Best Car Rooftop Bike Carriers For 2021

An increasing variety of bike carrier styles makes transporting recreational bikes from town to trailhead easier than ever before. Car bicycle carriers fall into two categories: rooftop-mounted (reviewed here) and trailer hitch-mounted. Some lower-cost carriers attach to the trunk of a car, bed of a truck or lift gate of an SUV. The best kind of bike carrier depends on vehicle make, number of bikes

Best for Secure Transport

Thule UpRide

Why We Picked It

The Thule UpRide sets itself apart from traditional roof-mounted bike racks with an innovative counteracting front arm design that functions by hooking on to a bike’s front wheel to hold it in place. Thule ships the UpRide pre-assembled to make for painless, tool-free installation. The carrier features a unique interface for mounting onto the left or right side of a vehicle and when properly positioned will not interfere with opening trunks or hatches.

Pros & Cons

No front wheel removal required
No frame or fork contact; ideal for carbon fiber bikes; fits wheels 20-29 inches in diameter and tires up to 3-inches wide
Offers added security features by integrating lock cores (sold separately)

Limited to use on vehicles with low roof heights; requires lifting overhead
Only holds one bike

Best on a Budget

Yakima Front Loader

Why We Picked It

The Yakima Front Loader operates like the Thule UpRide and costs about $50 less. Although it lacks the UpRide’s security features, the Yakima Front Loader is a great option for consumers who like the design but have less cash to spend. Adjust the front wheel cradle size as needed before loading a bike up onto the wheel tray. Because this rack requires lifting a bike overhead, it is best suited for vehicles with low heights.

Pros & Cons

Easy to install
Carries bikes of all axle types
No front wheel removal required; fits bikes with 20 to 29-inch diameter wheels and tires up to 3-inches wide

Requires crossbar spread between 16 and 48-inches
No locks included; only holds one bike at a time

Best for Sports Cars

SeaSucker Talon

Why We Picked It

The SeaSucker Talon is a single bike carrier version of the Mini Bomber. The mounting deck’s smaller surface area makes it ideal for use on sports cars and vehicles with less room for attaching accessories. Although it requires front wheel removal, attaching the bike to the rack is easy. The Talon weighs in at about six pounds and with a 15-inch by 18-inch footprint, tops this list as the lightest and most convenient rack to transport and store.

Pros & Cons

Wide range of adaptor plug sizes for hauling bikes with thru-axles; riser blocks available to reduce bar or chainring contact
The vacuum-powered suction cups attach to metal, glass or fiberglass surfaces; an orange painted indicator section on the plungers will start to show if the airtight seal begins to weaken
No crossbars required

Only holds one bike at a time
Minimal security for bikes and rack.

Best for Hatchbacks and Wagons

Yakima HighRoad

Why We Picked It

Yakima borrowed features from the Front Loader to design its premium HighRoad rooftop bike rack. When properly installed using the adjustable front wheel cradle and rear ratchet strap, the HighRoad will transport a bike with no risk of vehicle contact. It is best used to haul bikes under 35 pounds, without front mud guards, making for a less versatile choice.

Why We Picked It

Pros & Cons

No front wheel removal required
Tool-free installation; no assembly required; universal mounting hardware clamps onto most factory crossbars
Fits bikes with tires up to 4-inches wide; ideal for hauling fat bikes

Requires crossbar spread between 18 and 35-inches
Requires minimum 26-inch wheel size, making it incompatible with kids and BMX bikes
Less suited for bikes over 35 pounds such as beach cruisers, full-suspension mountain bikes, loaded steel-frame touring bikes

Best-selling Bike Racks on Amazon

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Bestseller No. 1

2,248 Reviews

Swagman UPRIGHT Roof Mount Bike Rack

EASY TO ASSEMBLE: The UPRIGHT roof rack installs in minutes following the instructions and carries one bike with no wheel removal necessary
VERSATILE: This rack fits square, round and oval bars up to 3" wide and multiple units can be used on a single vehicle. Maximum weight capacity of 35Ibs. per bike
SLEEK DESIGN: The minimalistic and sleek design looks great on any vehicle. It is made from sturdy plastic and steel and only weighs 5Ibs.

Bestseller No. 2

443 Reviews

Swagman STANDARD Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Carrier

EASY TO ASSEMBLE: The STANDARD is easy to assemble with no tools required, sets up in just minutes following the instructions. Once assembled, simply load your bike and you are ready to go!
CONVENIENT: The upright roof top carrier, easily transports 1 bike while attaching to your roof rack. Fits square, round and oval bars up to 3" wide
WORRY FREE SECURITY: Bikes are secured on the fork mount blocks. These blocks include 9mm Quick Release skewers that anchor your bikes to the rack.

Bestseller No. 3

129 Reviews

Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack

Universal upright bike rack for 1 bike
Quick and secure mounting dial controls the force going into the bike frame
Soft claw pads adapt to your bike's frame minimizing risk of damage

Bestseller No. 4

212 Reviews

Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack

Universal upright bike rack for 1 bike
No frame contact for maximum protection
Fits most 20-29" wheel bicycles with tires up to 3" wide

Bestseller No. 5

Hooke Road Universal Bike Car Carrier Quick-Release Alloy Fork Lock Alloy Bed | Roof Mount Rack for 1 Bike - Cross Bars not Included

Universal fitment: Fits for specified cross bars rack as pictures showed
Holds 1 bicycle - up to 45 lbs; Carries most bikes with standard 100mm x 9mm quick release front hub
Safely transports a bike secured by the forks in your truck bed or car roof; Bike held stable with 9 mm lockable quick-release fork-mount skewer

Bestseller No. 6

76 Reviews

Thule Circuit Low-Profile Fork-Mount Bike Rack , Black

Lockable skewer with single-side adjustment to secure the bike to the carrier for stable and secure bicycle transport(lock sold separately)
D-shaped corrosion-resistant aluminum tray has tool-free universal mounting which makes it simple and easy to install
Integrated high-wall wheel cradle with ratcheting strap provides added protection and the perfect fit beneath your wheel

Bestseller No. 7

248 Reviews

Yakima - ForkLift Fork Mount Bike Carrier for Roof Racks, 1 Bike Capacity

FITS MOST DISC BRAKES: Fits bikes that use standard 100 mm x 9 mm quick release front hubs; other hubs (such as thru-axles) require adapters
ADJUSTABLE LENGTH: Sliding wheel tray is easy to adjust and allows for a wide range of bike lengths; Carries 1 bike up to 35 lbs.
ROOF RACK REQUIRED: Crossbar spread minimum of 16" and maximum of 42"; Fits Yakima round, square, factory and aerodynamic bars; Simple tool-free installation and removal

Bestseller No. 8

308 Reviews

YAKIMA - HighRoad Wheel-On Mount Upright Bike Carrier for Roof Racks, 1 Bike Capacity

Carry any bike: Secure, sleek and simple to use; Carry almost any road or mountain bike; Fits 26" to 29" wheels and 23 mm to 4" tires with no adjustment
Streamlined protection: Low profile tray minimizes hatch interference; No wheel removal and no contact with the bike frame (an ideal option for carbon fiber bikes and custom paint jobs)
Roof rack required: Crossbar spread must be between 18" and 35"; Tool-free, universal mounting hardware fits most roof racks; T-Slot compatible with SmarT-Slot conversion kit (sold separately)

Bestseller No. 9

5 Reviews

Bike Rack Hitch Roof Mount Aluminum for One Bike Carrier with Anti-Theft Lock Cars Trucks SUV and Minivan | Automotive Exterior Accessories

WHY OMAC BIKE CARRIER RACK? Aluminum Bike Carrier is innovative, very functional and made exclusively with aluminum. It is designed to comply with the highest safety standards, without any compromise on the design. It can be quickly installed in a matter of a seconds. Aluminum Bike Rack equipped with Anti-Theft system and wheel support for high stability. ‘’U’’ plate fixing system is a bonus.
STYLISH DESIGN: The minimalistic design looks great on any vehicle. It is made from sturdy plastic and steel and only weighs 5.5 Ibs!
SUITABLE FOR ALL KIND VEHICLES: The bike roof racks are made with a universal design to fit nearly every vehicle. Overall Size (L x W ): 46.8 x 10.1 Inches And Maximum payload : 30.9 lbs. Standard fixing system with 60mm/2.3” “U” hook.

Bestseller No. 10

48 Reviews

Rhino Rack Roof Top Hybrid Bike Carrier with Ratchet Arm and Multiple Locking Systems to Avoid Theft, Black, Medium (Model: RBC050)

THREE LOCKING SYSTEMS - Safely secure both bike and carrier: rack to carrier, bike to rack, and includes a cable to keep your bike and racks as secure as possible. Includes a wheel strap to firmly secure the bike to the carrier.
ERGONOMIC - Engineered with an ergonomically shaped handle that makes the roof bike rack arm easier to pull down and release. The handle has a quick release trigger and locking system.
FITS MOST ROOF BARS - Universal mounting hardware fits most bars: factory, round, square, elliptical, and Rhino-Rack Aero Bars. Fits either side of the roof, and folds flat when not in use giving you freedom to travel at moment’s notice for any adventure.

Methodology

Forbes Wheels reviewed dozens of rooftop bicycle carriers for features and capabilities. We focused on options designed to fit a wide range of vehicles. We narrowed the field to companies with strong reputations in the auto accessory market and a high quantity of positive consumer reviews.

Prices range from $200 to almost $500, not including adaptor accessories. We tested five rooftop bike carriers and rated them for carrying capacity, versatility, ease of installation and loading, crossbar requirements and security features. We also compared them for price-performance. The choices represent rooftop bike carriers suited for use on a wide range of vehicles and capable of frequently and securely hauling most types of recreational bikes.

What does my car need to work with a rooftop bike carrier?

Most rooftop bike carriers must be mounted onto vehicles with crossbars, while other systems only require a certain amount of suitable surface area for mounting. Roof rails are two rails that run front to back along a vehicle’s roof. Crossbars are two bars that connect to the roof rails and run sideways across the width of a vehicle’s roof, designed to support the added weight of a roof rack and associated gear. Some vehicles come equipped with factory rails and crossbars, some with roof rails only, while others allow for aftermarket additions.

Do rooftop bike carriers affect gas mileage?

Adding anything to a vehicle’s roof can negatively impact gas mileage. At highway speeds, roof racks alone can reduce mileage by about five percent and when combined with carriers can cut mpg by 10-20%, with large SUVs showing less loss, according to Consumer Reports. Removing roof racks and other accessories when not in use saves fuel and reduces wind noise.

What is the difference between wheel-mount and fork-mount rooftop bike carriers?

Wheel-mount types hold a bike in place by strapping the front wheel into a cradle while fork-mount models attach to the bike’s front end. Wheel-mount bike carriers are best suited for use on vehicles with low heights while fork-mount options are usable on any kind of vehicle, regardless of make or height.

Will roof-mounted bike carriers fit every vehicle?

The fork-mount products reviewed above will attach to any kind of vehicle with enough surface area for mounting. Wheel-mount bike carriers require clamping onto crossbars and are best suited for use on vehicles with lower heights because loading requires lifting the bike overhead. If there’s room, get a two-step aluminum stepstool, about $30, and carry that in the cargo bay.

Can rooftop bike carriers damage your car?

Although unlikely to cause damage on their own, during the loading process — especially when lifting overhead — dropping a bike could result in superficial damage, like scratched paint or denting. Load a bike carrier in daylight and park next to a high curb before lifting a bike overhead to reduce the chances of damaging your vehicle.

Which is better: roof-mount or trailer-hitch mount?

Roof-mount carriers are better to use on cars with low heights and those without hitch receivers, when transporting two bikes maximum and if you need easy trunk or hatchback access. Trailer-hitch mounted carriers are better to use on tall vehicles equipped with hitch receivers, when transporting a large number of bikes and for the most accessibility.

What bike carriers can I get for less than $100?

While first-rate rooftop bike carriers cost more than $200, for people who might load bikes once or twice a year, the Swagman Standard is a decent fork-mount option that costs under $80. Bike carriers that attach elsewhere on your vehicle — including to trunks, truck beds and lift gates — tend to cost less than rooftop models, such as the $40 trunk-mount Allen Sports Deluxe.

Best Rooftop Car Bike Racks For 2022

Methodology