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What is the Best Bicycle Carrier of 2024? Check out the Top 5!
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Time to read 13 min
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Time to read 13 min
Welcome to our blog about the best bike racks! Whether you’re an avid cyclist who loves exploring new routes or planning an adventurous family day out, finding the right bike rack is essential for transporting your bikes safely and easily. In this blog, we share in-depth reviews, helpful tips, and handy buying guides to help you choose the perfect bike rack for your needs, vehicle type, and budget. Discover the latest models, innovative features, and important considerations so you can enjoy your next cycling adventure with confidence. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced cyclist, we’ve got all the information you need to find the best car bike rack for you and get you out on the road!
Below we have listed our top 5 best bike carriers for you. Further in the blog we will explain them further with a short explanation and give 3 advantages and 1 disadvantage per bike carrier.
1. Thule Easyfold 931 - Best bike carrier 2024
2. Pro User Diamant - Best bike carrier for electric bicycles / e-bikes
3. Thule EasyFold XT 3 934 - Best bike carrier for 3 bikes
4. Uebler X21 s - Best bike carrier tow bar
5. Thule FreeRid - Best Rooftop Bike Rack
The Thule bike carrier EasyFold 931 is a user-friendly and compact bike carrier for the car. With just 2 simple steps it is easy to mount on the tow bar. The detachable frame holders offer flexibility when securing your bikes, while the AcuTight knobs with torque limiter ensure a safe and secure attachment. With a load capacity of 2x30 kg it is suitable for E-bikes and Speed pedelecs.
✅ Compact and foldable bike carrier: The bike carrier is easy to store and take with you in, for example, the caravan. This is especially useful for people who often travel with their bikes.
✅ The bike carrier is tiltable: This user-friendly bike carrier is tiltable by means of a foot pedal, so that the trunk remains easily accessible, even when the bikes are mounted on the carrier. This is useful for people who often go on the road with a lot of luggage.
✅ The bike carrier is equipped with AcuTight knobs with torque limiter : so that the bikes can be secured safely and securely without damaging the frame. This is important to keep the bikes in good condition during transport.
❌ May appear unstable: The bike carrier has a folding function, making it easy to transport. However, it may appear unstable over bumps in the places where it can be folded.
The Pro User Diamant is a robust bike carrier made of steel and aluminum, with an impressive load capacity of 60 kg, making it perfect for electric bikes and suitable for various bike models such as city bikes, children's bikes, racing bikes and mountain bikes. The frame clamps ensure that the bikes remain firmly on the carrier, while the 7 and 13-pin plug connections offer compatibility with almost all towbars.
✅ Suitable for wide tires: The Pro User Diamant bicycle carrier is suitable for bicycle tires with a maximum width of 5 cm and for frame sizes from 0 to 80 mm and can be used with a ramp (available as an option).
✅ Strength and stability: The bike carrier is made of steel and aluminum and is equipped with frame clamps. This keeps all bikes firmly on the carrier, even when riding on bumpy roads and also makes it suitable for e-bikes and other heavy bikes.
✅ Tilting bike carrier: The Pro User diamond bike carrier has a tilting function, so the trunk is still accessible. Even when the bikes are already on the bike carrier.
❌ Can be considered heavy: The bike carrier weighs more than other bike carriers on the market. Although the bike carrier has a maximum load capacity of 60 kg, the carrier itself weighs 20 kilograms. This can cause hindrance when mounting.
The Thule EasyFold XT 934 Black is a fully foldable and compact bike carrier that is suitable for transporting 3 bikes. The load capacity of the Thule bike carrier is 60 kg and makes this bike carrier very suitable for e-bikes, but other types of bikes also fit perfectly.
The bike carrier is easy to use and mount on the tow bar. The bikes are secured with detachable black frame adapters that are equipped with a torque limiter so you know the bikes are safely secured.
✅ Unique look: The Thule EasyFold XT 934 Black has a unique look thanks to the black details on the frame and the detachable frame adapter.
✅ Supplied with extras: The bicycle carrier is supplied extra complete with a storage bag and rim protectors for extra protection of the bicycles during transport.
✅ Suitable for 3 bicycles: The Thule EasyFold XT 934 Black is suitable for transporting 3 bicycles and has a load capacity of 60 kg, making it very suitable for e-bikes.
❌ More expensive than regular model: The only disadvantage that could be mentioned is that the Thule EasyFold XT 934 Black is more expensive than the regular Thule EasyFold XT 934 because of the extras such as the storage bag and rim protectors.
The Twinny Load e-Carrier II can be quickly mounted on the tow bar by means of the Swing coupling. The Twinny Load e-Carrier II can transport 2 (two) electric bicycles.
✅ Tiltable: The bicycle carrier can be tilted manually
✅ Lighting : The bicycle carrier has lighting (5-function), with a 13-pin plug
✅Quantity: You can place 2 (electric) bicycles on this bicycle carrier
❌ Please note: The maximum load is 59 kg. This allows you to transport 2 (2) electric bicycles WITHOUT battery or 1 electric bicycle WITH battery.
The Thule FreeRide 532 Roof Bike Carrier is a high-quality solution for safely transporting your bike. Designed for mounting on the roof of your car, this bike carrier offers a stable and reliable way to take your bike with you on your travels.
The Thule FreeRide 532 is equipped with a sturdy frame holder and a wheel holder with quick-release straps, which ensures a safe and stable attachment of the bike. The frame holder fits most bike frames, making this carrier a versatile choice.
✅ Firm attachment : The firm attachment ensures a safe and stable hold of the bike while riding. This means you can assume that the bike will remain safely and firmly attached
✅ Easy Installation: Easy to assemble and use, saving time and effort. You can also disassemble the bike carrier at your destination and store it in your trunk, for example.
✅ Compact and Lightweight : Finally, the bike carrier is convenient to use and store, and minimally affects the driving performance of the car. This means you will hardly notice the bike on top of your car and even in a strong wind your driving performance will be limited to a minimum.
❌ Load Capacity Limitation: Suitable for one bike, which can be a limitation for people who want to transport multiple bikes. Still, this is ideal if you want to quickly take your bike somewhere.
View the 10 best-selling bicycle carriers on bol.com here
Bike carriers are very handy when you are going on holiday and you want to take your bikes with you. They ensure that your bikes are securely fastened on top of and behind your car, so that they arrive safely at your final destination. Another handy tool to make your journey safe is by means of a phone holder!
A phone holder ensures that you can always easily continue to operate your phone on the road. This allows you to continue to follow and operate your navigation, answer phone calls and continue to choose music, all without a fine! R2B offers an extensive range of phone holders, so that you can experience your journey even more easily. Also view all phone holders from R2B Store.
Want to know more about this topic? The experts at R2B Store will be happy to help you. Also discover the bicycle accessories . This way you will be well prepared on your way.
To determine which bicycle carrier best suits the type of car, there are a number of factors you need to take into account:
Towbar: Check if your car is equipped with a towbar. If so, you can generally opt for a towbar-mounted bike carrier, which is considered one of the most stable and secure options.
Roof rails: If your car has roof rails, you can opt for a roof-mounted bike carrier. Make sure your roof rails are suitable for mounting a bike carrier and check the maximum load capacity of the roof rails.
Tailgate: Some cars offer the possibility to mount a bike rack on the tailgate. This can be a useful option if you do not have a tow bar or roof rails. Make sure that the tailgate of your car is suitable for mounting a bike rack and check the maximum load capacity.
Vehicle Type: Different bike carriers may have specific compatibility with certain vehicle types. Check that the bike carrier is suitable for your specific car type, such as hatchback, station wagon, SUV, etc.
Load capacity: Check the maximum load capacity of both the bike carrier and your car. Make sure that the total weight of the bikes does not exceed the load capacity of either the bike carrier or your car.
If in doubt, it is advisable to consult your car manual or contact the manufacturer or a specialist bike carrier seller. They can help you select the most suitable bike carrier for your car.
Yes, there can be a difference between a bike carrier for electric bikes and normal bikes. The main difference has to do with the maximum load capacity and the stability of the bike carrier.
An electric bike generally weighs more than a regular bike because of the electrical components, such as the engine and battery. Therefore, bike carriers that are specifically designed for e-bikes usually have a higher load capacity to be able to carry the extra weight of the heavy e-bikes. For example, the load capacity of a sturdy bike carrier for e-bikes can vary from 40 kg to 60 kg, while a bike carrier for regular bikes often has a lower load capacity, for example 30 kg.
In addition, it is important that the bicycle carrier for the e-bike is stable enough to withstand the extra weight and vibrations of an electric bicycle while riding. E-bikes often have a higher center of gravity because of the battery, so it is very important that the bicycle carrier is sturdy and stable to minimize the risk of the bicycles rocking and wobbling while riding.
Therefore, when choosing a safe bike carrier specifically for e-bikes, it is advisable to look for models that are suitable for the weight and stability of e-bikes. These bike carriers are specially designed to meet the specific needs and safety requirements of an e-bike. Always consult the specifications and recommendations of the manufacturer to ensure that the bike carrier is suitable for your type of bikes, whether they are e-bikes or normal bikes.
When purchasing a bicycle carrier, there are several important aspects to consider:
Compatibility: Make sure the bike carrier is compatible with your car type. Check if you have a towbar, roof rails or a suitable tailgate to mount the bike carrier on.
Load capacity: Check the maximum load capacity of both the bike carrier and your car. Make sure the bike carrier can carry enough weight to transport your bikes safely. Electric bikes can be a lot heavier than a normal bike. So it's important to choose a sturdy bike carrier.
Mounting System: Look at the bike rack’s mounting system and determine if it’s right for your needs. Towbar-mounted racks generally offer more stability, while roof-mounted racks leave more cargo space.
Security: Check whether the bicycle carrier has security measures such as locks or locking systems to protect your bicycles against theft.
Accessibility: Consider whether you still want to be able to access your trunk while the bike rack is installed. Some racks have a tilt function that allows you to open the trunk without having to remove the bikes.
Ease of installation and storage: Look at the installation procedure of the bike rack and determine if it is simple and easy to use. Also consider how easy the bike rack is to fold or store when not in use.
Bike protection: Check that the bike carrier offers suitable protection to prevent damage to your bikes, such as rubber or foam holders to prevent scratches.
Brand and quality: Choose a reputable brand and check reviews and experiences from other users to assess the quality and durability of the bike carrier.
Warranty: Check whether the bike carrier comes with a warranty and customer service to address any potential issues or defects.
By paying attention to these aspects, you can make an informed decision when purchasing a bike rack that meets your needs and transports your bikes safely and easily.
Fitting a new bike rack can vary depending on the type of bike rack and the specific model. However, here is a general guide to fitting a bike rack to a car’s tow bar:
Check that your car's towbar is suitable for the type of bike carrier you have. Make sure the towbar has the correct rating and dimensions to support the bike carrier.
Place the bike carrier behind the car so that the carrier's attachment points are above the tow bar. Make sure that the carrier rests firmly on the tow bar.
Check if there is a locking mechanism on the bike carrier. This can be a bolt, lever or pin, depending on the specific model. Make sure that this mechanism is correctly positioned and locked to keep the bike carrier in place.
If necessary, connect the electrical connections of the bike carrier to the connections of the car. This can be a 7-pin or 13-pin plug, depending on the vehicle and bike carrier. Make sure that the lights are working properly and are connected correctly.
Place the bikes on the bike carrier. Use the supplied frame clamps, straps or other attachment mechanisms to secure the bikes to the carrier. Make sure the bikes are well balanced and do not wobble while riding. Also determine in advance whether the bike carrier is large enough for the bike to fit on the bike carrier.
Check again that the bike carrier is firmly on the tow bar and that the bikes are properly secured. Give the bike carrier a gentle push to check for any play or loose parts.
Before you ride, check that the bike carrier lights are working properly. Also check regularly during the ride that everything is still firmly attached.
Please note that these steps are a general guideline only and specific instructions may vary depending on the make and model of bike carrier. It is always advisable to consult the manufacturer's manual for detailed instructions specific to your bike carrier.
For bikes like e-bikes or bikes with a higher weight, it is important to choose a bike carrier that offers sufficient load capacity and stability. Here are two types of bike carriers that can be suitable for heavier bikes:
Towbar bike carriers with high load capacity: Towbar bike carriers are generally considered the most stable option for transporting bikes with a heavier weight. There are specific models available that have a high load capacity, usually between 60 kg and 75 kg. These bike carriers often have a sturdy frame and robust attachments to safely carry the weight of the bikes. Make sure you check the specifications of the bike carrier to see if it is suitable for the weight of your bike(s).
Platform bike racks: Platform bike racks provide individual platforms for each bike to rest on, rather than hanging them from the frame. This provides stable and secure support, especially for heavier bikes. These racks often have a high load capacity and can carry bikes weighing up to 30 kg per bike. They also often have wider wheel trays to comfortably carry wider tires and e-bikes.
When choosing a bike carrier that carries bikes with a high weight, it is important to look not only at the load capacity, but also at the stability and attachment mechanisms. Make sure that the bike carrier is sturdy, can be secured to the tow bar and that the attachment points are suitable for these bikes.
