Bike rack for car: tow bar, boot or roof

Tow bar, boot or roof: which bike rack for your car?

• On the tow bar: it locks onto the towball and carries one to three bikes, sometimes four with an extension. It is the easiest solution to load and the best suited to heavy e-bikes, provided the car has a tow bar.
• On the boot or tailgate: held by straps or hooks, it suits cars without a tow bar. It usually carries two or three light bikes, and each model is only compatible with certain body shapes.
• On the roof: fixed to roof bars, it leaves the boot accessible and the rear view clear, but you have to lift the bikes up and it increases the height of the vehicle.

Tow bar bike rack: platform or hanging?

On a platform, the wheels sit in rails and arms hold the frame: the bikes are stable, carbon or unusually shaped frames are protected, and most models tilt so you can open the boot without unloading. A ramp makes it easier to load heavy bikes, and folding reduces the space taken up in the garage. A hanging model holds the bikes by the frame: lighter and more compact, it is often limited to conventional bikes, with a lower load per bike.

Before buying, check the vertical load allowed on the towball, given by the manufacturer of the car or of the tow bar: it must cover the weight of the rack and the bikes together. Also check the electrical socket, 7-pin or 13-pin; if it differs from the one on the rack, you need an adapter.

Carrying e-bikes

An e-bike weighs much more than a non-assisted bike: the load per bike and the total load of the rack become the first criteria. Remove the battery and the display before loading, to lighten the bike and protect these parts, then carry them inside the car. Choose a platform with a ramp and rails long enough for the wheelbase of e-bikes; some boot-mounted racks are also approved for two e-bikes, within a specific weight limit.

Number plate and lights: the rule to follow

In the UK, the Highway Code states that lights, indicators, reflectors and number plates must be kept clean and clear. If the rack and its bikes hide one or the other, the lights have to be repeated on the rack and a number plate identical to the car's fitted to it. In Ireland and the United States, check the local rules before setting off. Tow bar racks usually have a built-in lighting board connected to the socket and a space for the plate; for a boot-mounted rack, a plate holder with a light bar is sold separately.

Parts, bags and other solutions

Fixing arms, adapters, straps and foam protectors can be found in bike rack spare parts. When the bike travels by train or plane, dismantled, a cover or a bag protects it: see bike bags and covers. If you are setting off by bike rather than by car, a bike trailer carries luggage or children. The bike transport section brings all these solutions together.

Bike rack brands

Thule, a Swedish carrying brand, covers all three mountings: the Xpress 970 hanging tow bar rack for two bikes of up to 15 kg each, the VeloSpace platforms, the ClipOn for the boot and the ThruRide for the roof.

Peruzzo, an Italian maker of bike racks, offers the Siena, a tilting tow bar platform, the Pure Instinct range for the tow bar or the roof, and arms that add a third bike.

Eufab, a German brand specialising in tow bar bike racks, offers the Saffier, a tilting platform for three bikes, the folding Poker-F, and the SD260, designed for vans with twin rear doors.

XLC offers the Almada Work-E, a tow bar platform for two e-bikes up to 60 kg, and extensions to add a bike to the Azura.

Mottez, a French maker of bike racks, offers the Jupiter, a hanging rack for e-bikes, the Zeus and Apollon platforms, and the Shiva-2 for the boot, approved for two e-bikes once the batteries are removed.

Bike racks on sale

The seasonal sales fall just before people head off on holiday, the moment when everyone is looking for a bike rack. Models dropped from the catalogue appear in transport clearance, and newcomers in new arrivals.

Frequently asked questions

Which bike rack should you choose for an e-bike?

A tow bar platform whose load per bike and total load cover the weight of your bikes without their batteries, with a loading ramp if possible. Also check the vertical load of your tow bar, often the limiting factor with two e-bikes.

How do you fit a tow bar bike rack?

Place the rack on the towball, adjust the tension of the locking lever as the instructions say, then connect the plug and check the lights, indicators and number plate light. Load the heaviest bike closest to the car and check the straps again after a short distance.

Can you go from two to three bikes?

On some models, yes, with an extension or an extra arm provided by the manufacturer. The vertical load of the tow bar and the maximum load of the rack must then cover the third bike.

Should you remove accessories from the bikes before driving?

Yes: bottles, computers, bags, pumps and batteries can be torn off by the wind. Remove them, protect the frames from contact between bikes with foam pads and check that nothing sticks out beyond the intended width.

What are the drawbacks of a roof bike rack?

You have to lift the bikes up to roof height, which becomes difficult with a heavy bike, and the total height of the vehicle increases, something to watch at the entrance to a car park or a garage. Wind resistance also increases noise and fuel consumption.