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When the holiday caravan meanders southwards over the Brenner Pass again this summer like viscous lava, chaos is inevitable. The mega construction site on the Lueg Bridge is already casting long shadows of traffic jams ahead. But for bikers, the test of patience often begins before they set off. That's when all the suitcases are stowed away and the children are strapped into the rear seats - and all that's left to do is place the bikes on the rear carrier. A particular challenge: overhanging wheelbases and bulging frame tubes. If two or even three bikes have to be nested behind each other, nerves are often frayed before the journey even begins. To find out which test model does the job best, we weighed, towed, measured and loaded a wide variety of bikes to cover as wide a range as possible.
We have tested these bike racks
Click on the respective bike rack to go directly to the detailed test with all pictures and information.
Buying a bike rack - Reach your destination with customisation
You should also take a tape measure before buying to clarify a few crucial questions: Will the bikes fit on the rack without protruding? Are the rails wide and the locking straps long enough for fat tyres? In addition, and this is particularly important for e-bikes with an integrated battery or angular tubes: If in doubt, does the gripper also enclose the voluminous down tube? Classic claw grippers are clearly at a disadvantage here, as they can barely grip tube diameters of more than 80 millimetres. Holding arms with latching straps usually also grip much bulkier frames securely, can often be upgraded with longer straps and are also gentler on the material - keyword carbon - because they distribute the clamping force over a larger area.
Does the bike rack fit? The second bike decides
If the first bike fits on the rack, this is by no means a go. Only the second bike will show whether the bike rack really suits your fleet. One point in particular caught our eye in this test, and it's not the discreet black colour in which the manufacturers have recently been delivering their carriers. More importantly, the design of the towbar carriers has changed. The rails can now be folded upwards on almost all models. This saves space in the garage and makes transport easier. However, this also means that the brackets are much narrower so that they do not protrude sideways over the folded-up rails, thus cancelling out the small pack size. The negative effect: fewer clamping options on the frame. This is particularly noticeable with Atera, Eufab, MFT and Thule. With the second bike in particular, the only possible position is often the down tube, or you have to move the wheel so far that it either almost slips off the rail or the locking straps are no longer sufficient to secure the wheels.
Keyword drawbar load - be sure to check
The weight of your bikes also plays a role when purchasing a bike rack. If you add both bikes to the weight of the carrier, it can quickly add up to 65 kilos or more. A quick look at your vehicle's operating instructions will show you whether this is compatible with the permissible drawbar load of the trailer coupling. It becomes particularly tight if you also fit an optional third rail. With the exception of BuzzRack and Uebler, all models in the test offer this option. As a rule, however, the additional rails are neither designed for e-bikes nor for particularly large wheelbases and are intended more for transporting children's bikes.
Incidentally, gripper arms that can be easily detached from the bracket - with the new Thule brackets, this can even be done with one hand - and then reattached to the bracket at the appropriate point proved to be particularly practical in the test. BuzzRack solves the problem particularly cleverly with a bracket positioned between the rails. The only limitation here is the small clamping diameter of just 60 millimetres. Threading the unconventional articulated arm of the MFT carrier through the frame, on the other hand, is an art in itself. And so for some, the journey becomes a game of patience before they have even joined the queue at the burner.
The most important data at a glance
Italy - new rule on warning signs
After some legal back and forth, Italy has abolished the mandatory warning signs. Bicycles mounted on a carrier on the hitch no longer have to be labelled with a warning signas long as the carrier has a repeat licence plate and its own lighting. Attention: The new regulation does not apply to bicycle carriers on the tailgate!
By the way: If you are travelling on the motorway with a bike rack, you should keep an eye on the speedometer. All manufacturers recommend a speed limit for their carriers. For all models in the test, the limit is 130 km/h!
Practical accessories for bike racks
1 loading ramp
Foldable drive-on rails are now available for most bike carriers. With e-bike weights of well over 20 kilos, this is not a bad investment. Prices start at around 50 euros, depending on the manufacturer.
2 Extension rail
If a rail can be added to the bike carrier, you can spontaneously take an additional guest on tour. Please note: The additional rails are
usually have a slightly lower permissible load capacity. Prices: from approx. 100 euros.
3 Longer ratchet straps
Large batteries often require bulky down tubes. Not all reach arms are designed for such oversized dimensions. It's great if the holders can be adapted to the oversized tube diameters using longer ratchet straps. The same applies to the ratchet
straps on the wheels.
4 frame adapters
The ClickTop transport aid from Yakima is actually intended for unconventional frame shapes or step-through bikes. However, this type of attachment is also a gentle alternative for transporting sensitive carbon bikes. The bar is clamped between the stem and seat post and serves as an attachment point for the gripper arm. Price: 39 euros.
5 Frame/rim protectors
Carbon rims have long since proven their robustness, of course, but you don't want to put your expensive round wheels through unsightly scratches. That's why the ratchet straps should always be fitted with rim protectors. These are available from almost every manufacturer for just a few euros.
The most important details of the bike carrier
Stefan Frey
Editor
