While heading out for an adventure in a car, it pays to carry along your bike. Unlike cars, bikes can cruise through narrow, beaten paths leading to the top or bottoms of the most beautiful places on earth. Besides that, the bonding that takes place while biking has no equal.
If your car comes with spoilers, then you probably are wondering what type of bike racks would work for you? This is something you have to examine in detail because the rack you choose can affect your car’s weight and performance.
In this review, we are going to have an extensive look at some of the best bike racks for car with spoilers. There will be more information further ahead on how to choose the best type. Stick around to the end, and you will save yourself so much trouble and money-this we do solemnly promise.
Running short on time? No need to worry. You can check out our top recommendation- Thule Raceway PRO Trunk Mount Bike Rack. This rack is not only affordable but provides the best fit for 2 bikes as well.
Best Bike Racks for Car With Spoilers
No matter the car you own, whether it’s a hatchback, SUV, or any other model with spoilers, you will get a rack that perfectly fits it. Here are a few worthy competitors that could meet your bike transportation needs:
1. Thule Raceway PRO Trunk Mount Bike Rack
While buying bike racks for a hatchback with spoiler, the one thing you can’t stop worrying about is the safety of both your car and bicycle. You can’t afford to have dents on any of them. A bike rack that can guarantee such protection is Thule Raceway Pro Trunk Bike Rack.
It’s too simple with a three-way structure designed to host two bikes-probably for you and your better half. It takes barely five minutes to get it locked in the car. The ends that lock on the vehicle have a rubber padding that absorbs shocks and prevents scratching the paint off.
The cables that secure the bike on the car are of premium grade. They feature a road dampening technology that further promotes better impact absorption. Furthermore, their varying diameter means they can hold a wide variety of bike frames.
What about bike contact? Thule Raceway Pro Trunk Bike Rack sports a patented “No Sway” cage. This no-contact cage ensures the bikes don’t touch each other and rub the paint off or break parts while in transit.
All in all, this rack might be your best option because it’s strong, affordable, reliable, and compact. Its folds into a tiny package that can fit in your trunk.
Top Features
- Style: 2-bike
- Sure-tight fastening cables
- No sway cage
- Perfect fit mechanism
- Standard fit for hatchback cars
- Road dampening technology
- Rubber pads vehicle protection
- Locks to both vehicle and bike
- Folds up flat for convenient storage
Thule Raceway Pro Trunk Bike Rack is strong, secure, and super easy to use. Road Dampening technology and vehicle protection pads, you can rest easy knowing nothing will be damaged by the time you arrive.
But that’s not all; this bike rack features premium components with a lightweight structure. The sweetest part is that it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
2. Saris Bones -Bike Rack
If you are looking for the most popular bike rack in the market, then you have to try out Saris Bones -Bike Rack. Most people like it because it lasts fairly long and doesn’t disappoint in its earliest years of use.
This arc-shaped rack comes with lightweight injection-molded arms and legs. Both are coated with a special anti-corrosion coating. The ends of the feet are covered in rubber to avoid brushing off the paint on the car’s rear.
The beauty of this trunk mount rack is that it can carry up to three bikes. Furthermore, it can be planted on the rear of an SUV, Sedan, Minivan, and a hatchback. The bikes are held in place by retractable straps with one-touch adjustability for easy management.
Saris Bones -Bike Rack does come in multiple colors. This allows you to choose a color that matches your car. Even better, it costs way less, yet it shelves three bikes. Unfortunately, it’s not lockable and thus susceptible to theft.
Top Features
- Simple design
- Arc-based model that fits on many spoilers
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Rubberized feet
- Injection-molded arms-considered the best in the market
- Spring buckle straps with vinyl-coated hooks
- Innovative retractable straps
- Up to carry 35 pounds each
- Supports up to 3 bikes
Besides offering exceptional performance, Saris Bones -Bike Rack is backed by multiple reviews from millions of former users. This versatile gear can be mounted on a wide variety of cars besides hatchbacks. The price will no doubt convince you to go ahead with the purchase too.
3. Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Rack
Does spending hundreds of dollars on a bike rack feel like a bad move? If it does, then the most affordable bike rack for a Sedan with spoilers is Allen Sports Deluxe Trunk Mounted Rack. This is a truck-mounted unit that guarantees your spoilers’ safety.
Albeit being pretty basic in design, this rack can work well with SUVs, Hatchbacks, Sedans, and minivans. However, you will still need to read the instructions on the manufacturer’s website to know if it fits your car.
Deluxe Trunk Mounted Rack pops around with 12-inch long and 115-inch wide arms for accommodating many bike styles. The lower part is padded to prevent it from scratching your car.
Your bike gets held in place by side straps and individual tie-downs. This ensures your bike doesn’t sway around much. It supports a max of 2 bikes. For the record, this item comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
Top Features
- Folds quickly
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Padded point of attachment
- Versatile design
- Fully assembled
- 35 pounds max capacity each
- Accommodates 2 bikes
- Side and tie-down straps for a secure fit
Deluxe Trunk Mounted Rack is one of the most affordable bike racks for a hatchback with spoiler worth giving a shot. This item has an overwhelming number of positive reviews on many online shops. This proves that it does provide exceptional performance. As a caveat, this piece is not ideal for off-road trips.
4. Hollywood Racks Over-The-Top Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Sometimes when buying a bike rack that’s been designed for cars with spoilers, you can’t help but worry if it would work well with your car. The best way to go about that is by buying a versatile model like Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top Bike Rack.
This rack fits on many hatchbacks, SUVs, Sedans, and Minivans. Most of these vehicles feature wind deflecting spoilers. The patented technology of Hollywood Racks consists of adjustable straps that attach to the roof rails, trunk seams, or the anchors inside the car. This style of locking is convenient for those who are afraid of their spoilers getting pulled off.
Like other designs, this rack features rubberized cradles and frame parts to absorb impact and prevent scratching paint from both the vehicle and bike. The frame is adjustable. This is made possible by the quick-release adjustment hubs.
Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top Bike Rack is portable. It folds flat to occupy a small space in the trunk. The parts come pre-assembled and have a limited lifetime warranty.
This rack is designed to hold a max of three bikes, each weighing up to a maximum of 35 lbs. To support kids, mountains, and other rides, you may need a top tube adapter.
Top Features
- Adjustable Steel frame
- Attachment straps
- Folds up quickly
- Comes fully pre-assembled
- Max load: 35lbs per bike
- Can fit many bikes if supplied with a top tube adapter
- Anti-sway rubber cradles
Hollywood Racks Over-the-Top Bike Rack is a popular choice amongst many people who are after top quality. It’s also ideal for first-time buyers who are not ready to spend money on something that might not fit their car. This rack’s versatility is its assurance.
5. Yakima Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack
Many bike racks for hatchbacks are too bulky, and that’s a bummer to some extent. You know how small some cars are. Now imagine a huge and poorly designed protrusion showing from the rear. This distorts the good looks of your car. A minimalistic option to consider would be Yakima Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack.
Its modern design integrates lightweight frames that can accommodate two bikes. A premium quality SuperCush ZipStrip cradles holds the bicycles in place. The security is further reinforced through SKS locks that glue the rack to both the car and bikes. This ensures no one can pull off your rides while in transit.
Yakima Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack comes with four straps for hooking to the vehicle’s trunk. The ends that get in contact with the car have rubber pads to avoid scratching the paint.
You are probably wondering if this rack can hold big frame bikes, right? Well, the answer is it cannot. For it to support virtually any bike, you would need to invest in a Yakima Tube Top adapter. Also, it’s worth mentioning that it connects to the trunk, and therefore, you don’t need to worry about your custom spoilers getting in the way.
Top Features
- Removable SuperCush ZipStrip cradles
- Full SKS locking package
- Four securing straps
- Padded ends
- Rugged construction
- Built-in bottle opener
- Holds a max of 3 bikes
- Individual bike weight 30 lbs
Yakima Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack could be the answer to those who value racks with a minimalistic design. Quality-wise, every part of its structure is built to provide the best performance. It folds quickly for easy packing and transportation.
6. Saris Cycle Racks Bones EX 3 Bike Trunk Rack
There are a couple of Saris bike racks, and you might wonder why this one would be any different. Here’s the simplest answer; it’s compatible with many vehicles. Saris Bones EX 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack could be placed on any car from popular hatchbacks, sedans to bigger SUVs.
Like other top-end collections, this one features fairly long arms coated with special anti-corrosive paint. The lower parts are rubberized to keep your car’s paint intact. Even though it comes with multiple straps, they are well-organized to avoid confusion and provide for easy management.
Clean and sleek look aside, Saris Bones EX 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack securely holds up to a max of three bikes. It’s also effortless to load bikes into the cradles.
Top Features
- Ability to work with many vehicles
- Quick-load design
- Strong and rust-free arms
- Built with 100% recyclable materials
- Excellent secure bike support
- Clean and sleek
- Holds a max of 3 bikes
- Rubber padded ends
Saris Bones EX 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack is highly recommended by former users, as evidenced by multiple 5-star reviews. The ability to fit it on many cars with little to no adjustment is golden. Furthermore, the parts are strongly-built to withstand tough use for many years.
7. Swagman XC2 Sturdy Hitch Bike Rack for Car
No matter how sophisticated trunk-mounted racks get, they are bound to shake on rough roads. You can improve the safety and stability of your car through hitch racks. Most of them are high-end pieces. Nevertheless, Swagman XC2 Sturdy Hitch Bike Rack for Car presents itself as an affordable alternative.
This rack comes with 4 hoops (two on either side) for hosting a maximum of 2 bikes. The bike is held in place at the wheel and frame. To avoid scratches, the two hooks at the top end in a rubber covering. It comfortably supports bikes with wheel measurements of anything between 20’’ and 29’’.
Swagman XC2 Sturdy Hitch Bike Rack for Car is lockable and has rings that keep it fixed stable position. With anti-wobble technology, you won’t have to worry while on bumpy off-road. Should you wish to access the trunk, the rack can lean forwards (while loaded) to provide some extra space.
Quality-wise, this is a solid piece of equipment that can offer over four years of service. The finish sports a coating that keep the parts rust-free. All the parts are adjustable to allow you to achieve the best fit.
There’s only one setback; you cannot have two bikes and still load a spare wheel at the back of the car. The only solution is to toss the wheel in the trunk or carry only one bike along.
Top Features
- Carries a maximum of 2 bikes
- Locking hitch pin
- Upright ratchet arms
- Built-in anti-wobble technology
- Max load-35 lbs per bike
- Fold-down center arm
- Ideal for 20-29’’ tire bikes
- Cushioned hooks
Swagman XC2 Sturdy Hitch Bike Rack is an outstanding rack if you are a lover of hitch racks. With a wider platform and anti-shake technology, it guarantees the total safety of your rides. And the best part is it’s top-rated and doesn’t cost a lot.
8. Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B Deluxe Black 1-Bike Trunk
Do you mostly ride alone? If so, then you don’t need to throw money on high-end bike racks. A simple and affordable device like Tyger Auto Deluxe 1-bike Trunk Mount Rack can meet all your needs.
When it comes to simplicity and ease of use, nothing trumps this gear. To begin with, it arrives 100% assembled. All that remains is plugging it on the trunk. The hooks and other lower ends are rubber padded for gentle contact with both the bike and car.
Like other kits, it comes with several straps and cradles for keeping the bike glued in place. The metallic surfaces are coated with rust-proof paint. When not in use, the arms can fold together for easy storage.
While Tyger Auto Deluxe 1-bike Trunk Mount Rack is affordable, you are only limited to one bike. Secondly, it fits on many cars apart from those with a rear spoiler.
Top Features
- Sturdy and handy construction
- Padded lower frame
- One bike capacity
- Safety straps included
- Coated surface
- 100% assembled
- Foldable arms
- Easy installation in minutes
- Limited lifetime warranty
Tyger Auto Deluxe 1-bike Trunk Mount Rack is an appealing offer for those who wish to carry only a single bike along. This kit is sturdily built to hold your bike in place in the safest way possible. The massive number of positive reviews it has also indicate that it’s worth a shot.
9. Overdrive Sport 3-Bike Trunk Mounted Bicycle Carrier Rack
Sometimes all we want is a good quality product that doesn’t have to be expensive. With bike racks, Overdrive Sport 3-Bike Trunk Mounted rack meets those expectations. This is a compact kit with easy-to-use quick-release parts.
Despite the affordable price tag, it’s well-built to handle the weight of three bikes. The frame sports an anti-rust finish for long use in bad weather. It also carries a satisfactory number of straps to hold itself firmly in the car.
Overdrive Sport 3-Bike Trunk Mounted is compatible with hatchbacks and multiple other vehicles. However, it does not work with cars whose spoilers sit on the rear. Keep that in mind.
Top Features
- Quick-release design
- 3-bike capacity
- 100% assembled and easy to install
- Soft rubber bike cradles
- Built with steel and reinforced ABS plastic
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Compatible with SUV’s, sedans and minivans
- Coated finish
If your car doesn’t have the rear spoiler, then you could save a lot by choosing Overdrive Sports 3-Bike Trunk Mounted. You get to cruise along with three bikes for as far as 600 miles without them or your car sustaining scratches. For women, kids, and other low frame bikes, you will need to invest in an extension bar.
10. Thule 9009 Archway Rear Mounted 2 Bike Rack
Thule is known for dealing in high-end premium products. They boast of top craftsmanship that includes the production of versatile bike racks. But if you don’t have a lot of bucks on you, there’s still an affordable choice worth considering- Thule 9009 Archway Rear Mounted Bike Rack.
Thule 9009 is a 2-bike capacity trunk-mounted rack with a lustrous anti-rust finish. It works safely with hatchbacks with spoilers. This is because its long arching frames offer more clearance to avoid contact with the spoilers.
Safety is Thule 9009’s middle name. Once it locks your bike, there is no shaking or swaying. This is enhanced by the patented FitDial, Quick-Fit lever, and integrated locking cables.
Top Features
- 2-bike capacity
- No-sway cages
- Locks to the bike and vehicle
- Oversized molded pads to protect the vehicle’s finish
- Patented “perfect fit” technology
- Long arching tubes
- Stay-put cradles
If the safety of your bike and ease of kit storage area on the top of the list, Thule 9009 Archway Rear Mounted Bike Rack can help. This is a no-sway, no-hassle rack that’s been built to serve for many years. Furthermore, it comes with a limited lifetime warranty.
How to Install a Trunk-mounted Rack
Most people prefer to buy trunk-mounted bike racks because they are mostly cheap and easy to install. Additionally, some of them don’t even get in touch with the spoilers, and that offers some relief. Here are a few steps on how to install trunk-mounted racks:
- Place the bottom part of the rack on the rear bumper of your car and the top part on the rear window or trunk. How high the arms stretch will depend on the size of your car and rack.
- Pull out the straps and attach them in proper positions. The straps can be attached in many points from under the trunk, inside the car, next to the lights, and even at the top on the spoilers.
- Tighten the straps to ensure the rack doesn’t sway around, and you are good to go.
Always take a look at the manual to be sure you are doing the right thing.
How to Install a Hitch-mounted Rack
Trunk-mounted bike racks are pretty straightforward to use. Even better, most of them arrive pre-assembled and ready to use. The same case doesn’t apply to hitch platform racks. These arrive dismantled and would need proper assembling and installation.
The tools you need for this small task include utility knife, 3/4’’ wrench and a Phillips head screwdriver. Here’s how you can properly install a hitch-mounted rack:
- Insert the drawbar into the receiver and tighten it using the ¾ wrench. You can throw in a hitch-bolt if you want to do way with wobbling. At this point, we would assume you are sure the drawbar is compatible with the car’s receiver.
- Install the main assembly to the drawbar. While doing this, ensure the logo is facing away from the car. At this point, the tether pins should be inserted into the drawbar and main assembly.
- Install and tighten any screws that came with the components. These are mostly inserted at the bottom. Use the 8mm Allen Key to achieve proper tight. You’ll only know the rack is properly tight when the lock washers are flat.
- Install the wheel hoops. But first, remove the tether pins and lower the outside arms to the lowest point. Slide the hoops on and secure them with their matching bolts, washers, and knobs. You can adjust the spacing later, depending on the bike size.
- Attach the hooks to the center (upright ratchet) arm, and you are good to go. Make sure to remove the tether pins anytime you want to move the arms up or down.
These installation instructions will provide you with an idea of how hitch racks are installed. Since they come in different styles, you might need to use instructions in the manual for a successful assembly and installation.
Things to Consider Bike Racks for Car With Spoilers
It’s essential that you know everything about bike racks for cars before placing an order. This will ensure you buy not only the best gear but one that fits as well. If you don’t do this, you could end up flushing your hard-earned money down the drain.
Here are the core things to consider while purchasing a bike rack for cars with spoilers:
Type of bike
Like other commodities, bikes come in a wide variety of selections, as well. You have to consider things like the bike type, weight, length, and dimensions. Most of the racks we have reviewed in this article can shelve a max weight of 35lbs per bike.
If you own the extremely large fat bikes or huge-frame electric types, then you must look into racks that can hold more than 50lbs per bike. Also, the number of bikes you expect to carry will also determine what rack to go for.
Warranty
As you have already seen in this review, most bike racks for cars are not cheap. These are advanced equipment that is also supposed to take great care of another costly item. For this reason, it pays to prioritize those with a warranty even if it’s limited. It’s better than nothing, don’t you agree?
Warranties will save you from having to cater to repairs, especially when the kit arrives broken. Furthermore, it’s a good way to judge the quality of a rack. If a company isn’t afraid to stand behind their products by issuing some form of insurance, then that indicates good craftsmanship.
Type of rack
There are three common types of bike racks for cars. The first (and arguably the most used) is trunk rack. As the name suggests, it is attached to the trunk and carries a maximum of three bikes.
Trunk racks are not only easy to use but can be extremely versatile. With an adapter, you can mount any bike type on them. They come with 4 to 6 straps for securing a bike. Their safety depends on how well they’ve been installed and the terrain. They are cheap and thus ideal for first-timers.
Hitch racks come second in popularity after trunk racks. They come with a drawbar (towbar) that attaches to the car’s receiver. This arrangement is heavy though sturdy. The best part about hitch racks is that they can hold more than three bikes.
Most of them can be tilted sideways to allow access to the trunk even with bikes. The two major reasons why people prefer them is because they can hold an entire family’s car and don’t touch the car’s spoilers.
But what’s the downside of hitch racks? They are relatively heavy, costly, and hides the registration plate. Furthermore, they are the hardest to remove in comparison to roof and trunk racks.
The last option you can consider is a rooftop rack. And yes, it sticks to the top of your car. This means you have to climb to the top or be tall enough to load bikes onto it.
Rooftop racks offer the best stability and security. You will never have to worry about your bike falling off in uneven terrain. To add to that, nothing gets in the way of accessing the trunk. The only problem is that they create unnecessary drag, and this means less fuel efficiency.
Storage
Car lovers like people to see the full beauty of their rides, and that means less footprint. For this reason, you might need to opt to go for racks that fold into tiny units that can be tossed into the trunk.
Besides storage, many racks have adjustable joints that let you extend or retract them depending on your needs.
Compatibility
We can talk about so many bike racks, but no matter what we recommend, it would be pointless if it doesn’t work well with your car. If your car has spoilers, then the best way to get a rack that fits is googling for its exact type.
The common search terms you can use include:
- best bike racks for SUVs with spoilers,
- bike racks for sedans with spoilers,
- bike racks for hatchbacks with spoilers,
- bike racks for (insert your car model) with spoilers.
There are many other phrases you can use. But here’s a shortcut; the best way to avoid having to return a unit is by purchasing versatile units. We have reviewed several bike racks that fit on sedans, minivans, SUVs, and hatchbacks.
Finish protection
Have you ever realized how rappers are obsessed with their sneakers? That’s how some of us are obsessed with our cars. You give it a single paint scratch, and we will be up in arms.
No one wants to buy a bike rack that will ding the car and increase maintenance costs. No matter how sturdy or many straps a rack has, it will swing a little on a bumpy road. The only way they can ensure zero scratches is by having padding protection on the contact points. This ensures both the bike and car will arrive at the adventure spot scratch-free.
Durability
When you spend money on bike racks for a hatchback with spoiler, you expect them to last a satisfactory number of outings. This means you must inspect the quality of both metallic and non-metallic components.
Once you are satisfied with the quality of the frames and other smaller parts, you need to check on the paint finish. A nice coating rebuffs rust and lengthens the duration of use. Since most of us do our shopping online, the best way to tell the quality of something is through the reviews and ratings from previous buyers.
Price vs. value
How much do the bike racks for car with spoilers cost? Well, it’s hard to be specific. However, the more the number of features, the costlier the rack gets. This should, in no way, mean that an expensive rack will outdo a cheaper one.
The secret to choosing the best and affordable bike rack lies in research. You must compare prices to the number of features to get the real value of a product. While at this, it’s wise to remind you to avoid penny-pinching and focus on the value you need out of something.
Still not sure what rack would work for your car? The next section will shine some light on that.
What Type of Bike Rack is Best for Cars With Spoilers?
To know exactly what type of bike rack would work better with your car, you have to consider all the factors in play. Here are a few questions that will lead you to the right route:
- What kind of bike do you own? Mountain, hardtail, fat bike, kid’s bike, or electric bike?
- How many bikes do you intend to ferry?
- How much does your bike weight?
- What position do you want the rack to be at?
- Are your spoilers factory-made or custom?
- What kind of car do you own?
Once you have answers to these questions, it should be easy to settle for an appropriate choice. You could skip the guessing game and ask for recommendations from friends, relatives, or neighbors with a car like yours.
If you are not good at talking to people, then ask your question on biking forums. The last and possibly the best advice is to consider versatile units that fit on multiple car models. You can never go wrong with those.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are a couple of frequently asked questions that could help clear the mist on some issues relating to bike racks for cars:
Q. Can I keep the bike rack on even when not in use?
A. It all comes down to what you prefer. For instance, if your bike often, then you can keep it on, so you don’t have to go through the installation process from time to time. But if you have a small parking space or bike once in a blue moon, then you should uninstall it.
The bottom line is you can keep it if it doesn’t get in the way of your day to day activities like parking or accessing the trunk.
Q. Do bike racks damage a car?
A. New bike racks cannot damage your car. However, with poor padding on contact points, your paint and rear window can get scratches. This also possible for wobbly racks or those with loose straps. If the distance between the bike and car is too small, the pedal may do injustice to your painting.
Q. How much does a bike rack cost?
A. On average, you can spend around $40 to $300 on a decent bike rack. High-end varieties can go as high as $1000. Their value depends on the number and quality of features.
Q. Do I have to drill holes in the car?
A. No, you don’t need to drill holes in your car to install a bike rack. If anything, they rarely touch your precious spoilers. Just find a place to attach the securing straps, and it’s done.
Q. Can I get replacement parts for my bike rack?
A. Yes, it’s possible to get replacement parts for your bike rack in both offline and online shops. If your tool is covered by a warranty, it would be better to contact the manufacturer before placing an order for secondary spare parts.
Q. What are the best car bike racks for folding bikes?
A. Folding bikes are unique in many ways. While they can easily miniaturize and fit in the trunk, you might still need a rack if they are two or more. Now, a universal trunk-mounted rack can be the first solution.
The second possible solution would be wide platform hitch racks. These ones can accommodate any type of bike. But as you would guess, they are pretty costly.
Big fan of the folding bikes? Check out our top 10 folding electric bikes review here!
Conclusion
Spoilers add beauty to cars, but they can prove to be a setback when you want to transport your bike along. If you wish to have both your car and bike present at an outing, you must invest in the best bike racks for car with spoilers.
We figured that car-specific parts wouldn’t apply to many people, and that is why we threw in a few versatile racks. Thanks to their wide compatibility, many people find them a good fit.
There are all kinds in this review, from trunk-mounted to hitch-racks. You should have an easy time figuring out the one that meets both your needs and budget.
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