The 9 Best Car Bike Racks to Buy in 2016

Keep your bike secure while driving on the road
Driving a bike to the starting line, trailhead, or park is a hassle without the right bike rack. The latest generation of racks are engineered to make moving your bike a cinch—you just need to pick the right one for your cycling lifestyle. If you’re also the type to haul skis, kayaks and/or surfboards, invest in a roof rack crossbar system enabling multiple carry options. If you’re looking for an easy-load bike rack that fits up to four bikes, new hitch racks insert into Class II hitches for simple and safe rear carry. If you have a sedan and carry bikes infrequently, a trunk rack is a simple solution; those with spare tires on their rear can even attach a rack to that. Think about how frequently you’ll be transporting bikes and what types of bikes you’ll be hauling, and be sure to measure your vehicle’s roof, rear, and clearance so you can find a rack that fits your ride.

Best Do-It-All Roof Rack: Yakima HighRoller 
Yakima’s flagship roof rack is strong and versatile enough to carry just about any bike in your garage, from the full-suspension downhill ride to the carbon-fiber road rig, to Junior’s first mountain bike. Best of all, the rack holds your bike by its front tire, not the frame, so there’s no need to take it off for transport, as well as no risk of damage to your frame or paint job. The HighRoller’s burly front wheel tray firmly grips wheel sizes 20 to 29 inches and up to 3 inches wide. It also slides so you can position the rear wheel for lockdown and it’s designed to work around disc brakes, thru axles and suspension systems. The integrated cable lock will keep your bike safe on the pre-ride coffee stop, but you’ll have to buy the actual lock core separately. The HighRoller requires a roof rack, and it fits Yakima’s round and square crossbars and is compatible with factory rack crossbars when you add Universal MightyMounts. Read More