for those who need to transport bikes rather often,
- This bike rack is amazing for fat-tire and expensive bikes due to great spacing between bikes (18″) so they will fit and won’t be hitting each other. However, keep in mind that this rack is not designed for really heavy bikes, up to 40 lb each bike only.
PROS
- Highest quality materials
- Very easy and tool-free installation
- The whole construction is very robust
- Can carry fat-tire bikes out of the box
- Tilt function for easy trunk access
- Locks included
- Unprecedented spacing between bikes (18″)
- Zero frame contact (won’t damage bikes)
- No risks of damaging your car
- Folds up when not in use
- Won’t affect mileage much
CONS
- High-priced
- Rather low load capacity (40 lb each bike)
- Only 1.25″ hitch receiver version
Swagman XC2 (2) – Budget hitch rack for not heavy bikes
- Max number of bikes: 2
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Total load capacity: 70 lb (31.8 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 2.5″ (fat bike trays available)
- Max wheelbase: 50″ (127 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 28 lb (12.7 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- Hitch receiver size: 1.25″ and 2″ (class 2-3)
- Tilt function (easy trunk access): No
If you’re looking for a bike rack that’s easy to use and can carry up to two bikes, the Swagman XC2 is perfect for you. With a weight capacity of 35 pounds per bike, it’s also great for people with multiple bikes to transport. The XC2 is made from sturdy steel and can be used with either a 1.25 or 2 inch hitch receiver, so it’s compatible with most vehicles.
Key Takeaways
- Decent quality rack given that it is much cheaper than most hitch models,
- This rack is quite robust overall,
- It is easy to get bikes mounted,
- A legit rack if you will be using it occasionally,
- This rack is designed to carry rather lightweight bikes (there are also limits to tires width and frame shape),
- I would not recommend it for carrying expensive and carbon frame bikes since it can leave scratches.
PROS
- Much cheaper than most hitch racks
- Easy to assemble, install and mount bikes
- Even it is cheap, it is quite sturdy
- Won’t damage your car
- Fits both 1.25″ and 2″ receivers (with an adapter)
- Moderate mileage reduction
CONS
- Mediocre quality of materials
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- Some rounded frame bikes won’t fit
- Can’t access the trunk with bikes loaded
- Frame contact mounting (can scratch you bikes)
Best roof 2-bike racks
All roof bike racks are designed to carry just one bike. Don’t get discouraged though since this problem can be easily solved by mounting 2 roof racks. So to speak, in order to be able to carry 2 bikes on the roof of your car, you need to buy 2 items. By the way, there is no problem at all to accommodate 2 roof racks. Moreover, there will be a space for a roof box in case you need it.
Yakima Raptor Aero – Roof rack for not heavy and not expensive bikes
- Type of mount: frame
- Max bike weight: 30 lb (13.6 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): any
- Max tire size (width): any
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Crossbar spread: between 16″ and 38″
- Downtube diameter: 1” to 3” (round shaped only)
- Empty rack weight: 7.4 lb (3.4 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
Transport your bike in style with the Yakima Raptor Aero. This carrier is made from durable steel and can carry most bikes up to 30 lbs. The Yakima Raptor Aero secures a bike by the frame, so you can be sure it won’t sway or bounce during transport. It’s easy to install on a crossbar system with just one person, and it includes locks for peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
- Premium roof rack to carry lightweight bikes,
- The rack itself and a mounted bike are quite sturdy,
- The installation process is pretty much straightforward (the instructions are clear),
- This rack is not designed to carry heavy bikes. Other than that, it fits most bikes (including fat-tire),
- Since it has frame mounting, I would not recommend this rack to transport expensive or carbon frame bikes (will scratch the frame).
PROS
- Decent quality
- The installation is easy
- Can carry most bikes (including fat-tire)
- Does not obscure license plate and taillights
- Low risk of damaging your car
- Can be installed on most crossbars
- The wheel is not required to be removed
CONS
- Rather pricey (requires crossbars to be installed)
- Loading bikes requires some muscles
- Secures bikes good enough but could be better
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- Frame contact mounting will result in scratches
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule Upride – Premium roof rack for rather heavy bikes
- Type of mount: wheel
- Max bike weight: 44 lb (20 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″ (5″ with adapter)
- Max wheelbase: 51″ (130 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 17 lb (7.7 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
If you want to be able to carry your bike with ease, look no further. The Thule Upride is the perfect solution for carrying your bike on top of your vehicle. Made from aluminum, and designed to fit only Thule crossbars, the Upride can carry most types of bikes up to 44 pounds in weight. It’s also no frame contact mounting, so there’s no need to worry about damaging your bike’s paint.
Key Takeaways
- Premium quality materials make this rack worth the money spent,
- No wobbling since a bike will be properly secured by the wheel,
- It does not block the trunk access obviously but lifting bikes up can be challenging for some people,
- A good rack for those who have no problems with lifting up 20-40 lb,
- An awesome rack for expensive bikes since it won’t damage your bikes due to zero frame contact.
PROS
- Premium quality materials
- You don’t have to remove the front wheel
- Easy to assemble and install
- The rack itself and a bike will be very sturdy
- Can carry most bike types
- Does not block your trunk access
- Locks included (not that reliable)
- Does not cover license plate and taillights
- Won’t damage your bike (zero frame mounting)
- Low risk of damaging your car
- Looks modern
CONS
- Quite expensive given that it requires crossbars and can carry only 1 bike
- It might not be that easy to load bikes
- For fat-tire bike you need to buy an adapter
- Not universal (fits Thule crossbars only)
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Best trunk 2-bike racks
There are many trunk bike racks on the market that can carry 2 bikes. Below you can find the best racks that will carry 2 bikes on the trunk. Both models have two different versions (2-bike and 3-bike). Just choose a 2-bike version, but keep in mind that trunk racks can’t carry heavy bikes,
Yakima HalfBack (2 or 3) – Premium quality but quite affordable
- Max number of bikes: 2 or 3 bikes versions
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Total load capacity: 105 lb (47.6 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): any
- Max tire size (width): any
- Max wheelbase: any
- Empty rack weight: 22 lb (10 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- Number of straps: 4
Yakima HalfBack is the perfect solution for carrying bikes on your car without any hassle. It installs in seconds and can carry two or three bikes up to 35 lb each. The HalfBack has two versions, one for 2 bikes and one for 3, with the only difference being the number of arms. The rack is made from durable alloy steel and plastic, and it installs directly onto the vehicle without a hitch or crossbars needed.
Key Takeaways
- Worth every penny due to really high quality and affordable price,
- Super sturdy once installed (rather uncharacteristic for trunk racks),
- Fairly easy to use overall, but you have to remove bikes each time you would like to open the trunk,
- This rack is recommended for carrying lightweight bikes of most designs and shapes,
- Not suitable for carrying expensive bikes since bikes will inevitably scratch each other.
PROS
- Good price for a premium rack
- Goes assembled, fairly easy to install
- The rack is sturdy
- Relatively easy to load bikes on
- Most bikes will fit including fat-tire (kid’s and women’s bikes require an adapter)
- Does not require anything to be installed
- Negligible mileage reduction
- Folds up when not in use
CONS
- Bikes will wobble a bit (any trunk rack has this problem)
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- Can’t access the trunk with bikes loaded
- Very easy to steal
- Bikes will scratch each other
- Some risk of scratching your car (true for all trunk racks)
Saris Bones EX (2 or 3) – Trunk rack that fits most cars
- Max number of bikes: 2 or 3 bikes versions
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Total load capacity: 105 lb (47.6 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): any
- Max tire size (width): any
- Max wheelbase: any
- Empty rack weight: 11 lb (5 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- Number of straps: 6
Saris Bones EX is the ultimate bike rack that can carry up to 3 bikes, and can be installed on any vehicle without a hitch or crossbars. Unlike other bike racks, Saris Bones EX has a low profile design that doesn’t obstruct your car’s rear window and can be installed in minutes with no tools required.
Key Takeaways
- Best-seller trunk rack with a good reason for that (fits most cars and decent quality overall),
- Don’t expect it to be very sturdy (some wobbling is inevitable),
- Quite easy to easy overall, but keep in mind that trunk access will be blocked,
- Fits most bikes under 35 lb (an adapter will help with kid’s and women’s bikes),
- I would not recommend it for carrying expensive bikes (especially carbon frame) since it will cause scratches.
PROS
- Reasonable price
- Easy to install
- Fits most bikes (including fat-tire)
- Compatible with most cars (universal)
- Quite compact
- Won’t affect mileage much
CONS
- Don’t expect it to be sturdy
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- Blocks trunk access
- Very easy to steal (both rack and bikes)
- Bikes will be hitting each other (expect scratches)
- There is some risk of damaging your car