In the biking industry, hitch-mounted, tray-style bike carriers are one of the most popular. This is because they’re easy to load and unload bikes. Hitch mounts require your vehicle to have a 1 ¼ or 2-inch hitch so you can mount it on top of your car and can hold anything from 4 bicycles up to 6.
Tray-style racks eliminate any sway issues. And they allow the carrying of many different types of bicycles for those who want more than just mountain biking styles. And with both options being available in tandem or two separate pieces that attach at either end, there’s no need to worry about where these will fit into our lives amidst all else we juggle daily.
This piece covers the best tray-style bike racks that you can take a look at. By the end of this text, you need to have a list of your own of the bike racks that you prefer.
So without any further ado, let’s get this show on the road.
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- RockyMounts SplitRail
- Thule T2 Classic 9044
- 1up Super Duty
- Rhino-Rack Dual Trekker
- Yakima FourTimer
- Kuat Transfer 2
- Yakima Holdup Evo 2
- Hollywood Racks Trail Rider 2
- Saris SuperClamp EX 4
- Kuat Sherpa 2.0
- Thule EasyFold XT 2
- Yakima Singlespeed
- Saris MTR
- Thule Helium Platform 2
RockyMounts Splitrail
Provided by Amazon
The RockyMounts SplitRail was the most popular rack of those tested by experts all over the world. The system is excellent, with a quick and easy installation process as well as an effortless operation once installed on the vehicle.
Mounting bikes to this bike rack also proves to be simple for anyone who has used other models like it before. But there’s always room for improvement. For one thing, we hope that future iterations tighten up some loose joints because they tend to wobble when you’re driving down bumpy country roads or over potholes, or even just from wind gusts.
Thule T2 Classic 9044
Provided by Amazon
The Thule T2 Classic is a standard hitch-style bike rack with few outstanding features. The first thing to note, and one of the best reasons for buying this specific model, is that it folds up nice and close to your vehicle without being too cumbersome. This makes storing it much easier if you do not have an elaborate storage system set up at home.
However, most are disappointed by how far back the bikes lean when loaded onto the board. The bikes don’t rest securely enough on their kickstands, so there was no way to access anything behind them through any hatchbacks following installation.
1up Super Duty
Provided by 1Up
When looking for a car bike rack, it can be challenging to find the perfect one that fits your needs. But 1up racks are different—they were designed with parents in mind and had some of the best features out there. Their unique design offers durable protection from theft and parts damage while making it easy for kids or adults to put on their bikes. And they go even further by making sure kids get extra love as well: not only does this system accommodate children’s 16-inch bicycles, but it is perfect if you’re biking around town with two little ones riding along too.
Rhino-Rack Dual Trekker
Provided by MooseJaw
The Rhino-Rack Dual Trekker is a bike rack that provides the best security and stability of a standard hitch-pin securing system with additional features, such as including locks for bikes to ensure they cannot be stolen. The Dual Trekker might just be the perfect solution if you are looking for something secure and want an easy way to access your vehicle without taking off both your shoes or balancing on one foot while trying not to hurt yourself too bad.
Yakima FourTimer
Provided by Yakima
The Yakima FourTimer is the most versatile bike rack in its class. It has several features that make it stand out as one of the best on the market, such as switching between carrying two or four bikes at will and clamping down only where necessary for fenderless frames.
Though this versatility comes with some downsides, including increased weight and decreased stability due to so many adjustment points, regardless, it simply can’t be beaten when choosing an affordable option for your family’s bicycles.
Kuat Transfer 2
Provided by Amazon
The Kuat Transfer is lightweight and straightforward to use the bike rack. The foot pedal kick plate design makes it one of the most accessible racks in most tests, but you have no option for expanding or decreasing your capacity depending on how many bikes need transporting. This small hitch-mounted carrier can carry two or three bicycles with ease, folding up neatly against the tailgate when not required so that there’s less clutter around the back.
Yakima Holdup Evo 2
Provided by Amazon
The Yakima Holdup Evo is a solid bike-hauling machine that handles burly mountain bikes and extra-thick e-bikes without complaint. The optional EVO +2 two-bike add-on can be easily installed for added convenience, with the rack’s aluminum frame being lightweight while still feeling sturdy enough to handle anything you throw at it from your garage or home.
Hollywood Racks Trail Rider 2
Provided by Amazon
The Trail Rider 2 is a great, lower-cost alternative to the premium racks on this list. It holds two bikes in fixed wheel mounts, secured with a single ratcheting arm that clamps down over the frame. The upright beam that holds the frame clamp folds back and out of the way for trunk access which also came in handy for loading up two bikes. You could fold it down then set one bike higher than another at either end, so we had easy accessibility from both sides when getting our gear into or out of your car.
Saris SuperClamp EX 4
Provided by Amazon
The SuperClamp is perfect for those with lots of bikes to transport, as it can accommodate up to 24″ wheels without a problem. However, you’ll want to make sure the bike on either side of your 20″ one has an extra inch or two in length so that they match up and fit nicely into the shepherd hooks.
The SuperClamp’s sleek and streamlined design is perfect for riders looking to keep their rack in the background. With a less intrusive profile, it takes up much less space on your vehicle than traditional racks of similar style and size.
Kuat Sherpa 2.0
Provided by Amazon
The Sherpa 2.0 is the best of both worlds, balancing performance and price to create a tray-style tray that stands out amongst its competitors regarding weight capacity, ease of use, and installation. This lightweight model is more accessible than most to mount on your car or stow away. It’s also easy as pie for securing in the hitch, making mounting bikes even more straightforward.
The low lift height means you won’t have any trouble with heavy load heights when loading up this tray rack–even if it’s fully loaded. Plus, once we’re done hanging the gear from this bad boy, there’s no need to worry about returning because thanks to the tilting feature while mounted on top of your vehicle allows you to do it in an instant.
Thule EasyFold XT 2
Provided by Amazon
The EasyFold XT is the perfect solution for people who don’t want to deal with heavy-duty racks but still need a way to transport their bikes. The easy-to-install frame supports up 65 pounds of weight. When it’s not on your vehicle, you can fold it down like an airline carry-on bag. You also won’t be disappointed by how quickly this bike carrier locks into place–10 minutes tops. Or that integrated cable lock will make sure nothing happens to your prized possessions while they’re in transit.
Yakima Singlespeed
Provided by Amazon
Yakima’s Singlespeed is the perfect bike rack for those looking to get out of town on their favorite two-wheeler without bringing all that cumbersome equipment with them. It’s not expandable and doesn’t fold up into its own storage space like some other racks in this category either–but it’s easy to pull off when you’re done using it thanks to its lightweight materials and simple setup process.
Saris MTR
Provided by Amazon
Unbelievably adaptable, the MTR 2 can be relied on to carry bikes of all sizes and shapes, built from aluminum and steel with a weight limit that won’t break down over time for any rider who needs reliable transportation in their life. In its nine months as our go-to bike rack, we’ve seen this product work tirelessly with everything from roadies sporting skinny tires up to 27mm wide or mountain bikers tackling trails day after day.
Thule Helium Platform 2
Provided by Amazon
The Helium Platform 2 is a solid, versatile bike rack that can accommodate any type of bicycle. It’s built with an aluminum frame, and polished steel hardware for durability yet weight savings while still carrying up to 4 bikes at once! Plus, the ratcheting arms make it super easy: just place your bike on top of its standoffs, then roll them into their corresponding holes in the platform until they’re snugly secured.
Conclusion
The best tray bike rack is one that fits your needs. If you need a lockable, heavy-duty bike parking solution for multiple bikes, then the Thule Helium Platform 2 is your perfect fit. But if you have limited space or are looking for something more lightweight and easier to install in some cases, then consider Yakima’s Singlespeed. In any case, we hope reading this review of these top models will help before making up your mind!