The Best Bike Racks (2025): The Experts Have Spoken

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 stands out as the best overall for most riders, especially those who want a lightweight, platform-style rack that can support standard mountain bikes, road bikes, and gravel bikes. 

Weighing just 32 pounds for the 2-inch hitch version, it’s incredibly easy to install and remove without needing a second set of hands. Kuat also makes a 1.25-inch version of the Sherpa, so those who have smaller SUVs or sedans with hitch receivers can use it, too. I was able to use the 2-inch Sherpa sans problems on my Subaru Outback and Winnebago Revel campervan, so it’s clearly suitable for a wide range of vehicles. It earns a score of 5 out of 5 for vehicle compatibility. 

As for bike compatibility, the Sherpa 2.0 doesn’t support e-bikes or fat bikes. Bikes can’t exceed 40 pounds each, nor can tires exceed 3 inches in width, so it earns 3 out of 5 stars for bike compatibility. However, if you stick to standard bikes, you’ll love it, in my opinion. I’ve transported various mountain bikes, road bikes, and a triathlon race bike on the Sherpa 2.0, and I never had doubts about my equipment’s security during transport.

What I appreciate most about the Sherpa, though, is how user-friendly it is. Loading bikes takes just two to three minutes thanks to the front-wheel clamp and rear tire strap. It secures bikes without touching the frame, which is a must if you have carbon bikes or fancy paint jobs. And thanks to the automatic cam system, there is minimal wobble or rattling (even with a clamped hitch extender), earning the Sherpa a 5-out-of-5 rating for stability in transit.

The tilt-down lever is intuitive and smooth—no wrestling with awkward mechanisms to access the trunk. And, honestly, it just looks nice. The powder-coated finish and clean lines make it one of the few racks that doesn’t feel like a clunky afterthought on your vehicle. It features a built-in cable lock system, too, though I do recommend getting heavier-duty bike locks if you’ll need to leave them unattended. 

For those without an available hitch receiver, the Saris Bones 2 can be a worthwhile consideration when trying to make the most of your trunk space.

Handmade in Big Sky, Montana, mountain bikers and other off-road enthusiasts—looking at you, gravel riders and long-course cross-country athletes—are singing the praises of the Jambo Designs bike rack. 

Recommended to GGR by mountain biker and founder of Curious Creatures MTB apparel Natasha Woodworth, the Jambo Designs rack fits mid- and full-size vehicles with 2-inch hitch receivers that have a minimum depth of 3.75 inches. That makes it compatible with a lot of cars and trucks, but sedans and small SUVs are out for the count, resulting in a score of 3.5 out of 5 for vehicle compatibility. 

According to Woodworth, ”This is a heavy-duty vertical carry rack made to withstand the test of time.” One of the greatest features, she adds, is the swing-away arm, which means you can easily get in and out of your vehicle even with the rack fully loaded up with bikes.

Also, let’s hear it for the hand-welding process done domestically. “Gotta love stuff made by hand right in the USA,” Woodworth says. Each rack is fully welded, and the design enables secure carrying without any frame contact—score! Also, there’s plenty of space between bikes, so they won’t bump into one another or require fine-tuning of pedal orientation. 

RELATED: Does Cycling Build Muscle?

It’s slightly limited in terms of wheel size (it supports wheels between 24 and 29 inches, as opposed to the standard 20- to 29-inch range) but it should still fit most kids’ bikes. It’s also designed primarily for mountain bikes—a caveat worth considering prior to purchase. While road and gravel bikes can fit, you’ll need extra parts, sold separately, to make the fitment feasible. Because of this, the Jambo Designs rack earns 3 out of 5 stars for bike compatibility.

While this rack might be overkill for casual riders who don’t get off pavement often, it can be an excellent choice for those who love to hit the dirt and spend entire weekends out in the wilderness. Suitable for off-road use, the Jambo Designs rack earns 5 out of 5 points for bike security—those bad boys aren’t going anywhere. “It’s the perfect rack for us, as we often take our truck camper on bike trips, and it’s so nice to get in and out of the sleeping spot with ease,” Woodworth says.

Only need accommodations for two bikes? Consider the smaller, more affordable Kuat Sherpa 2.0.

Richard Campbell, founder of 10Adventures and custom bike adventure curator, recommends a rear-hanging hitch rack like the Thule Apex XT for four reasons:

1. It’s easy to get on and off of the vehicle. 
2. The top tube attachment point is secure and less likely to damage the bike than other attachment points. 
3. It’s interchangeable for all vehicles with the same size hitch (Campbell says he can easily swap the rack between his minivan and regular truck if he’s heading out for a ride with his kids). 
4. It’s lightweight and easy to store in a garage filled with bike and camping gear. 

The main point of concern about hanging racks is that they require contact with the bike frame, but as Campbell points out, the Thule Apex XT’s primary contact point is the top tube—a major (and very strong) structural component. The secondary contact point is the seat tube, which helps tremendously with sway prevention. Plus, with 7 inches of space between each bike, you’re unlikely to experience any bumping that can lead to cosmetic issues like chipping paint. 

Constructed from high-quality steel with a powder coat to resist rusting, the rack features foldable bike arms to minimize the footprint when it’s not in use. It also folds down to allow for easier access to your vehicle’s trunk. 

RELATED: What Muscles Does Cycling Work?

For vehicle compatibility, the Apex XT earns a 5-out-of-5 rating. It’s available for cars with 1.25-inch or 2-inch hitch receivers. For bike compatibility, marks aren’t quite as high, though, with a score of 3 out of 5. While the Apex XT can be great for most standard road and gravel bikes, its weight limits rule out e-bikes. You’ll also need to buy an adapter for any bike that doesn’t have a horizontal top tube, which can elevate the cost. 

That said, if this rack works for your bikes, you’ll love it for its high “stability in transit” score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. Thule’s SnugTite feature—a tool-free cam tightening system—helps minimize rattle and sway at the hitch receiver.

For those who prefer a horizontal storage plane, the Jamba Designs Bike Rack can fit up to four bikes and is available in 1.25-inch and 2-inch hitch receiver profiles. 

If you’ve got a 2-inch trailer hitch receiver and lots of gear to carry, you need to check out the Yakima EXO System. This modular bike rack and cargo carrying setup goes above and beyond the standard of versatility—you can carry two bikes along with a gear locker, gear tray, or even a camp galley for road trips to the backcountry. For versatility and modularity, it easily earns 5 out of 5 stars. 

RELATED: Bike Seat Height

I got the Yakima EXO system with the gear locker and two-bike platform rack to replace my Kuat Sherpa when I wanted exterior storage on my campervan. It was a game-changer as a full-time traveler. 

I can’t lie, though. This setup does not come cheap. You’ll need four distinct parts: 

• EXO SwingBase, $899.99
• EXO TopShelf, $675.99
• EXO GearLocker, $819.99
• EXO DoubleUp, $699.99 

That brings your grand total to nearly $3,100 before taxes, and you will likely have to visit a Yakima retailer for pickup and installation. I had mine shipped, and installation wasn’t too bad, but I would have preferred to have a professional take the reins. There are a lot of small parts to deal with and the configuration can be confusing, at first. Plus, dealing with the aftermath of packaging from such large parts means you’ll almost definitely overflow your recycling and trash bins. So, for installation and removal, I can only rate the EXO at 2 out of 5. 

All that said, this rack setup is worth it for the right person (who probably plans to keep it on their vehicle almost indefinitely). Aside from the cargo carrying capacity, the EXO also has an abundance of features that make trunk access simple despite its sheer bulk. The swing-away base means you can open your trunk or, if you have a van like mine, your rear doors. The process is a bit cumbersome, involving a few integrated locks and bolts, but valuable nonetheless, earning 3 out of 5 stars for ease of use.

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is also capable of holding two bikes at once, but the sub-$800 price tag can be far more approachable than the expensive build of this EXO System.

For those with a fleet of electric-powered bikes, the Thule T2 Pro XTR is a no-brainer. “The Thule T2 Pro XTR is the real deal,” says Chris Cartier, executive director of sales operations at the Outdoor Gear Exchange. “This award-winning rack is heavy-duty and ensures your bikes arrive safe and sound, no matter how rugged the road to the trail is.” 

The tray-style racks, Cartier says, are an excellent option for higher-end carbon bikes and full-suspension mountain bikes, as well, due to the lack of frame contact. Those with expensive bikes (e-bikes, included) will love the peace of mind created by the secure clamps. 

The T2 Pro XTR is also the best bike rack for heavy bikes thanks to its listed weight capacity of 120 pounds. You can safely carry up to 60 pounds per bike, which is far more accommodating than other racks we’ve researched and tested. Plus, as Cartier points out, the universal wheel trays can fit a wide range of wheel and tire sizes, including 5-inch fat bike tires. With all these features and capabilities, it’s easy to see why the T2 Pro XTR earns a perfect 5-out-of-5 score for bike compatibility. 

RELATED: Best Exercise Bikes with Virtual Courses

Loading bikes is quick and simple, too. Just position the front tire in the wheel cradles, clamp down the ratchet arm, and strap the back tire into the rear cradle. Easy-peasy. For ease of loading and unloading, the T2 Pro XTR earns 5 out of 5 stars. 

This rack also earns a high score of 4 out of 5 for installation and removal. Though it’s on the heavier side at 52 pounds (due to its robust construction), it has integrated transport wheels that make it a breeze to get it to and from your garage. You might need a friend to help you position the hitch in-line the receiver, but the rest is simple and takes no more than five minutes. 

Pro tip from Cartier: “Be sure to grease your hitch receiver before installing if you plan to use this rack year-round.” This can help protect the interior of your receiver and the hitch during long-term use. 

Not in need of such a burly bike rack? The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 can house two bikes up to 40 pounds each, albeit with smaller tire size limits. 

Perhaps the easiest way to transport bikes, especially when you’re hauling a group’s worth of bikes, is in a truck bed. If you’re fortunate enough to have a pickup truck to support your gear-heavy outdoor activities, a truck bed bike rack like the Fox Racing Tailgate Cover is worth a gander. 

This one, in particular, is available in small and large sizes. The former, designed for midsize pickups like a Toyota Tacoma or Chevrolet Colorado, can hold five bikes. The latter, designed for 1500 series trucks and larger, can accommodate six bikes. 

You might be wondering: Why do I need a rack for a pickup bed? Well, instead of haphazardly tossing your (probably expensive) bikes into the bed and letting them rattle around on the commute, you can protect them and your truck bed by securing them to a simple, inexpensive foam pad. 

Installation and removal couldn’t be easier, earning the Tailgate Cover a 5-out-of-5 rating for the category. It’s also easy to load and unload the bikes themselves—not much different than lifting them up into the truck bed normally. All you have to do is position them and strap the tires in. That’s another 5-out-of-5 score for this bike rack’s loading procedure. 

Your bikes won’t bounce all over on dirt or gravel roads, though they may still sway and possibly bump into one another. This is more secure than they’d be without the tailgate cover, but it’s not the most secure way to transport bikes, so the pad lands at a score of 3.5 out of 5 for bike security. 

If you’d rather your bikes stay away from one another during transport, consider a hitch bike rack like the Thule Apex XT with 7 inches of space between each bike bay.

I owned the Swagman XCT2 for a little over a year before I upgraded to the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. Compared to other bike racks I’ve tested, it’s clear in the build quality that this one is a budget-minded product. But don’t write it off just yet. It’s not bad, and at just over $200 (and often on sale for less), I think it’s a worthwhile purchase for those who simply can’t swing $600+ for bike transportation. Which, in this economy, I’d guess is a lot of us. 

RELATED: Best Budget Mountain Bikes

For durability and materials, the XCT2 earns a respectable 3-out-of-5 rating. In my opinion, it’s solid enough for regular use and you can leave this in your hitch receiver and transport bikes frequently without issues. However, I did notice that its powder coat chipped within a few months, exposing the bare metal leaving room for potential rust and corrosion. 

It doesn’t have an expanding cam system like many of the more expensive racks, so you’ll notice some sway and rattle in the hitch receiver. Don’t fret—this doesn’t mean your bikes are going to fly out onto the highway. That said, it can be unnerving at first, so for stability in transit, the XCT2 earns 3 out of 5 stars. 

Where the Swagman bike rack shines is in its ease of use. Loading and unloading bikes is easy as pie and takes just a few minutes, so it earns 5 out of 5 points in that category. The bike tires sit in cradles and the ratchet arms clamp down on the top tube. Pro tip: Cut a foam pool noodle to protect the paint on your bike frame. 

Overall, it’s a respectable rack for the price and a great starter rack for those who have lighter-weight bikes (the listed weight capacity per bike is 35 pounds). And if you have a bit more flex in your budget, there’s a “tilt” version of this rack that allows you to easily access your trunk. 

For athletes willing to spend a little more on a more stable, secure bike rack, we recommend the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. 

A quick word of caution: Most cyclists do not recommend trunk mounts, especially if you have expensive bikes. Trunk-mounted bike racks just aren’t as safe or stable as hitch-mounted (or even roof-mounted) options. But, if you don’t have a hitch receiver and need a bike rack soon, I recommend the Saris Bones 2-Bike Trunk Rack.

Available in two-bike or three-bike versions, the Bones can be a great option for those who need a relatively inexpensive way to transport bikes without sacrificing build quality. 

Our testers haven’t personally tried the Bones trunk rack yet, but it comes highly recommended across a variety of cycling forums online. One Redditor says, “I’ve used the Saris bones for 20 years at this point. It’s a well-built, versatile trunk rack.” 

RELATED: Best Commercial Exercise Bikes

This same Redditor offers a pro-tip, as well. “Clean your trunk where the hooks go on and take the time to ensure it’s fitted properly on the first use,” they note. “Make a mark where the screw portion goes onto the splines of the aluminum shaft. It will make collapsing and reusing the rack easier.”

Another says, “I drove across the country from LA to NYC with the same rack. Make sure it’s properly secured every time you use it, and it will be fine. I’m a mechanical engineer, and I think the Bones is one of the most clever designs I’ve ever seen.”

Fitting a trunk rack—of any brand or model, not just the Bones—to a vehicle can be quite the challenge. Additionally, bike compatibility can be an issue. You may need to buy adapters, extenders, or other add-ons to fit your bike’s frame and ensure safe transportation. For these reasons, the Saris Bones earns a 2.5 out of 5 for both vehicle compatibility and bike compatibility, with the caveat that trunk racks, in general, can be prohibitive.

If you do have a hitch receiver available, the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 can offer a more secure bike storage setup.