Roof bike racks are very popular because they do not block trunk access, are very sturdy, and do not cover license plate and taillights. However, they are quite pricey and require crossbars.
Things to consider buying a roof bike rack:
- You have to buy crossbars in order to be able to install a roof rack. It will probably cost somewhere around $200-$800. Moreover, not all roof racks fit all crossbars so keep it in mind and check the compatibility,
- There are two types of roof rack: fork-mounted and wheel-mounted. Fork-mounted roof racks require the front wheel to be removed each type, whereas wheel-mounted do not,
- Roof racks can’t carry really heavy bikes (up to 40 lb). Moreover, it might be challenging or even impossible for people with certain medical conditions to load a bike on it,
- Some roof rack models can be noisy, on top of that, you have to be ready for up to 20% mileage reduction,
- Roof racks are quite safe since the whole constructuction will be robust so it won’t damage your car or bikes,
- Be aware that not all roof racks can carry fat-tire bikes.
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Yakima HighRoad – Best roof rack overall (especially for fat-tire bikes)
- Type of mount: wheel
- Max bike weight: 45 lb (20.4 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 26” to 29” (66 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 4″
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Crossbar spread: between 18″ and 36″
- Empty rack weight: 18 lb (8.2 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
You’re going to love how easy it is to install your Yakima HighRoad. It’s made from durable alloy steel and it can carry up to 45 lb bikes. It’s easy to install, too, and you’ll never have to worry about your bike frame coming in contact with the rack.
Key Takeaways
- This rack is worth the money because of premium quality and a number of useful features,
- The whole construction is extremely sturdy so there’s never any wobbling,
- When carrying a bike, some people might struggle to lift the bikes due to their less than average physical abilities or medical conditions,
- This bike rack is excellent for bikes with expensive frames. They keep your bikes very sturdy, so they don’t get scratched,
- The best choice for fat-tire bikes (compared to other roof racks).
PROS
- Premium quality overall
- Straightforward installation
- Both rack and bike are very robust
- Can carry quite heavy bikes
- Can carry most bikes (including fat-tire)
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not cover license frame and taillights
- Locks are included
- Won’t scratch your bikes (no frame mounting)
- Won’t damage your car
- Universal (compatible with most crossbars)
- You don’t have to remove the wheel
CONS
- The whole system is expensive (since it requires crossbars)
- Keep in mind that loading a bike requires some muscles
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule Upride – Premium roof rack for Thule crossbars
- 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
Thule Upride is the first and only bike rack to fit only Thule crossbars. It’s made from durable, lightweight aluminum that won’t rust or corrode. It’s easy to install on your car. And it can carry most bike types up to 44 lb, including cruisers, mountain bikes, and kids’ bikes. It’s also the safest way to transport your bike with no frame contact mounting.
Key Takeaways
- Quality materials make this rack worth the money spent,
- No more wobbling means your bike is safe,
- While it won’t block trunk access, lifting bikes can be difficult for some people,
- A good rack for those who have no problems with lifting up 20-40 lb,
- An awesome bike rack that won’t damage your expensive bikes since it doesn’t actually come into contact with the frame.
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
Yakima FrontLoader – Premium roof rack that fits most crossbars
- Type of mount: wheel
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Crossbar spread: between 16″ and 42″
- Empty rack weight: 13 lb (5.9 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes (sold separately)
- No frame contact
Yakima FrontLoader is the ultimate bike carrier for your car. It has been designed to be easy to install and use, so you can spend more time on the road and less time worrying about your bikes. With a 40-pound weight capacity and patented frame contact mounting system, FrontLoader is perfect for carrying your bikes with you on your next adventure.
Key Takeaways
- A really premium rack that’s totally worth the investment,
- Your bike will be very sturdy,
- You may need a friend’s help to lift your bike onto the roof of your car,
- Fits most bikes (even those with fat tires),
- An excellent choice to carry expensive bikes because of zero frame contact mounting.
PROS
- High quality materials
- Easy to assemble and install
- Secures a bike very sturdily (no wobbling)
- Can carry most bike types under 40 lb
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not cover license plate and taillights
- Locks included
- No frame mounting (won’t damage your bikes)
- Won’t scratch your car
- Universal (fits most crossbars)
CONS
- Rather expensive since it requires crossbars
- Not that easy to load a bike on
- Can’t carry really heavy bikes
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule TopRide – Premium roof rack, super sturdy
- Type of mount: fork
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 49.2″ (125 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 7.7 lb (3.5 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
Thule has designed a rack that is lightweight, easy to install, and perfect for all your biking needs. With a bike mounted by the fork, you can easily transport your bike on your vehicle’s roof of the car. Made from aluminum, this rack is durable and can hold up to 40 lb.
Key Takeaways
- This is a professional-grade rack for storing your bike. It’s got an innovative design that ensures safe carrying (fork mounted),
- A bike will be very stable on the rack since it will be secured by the fork,
- It is relatively easy to load a bike onto. All you need to do is remove the front wheel,
- This rack is perfect for virtually any bike (whether you’ve a carbon frame or lightweight, fat tire bicycle, woman’s bicycle, kid’s bicycle etc.). Expensive or carbon-framed bikes won’t get scratched.
PROS
- Very well made
- Easy to assemble and install
- A bike will be super sturdy on the rack
- Universal (fits most bikes)
- Does not block trunk access
- Does not obscure license plate and taillights
- Locks included
- Won’t damage your car
- Looks good
- Won’t scratch your bikes (no frame mounting)
CONS
- Quite pricey as it requires crossbars to be installed
- You have to remove the front wheel each time
- Can’t carry really heavy bikes
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Yakima ForkLift – Premium roof rack for not heavy bikes
- Type of mount: fork
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 20” to 29” (51 to 74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Crossbar spread: between 16″ and 42″
- Empty rack weight: 7 lb (3.2 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes (sold separately)
- No frame contact
The Yakima ForkLift is a fork-mounted bike rack that’s perfect for those who would like to carry a bike on the roof of a car. It’s made from tough, durable alloy steel, and is easy to install onto your vehicle’s crossbars. Best of all, it can hold bikes that are under 35 pounds- so it fits most bikes.
Key Takeaways
- This is a really light, well-made fork-mounted rack,
- The construction of this product is sturdy and made to last (also, it won’t wobble),
- The front wheel needs to be removed when you’re transporting a bike,
- Fits all bikes, unless they are heavier than 35lb,
- The rack protects expensive or carbon frame bikes. It’s amazing for carrying bikes on a bike tour and makes sure no scratch marks remain on the frame.
PROS
- Premium quality overall
- Easy to assemble and install
- Your bike will be super sturdy
- Most bikes will fit
- Easy trunk access
- Won’t obscure license plate and taillights
- No frame contact mounting ensures no scratches
- Negligible risk of damaging your car
- Universal since it fits most crossbars
CONS
- The whole system is expensive (requires crossbars)
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- The front wheel must be removed each road trip
- Expect 10-20% mileage reduction
Thule FastRide – Elegant roof rack which is super robust
- Type of mount: fork
- Max bike weight: 40 lb (18.1 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 49.2″ (125 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 7.3 lb (3.3 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: Yes (sold separately)
- Bike-to-rack lock: Yes
- No frame contact
The Thule FastRide is the world’s first bike rack that can carry almost any bike with a quick, easy installation. It has a patented design and is made from aluminum. It’s easy to use, lightweight, and it secures your bike by the fork (without touching the frame). With the Thule FastRide, you can now take your bike anywhere.
Key Takeaways
- This rack is really well-made. Materials used on the rack feel premium; overall design excellent,
- Zero wobbling since the bike will be secured by its fork (the most reliable mounting),
- You are supposed to lift a bike up. The front wheel must be detached,
- This rack will accommodate most bike types, making it a perfect universal solution to your bike storage needs. It’s great for carrying expensive and carbon frame bikes and will protect them from any damage, such as scratches.
PROS
- Premium quality materials
- Won’t take much time and effort to install
- It is as sturdy as you can get (both rack and bike)
- Can carry most bikes (women’s, kid’s, fat-tire, etc.)
- Easy trunk access (does not block it as some hitch or trunk racks)
- Does not cover taillights and license frame
- No frame contact mounting (no scratches on your bikes)
- Won’t damage your car
- Looks beautiful
CONS
- Pricey (keep in mind that you have to have crossbars to install it)
- Mounting bikes on the roof is not that easy
- Can’t carry really heavy bikes
- You have to remove the front wheel each time
- 10-20% mileage reduction
Best budget roof bike racks
Swagman Standard – Budget roof rack for carrying not heavy bikes
- Type of mount: fork
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 48″ (122 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 6.6 lb (3 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
- No frame contact
The Swagman Standard is the perfect bike rack for not heavy bikes. It’s made from durable aluminum and requires crossbars to be installed. The Swagman Standard can carry most bikes up to 35 lbs and secures the bike by its fork (no contact with the frame). With a weight capacity of 35 lbs, this bike rack is perfect for most bikes.
Key Takeaways
- This rack is inexpensive and does the job, requiring little-to-no maintenance,
- Despite its low cost, mounting system is quite reliable and does a great job securing your bike,
- The process of installing this rack is complicated, instructions are unclear,
- This rack can accommodate most bikes under 35 lbs. The tire width cannot exceed 3″,
- Your bike won’t get scratched thanks to zero frame mounting.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Decent quality overall
- Quite sturdy
- Can carry most bikes
- Does not cover license plate and taillights
- Zero frame contact
- Low risk of damaging your car
- Fits most crossbars
CONS
- Not that easy to assemble
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- No locks
- Be ready for 10-20% mileage reduction
- You have to remove the front wheel to load a bike
- A bit noisy
Swagman Upright – Affordable roof rack for not expensive bikes
- Type of mount: frame
- Max bike weight: 35 lb (15.9 kg)
- Wheel size (diameter): 29” (74 cm)
- Max tire size (width): 3″
- Max wheelbase: 54″ (137 cm)
- Empty rack weight: 5 lb (2.3 kg)
- Rack-to-vehicle lock: No
- Bike-to-rack lock: No
The Swagman Upright Bike Rack is the perfect way to transport your bike on your crossbars. With a weight capacity of 35 pounds, this rack is perfect for most bikes. It will securely hold your bike by the frame and is easy to install.
Key Takeaways
- This rack may not be great, but it is really cheap,
- The best way to secure your bike is to use extra straps for better security,
- Bikes are able to load onto the rack fairly easily, as long as they weigh less than 35 lb,
- This rack is quite universal as most bikes will fit,
- I would not recommend this rack for carrying expensive bikes (especially carbon frame) since it will scratch your bikes because of frame mounting.
PROS
- Very affordable
- Reasonable quality for a cheap rack
- Easy to install
- Can carry most bikes (including fat-tire)
- Does not obscure license frame and taillights
- Won’t damage your car (opposite to cheap trunk racks)
- Fits most crossbars
CONS
- A bike won’t be secure out of the box (you have to strap it)
- Can’t carry heavy bikes
- No locks
- Frame contact mounting (expect scratches)
- 10-20% mileage reduction
- A bit noisy