The 10 Best Mountain Bike Roof Rack, Tested And Researched

Sara Ryan By, Sara Ryan
Updated
Best Mountain Bike Roof Rack
Best Mountain Bike Roof Rack

Our Top Picks

1. Best Overall: YAKIMA Bike Mount for Rooftop Racks

This premium upright bike mount makes it easy to transport your bike without any hassle. With a low profile tray and no wheel removal required, you won't have to worry about hatch interference or having contact with the bike frame. Enjoy the freedom of taking your bike anywhere with the YAKIMA Bike Mount. Read Review

2. Best Bang For The Buck: Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack

This bike rack provides quick and secure mounting with its dial controls that control the force going into the bike frame. Its soft claw pads adapt to your bike's frame, minimizing risk of damage, while its frame holder and wheel tray automatically position your bike as you secure it. Read Review

3. Best Safety: YAKIMA Mount Bike Roof Racks

This easy-to-use and adjustable rack features a sliding wheel tray for a wide range of bike lengths, with a crossbar spread minimum of 16" and maximum of 42". Installation and removal is made simple with no tools required. With YAKIMA Mount Bike Roof Racks, you can take your two-wheeled adventure anywhere! Read Review

4. Best Easy To Assemble: RockyMounts roof bike rack

Its unique design allows for no frame contact, so that you can safely transport your bike without any damage. The swingarm easily adjusts for both driver side and passenger side installation, while the front and rear wheelstraps securely fasten your bike in place. Read Review

5. Best Convenient: Genuine Subaru SOA567B020 Bike

This high-quality, the sturdy bike is perfect for any outdoor excursion and is easy to use, reliable, and guaranteed not to scratch your car. It's suitable for many vehicle sizes, quick and simple to disassemble, and comes with a lifetime warranty. Read Review

Are you an avid mountain biker looking for the best way to transport your bike from one location to another? You can look up to a mountain bike roof rack. Roof racks provide the perfect solution for transporting your bike with ease and convenience. Not only do they keep your motorcycle secure on the roof of your car, but they also free up vital space inside the vehicle for other cargo.

With a mountain bike roof rack, you can easily transport your bike safely to your next mountain biking adventure. Various options exist, from car roof racks designed to hold mountain bikes to roof racks with adjustable arms to fit any motorcycle. With the right roof rack, you can ensure that your bike is safe and secure while you’re on the road. So, don't wait any longer and explore the best mountain bike roof rack for your needs today!

You can count on our team of experts who have spent over 18 hours conducting results through 18,283 genuine customer reviews. Because of this, we concluded that the best mountain bike roof rack is YAKIMA Bike Mount for Rooftop Racks.  The low profile tray minimizes hatch interference and requires no wheel removal or contact with the bike frame. And Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack is another choice for you while keeping the product's quality and functionality. We believe that with the convenient, strong, safe, and compact design, our products will bring good use effect for you.

Our Top Picks

TOP Choice #1 YAKIMA Bike Mount for Rooftop Racks
Our Score:
9.8
YAKIMA

Quickly and easily adjust and secure your bikes with the precise, integrated TorqueRight tightening knob

The low profile tray minimizes hatch interference; No wheel removal required and no contact with the bike frame (an ideal option for carbon fiber bikes and custom paint jobs)

Want more peace of mind? Add 2 SKS (Same Key System) locks (sold separately) to the included TailWhip cable to lock your bike and mount to your base rack (not included)

A premium upright bike mount for easy transport; Carries almost any road or mountain bike with wheelbases up to 48”, 26” to 29” wheels and tires from 23mm to 4”

Requires a roof rack with a crossbar spread between 18" and 35"; Tool-free, universal mounting hardware fits most roof racks; T-Slot compatible with SmarT-Slot conversion kit (sold separately)

TOP Choice #2 Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack
Our Score:
9.7
Thule

Quick and secure mounting dial controls the force going into the bike frame

Load capacity: 44 lbs

Lock bike to carrier and carrier to vehicle (locks sold separate)

Universal upright bike rack for 1 bike

Easily switch carrier from one side of vehicle to the other

Frame holder and wheel tray automatically position your bike as you secure it

Wheel holders firmly stabilized by diagonal quick release straps

Mounts to all Thule rack systems and most factory racks

Product weight: 11lbs

Soft claw pads adapt to your bike's frame minimizing risk of damage

TOP Choice #3 YAKIMA Mount Bike Roof Racks
Our Score:
9.5
YAKIMA

ADJUSTABLE LENGTH: Sliding wheel tray is easy to adjust and allows for a wide range of bike lengths; Carries 1 bike up to 35 lbs.

NO FRAME CONTACT: ForkLift holds the bike by the front axle and the rear wheel; No frame contact means your bike's paint doesn't get scratched

FITS MOST DISC BRAKES: Fits bikes that use standard 100 mm x 9 mm quick release front hubs; other hubs (such as thru-axles) require adapters

ROOF RACK REQUIRED: Crossbar spread minimum of 16" and maximum of 42"; Fits Yakima round, square, factory and aerodynamic bars; Simple tool-free installation and removal

PROTECT YOUR GEAR: Add SKS (Same Key System) locks (sold separately) to secure your bike to the rack and the rack to the vehicle

4 RockyMounts roof bike rack
Our Score:
9.3
RockyMounts

Mounts to all styles of crossbars - round, square, factory, aero

New Easy-Load wheel straps make loading bikes easier than ever

No bike frame contact - simply ratchet the hook over the front wheel and secure the front/rear wheelstraps

Holds all styles of bikes, 20 - 29" wheels (except those with front fenders)

Swingarm easily adjusts for driver side and passenger side installation

Fat bike ready (up to 5" tires) out of the box. Includes two wheel strap extensions

5 Genuine Subaru SOA567B020 Bike
Our Score:
9.1
Genuine Subaru

Genuine OEM

Dependability

High quality

Fit type: Universal Fit

6 RockyMounts roof bike rack
Our Score:
9.0
RockyMounts

Ergonomic brass knuckles shaped handle

Form-fitting stainless steel mounting straps that fit most square, round, factory & aero crossbars

Premium cast aluminum pivot head

Not for use with fender equipped bicycles.Lock cores sold separately

Carries 1 bike, up to 45 lbs. on Rocky Mounts, Thule, or Yakima bars, 35 lbs. on factory crossbars

No contact with frame, secures bicycle by front wheel

No front wheel removal

Compatible with bicycles’ wheelbases from 34” to 48”.Maximum crossbar spread:43 inch

Carries road tires up to 3. 0” wide mountain bike tires, and diameters from 20” to 29”.

7 YAKIMA Mount Bike Roof Racks
Our Score:
8.8
YAKIMA

Carry any bike: Fit almost any road or mountain bikes and up to 5" fat-tire bikes; Carries both quick release (9 mm) and thru-axle bikes (12 mm, 15 mm, 20 mm)

Protect your gear: SKS (Same Key System) locks (sold separately) can be added to the included TailWhip cable lock your bike to the mount and the mount to the base rack

Roof rack required: Crossbar spread must be between 18" and 37"; Fits Yakima round, square, factory, or aerodynamic bars; T-Slot compatible with SmarT-Slot conversion kit (sold separately)

Streamlined protection: Low profile tray minimizes hatch interference; Tool-free, universal mounting hardware fits most roof racks

Easy to use: New integrated TorqueRight tightening knob is quick and easy to adjust and secures your bike with precision

8 IMT Bike Roof Rack
Our Score:
8.7
IMT

④POWERFUL SUCTION: Don’t worry about the vacuum loose, each of the 6" mounts is rated to a 200lb pull force.And.They can hold up to 48 hours if fully sealed. The red-Line Indicator warns user of any vacuum loss. When it shows less than 100% vacuum left, simply pump the plunger until you reach the original vacuum pressure without removing the cup.

③COMPATIBILITY: This model make use of a fork-mount, or fork-mount with thru-axle adapter. It is compatible with QR axle and thru-axle. Package includes 5 size adapters (9x100mm, 12x100mm15x100mm, 15x110mm, 20x100mm, 20x110mm). Fit for mountain bikes, road bikes,trail bike, etc, no need to buy extra adapter.

⑤ COMPACT AND EASY TO STORE: We provide a free canvas bag for better storage, great for rental cars and pack easily into any suitcase for airline travel.

② MULTI-APPLICATIONS & EASY INSTALLATION: The Vacuum Mount Complete Bike Rack System fits most types of vehicles. SUVs, sedans, vans, busses, trucks, cars, electric vehicles and even convertibles. It can be installed and uninstalled in less than 2 minutes.

①NEWEST VACUUM MOUNTED TECHNOLOGY: IMT vacuum mount bike carrier system consists of a high quality steel deck with three 6" vacuum mount that's home to the one fork holders, as well as a 6" separate vacuum-mounted rear wheel holders. Each suction cup uses durable UV and weather resistant concave rubber pad so that they can be attached to flat and cured surfaces.Synthetic EPDM rubber attaches without damaging your car paint.

9 Thule Roof Bike Rack
Our Score:
8.5
Thule

Easy bike loading thanks to the expanding clamp that accommodates the bike's thru-axle

Lock bike to rack and rack to vehicle (locks sold separate)

Fits all Thule rack systems and most factory racks

Fork-mount bike rack designed to fit thru-axles without extra adapters

Load capacity: 35 lbs

Product weight: 6.2 lbs

Fits 9 mm quick-release hubs with included non-locking adapter

T-track and around the bar tool-free mounting

Fits bikes with 12-20 mm thru-axles

10 Rhino Rack Mountain Bike Rack
Our Score:
8.4
Rhino Rack

ALL BIKE TYPES - Fits most bike types: road bikes, mountain bikes, ladies bikes, kids bikes, even fat tire bikes. For the rare bike that doesn't fit, Rhino-Rack offers special thru axle inserts to accommodate your bike (sold separately).

5 YEAR WARRANTY - Enjoy peace of mind with a 5-year warranty. Designed, engineered, and tested in Australia for maximum durability and longevity for wherever your adventure leads.

ENVIRONMENT - The best thing we can do for the environment is make our stuff last longer. We care deeply about preserving the landscapes we love, and work hard to minimize our environmental impact across the board - from design to manufacturing & beyond.

REAR WHEEL STRAP - While the front of the carrier accepts the bike fork via a locking, adjust able skewer, the rear includes a strong, quick release rubber strap that easily secures down bikes of all wheel dimensions.

INLCUDES - Includes a 45" aluminum tray that can handle bikes weighing up to 35 lbs. (15 kg), Allen key, 2 built-in locks, and comes fully assembled. MasterKey compatible. Also works on bikes with disc brakes.

DUAL LOCKING SYSTEM - For double the security and protection, the MountainTrail features a dual locking system that secures both the bike and the bike carrier. Includes a screw-on, locking fastener for the bike's front fork.

EVERY JOURNEY - Every Journey starts somewhere. Whether you’re a beginner, enthusiast, or veteran explorer – hitting the road for work or play – we strive to build products which help make adventure inclusive for everybody.

MOUNTAIN TRAIL BIKE CARRIER - Easily mount and secure your bike to your roof rack with Rhino-Rack's convenient rooftop bike carrier. Universal mounting to all cross bars. Fits bike types: road, mountain, kids & fat tire bikes with the front wheel removed.

ADVENTURE - At Rhino-Rack, we believe there’s an adventurer in all of us. It’s what drives us to create world-ready outdoor gear, born and proven in Australia. We believe life is better when we Make Space for Adventure.

UNIVERSAL MOUNT - Includes a universal mounting strap that fits most roof rack cross bars on the market. With two mounting straps: the front secures and locks the bike carrier to the front cross bar, while the rear features a quick dial strap for ease.

How to choose a good model of best mountain bike roof rack

Choosing the best mountain bike roof rack to buy might be difficult, but it is critical to locate a reputable brand that provides high-quality goods. This article will assist you in determining which is the greatest brand to purchase for high-quality items.

Before purchasing the best mountain bike roof rack for your needs, there are several aspects to consider. The intended usage of the product is the most significant aspect. To avoid harming customers, the finest goods must be ensured on production materials. Here are some suggestions for purchasing the best mountain bike roof rack.

Security

Two main vulnerabilities of bike racks are theft. The bikes can be taken off the rack and the rack can be taken down. It doesn't matter if the bikes are there; racks can also be valuable items to potential thieves.
It only takes seconds for someone to steal your bicycle from the rack, whether you are going to a shop or just to get you home at night.
Your entire rack can be taken if someone is equipped with the right tools. If you don’t own a garage, this can pose a problem.

Tilting Feature

A tilt-feature hitch rack is a good choice if you are like many cyclists and plan on keeping your rack attached to your car for extended time periods or want access to your rear cargo space. With the exception of a few very inexpensive options, almost all bike racks with a hitch mount have this feature. Tilting racks are able to be tilted over using a lever. This allows you to lift the rear hatch of the vehicle or open its tailgate. Tilting is possible on platform and hanging racks. However, platform racks can be tilted with bikes loaded. Hanging racks must first unload bikes. It's another reason why we like the platform rack design.

Ease Of Use

You've likely had to lift a mountain bike with full suspension onto a hanger rack. Or, if you have tried to Tetris on four bikes from a rack that was poorly made, then you understand the importance of ease-of-use.
Hanging racks are a great option for a common bicycle, the diamond-frame. You can lift the bike and slide it on the rack. Once it is secured, you can bungee it to the front wheel. It also gives you the opportunity to do some bicep curls before going on your ride.
A platform rack is a better choice for bikes with heavier frames or unique designs. It is easier to transport the bike because it has a lower frame. Once you get it on you won't need to move it around to make adjustments. It can be difficult to hang a bike on a rack.
The ramp is often the most cost-effective option, but it's also the most convenient. You can simply place your bike on the platform rack using this feature. This feature is great for riders with heavy bikes such as e-bikes and cruisers.

Mounting Systems

Two ways can you lock your bike on a mounting system are available. First and foremost is the strap system. The strap system is usually composed of an elastic or ratcheting strap that covers a portion of your bicycle. It's usually the frame in hanging racks, but it can also be used for platform racks to hold the wheels.
This is most commonly used in platform racks. It is an arm that extends from the platform to ratchet down on your bike's tires. They secure the bike to the platform. They are often reinforced with straps that run around the wheel's bottom to increase security.
The strap system is used in every hanging rack that we have seen. It's strong and reliable, but it can be damaged or broken by users. Many straps secure bikes with at least two straps at every attachment point. Your bike could fall off if the shepherd's hook is broken (which happens very rarely).

Bike Capacity

Generally speaking, platform racks are capable of holding anywhere between one and four bikes (if an extension is purchased), while hanging racks hold up to five bikes. The 1UP Recon Rack 6 can hold six bikes vertically and is a notable exception. Most riders prefer the 2-bike model, however families and those who plan to take their bikes on group rides may want to consider a hanging model with a larger capacity or one of these platform add-ons.

Bike Weight

Maximum bike capacity
Maximum weight capacity for a bike
If you plan on transporting heavy downhill mountain bikes or e-bikes, fat, and/or cruiser bikes, make sure to check the rack's weight limit. Each design listing will indicate the bike's maximum weight. This amount may vary greatly. For comparison, standard road and mountain bikes weigh less than 35 pounds. E-bikes, however, can be up to 50 pounds. We recommend that you upgrade to a more robust model if your weight is close to or above the max. It's worth it to avoid breaking the rack or invalidating your warranty.

FAQs

What is a mountain bike roof rack?

A mountain bike roof rack is a device used to transport a mountain bike on the roof of a vehicle. It typically consists of a frame, crossbars, and mounting hardware that attaches to the vehicle, allowing the mountain bike to be secured and safely transported.

How do I install a mountain bike roof rack?

Installation of a mountain bike roof rack will vary depending on the type of rack being used and the vehicle it is being installed on. Generally, most racks require the use of crossbars and mounting hardware that attaches to the vehicle’s roof. The crossbars provide a secure platform for the rack and must be properly secured to the vehicle. Once the crossbars are installed, the mounting hardware for the rack is attached to the crossbars, and the bike is loaded onto the rack.

What types of mountain bike roof racks are available?

There are several different types of mountain bike roof racks available, including fork-mount, wheel-mount, and universal racks. Fork-mount racks attach the bike to the rack via the fork, while wheel-mount racks attach the bike to the rack via the wheels. Universal racks are designed to accommodate any bike, and often come with adjustable mounting hardware for a variety of bike sizes and types.

How do I choose the right mountain bike roof rack for my vehicle?

When selecting the right mountain bike roof rack for your vehicle, you should consider the size of your bike, the type of vehicle, the type of roof rack, and the type of mounting hardware. Make sure to measure your bike before selecting a rack, as some racks may not be compatible with certain bike sizes. Additionally, some racks may require specific mounting hardware, so make sure your vehicle is compatible before purchasing a rack.

Conclusion

We hope that our helpful advice has assisted you in locating the best mountain bike roof rack for your requirements. If you still can't locate one, contact the cciyu Bike Roof Racks. If you encounter an issue, please contact us as soon as possible; we would be pleased to assist you with any questions or concerns. Now is an excellent moment to purchase!


1 ratings

About Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan

Sara Ryan is a freelance writer for CampFireHQ and avid diver. She first discovered her love for diving while on vacation in the Caribbean and has been hooked ever since. Sara loves exploring new dive sites and observing the fascinating creatures that live beneath the waves. As a native of Colorado, Sara enjoys spending her free time hiking and camping in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. She also enjoys writing about her adventures in diving and wildlife conservation.

Read Sara's full bio