Bike Racks
Bike Racks & Bike Carriers: Hitch, Roof & Truck Bed Mounts
We carry bike racks from Kuat, Thule, Front Runner, Rhino-Rack, and RCI for transporting road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, fat bikes, and e-bikes on your vehicle. Our lineup covers all three mounting types: hitch mounted racks that slide into your receiver, roof mounted racks that bolt to your crossbars, and truck bed mount bike carriers that attach to your bed rack. Whether you need a platform hitch rack for two bikes, a roof bike rack for your crossbar setup, a 4 bike rack for the whole family, or a heavy duty e-bike rack that can handle heavier e-bikes, you will find the right bike carrier here. Every rack ships free.
📞 Need help choosing? Call us at 844-200-3979. Tell us how many bikes you carry, what type they are (road, mountain, e-bike), and how your vehicle is set up (hitch receiver, roof rack, bed rack). We will match you with the right bike rack.
Featured Bike Racks
RCI Bed Rack Bike Mount
Price: $159.00
Type: Fork mount for bed rack
Fits: RCI bed racks and compatible crossbars
The most affordable bike carrier we sell. This RCI fork mount bolts directly to an RCI bed rack or compatible crossbar and holds your bike by the front fork after removing the front wheel. If you already run an RCI bed rack on your truck, this is the simplest way to add a bike rack for truck bed use without buying a separate hitch rack. Lightweight, durable, and easy to install with no tools required once the mount is bolted down.
Thule UpRide
Price: $399.95
Type: Roof mounted bike rack | Capacity: 1 bike
Feature: Wheel-on, no frame contact
The Thule UpRide is a roof mounted bike rack that holds your bike upright by the wheels without touching the frame. This is the roof bike rack to choose if you have a carbon frame bike or any bicycle where you want to avoid frame clamps. The UpRide accommodates a wide range of tire sizes and bike styles including road bikes, mountain bikes, and gravel bikes. Mounts to Thule, Yakima, or most aftermarket roof bars and crossbars. Multiple UpRide units can be installed across a single set of crossbars for carrying several bikes.
Rhino-Rack RockyMounts Machten
Price: $399.99
Type: Roof mounted bike rack | Capacity: 1 bike
Feature: Lightweight, tool-free clamp
A collaboration between Rhino-Rack and RockyMounts, the Machten is a lightweight roof mounted bike carrier with a tool-free clamp that secures your bike by the front wheel and fork. Easy loading, secure fit, and compatibility with most roof bars make this a solid alternative to the Thule UpRide. RockyMounts is known for sturdy construction and durable materials that hold up season after season.
Thule T2 Pro XT Add-On
Price: $649.95
Type: Hitch rack add-on | Capacity: +2 bikes
Feature: Extends T2 Pro to carry 4 bikes total
If you already own the Thule T2 Pro XTR hitch rack and need to carry more bikes, this add-on extension doubles your capacity from 2 to 4 bikes. Hitch mounted tray-style racks like the T2 Pro accommodate a wide range of tire widths, supporting tires up to five inches wide for fat bikes. The add-on features the same sliding rear-wheel straps that adjust to different wheelbases for a secure fit regardless of bike size. No frame contact means safe transport for carbon frame bikes.
Thule Apex XT Swing 4
Price: $699.95
Type: Hitch rack | Capacity: 4 bikes
Feature: Swing-away hinge for hatch access
The Thule Apex XT Swing carries 4 bikes on a hanging-style hitch rack with a swing-away hinge that lets you access your vehicle's hatch without unloading the bikes. This is the 4 bike rack for families or groups who need to transport multiple bicycles and still open the rear of their SUV or truck. The support arms hold bikes by the frame, so it works best with standard aluminum frames. If you ride road bikes or standard mountain bikes and need a high-capacity hitch bike rack, the Apex Swing 4 is a practical, durable choice from Thule.
Front Runner Pro Bike Carrier
Price: $779.00
Type: Roof/rack mounted fork carrier
Fits: Front Runner Slimline II and T-slot racks
The Front Runner Pro Bike Carrier is a fork-mount bike carrier designed for Front Runner Slimline II platform racks and any T-slot compatible rack system. If you run a Front Runner rack on your vehicle or canopy, this carrier bolts directly into the T-slot channel. Remove the front wheel, drop the fork into the mount, and strap the rear tire. Built from the same quality materials as all Front Runner accessories. A perfect solution for overlanders who want to carry a bike on the same rack that holds their rooftop tent and cargo.
Kuat NV 2.0 (2 Bike)
Price: $989.00
Type: Platform hitch rack | Capacity: 2 bikes
Feature: Integrated work stand, tool-free install
The Kuat NV 2.0 is a premium 2 bike platform hitch rack with an integrated work stand and repair kit built into the rack. Tray-style design secures bikes by the wheels rather than the frame, making it safe for carbon frame bikes and accommodating a wide range of bike sizes and tire widths. Foot-actuated tilt lever gives you hatch access without unloading. Integrated cable lock deters theft. The Kuat bike rack lineup is known for premium fit, finish, and ease of loading. If you want the best bike rack for two bikes, the NV 2.0 is the one experienced riders choose.
Kuat Piston Ion E-Bike Rack
Price: $1,289.00
Type: Platform hitch rack | Capacity: 2 e-bikes
Weight Capacity: High (built for heavy e-bikes)
E-bikes weigh 40-70 lbs, which is too heavy for most standard bike racks. The Kuat Piston Ion is purpose-built for heavier e-bikes with a high weight capacity, reinforced support arms, and an integrated ramp that eliminates heavy lifting during loading. The Piston series uses Kuat's nearly effortless loading process that grips only the tires, preventing damage to the bike frame. If you ride e-bikes and need a hitch bike rack that can handle the weight without struggling, this is the one. Premium powder-coat finish resists fading and chipping for long-term durability.
Bike Rack Comparison
| Rack | Brand | Mount Type | Bikes | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCI Bike Mount | RCI | Bed rack fork mount | 1 | Truck bed rack owners | $159 |
| Thule UpRide | Thule | Roof mount | 1 | Carbon bikes, roof bar setups | $399.95 |
| RockyMounts Machten | Rhino-Rack | Roof mount | 1 | Lightweight roof carrier | $399.99 |
| Thule T2 Pro Add-On | Thule | Hitch add-on | +2 | Expanding T2 Pro to 4 bikes | $649.95 |
| Thule Apex XT Swing 4 | Thule | Hitch hanging | 4 | Families, swing-away access | $699.95 |
| FR Pro Bike Carrier | Front Runner | Rack fork mount | 1 | Slimline II / T-slot racks | $779 |
| Kuat NV 2.0 | Kuat | Hitch platform | 2 | Premium 2-bike, carbon-safe | $989 |
| Kuat Piston Ion | Kuat | Hitch platform | 2 | Heavy e-bikes | $1,289 |
Types of Bike Racks
Hitch Mounted Racks
Hitch bike racks slide into your vehicle's hitch receiver (1.25" or 2") and carry bikes behind the vehicle. They are the most popular type because they are easy to install, easy to load without heavy lifting, and typically carry 2 to 4 bikes. A platform bike rack for hitch (Kuat NV 2.0, Kuat Piston Ion) holds bikes by the tires on trays, keeping the frame untouched. Hanging hitch racks (Thule Apex Swing 4) hold bikes by the frame on support arms. Experienced riders often prefer hitch mounted platform racks for their stability and protection of expensive bikes. If you ride carbon frame bikes, always choose a tray-style rack that secures by the wheels to avoid frame damage. Many models include a swing-away hinge or folding mechanism for hatch access without unloading, and tool-free installation that lets you mount and remove the rack quickly. Some premium models like the Kuat Piston feature integrated wheels for easy storage and moving the rack when it is off the vehicle. Whether you need a 2 bike rack for couples or a 4 bike rack for the family, a hitch bike rack is the most versatile option.
Roof Mounted Racks
Roof bike racks mount to your crossbars or roof rack and carry bikes on top of the vehicle. The Thule UpRide ($399.95) and Rhino-Rack RockyMounts Machten ($399.99) are both roof mounted options we carry. Roof racks keep the rear of the vehicle clear and allow you to carry multiple bikes across a single set of crossbars. The tradeoff: loading requires lifting the bike to roof height, which can be challenging with heavy bikes or heavier e-bikes. Roof mounted racks are a great choice if you already have roof bars installed and do not have a hitch receiver.
Truck Bed / Rack Mounted
The RCI Bed Rack Bike Mount ($159) and Front Runner Pro Bike Carrier ($779) mount directly to your truck's bed rack or platform roof rack. These fork mount carriers hold the bike by the front fork after removing the front wheel. They are the perfect solution for overlanders who already run a bed rack or Front Runner Slimline II and want to add a bike without buying a separate hitch rack. Truck bike racks keep your hitch receiver free for a trailer or recovery point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which type of bike rack is best?
Hitch mounted platform racks are considered the most secure and easiest to use for vehicle transport. They eliminate heavy lifting, protect the frame by holding bikes by the tires, and accommodate most bike sizes and styles including road bikes, mountain bikes, fat bikes, and e-bikes. If your vehicle has a hitch receiver, a platform hitch rack like the Kuat NV 2.0 or Kuat Piston Ion is the best rack for most riders. If you do not have a hitch, roof mounted racks (Thule UpRide) work with any vehicle that has crossbars.
Can I use a regular bike rack for an e-bike?
Most standard bike racks have a weight capacity of 35-60 lbs per bike, which is not enough for e-bikes that weigh 40-70 lbs. You need a rack specifically designed for heavier e-bikes with reinforced support arms and higher weight capacity. The Kuat Piston Ion ($1,289) is purpose-built for e-bikes with a high weight capacity, integrated loading ramp, and sturdy construction that handles the extra weight safely. Always check the per-bike weight limit before loading an e-bike onto any rack.
Is a bike rack safe for carbon frame bikes?
Carbon frames should use racks that secure by the wheels to avoid frame damage. Tray-style platform racks (Kuat NV 2.0, Thule T2 Pro) and wheel-on roof racks (Thule UpRide) hold the bike by the tires and never clamp the frame. Hanging-style racks that grip the top tube or down tube can crack or damage carbon fiber under pressure. If you ride a carbon bike, always choose a tray-style or wheel-on carrier.
How do I choose between Kuat and Thule bike racks?
Both are excellent brands. Kuat bike racks (NV 2.0, Piston Ion) are premium platform hitch racks known for easy loading, integrated work stands, and premium powder-coat finishes that resist fading. Thule bike racks (UpRide, T2 Pro, Apex Swing) offer a wider range of mounting types (hitch, roof, hanging) and are widely available with strong replacement parts support. Choose Kuat if you want the best platform hitch rack money can buy. Choose Thule if you want more options in mounting type or need roof mounted racks.
Can I mount a bike rack on my bed rack?
Yes. The RCI Bed Rack Bike Mount ($159) bolts directly to an RCI bed rack crossbar. The Front Runner Pro Bike Carrier ($779) bolts into the T-slot channel on any Front Runner Slimline II rack. Both are fork mount carriers that hold the bike by the front fork. This is the best approach for overlanders who want to carry a bike on their truck without using the hitch receiver (which may be needed for a trailer or recovery point). You can also mount bikes on bed bars using universal fork mounts.
Related
Cross Bars
Roof bike racks need crossbars. Browse Thule, Yakima, and Eezi-Awn bars.
Bed Racks
Mount the RCI bike carrier directly on your truck bed rack.
Bed Bars
Carry bikes above your truck bed on Billie Bars or RCI bed bars.
Platform Roof Racks
Front Runner and Prinsu racks accept fork-mount bike carriers.
Need Help Choosing a Bike Rack?
Tell us your bikes, your vehicle, and how you ride. We will find the right carrier.
