Bike Rack Buying Guide

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How to Choose the Right Bike Rack

A bike rack is one of the easiest ways to bring your bikes along for road trips, trails, or everyday rides without sacrificing interior space. PartsVia offers a wide range of options so choosing the right one comes down to your vehicle, how many bikes you carry, and how often you use it.

Ask yourself:

Do you have a hitch, roof rails, or neither?
How many bikes do you need to carry?
Are you transporting standard bikes or heavier e-bikes?
Do you want easy loading at waist height, or are you okay lifting bikes onto the roof?
Do you need to access your trunk or tailgate?
Is security important?

Popular Bike Racks

Hitch-Mounted

Attach directly to a vehicle’s hitch receiver and carry bikes at the rear.
Pros: Most stable option, easy to load, supports heavier bikes, minimal lifting.
Cons: Requires a hitch, higher cost, adds length to vehicle.
Best for: Frequent riders, heavier bikes, and convenience.
Roof-Mounted Bike Racks

Mount to roof crossbars and carry bikes overhead.
Pros: Keeps rear access clear, versatile, works without a hitch
Cons: Requires lifting bikes overhead, affects fuel economy, height clearance issues
Best for: Sedans, smaller SUVs, and keeping hitch free
Trunk/Hatch Mounted Bike Racks

Strap onto the trunk or hatch using hooks and straps.
Pros: Most affordable, no hitch required, easy to install and remove.
Cons: Less secure, limited capacity, can block trunk access.
Best for: Occasional use and budget-friendly transport.
Platform (Tray-Style) Hitch Racks

Bikes sit on trays and are secured by the wheels instead of the frame.
Pros: Very stable, fits all bike types, no frame contact, easy loading
Cons: More expensive, heavier, usually carries fewer bikes
Best for: E-bikes, mountain bikes, and protecting bike frames