The Best 5 Trunk Mounted Bike Racks for You

Biking long distances, specifically going on cross-country trips can be quite thrilling. The rides across the countryside and pit stop at local inns are surely a highlight.

One of the best ways to make your trip better is to have a bike rack with you. This can aid in holding your bike as you crusade around places. 

I love a well-mounted bike rack that can hold my bike while I drive to my locations. Since keeping my bike in the backseat can damage my seats, I like how I’m able to keep it on my rack instead. 

» Read my blog post about: How To Install a Bicycle Seat

So, enough raving about mounted bike racks, onto listing out good bike racks for you to use. Here are the 5 best-mounted bike racks for you!

My #1 Choice ❤ 

Starting this article on a good note, I have to mention my most preferred bike rack —the Sportrack Pursuit Trunk Mount bike rack. 

[amazon box=”B009ZN1XM2″]

It’s my #1 choice because: it has adjustable hub features. Not only does this rack fit into other sorts of vehicles but it’s also equipped with 6 separate straps which make sure your rack and bike stay secure. 

And as if it can’t get any better, the rack has soft padding around it; preventing it from scratching your car. 

How-To: Get the Best Mounted Bike Tracks

With how peculiar this product is, not many people have options and many don’t even know where to find a good bike rack. 

Since this is something you only need if you have a car and love bicycling it does limit your preferred group of people. This is why I’m here to tell you that there’s more to a bike rack than just its price. 

Here are factors aside from price that you should look after 

Construction

Quality is dependent on a lot of points like the kind of material used, quality of protection, and an array of other things. All these make sure that your rack lasts you a long time.

The best option would be to look for a rack that’s made of steel or similar sturdy materials.  

Vehicle Compatibility

Many mounted bike racks can fit on several vehicles. They even have adjustability options that allow you to change it a bit to fit the vehicle better.

But still, to avoid any issues you should check the measurements of your car and the rack you plan on getting. This way you can be sure that the product you’re getting is right for you. 

Bike Compatibility

Lastly, you need to make sure the rack you’re getting is suited for your bike. This means, it should be able to safely keep your bike in place and you must also look based on how many bikes you’ll want to transport.

If you’re a family person who loves biking, you’ll need a bigger rack to keep all the bikes.

However, if you’re solo then all you need is a minimal bike rack.

Aside from this, your rack frames are also essential. This is because trunk-mounted racks are perfect for bikes that have larger frames. 

As you can see, a lot of thought goes into getting a mount bike rack and it isn’t as simplistic as it seems. Everything requires some sort of research and as does bike racks. 

5 Best Mounted Bike Racks Compared 

#1 Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier

Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge Rating: 4/5

Key Features:

• Soft rubber cradles 
• Has leg patch 
• Arms easily fold for storage

Starting with the most in-demand mounted rack, the Thule passage carrier. The reason it is so in demand and the hottest item is that it’s easy to use. This rack ensures that you can transport your bike easily and safely. 

Another great feature is that it also can carry bikes that weigh over 105 pounds. Something to take note of is this rack protection for your bike during transporting it. 

It has soft rubber cradles that help secure the bike in position when traveling. To enhance these 6 straps support the bike making it stable. 

[amazon box=”B00K6EHRCO”]

#2 Yakima Fullback Trunk Bike Rack 

Price Range: $$$
BestSportsLounge Rating: 4.5/5

Key Features:

• Locking package to secure bike 
• Has padding to protect the bike
• The external frame keeps the bike secure 
• Has modernized look

Made with a modernized design, this rack is no doubt a fresh design as compared with other much older models. Even though our main concern is if this rack will protect our car and bike, you can’t deny that a cool model is very neat.

Not only does it elevate your car’s look but a fresh design is oftentimes better than older ones. Plus, this design is pretty solid.

This newer version complements newer bike models as well, making it seem like a pair. 

But, it is not just the design that’s enthralling but the protection this rack offers is immaculate.

Firstly, the 4 strap feature makes sure your bike stays in its place and the external frame construction and padding help fit different-sized bikes in. 

» Read my blog post about: What Bike Size to Get? (Size Charts & Bike Sizing Guide!)

[amazon box=”B01FW6HRWA”]

#3 Sportrack Pursuit Trunk Mount Bike Rack  

Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge Rating: 5/5

Key Features:

• Adjustable hub provided
• Has rubberized cradles 
• Built-in straps to enhance safety 

A company that takes pride in transporting your bike from one place to another; this rack is surely a must-have. It does all this free from any scratches and damage to your car. 

The most unique feature of this bike rack is its adjustment hub allowing the bike to fit on your vehicle perfectly. This feature also allows you to put your bike on the hatchback and other sorts of vehicles as well. 

When it comes to safety this rack makes sure nothing happens to your bike with the 6 straps that hold it in place. Plus, it also prevents your bike from scratching your car.

This is a genuine concern but luckily the rack is lined with soft padding to make sure no mishaps happen. 

Furthermore, the rubberized cradles also protect your bike when it’s in commute. The cradles help keep the bike in place and from coming in contact with other bikes, too.

[amazon box=”B009ZN1XM2″]

#4 Saris Bones EX Bike Rack

Price Range: $$
BestSportsLounge Rating: 3.9/5

Key Features:

• Unique mounting legs
• Compatible with various vehicles 
• Ratcheting cradle straps 
• vinyl-coated car hooks

This is a peculiar name in the bike racks industry but it’s a very compatible rack. It has unique mounting legs which fit over most bike arms for spacing. 

This gives a gap between the car and the bike making sure no scratches are made. Furthermore, it has ratcheting cradle swaps which are fairly easy to use and don’t take much time to put on. 

Although this rack is on the heftier side, it is still very liked due to the peculiar shape that makes it compatible with up to 20% more cars than a regular rack. 

[amazon box=”B07QLB2GRD”]

#5 Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mount Rack 

Price Range: $
BestSportsLounge Rating: 4.5/5

Key Features:

• Doesn’t need an adapter bar
• Fits smaller-frame bikes
• Rotating cradles 

Lastly, the Allen Sports Deluxe is the ideal product for anyone that’s wanting to transport their kid’s bike and mediocre-sized ones as well.

It’s equipped with a narrower set support bar which is the main reason why this rack can hold 16-inch and 20-inch bikes without an adapter bar. 

Its narrow support bar and twisting cradles allow for mounting small-framed bikes. This also means you don’t need any extra tools so it saves time and money. 

[amazon box=”B00TRTSAZM”]

» Read my blog post about: Why Bike Seats are Uncomfortable! — and How To Fix It

Conclusion

Having a reliable trunk mount rack is highly necessary if you plan on biking in different locations. I can understand that biking in the same location near your abode can become boring. 

And of course, cycling around in nature has its beauty which cannot be matched. This is why we need trusty racks which help transport the bikes.  

A trunk rack’s qualities go beyond securing the bike; it must also not damage your car when in use. After all, you need one less worry and not an added one. 

I hope this list has helped you find your match for your car. Finding a bike rack is tough indeed but after reading this, finding a piece will be easy!