Are you a professional bicycle rider, or do you love spending your weekends away from the hustle-bustle of the city and riding your bike in the woods? Well, you cannot just cycle your way to a nice location 80 miles away from your home, often where you want to ride, isn’t located within riding distance of your home, hence the need for bike racks.
Let's have a look at the best compact bike racks on the market
Hitch Mount Bike Rack with 2-inch Receiver
Best Overall
- Reasonably priced
Pros
- Can hold up to 4 bikes
Cons
- requires a hitch to mount
Trunk Mount Rack
Budget option
- Affordable
Pros
- Adapter to minimize wobbling
Cons
- Rear cargo inaccessible
Hitch Mounted Rack 2-Bike Platform Style Carrier
Premium option
- Great all around option
Pros
- Two locks for the security of the bike and rack
Cons
- Needs a hitch to mount
If you have ever been on the lookout for a bike rack for your car, you should know it is not an easy task. Your car plays a major role, but your decision will also be affected by the material of the rack, your budget, the number of bicycles you need to carry, etc. There are many options in the market which will solve all these issues for you.
Everyone needs a bike rack for a number of reasons. Some professionals have to carry their bikes to racing events, some have to go on a family vacation and carry their bikes along, while some adventure lovers love a weekend getaway to a beautiful location and ride their bikes in nature’s beauty.
No one likes to transport their bicycle in the car trunk or in the rear seat. While driving, the bike’s handle may poke passengers, and the dirty chain and tires will spoil your vehicle’s seat. Using a bike rack will let you carry your bike on top or at the back of your vehicle while driving.
We have curated a list of the best compact car bike racks that are easy to use and store. Your bikes will be safe while on the go, and you won’t have to worry about their safety during a long drive. Here are the 5 best options out there right now.
Hitch Mount Bike Rack with 2-inch Receiver
The Lenox bike rack by Retrospec is easy on your pocket and will ensure that you can carry your bike without any hassles. It’s a compact rack and is compatible only with vehicles that come attached with Class 2 or 4 hitches. Made with strong steel, the bike rack comes in a 2 to 5 bike capacity which can handle 80 to 170 lbs without sustaining damage or bending.
The space between the carrying arms is ample enough to fit any size or type of bike. Your bike will be fastened tight to the cradles using security straps, so that the bike stays in position during transport and does not fall over. It is really easy to assemble on your vehicle, and you can instantly place your bikes on this rack. You will also get an adapter that prevents your bike from wobbling during transport.
Make sure that your vehicle has a class 2 or 4 2” hitch receiver if you want to use this bike rack. The strong bindings are totally secure and make it perfect for bikes with a diamond frame. Just like it is easy to assemble, you can remove it in a flash after using it, and fold it for easy storage. If you want to carry more than one bike, make sure that you don’t exceed the weight limit.
This secure bike rack by Retrospec is ideal for long journeys because the cradle and tie-down protective straps make sure your bike stays in the right position even at high speeds. If your bike has a step-through frame, you will need a frame adapter to ensure proper protection and safety. This is a great compact bike rack and is easy to store when not in use.
Trunk Mount Rack
This 2-bike rack by Allen Sports is a really versatile product because it is made using a single patented configuration, making it suitable for a range of SUVs, minivans, hatchbacks, etc. You get the product almost fully assembled and can install it on your vehicle conveniently within minutes.
Patented tie-down technology keeps your bike in place whether you are driving in the city or on rocky roads, and there are two side straps to give lateral stability to your bike while driving. If you are looking for a compact bike rack then this is the one for you, this rack simply folds up and can be easily stored in the back of your car when not in use.
The rack is made with heavy-duty and rugged components that will not require replacement for many years. Carry arms are narrow and allow you to load any frame size. If you are going out with your family, you can carry yours as well as your kid’s bike. The rack’s middle frame ensures your bike does not collide with your vehicle’s body and damages its paint job.
Apart from the top and bottom safety straps, there are two extra straps to provide extra protection and stability to the rack, even on rocky terrains and difficult roads. Though the single configuration technology makes it ideal for many different types of vehicles, you should confirm its fit on your vehicle and make sure it will work properly. Its compact nature is a real asset to this rack and it ranks high on our scoreboard because of this.
Another great thing that sets this rack apart from other similar products is the lifetime warranty provided by Allen Sports itself. The brand is famous in multiple countries worldwide, and they will ensure that this Deluxe 2-bike rack provides value for your money.
Hitch Mounted Rack 2-Bike Platform Style Carrier
This 2” hitch mounted 2 bike rack by KAC is a solid rack with convenient features designed to help you carry all types of bikes in a safe and secure manner. The hook arms are adjustable and come with padding to protect mountain bikes, e-bikes, fat bikes, gravel bikes, etc. The advanced anti-wobble system keeps your bikes in place while driving. The rack has wide 5” adjustable trays to fit any bike, but it is meant for use with 2” hitch receivers only.
Almost every part comes pre-assembled when you purchase this rack and can install it on your vehicle easily. You can fold up the bike rack to access your vehicle’s trunk easily because of the Tilt Design. The rack features a strong powdered steel coating, and you can load 2 bikes on it without worrying about damage. The rack also comes with a hitch pin and locking knob so that your bikes stay safe on the padded clamps while on the road.
If you own a low-frame bike, then you have to buy an additional KAC bike frame adapter for extra support and safety. The rack also comes with a safety strap designed to give extra protection to both bikes. The Anti-wobble system makes sure that there is no slack between the bike rack and its receiver. There is a rear reflector on the rack that increases visibility during nights and reduces the risk of accidents and car crashes.
Even when the bikes are loaded, you can drop the rack and access your vehicle’s rear. You can fold the hook arms and centre post using a button when bikes are not loaded to access your vehicle’s back. The rack can be folded while attached to your vehicle to save space while parking. This is a perfect compact bike rack
Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack
The Deluxe 1-bike car rack by Tyger Auto is compatible with most SUVs, sedans, hatchbacks, etc., but you cannot install it on a vehicle with rear spoilers. When you get the package delivered, you will see that the bike rack is already 100% assembled. You just have to adjust the parts and install the rack on your vehicle. You get an instruction manual that will help you set up the bike rack within minutes of opening the delivery package.
The rack can hold a maximum of 1 bike or 55 lbs, and its sturdy and durable design ensures proper safety of your bicycle. The soft cradles use ratchet buckles to make sure the frame of your bike does not get damaged while driving. The rack features rust-resistant OE black E-coating. Durable and strong rubber bumpers help reduce damage or paint loss whenever the rack frame touches your vehicle’s surface.
The lower frame of the rack is padded and ensures your bike does not touch your car and damage its body while it is loaded on the rack. You get a safety strap in the delivery package, and it is important to install the strap on your rack. It provides extra security to your bikes by minimizing rattling and gives lateral stability while driving at high speed or on difficult roads. If you’re looking for a compact bike rack, this is perfect, as it does not require a hitch to mount, it can be simply assembled on the back of the vehicle.
Additionally, it packs down tight and does not take much space to store.
This Tyger Auto bike rack comes with a lifetime warranty, but it is limited to the use of safety straps. If you do not use the straps and something happens while driving, it will not come under the company’s warranty.
Deluxe Black 1-Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack.
IKURAM’s strong and rigid 100% steel made hitch bike rack can carry 2 bikes, up to 84 lbs, on your vehicle, but it is only compatible with Class 3 and 4 2” hitch receivers. The strong all-steel rack comes with a powdered protective paint finish that makes it durable and long-lasting. The rack comes assembled in the box, and you can install it on your vehicle easily using just three bolts.
The rack has padded cradles fitted with loop straps and hooks so that your bike does not get damaged. You can use the double-down design to swing down the rack and access your vehicle’s rear conveniently. The rack arm can also be folded easily for storage and transport when you are not using it. The rubber straps are UV resistant and compatible with various bike and tube sizes.
The backward swing down technology allows you to push down the rack even when it is loaded and pops into position simply through locking pins. The tie-down cradles can be adjusted according to the size and shape of your bike. The cradles also have a soft bed to provide extra protection and security to your bike while driving. This rack also packs right down to a tight compact finish that is easy to store and assemble when needed.
With the rack’s purchase, you will get a free anti-rattle hitch tightener to solidify your IKURAM bike rack even more. It helps prevent wobbling, jerking, banging, etc., caused by faulty receivers and provides a smooth driving experience while carrying your bikes. This heavy-duty bike rack comes with a lifetime warranty by IKURAM.
Our final thoughts on compact racks
Compact bike racks come in many different shapes and sizes. Whether you are after a compact hitch rack, trunk mounted rack or roof rack. We have covered the 5 best compact car bike racks which you can get for your vehicle. Consider your needs and budget and get a bike rack that does the job for you for a long time.