Planning a cycling adventure or a family bike ride? A bike rack is the easiest way to transport your bikes safely and securely, without cramming them into the boot. With several types available, it’s important to choose one that suits your car, your bikes, and how often you’ll be using it.
In our handy guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before buying a bike rack.
Choosing the right bike rack for your car
The best bike rack for you will depend on your car and how many bikes you want to carry. There are three main types of bike rack to consider:
Rear mounted bike rack
Rear mounted bike racks are great for occasional use and short journeys, especially if your car doesn’t have a tow bar or pre-installed roof bars. They’re compatible with hatchbacks, saloons, and some SUVs, and can typically carry up to three bikes, depending on the model.
These racks are affordable, easy to fit and remove, and fold flat for convenient storage. However, they may block access to your boot and obscure your rear lights or number plate, in which case you might need a separate lighting board to stay road legal.
In some instances, If you have a step-through frame or low frame, you will need a false cross bar to attach your bike to a rear mounted bike rack.
Tow bar bike racks
Tow bar bike racks are ideal for regular cyclists, families, or anyone needing a stable and secure option for long-distance travel. They fit cars with a tow bar already installed and can typically carry up to four bikes. These racks are strong, easy to load, and don’t impact fuel economy like roof-mounted options.
Shop tow bar mounted bike racks
However, you will need a tow bar to use one (take a look at our guide on tow bar fitting). The tow bar carriers already come with pre-fitted lighting board, some boards come with a 7pin connection or 13 pin connection for your vehicle. We have plenty of adapters available if you ever need to convert from 7 to 13 or vice versa. You need to ensure that you bring another rear number plate to attach to the lighting board. If you don’t have one, don’t worry as we can make one for you in-store.
Please read our number plate guide for more information and to ensure you bring the right documentation with you.
Roof mounted bike racks
Roof-mounted bike racks are a great choice for vehicles that already have roof bars, especially if you want to keep your boot accessible during trips. They fit most cars with roof bars and can carry between one and four bikes, depending on the number of racks and available space. This type of rack leaves your boot free, provides good rear visibility, and is ideal for long journeys.
To fit a roof mounted bike rack to your vehicle, you will need to have roof bars on your vehicle. If you don’t have roof bars, then please shop our roof bar range.
E-bike compatible bike racks
f you’re transporting an electric bike, it’s important to choose a bike rack that’s specifically designed to handle the extra weight. E-bike compatible bike racks are built with stronger frames and higher weight limits, often supporting up to 30kg per bike. Tow bar-mounted racks are usually the best option, as they offer excellent stability and make loading heavy bikes easier, especially with models that tilt or have loading ramps. Always check the weight capacity of the rack and ensure it’s suitable for your e-bike’s size and frame before you travel.
Shop e-bike compatible bike racks
How many bikes will you carry?
Most racks carry between one and four bikes. If you're planning family trips or rides with friends, look for a higher-capacity rack like a tow bar-mounted carrier. For solo or occasional riders, a single-bike roof or boot rack could be perfect.
Weight and compatibility
Each bike rack has a maximum weight limit. Make sure it can handle the type of bikes you own, especially if you have heavier models like e-bikes or mountain bikes. Always check your vehicle's compatibility using our online fit finder or ask in-store for help.
Bike rack fitting
You can find the right bike rack that fits your vehicle by entering your vehicle registration on our bike rack page. When you select the product you like, there’s the option to add bike rack fitting before you checkout. From here, you can select your local Halfords store and choose an appointment time convenient for you.
Alternatively, if you’re not sure where to begin, you can book a free car travel storage solution to find the best bike rack for your vehicle and carrying needs. Simply book an appointment online and one of our in-store experts can help.
You can also save money on your bike rack and other motoring products and services by joining the Halfords Motoring Club. Click the button below to find out more.