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5 Best Bike Racks, Tested by Our Experts

Our evaluations determined which racks are easy to load, and keep bikes safe and secure during transport

By Mike Monticello
Manager, Road Test & Reviews

Updated by Quentyn Kennemer

Updated November 16, 2025

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Loading a platform bike rack from Thule with bikes — The Thule EasyFold XT rack makes it easy to load heavy bikes.

Just as with bicycles, the landscape for bike racks has changed considerably in recent years. There are now many choices available in roof-, trunk-, and hitch-mounted racks, with models spanning from low-priced to premium. With myriad options, it can be challenging to pick one that’s right for your bike, vehicle, and budget.

That’s why we enlisted several cycling enthusiasts at the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center to test and evaluate several bike rack models that we purchased. We researched the market, spoke to riders and bike-store owners, and looked at information from major retailers and industry analysts.

In this article

Best Bike Racks: Allen Sports 4Bike Deluxe Bell Right Up Küat NV 2.0 Thule Easy Fold XT2 Yakima FullSwing

Check out CR’s review of the best bike locks to protect your conventional or electric bike.

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We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.