This post contains affiliate links.
Unless you are fortunate enough to be driving a big truck, transporting your mountain bike can often be daunting. You might need to ensure that you have the right gear to ensure your mountain bike does not get damaged and you can take it to your destination. Finding the best mountain bike roof rack would often be the solution.
So what is the best mountain bike roof rack? The best mountain bike roof rack can be hard to find if you are unsure what you are looking for. One of the best options is often the YAKIMA mountain bike roof racks, which feature a lifetime warranty and it can mount a full mountain bike. It is also very easy to set up on your vehicle when you need to.
Having transported numerous mountain bikes to different locations and trails, I have often had to deal with frustration, which does not bode well when you want to reach your destination.
Having tested a few of these mountain bike roof racks, there are only a few worth buying. In this article, we will look at some of the best options.
You might also enjoy reading: How Many Calories Does Cycling Burn? (With helpful tips on burning more!)
How To Choose The Best Mountain Bike Roof Rack
As mentioned earlier, finding the best mountain bike roof rack can be daunting, and this could make life that much harder. However, if none of the above-mentioned options appeal to you, you can look into some of the features here and choose your option.
Here are some of the main features we used to choose these racks.
1- Materials
One of the first things you would need to do is look at the materials used for the construction. Unfortunately, these roof racks can be very expensive, and you will need to ensure that you invest in the right materials.
Alloy steel is the main material we prefer. However, those traveling shorter distances could choose aluminum.
2- Capacity
The capacity aspect can be split into two. You will need to make sure you know how much weight the unit can hold and the number of bikes you can hold.
We recommend looking for a bike rack that can hold at least 40 pounds. However, the capacity for the number of bikes would vary depending on your needs.
3- Mounting
Generally, roof racks can mount in two different ways. Either you will mount them on the crossbar, which could be daunting for many people.
Additionally, the suction cup method is much easier and does not cause you to put in any effort. The crossbar mounting does feel more stable when compared to the suction cup.
Best Mountain Bike Roof Racks On The Market Today
Before we look at some of the intricate features, believe me, it takes a lot of studying and searching to ensure you buy the right one.
Let’s see which of these roof racks would offer you the best value for your money. Depending on how many bikes you have and which bikes you have, some of these might work better for you than others.
1- YAKIMA Mountain Bike Roof Rack
The Yakima HighRoad Upright Mount is one of the more expensive options on the market today. The frame uses alloy steel, which would ensure that you have efficient durability when it comes to holding your bikes. One of the best features is that this mount does not make any contact with the frame, which helps to preserve it.
The frame can also mount a full bike, which means that unlike some of the other frames, you don’t need to get rid of the tires.
It has a maximum weight capacity of 44 pounds as well. However, the frame can only hold 1 bike, which might often limit your transportation. This would be the ideal mount for those who enjoy riding alone.
Pros:
- It holds a 44-pound weight capacity.
- Made from durable alloy steel
- No frame contact
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- The locking mechanism must be bought separately
2- Thule ProRide XT Mountain Bike Rack
If you are looking for a reliable brand when it comes to setting up your bike when traveling, Thule would be at the top of your list. Thule is also one of the more expensive brands, but the Thule ProRide XT is something you should look into. It is very similar to the previous one and can also hold up to 44 pounds.
One of the best features of this roof rack is that you don’t need to disassemble the unit when you are done.
It can easily be folded, which would help you keep it out of the way when needed. The adjustable torque means you can choose how tight you want to keep the bike and ensure that you don’t damage the frame.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- No disassembly required
- It holds up to 44 pounds.
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- No lock included
3- Thule Wheel Fork
While this might not be a full bike rack, many people must transport additional wheels when traveling. The Thule Wheel Fork is one of the best options on the market today. It features a crossbar mount, which makes it that much easier to set up, and once you are done, you don’t need to worry about disassembly either.
Unfortunately, this unit is still very expensive, and you can still only mount one wheel. The full bike rack is sold separately, and this would make it much harder to buy the unit. As mentioned, the price can often be intimidating for many people looking for a good bike rack. We should mention the limited lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- Easy to mount
- It holds 1 bike wheel.
- Foldable design
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons:
- Does not hold the bike
4- Rock Bros Suction Cup Mount
Most roof rack designs require mounting, which can be daunting for many people. The Rock Bros Suction Cup Mount is one of the best options that you can buy when you need a solid bike rack for numerous bikes. It can hold up to 3 different bikes, but the maximum weight capacity is around 44 pounds.
The setup is one of the best features of this roof rack, and instead of having to deal with the frustration of mounting, the suction cups would make it much easier for you to mount the different points of the bike.
The only downside is that you only have a short 1-year warranty compared to some of the other options.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Easy mounting with suction cups
- It holds up to 3 bikes.
- 44-pound weight capacity
Cons:
- Short warranty
- The front wheel might need removal
5- Seasucker Komodo Suction Cup Rack
Moving from one suction cup rack to another, we have the Seasucker Komodo Suction Cup Rack, which is one of the most useful options on the market today. It is by far the most expensive, but the heavy-duty materials used in the construction would certainly make it worth your while to buy. And it will secure your bike.
One of the downsides of this bike rack is that it requires you to remove the front wheel, which might be daunting and frustrating for many people. However, it can hold a staggering 45 pounds, which also makes it effective for fat tire bikes. The rack comes with a limited lifetime workmanship warranty.
Pros:
- Lifetime workmanship warranty
- It holds up to 45 pounds.
- Easy suction mounting
- Heavy-duty construction
Cons:
- Very expensive
6- Swagman Standard Bike Carrier
Finally, you might be on a tight budget, making buying a good bike rack harder. The Swagman Standard Bike Carrier is one of the most affordable options on the market today and features a crossbar mounting mechanism. It can easily hold a bike with a weight of up to 35 pounds, which should be ideal for normal bikes.
Once again, the downside is that you will need to remove the front wheel; once you remove the front wheel, it could be daunting to store the front wheel. This is one of the more affordable options, and you can be sure that you are getting great value for your money. A limited lifetime warranty is also put into the package.
Pros:
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Easy setup
- Lightweight
- Durable steel construction
Cons:
- The front wheel needs to be removed.
How To Mount A Bike On a Rack?
How you go about mounting the bike on your rack would vary from the different racks. However, most would require you to remove the front wheel. If you don’t want to go through all these hassles, you should consider choosing a rack that enables you to mount the full bike.
Watch the video below for detailed steps on how to mount a bike on a rack.
What to read next:
- What to Look For When Buying a Used Mountain Bike?
- Top 9 Mountain Bikes For Heavy Riders (And what to look for when picking one!)
- When Should I Replace My Mountain Bike Tires?
Wrapping Up
Mounting your mountain bike should not be that hard with the right roof rack. These options vary in quality and price, but we would recommend them in terms of value.
We would love to see some of your comments if we might have missed the best options.