Driving an SUV has many pros and is generally a fun and comfortable experience. This four-door automobile is the perfect solution for family trips or group excursions. If you have a vehicle like this and want to travel with your bikes, you probably need a system to transport your bikes on your SUV. There can be many ways to take your bikes, but in this article, were going to focus on and review the roof-mounted options to help you find the best SUV roof bike rack.
A roof bike rack may be the most suitable alternative for carrying bikes if you drive an SUV. With that in mind, weve created a list of the best rooftop bike racks that are great options for your SUV commute by analyzing the pros, cons, and essential features of each model available today. Our choices were also made with several different scenarios in mind.
Table of Contents
Comparison Chart
| Racks | Price | Material | Item Weight | Capacity: |
Swagman Standard Roof Rack | ~$100 | Aluminum | 1 Pound | 35 lbs |
| RockyMounts BrassKnuckles | ~$250 | Aluminum | 18 Pounds | 45 lbs. |
| RockyMounts TomaHawk | ~$200 | Aluminum | 18 Pounds | |
| Yakima LoadWarrior | ~$350 | Alloy Steel | 0.25 Pounds | |
| TerraTrike Trike Carrier | ~$100 | |||
| YAKIMA FRONTLOADER | ~$200 | 18 Pounds | 40 lbs | |
| Price | Alloy Steel | 7.2 | ||
| Prorack Frame Mount Carrier | Price | 63 | 30 lbs | |
| RockyMounts TieTod | ~$150 | Aluminum | 0.2 | 35 lbs |
| Travel Life Alloy Car Roof Bicycle Carrier | ~$200 | Aluminum, Metal | 11 | 66lbs |
| Venzo Premium Car Mount | Price | Aluminum | 22 | 35 |
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Swagman Standard Roof Rack
Chosen as the best SUV roof rack by our team, the Swagman standard roof rack is a typical bike rack that will quickly load a bike and ensure that bike is transported safely. This bike rack offers a flexible layout that will fit most vehicles, including SUVs, minivans, or pickup trucks. This bike rack supports a maximum crossbar diameter of 3″, and its U-bolts and hand knobs allow it to fit most crossbars. Only one bike can be loaded with this rack, which has a weight limit of 35 pounds.
Swagman is a renowned brand that makes quality products; theres no arguing. Outdoor and cycling enthusiasts founded the company. So they understand what attributes an excellent outdoor product should have. They focus on the constant evolution of their products to ensure that they stay current with the changing world of cycling and motoring. Their products constantly meet the demands of their customers to make their own lives slightly more manageable and better.
RockyMounts BrassKnuckles
The BrassKnuckles from RockyMounts gets its name from its own competitive but fitting angle. This bike rack provides ample leverage if you want to mount your bike high on the car or truck. This rack includes a bike that weighs about 45 pounds on a RockyMounts crossbar; however, it consists of a bike that weighs about 35 pounds on almost any Thule or Yakima crossbar. Holds your bike upright, and you dont have to remove the wheel from your bike.
Previously, this rack was available in red, silver, white, and black. But now you can only find the black color of the stand. If you want to use this rack to carry a fat tire bike, you can choose to buy the cattle kit (RKY1240). And if youre going to add enough security for your bike in addition to the rack, then we advise you to buy the locking cores (RKY0332).
RockyMounts TomaHawk
The TomaHawk from RockyMounts is a workhorse roof rack that promises to get your bike where you want it, no matter what type of bike you have or what vehicle you drive. This bike rack can only become universal thanks to its ability to load any bike, such as a street bike, mountain bike, gravel, e-bike, and fat-tire bike. This bike rack can carry a bike weighing up to 40 pounds on almost any crossbar and take a 35-pound bike on nearly any factory crossbar.
The overall structure of this best SUV roof rack candidate was motivated by the venerable RockyMounts BrassKnuckle. The company recognized the need for a fat tire-compatible bike rack and offered this bike rack to consumers at a reasonable price. To enhance the overall security of your bike and rack, you can purchase the locking cores (RKY0332). It was created to put this rack on the driver or passenger side. This way, you will have enough space to carry goods even if this rack is installed.
Yakima LoadWarrior
No matter what type of gear you and your buddies want to take on a tour, its always possible to be prepared with the Yakima LoadWarrior. This cargo offers a straightforward and fast installation process and uses a minimum of a meeting. It is possible to install this cargo very quickly. Thanks to its global brackets, you dont need to worry about the type of crossbar your car has because it will fit almost any crossbar. This cargo basket has a maximum load capacity of 140 pounds where you can load any of the following equipment combinations:
Just make sure the cargo weight limit does not exceed 140 pounds. You can get an optional Same Key System (SKS) locking bracket for added security. This way, the basket can be secured in the roof rack crossbar. This cargo supports the Yakima LoadWarrior and MegaWarrior materials. In addition, the added LoadWarrior extension increases the reach of the rack up to 18″, which allows you to increase the cargo capacity by 40%.
TerraTrike Trike Carrier
The TerraTrike carrier could only be a good alternative for you if you are looking for an option that can transport your bike safely and doesnt involve a lot of hassle. This carrier is a UTC, which stands for Universal Trike Carrier. Therefore, this carrier can be adapted to any car. No tools are needed to install the carrier, and its straightforward. Watch the installation video to set up this rack in your room correctly.
This rack includes three durable polyurethane supports and two adjustable straps. You can either attach your trike by running the straps through the front and back doors of your car or truck or attach the trike to a roof rack. Everything included in the package comes in a convenient carry bag. This means you can take it wherever you prefer and make it another contender for the best SUV roof rack.
YAKIMA FRONTLOADER
Features
- It has a built-in lock which is pretty convenient
- Up to 40 lbs. Each
- Holds wheelbases up to 47″.
- Holds tires as large as 3″.
- Increased spacing between bikes.
- 2 bike capacity.
CyclingDeal 1 Bike Car Roof Mount Rooftop Carrier Rack
Features
- Stable
- Effectively made sure about
- Steel powder covering
Prorack Frame Mount Carrier
Features
- Simple to utilize
- No knot snares
- Safely holds bicycle
RockyMounts TieTod
Features
- Low profile
- Hardened steel
- Holds thin street tires
Travel Life Alloy Car Roof Bicycle Carrier
Features
- All embellishments included
- Fits most crossbars
- A standout amongst other selling bicycle racks available
Venzo Premium Car Mount
Features
- Lock-on front wheel
- Fits 24″ to 29″ edges
- Elastic clasp
Roof Bike Rack Buyer’s Considerations
If you have a vehicle and a bike, you may need a roof rack sometimes, so you must learn how to choose a rack. A roof rack is more than a frame mounted on the lid of a vehicle where the bike is to be hung. However, in small vehicles, racks are usually placed on the roof because placing bike racks in the front or back increases the vehicles weight and allows for easy transportation.
Things you need for a roof rack
A roof bike carrier must be very strong, have several points of attachment to the vehicle body, have better rails to place the bike, flexible support arms, and many other parts. But there are some things to remember when learning how to choose a roof rack. Not all vehicles are compatible with all kinds of bike carriers, and that is why you need to think about a roof rack.
A more important thing is that because they are roof racks, you have to lift your bike when you need to keep it on the vehicle. Therefore, you should also be familiar with the procedure for quickly lifting your bike on the vehicle cover on the carrier.
Types of roof-mounted bike carriers :
Although roof-mounted bike carriers can be separated into different types, there are three main types in which roof-mounted bike carriers can be placed. The three main types of roof-mounted bike carriers and why they were chosen are briefly detailed.
Roof bike carrier on frame
Roof bike carriers on the frame are the simplest among many others. Thanks to this system, you must put the bike on its rails and place the wheels on the rail grooves. Then there is a support arm between the two wheels of the bike carrier. All you need to do is lift the support hook and make it hook onto the bike frame. Also, make sure you put the straps on both wheels quickly. If you have a bike and want such a mechanism, you must be careful because you can cause unwanted scratches on the bike. You should also make sure that both straps on the rails of the wheel part of the bike are present or not. If this is not the case, it is better not to go ahead with such a bike carrier. Make sure you have all the options available in the carrier and then choose the carrier.
Forked bike carrier
In the case of a forked bike carrier, a special case must be considered. Once you have installed a bike carrier on the roof of your vehicle, you need to make sure that you are comfortable with the frequent opening of the front wheel of your bike. You should open the front wheel of your bike and then mount the bike with the carrier on the roof of your vehicle. This will give you the best possible grip on your bike and prevent it from falling off, even on a jagged road. But when choosing the best bike carrier, you must be careful if you have all the screws and straps necessary to hold the rear wheel. But this bike carrier system requires a little more time and attention because you have to take care of the front frame of the bike and then mount it on the bike carrier with screws on both sides.
Wheeled bike carriers
Wheeled bike carriers are the best for use and are easy to access in almost all conditions. A wheeled carrier mounted on the roof of a vehicle does not require anything special as it has all the straps and support arms. When your bike carrier and vehicle are ready, you need to lift your bike, put it into the grooves of the rail, and place the bike. Then you have to anchor and put straps on both wheels. The main grip is on the front wheel with a support lever on the front lifted.
Best SUV Roof Rack Buying Guide
Youve decided you need a bike rack for your vehicle, but youre unsure which bike rack to buy.
How much should you invest in getting the best SUV roof rack to hold your bike safely?
How many bikes should your rack hold, and which bike racks are easy to install?
Well explain the features you need to consider before making a purchase. Well also provide you with our list of the best racks on the market.
Quality of construction
You dont want the bike rack you choose to have a mechanical failure while your bike is connected to it.
Most bike racks are made from high-quality metal materials built to safely hold your bike to the rack and your bike rack to your car or truck.
However, you should also make sure that the rack is not damaged. Quality bike racks use foam and rubber contacts to prevent damage to both.
Ease of use
The ease of use of the bike rack is essential on two levels, and its a critical element of finding the best SUV roof rack.
For starters, is the rack challenging to install and set up in your vehicle? A time-consuming installation process is tolerable if you plan to fix and leave it forever.
If the mount occasionally comes off, consider choosing one easy to get in and out of your vehicle.
You should also consider how easy it is to load and unload the bikes. Car roof racks, for example, will require more upper body strength to work than hitch-mounted racks, which may be lower to the ground.
Storage size
Unless you plan to keep the bike rack on your car forever, it needs a place to live when not in use.
Think about how and where you will keep your bike rack when its not in use.
Bike Safety
From time to time, you will leave your bike on the rack while you go inside to pay for gas or get a snack. You want to make sure the bike is still there when you return.
FAQs
What is a roof-mounted bike rack?
Its a bike rack that attaches to the crossbars of the car. The rack attaches around the bikes down tube and holds the fork legs (which require the front wheel to be removed). A roof rack is a safe and secure transportation option that works on many types of vehicles. The best SUV roof rack can accommodate just about any bike.
Can a roof rack bike carrier fit all cars?
No, you must possess crossbars on your automobiles roof if you want to install a roof bike rack. The great thing is that you can install and get roof racks on many types of vehicles.
Why choose a roof bike rack?
Choosing between a hitch-mounted bike rack and a roof rack is mainly a matter of preference. The main pros of a roof-mounted bike rack are the free storage space, flexibility, and ease of use. Unlike a hitch bike rack, the best SUV roof rack does not block access to the rear or obscure the rearview. You can use it not only to transfer bikes but also to carry kayaks, surfboards, snowboards, and more.
Will the roof racks damage my vehicle?
They wont damage your car if they are installed correctly. Make sure you are using the proper roof rack model for your vehicle.
Conclusion
No matter what happens and your budget for a first-class roof rack, make sure you read all the guides on choosing a roof rack because, without this short but informative awareness, you wont be able to get a great one for yourself.
Always think twice before buying a bike rack to choose the best SUV roof rack for your needs and vehicle. And once you get it. Well, have a great trip and enjoy your biking adventures!