The 6 Best Bike Racks of 2023
By: Colin Edwards: Bike Buyer | June 09, 2023
Hitting the trails on your bike is a thrilling experience, but unless you live right next to them, you'll need a reliable car bike rack to transport your two-wheeler from home to your favorite riding spots. Choosing the perfect bike rack can be a daunting task, with options like roof racks, hitch-mounted racks, and tailgate pads catering to various preferences and vehicle types. Regardless of your choice, it's crucial to find a durable, easy-to-use rack that secures your bike during transit.
New This Year:
As we head into 2023, the bike rack landscape continues to evolve. Tray-style racks now offer increased weight limits to accommodate the growing popularity of e-bikes, while trunk-style and roof racks provide affordable options for budget-conscious riders. This year's best bike racks boast a range of innovative designs and secure holding methods, ensuring your precious ride stays safe, whether you're cruising on the freeway or navigating bumpy shuttle roads. Our curated list of the best bike racks for 2023 highlights each rack's unique features, strengths, and weaknesses to help you make the right choice for your biking adventures. So gear up, load your bike, and set off for an exhilarating ride!
This Year's Best Bike Racks:
Thule T2 Pro X - 2 Bike Platform
Hitch racks always work, and the Thule T2 Pro X - 2 Bike Platform Hitch Bike Rack is one of the best we've seen. Whether you're loading it up with a couple of big mountain bikes, carrying a carbon fiber road bike, or heading to the campground with kids' bikes, you'll always know you have no problem with compatibility. Thule's got it dialed with easy installation, large weight capacity, heavy durability, and the best tilt-access mechanism in the business. You'll never need to lift a bike over your shoulders again!
| Capacity | Style | Original Price |
| 2 Bikes | Hitch Rack | $649.95 |
Yakima HighSpeed
When you're in a hurry to hit the trail, lock and load your bike with the Yakima HighSpeed Bike Rack and hit the road. This fork mount rack system allows for a strong hold on a variety of different bikes. Able to hold up to a 5" wide wheels and both quick release and thru axles, this rack will quickly become your go to system.
| Capacity | Style | Original Price |
| 1 Bike | Roof Tray | $289.00 |
Thule UpRide
The Thule UpRide Bike Rack was designed to quickly and easily secure your two wheeled stallion to the roof of your car without requiring any frame contact. Because of this slick design, the UpRide Bike Rack is perfect for those with carbon frames, and the versatile securing system is built to accommodate almost any non-traditional frame design. Don't let the A to B process keep you from riding, pick up the Thule Upride Bike Rack and take the hassle out of bike transportation.
| Capacity | Style | Original Price |
| 44 lbs | Roof Tray | $299.95 |
Yakima ForkLift™
Worried your crossbar won't fit on a fork bike mount? Well, stop worrying and check out the Yakima ForkLift™ Bike Rack! The ForkLift™ is Yakima's first ever fork bike mount that fits factory crossbars right out of the box. If a fork bike mount is what you're looking for then stop your search now because you've come across the perfect match, the Yakima ForkLift™ Bike Rack.
| Capacity | Style | Original Price |
| 1 Bike | Roof Tray | $178.95 |
Thule OutWay
The Thule OutWay Hanging 3 Bike Rack is a great example of how versatile and easy trunk racks can be, with an easy and solid setup that takes mere minutes. This rack fits hatchbacks, sedans, and even (ALERT!) cars with spoilers, easily stowing away for the next time you need it. Trunk racks are a light, strong, and simple way to get your bikes from one spot to another.
| Capacity | Style | Original Price |
| 3 Bike | Trunk Bike Rack | $429.95 |
Küat Transfer V2 - 2"
Get it while the gettin' is good with a little help from the Küat Transfer V2 2-Bike Rack. This user-friendly bike rack offers a semi-integrated cable lock and tough steel construction for nonstop abuse. Upgraded with a more robust hitch for stability in tow, as well as top notch components that fit a variety of bikes.
| Capacity | Style | Original Price |
| 2 bikes | Hitch Rack | $449.00 |
Learn More With Our Other Bike Guides:
How to Choose a Mountain Bike
Mountain Bike Sizing and Fit Guide
How to Get Started Mountain Biking
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Wheel Size
Mountain Bike Suspension Basics
Women's Mountain Bike Buyer's Guide
How To Get Started Gravel Biking
Electric Mountain Bike Buyer's Guide
Classes of eBikes
Travel Guides - Where to Mountain Bike
Travel Guides - Where to Ride eBikes
Mountain Bike Cockpit Setup & Seat Height
How to Choose a Mountain Bike Dropper Post
How to Choose Mountain Bike Tires
How to Choose Mountain Bike Handlebars
How to Choose Mountain Bike Pedals
How to Choose Clipless Pedals, Shoes & Cleats
How to Choose a Bike Seat / Saddle
Women's Mountain Bike Gear & Clothing Guide
How to Choose MTB Knee Pads
Bike Helmet Size & Fit Guide
How to Choose Bike Shoes
Shimano Groupset Hierarchy Explained
SRAM Groupset Hierarchy Explained
SRAM vs Shimano Groupsets Compared
What to Bring Mountain Biking
What to Wear Mountain Biking
Mountain Bike Tire Pressure Guide
Mountain Bike Maintenance Schedule
How to Clean a Mountain Bike
How to Change Bike Pedals
How to Bleed SRAM Brakes
How to Bleed Shimano Brakes
How to Convert to Tubeless Tires
How to Replace Internal Cable Housing
How to Adjust Your Rear Derailleur
How to Replace a Bike Chain
How to Fix Bike Creaks & Noises
The Selection Process:
Our bike buyer has an endless amount of knowledge on all things bike stemming from years of experience in the bike industry in tandem with their countless hours out on the dirt, gravel, and tarmac. evo's buyers assess all products coming to market, lean into this knowledge, and put together this selection of the best products. They have a unique perspective as they truly see everything offered across the category.
Colin Edwards
Meet Colin Edwards, evo's in-house Bike Buyer and mountain biking aficionado. With 15+ years of e-commerce buying experience under his belt, Colin is the go-to guy for all things related to "Riding Dirt." He's worked across various categories, including bike, snowboard, travel, climbing, and surfing, giving him the know-how to recognize and select top-notch mountain biking products for evo's customers.
Colin's been shredding trails since he was a kid, starting on his trusty hardtail Trek 800 Sport. Born and raised in Utah, he recently made the move to Bellingham, WA with his partner, Kenz. Colin's real-world biking experience, combined with his background in product trends, relationship building, and sales analysis, makes him an invaluable asset to the evo team.
When he's not busy handpicking the raddest gear, you'll find Colin ripping through PNW trails or hunting for the world's best dirt. And when the snow falls, he's all about snowboarding. Colin also loves trail running and exploring the PNW's stunning landscape with his two dogs and Kenz.
With Colin's expertise and passion fueling evo's mountain biking selection, you can trust that his recommendations are spot-on and tailored to the evo community's adventurous spirit.
