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Thule and Yakima Bike Rack Information

In order to make the best Bike Rack purchase it is important to be aware of a few key points from the get go. Learning about the many options you have at your fingertips will ensure you buy a bike rack that will suit your individual taste and one that will last you a lifetime. The best way to get started, establish where you want to carry your bikes - on top of your vehicle (roof mount) or behind it (rear mount).

Bike Rack Information

Roof Mount Bike Racks are further categorized in to the means in which they attach to your bicycle. Fork Mount Bike Racks grip securely to the front forks of your bike after you have removed the front wheel. Frame Mount Bike Racks instead grab on to your bike's down tube, and do not require you to remove the front wheel. Finally, Tire Mount Bike Racks are the most versatile as they grab on to your bike's front wheel and are not influenced by bike sizes or disc brakes. If you happen to own a Recumbent Style Bike both Thule and Yakima make a specialty roof mount option as well. All roof mount bike racks can be locked with the purchase of an additional lock cylinder or a cable lock.

Rear Mount Bike Racks are also categorized in to different styles, but not how they hold on to the bicycle instead where they attach to your vehicle. Hitch Mount Bike Racks will allow you to carry from one to five bicycles depending on the class of receiver hitch you have installed on your vehicle. Trunk Mount Bike Racks will allow you to carry from one to three bikes and are attached to your vehicle with straps. Spare Tire Bike Racks carry from one to two bikes and mount to your vehicle by attaching to the rear spare tire if your vehicle happens to have one. Finally, Truck Bed Bike Racks allow you to carry your bicycles in the back of your truck without sacrificing the reasons you got a truck in the first place.

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Roof Mount Bike Rack Information

Roof Mount Bike Racks REQUIRE that your vehicle has a pre-existing rack system already in place either factory installed or, if your vehicle's roof is bare, one of our multipurpose base rack systems. To see what multipurpose base rack system options are available for your vehicle, check one of our Automated Roof Rack Fit Guides. Roof mount bike racks offer optimal flexibility by allowing you to easily mount to your vehicle's pre-existing factory crossbars or a multipurpose base rack system. They are great for maintaining access to your trunk or hatch, carrying more than one bike, and they allow you to utilize your roof space - you will be able to carry multiple accessories at the same time. With most roof mounted carriers you can fit 4 bikes by alternating the direction the bikes are facing (one bike forward, one bike backward, etc.). If you need more cargo room, you can mount a narrow cargo box on your roof rack and still have room for a bike or two. You have three main carrying options within the roof mount category: fork mount, frame mount, and tire mount. There are also now hybrid styles available giving you the best of each option.

Some important considerations:

  • Check that your vehicle has an existing rack, or that it has a compatible multipurpose base rack option
  • A roof mount bike rack makes your vehicle twice as tall, be careful in garage and underground parking situations
  • Different bike capacities require different crossbar lengths, larger loads require wider bars

Featured Roof Mount Bike Rack Options

Yakima HighRoller - Yakima Roof Mount Bike Racks

Yakima HighRoller
Code : 202091

Web Price : $179.00

       
 
Yakima SprocketRocket - Yakima Roof Mount Bike Racks

Yakima SprocketRocket
Code : 202090

Web Price : $169.00

         
Thule 594 Sidearm - Thule Roof Mount Upright Bike Rack

Thule 594 Sidearm
Code : 100594

Web Price : $152.95
MSRP : $169.95 (-10%)

       
 

View Yakima Roof Mount Bike Racks OR View Thule Roof Mount Bike Racks

Hitch Mount Bike Rack Information

Hitch Mount Bike Racks slide directly in to both 2 inch and 1.25 inch receiver hitches while offering similar performance to that of the roof rack options without the challenge of lifting your bike or bikes overhead. Hitch Mount Bike Racks are ideal for vehicles that already have a receiver hitch installed and allow you to access your bicycle(s) at a low level. Easy to install, easy to remove, and they can carry up to five bikes safely at a time. Hitch Mount Bike Racks drastically reduce wind resistance and most models can be adapted to become a ski and snowboard carrier for the off-season. Within the hitch mount bicycle rack category you have two carrying options, extending this categories already well covered versatility.

Post Style or Frame Mount carriers utilize arms and straps to securely wrap around various parts of your bike frame. Post Style Carriers allow you to carry between one and five bicycles depending on the size and weight rating of your receiver hitch. Some of the higher end models also swing out of the way providing you with complete rear of vehicle access, as well they have fold down arms to stow the rack away when it is not in use.

Thule 964 Revolver - Thule Hitch Mount Bike Racks

Thule 964 Revolver
Code : 100964

Web Price : $413.95
MSRP : $459.95 (-10%)

       
 
Thule 954 Ridgeline - Thule Hitch Mount Bike Racks

Thule 954 Ridgeline
Code : 100954

Web Price : $323.95
MSRP : $359.95 (-10%)

Not Yet Rated
Yakima SwingDaddy - Yakima Hitch Mount Bike Racks

Yakima SwingDaddy
Code : 202422

Web Price : $460.00

       
 

Platform Style carriers act as a roof mount bike rack with the ease of access of being behind your vehicle. Platform Style Bike Racks can transport between one and four bicycles (with the addition of a rack extension) regardless of the frame design, suspension, or wheel size. Some Platform Style Bike Carriers will tilt down to provide easier rear of vehicle access, as well as fold up for when they are not in use.

Yakima StickUp - Yakima Hitch Mount Bike Racks

Yakima StickUp
Code : 202420

Web Price : $280.00

         
Thule 990 Doubletrack - Thule Hitch Mount Bike Racks

Thule 990 Doubletrack
Code : 100990

Web Price : $269.95
MSRP : $299.95 (-10%)

         
Thule 916 T2 Bike Hitch 2 Inch - Thule Hitch Mount Bike Racks

Web Price : $359.95
MSRP : $399.95 (-10%)

       
 

View Yakima Hitch Mount Bike Racks and View Thule Hitch Mount Bike Racks

Trunk Mount Bike Rack Information

Trunk Mount Bike Racks hold between one and three bikes and attach to the rear of your vehicle with a series of straps, which if installed correctly are quite safe and will inflict no damage on your vehicle's finish. A benefit to the trunk mounts is that they fit a wide range of vehicles, so if you are thinking you may be buying a new car or changing vehicles in the near future, then a trunk mount bike rack may be for you. Some vehicles have a spoiler mounted on the trunk or back hatch, so be wary as the spoiler may interfere with the recommended mounting point on the vehicle. To add security to a trunk rack, pass a cable lock through the bikes and the vehicle's towing loop. Also to note, since some women's bikes do not have a horizontal cross tube to attach to, you might require a frame adapter or artificial cross tube. Most carriers can be left on when the trunk is opened, however the bikes must be removed to avoid damage and injury, therefore it is not a good idea to use a strap on carrier that has straps below the bumper as you will have to take all of that off before opening your trunk.

Featured Trunk Mount Bike Rack Options

Thule 962xt Speedway 3 Bike - Thule Trunk Mount Bike Racks

Thule 962xt Speedway 3 Bike
Code : 100962xt

Web Price : $134.95
MSRP : $149.95 (-10%)

Not Yet Rated
Yakima King Joe 3 - Yakima Trunk Mount Bike Racks

Yakima King Joe 3
Code : 202620

Web Price : $155.00

Not Yet Rated
Yakima Super Joe 3 - Yakima Trunk Mount Bike Racks

Yakima Super Joe 3
Code : 202614

Web Price : $115.00

Not Yet Rated

View Yakima Trunk Mount Bike Racks or View Thule Trunk Mount Bike Racks

Spare Tire Mount Bike Rack Information

Just as the title suggests, Spare Tire Mount Bike Racks mount onto the spare tire, either by using specially fitted mounting plates that assure a secure attachment or by strapping to the actual spare tire itself. The arms on Spare Tire Mount Bike Racks typically fold down for when the rack is not in use, better yet they are easy to take off and small to store away. These carriers will hold between one and two bicycles and will adapt to off-center spare tires.

Featured Spare Tire Mount Bike Rack Options

Thule 963 Spare Me Bike Rack - Thule Spare Tire Mount Bike Racks

Web Price : $152.95
MSRP : $169.95 (-10%)

       
 
Yakima Spare Joe - Yakima Spare Tire Mount Bike Racks

Yakima Spare Joe
Code : 202618

Web Price : $130.00

Not Yet Rated

View Yakima Spare Tire Mount Bike Racks or View Thule Spare Tire Mount Bike Racks

Truck Bed Bike Rack Information

Truck Bed Bike Racks are super fast, super stable, and super easy to load. They are a great solution if your truck cab roof will not accommodate a top-of-vehicle solution. The limit on the bikes you can carry depends on the size of your truck's box. Truck Bed Bike Racks allow easy access to the tailgate of your vehicle and allow you to simultaneously carry multiple types of gear.

Featured Truck Bed Bike Rack Options

Thule 501 Insta-Gater - Thule Truck Bed Bike Racks

Thule 501 Insta-Gater
Code : 100501

Web Price : $116.95
MSRP : $129.95 (-10%)

Not Yet Rated
Thule 822 Bed Rider - Thule Truck Bed Bike Racks

Thule 822 Bed Rider
Code : 100822

Web Price : $152.95
MSRP : $169.95 (-10%)

Not Yet Rated
Yakima Beddy Jo - Yakima Truck Bed Bike Racks

Yakima Beddy Jo
Code : 201116

Web Price : $135.00

Not Yet Rated

View Yakima Truck Bed Bike Racks or View Thule Truck Bed Bike Racks