What to consider when buying a car bike rack [Buyer’s Guide 2022]

We Dutch love cycling, and when the weather is fine we head out en masse for a nice bike ride, recreational or otherwise. We do so starting from home or from further away, and for the latter option it is super convenient to use a car bike rack. With a quality bike carrier you can easily transport your city bike, electric bike, mountain bike or road bike. Make sure though that the bike rack is compatible with your car. Read this Buyer’s Guide to find out which bike carrier is best for your car and bicycle(s): a Thule car bike rack, a Pro User car bike rack or perhaps a SeaSucker system.

When buying a new bike carrier, you need to take several things into consideration, the first being the question of whether you want a towbar mount system. If there is no towbar on your car, you can opt for a different rear mounted system or a roof rack.

A second consideration is the type of bike you want to transport. Most sports bikes, such as road and mountain bikes, are relatively light. Electric bikes, however, are quite heavy and require a particular type of bike carrier. Depending on the number and the weight of the bicycles you will be transporting, you can determine which car bike rack best suits your needs.

So, the type of car bike rack that suits you best depends not only on the possibilities of the car, but also on the bikes themselves. Start by looking at what is possible with your car, then consider the type(s) of bike(s) you want to transport.

Now, we haven’t yet mentioned the many bike carrier accessories you can get. Or the rules that apply to bike carriers in different European countries, which is also something to keep in mind. We will discuss all of this in this comprehensive bike carrier buyer’s guide.

Everything you need to know about car bike racks

• Towbar mounted car bike racks
• Roof mounted car bike racks
• Accessories for car bike racks
• Tips for the use of a car bike rack
• Taking your car bike rack abroad

Towbar mounted car bike racks

A towbar mounted bike carrier is easy to install and remove, and most modern models come with rear lights as well as a good space for your number plate. Depending on the model you choose you can transport 1 to 4 bicycles.

Some towbar mounted bike carriers can be extended to carry one more bike. So, if you buy the appropriate adapter set, you can easily turn your standard 2 bike carrier into a 3 bike carrier. If you have an electric bike, a towbar mounted car bike rack is a great system.

Towbar carriers for electric bikes

If you want to transport one or more electric bikes on a bike carrier, there is really no other choice than a towbar mounted rack. After all, an electric bike easily weighs 25 kg and would be difficult to lift onto a roof rack.

Many roof mounted racks are not strong enough to carry more than one electric bicycle. If you opt for a roof rack, also remember to make sure that the roof of your car can carry the added total weight.

So, if you’ll be transporting one or more e-bikes it is prudent to opt for a towbar system and to check weight limits there too. For transporting two electric bikes the car bike rack must have a load capacity of 60 kilos.

An advantage of most towbar bike carriers is that they come with rear lights and a licence plate holder as standard. Almost all towbar bike carriers in our range can be used to transport two e-bikes.

Car bike racks that can carry electric bikes

Car bike racks with lights and a number plate holder

A towbar mounted bike carrier with built-in lighting and space for a licence plate is very handy because you don’t have to worry about whether it obscures your car’s own number plate or lights.

Bike carriers with integrated lights have either a 7-pin or a 13-pin power connector. A bike carrier with a 7-pin connector only has rear lights, indicators and brake lights. A bike carrier with a 13-pin connector also has a reversing lamp and a fog lamp.

Many new cars with a towbar are compatible with a 13-pin power connector. In older cars, whether there is a 7- or 13-pin connection is different for every brand. So the best thing to do is to check for yourself; simply count the connection points.

An adapter plug is of course available for either version. It allows you to go from 7-pin to 13-pin or vice versa. So, the choice of a bike carrier does not depend on the connection of your car.

Towbar mounted car bike racks with a tilting mechanism

Another important consideration when choosing a towbar bike carrier is whether it has a tilting mechanism. If so, you can open the trunk of your car and reach inside without having to remove the bike(s) or carrier. All towbar bike carriers in our range have an easy tilting mechanism.

Lock the car bike rack as well as the bikes

Besides a tilting mechanism, a lock is also a useful feature on a car bike rack. Some bike carriers, for example, allow you to lock the connection to your towbar. Other models include the option of locking the clamps used to secure the bike’s frame.

With a lock on the bicycles as well as the bike carrier you can step away from your car with bikes for a while with peace of mind. If you have, say, a road bike with expensive wheels, do remember to use a separate cable lock on those too!

Towbar mounted car bike racks - Mind the total weight!

When choosing a towbar mounted bike carrier, the first thing you should know is the nose weight of your car or motorhome. The nose weight is the maximum vertical load your towbar can carry. In small cars it is often some 50 kilos and in larger cars it is usually 75 kilos or more. Remember that you need to add the weight of the bike carrier to the weight of the bike(s) that will be on it.

If you don’t know your car’s max. vertical load, check the towbar, where you’ll find a small metal plate which is attached to the towbar and must never be removed. The highest allowed pressure on the towball - that is, the maximum total weight of your bike carrier and bike(s) - is indicated as Maximum Vertical Load.

So, the nose weight is not the same thing as the towing weight (the maximum load your car can pull). Whereas the weight of a bike carrier and bikes presses fully on top of the towbar, a trailer or caravan pulls at it from behind, which means there is less vertical pressure on the towball.

How far may the bikes stick out to the sides of the carrier?

When using a towbar mounted car bike rack, make sure that the bike wheels do not stick out too far to the sides. In our country, the Netherlands, bike wheels may stick out up to 20 centimetres on either side of a vehicle.

This is not a lot, and whether it fits depends on the width of the vehicle. Not sure? Measure the width of the car and the length of the bikes so you know whether or not you can use a towbar mounted carrier.

In other countries rules on how far bikes can stick out can be quite strict, and you may have to add separate lights and marker boards. We will discuss the rules on car bike racks in other countries further down.

Our favourite towbar mounted bike carriers

Roof mounted car bike racks

Is your car too narrow and/or your bike too wide? Or do you need the towbar for a trailer or caravan? Then a roof bike rack may be the perfect solution. Some of the advantages of a roof mounted system are that your bikes will not stick out too far to the sides, that you don’t need an auxiliary licence plate or light board, and that a roof rack can be used on the great majority of cars.

To be able to mount a roof bike carrier you need a foundation, the rails, which are two crossbars on which you can mount the bike carrier itself.

When you use a roof rack, the bikes are not in the way and you can transport more bikes than on a towbar carrier. But here too, you must not exceed the maximum allowed total weight that the car’s roof and the rails can carry. As long as you do not exceed this weight limit, you can transport as many bikes on your roof as you can fit there. If you’re interested in using a roof mounted bike carrier for which you remove the bike’s front wheel, please note that such carriers can only take bikes with disc brakes (thru axles) if a separate adapter is used.

A roof bike carrier is not suitable for electric bicycles because most of these are very heavy; even if you’re a powerhouse it would take a lot of effort to get one on the roof of your car and secure it without it falling over. If you have an e-bike, a towbar mounted bike carrier is much more convenient.

Our favourite roof mounted bike racks

SeaSucker system for every car roof

Our final offering is a very special roof bike transport system, the SeaSucker. This system requires no rails or other attachment points; the Seasucker attaches to your roof with suction cups.

The great majority of car roofs are suitable, the only exception being those with wrapping. Here, the SeaSucker would stay in place but could pull the wrapping out of shape or even tear it. If your car has been wrapped, it’s better to use a different type of bike transport rack to avoid this.

If you have doubts about the SeaSucker’s hold, know that the system has been tested with a rally car performing the wildest manoeuvres. How did the SeaSucker come out of this? Exactly the same as it went in, firmly secured, as if nothing had happened at all!

Our SeaSucker roof systems

Handy accessories for car bike racks

Now that (hopefully) you know what car bike rack is best for you, you may want to consider adding some convenient accessories. In fact, many bike carriers can be expanded with attachments or adapters, or fitted with a loading ramp or reverse sensor. Or how about adding bike protection items?

If you want to put an electric bike on your towbar carrier, you can use a loading ramp. Such a ramp is quickly and easily attached to the side of the bike carrier, then allows you to simply roll the e-bike onto the carrier. It is a great system to avoid lifting one or more heavy e-bikes.

Depending on the type of bike you have, you can also fit wider wheel holders. With these accessories, your MTB with wide tyres or even a fatbike will fit easily on the bike carrier. Another useful accessory is the carbon protector, a handy piece of flexible rubber that prevents damage to your carbon mountain bike or road bike.

Our favourite bike carrier accessories

Tips for the use of a car bike rack

Below we list our best tips for the use of a car bike rack. For those who will be taking the bike carrier abroad, we list the main rules for several countries.

• Approaching the weight limit with an e-bike? Removing the battery can make all the difference.
• Carbon frame and parts? Use foam plastic to protect all contact and clamping points. Insulating foam used for heating pipes is perfect for this!
• Remove child seats and panniers from your bike. This saves weight but, more importantly, prevents parts getting loose or lost.
• Participating in a cycling event? Do not attach the number plate you have received until you have arrived at your destination - you wouldn’t be the first to see the plate fly off on the motorway...
• Clean the towball before mounting a towbar carrier because dirt and grease reduce grip on it.
• The 7-pin or 13-pin connector will last longer if you grease the contact points with acid-free Vaseline regularly.

Rules for bike carriers in other countries

A bike carrier is an easy way to take your bikes across the border, which is great for a holiday or weekend trip. But remember that other countries have rules you have to comply with, ranging from marker boards that must be attached to how far the carrier with bikes can stick out to the sides and rear.

Below we list the regulations for car bike carriers that currently apply in several countries. Please note that these rules also apply if you only drive through a country to get to your destination in another country.

First of all, there are some very logical bike carrier rules that apply to all countries. Some may sound quite detailed, but since fines can add up considerably between countries, we recommend that you prepare well for your trip. The list below is only indicative, you cannot derive any rights from it; if you are travelling to or through one of these countries, always check the most recent information before you go.

General international considerations and rules for the use of a car bike rack

• For bike carriers themselves a speed limit applies that should not be exceeded. Beware of this at all times!
• Components that can come loose such as water bottles, cycle computers and bike pumps must be removed.
• No sharp parts may stick out.
• Always secure the bicycles properly and use extra straps.
• If all or some of your car’s rear lights are obstructed and no longer clearly visible, you must use a bike carrier with lights of its own or attach a light board.
• If the number plate of your car is obstructed and no longer clearly visible, or if you’re not sure if it is, you must attach a separate official licence plate in the dedicated space on the bike carrier or, if there is none, attach it to the (rear) bike, making sure the plate is well secured and clearly visible.
• Stick a country identifier (NL, B, IRL etc.) on the back of your bike carrier.
• The bike carrier counts in the total length of your vehicle. So if you plan to use a ferry service, for example, your car + bike rack may just fall into a more expensive category. Also, a length restriction may apply on some narrow rural roads, pay attention to that!
• The bike carrier also counts in the total width of your vehicle. This is important when riding in narrow streets but also when coming across road works, where there is often a width restriction for one lane.
• Transporting bicycles is only allowed with a car bike rack.

Bike carrier rules in the Netherlands

• The bikes must not stick out further than 20 centimetres on each side of the vehicle, so 40 centimetres in total, up to a maximum width of 2.55 metres. Side markings are not mandatory. Towards the rear, the bike carrier must not protrude further than 1 metre.
• If the number plate of the vehicle is not clearly visible, an official auxiliary licence plate must be attached to the bike (carrier).
• If the lights of the vehicle are not clearly visible and there are no lights on the bike carrier, a light board must be attached. A rear fog light or reverse light is not mandatory.

Bike carrier rules in Germany

• The bikes must not stick out further than 20 centimetres on each side of the vehicle, so 40 centimetres in total, up to a maximum width of 2.55 metres. Side markings are not mandatory. Towards the rear, the bike carrier must not protrude further than 1.50 metres.
• If the lights and reflectors of the vehicle are not clearly visible and there are no lights on the bike carrier, a light board must be used. A rear fog light is only mandatory for vehicles bearing a German licence plate.
• If the number plate of the vehicle is not clearly visible, an official auxiliary licence plate must be attached to the bike (carrier).

Bike carrier rules in Austria

• The bikes must not stick out further than 20 centimetres on each side of the vehicle, so 40 centimetres in total.
• If the lights and reflectors of the vehicle are not clearly visible and there are no lights on the bike carrier, a light board must be used.
• If the number plate of the vehicle is not clearly visible, an official auxiliary licence plate must be attached to the bike (carrier).

Bike carrier rules in Belgium

• The total width of a vehicle with a bike carrier must not exceed 255 cm.
• For vehicles with a Belgian licence plate, a bike carrier must have a rear fog light.
• The vehicle’s number plate and lights must be fully visible. If they are not, a separate light board and official auxiliary licence plate are mandatory.

Bike carrier rules in France

• The bikes must not stick out further than 20 centimetres on each side of the vehicle, so 40 centimetres in total.
• The vehicle’s number plate and lights must be fully visible. If they are not, a separate light board and official auxiliary licence plate are mandatory.

Bike carrier rules in Italy

• The bikes must not stick out further than 30 centimetres on each side of the vehicle.
• There must be a square, white marker board with 5 diagonal red stripes on the back of the bike carrier at all times, i.e. even when there are no bikes on the carrier or when it is folded. The sign must be made of plastic or metal and must be 50 x 50 cm in size.
• The vehicle’s number plate and lights must be fully visible. If they are not, a separate light board and official auxiliary licence plate are mandatory.

Bike carrier rules in Spain

• There must be a square, white marker board with 3 diagonal red stripes on the back of the bike carrier at all times, i.e. even when there are no bikes on the carrier or when it is folded. The sign must be made of plastic or aluminium and must be 50 x 50 cm in size.
• The vehicle’s number plate and lights must be fully visible. If they are not, a separate light board and official auxiliary licence plate are mandatory.

Bike carrier rules in Portugal

• In Portugal, it is strongly preferred to use a roof rack. Until 2003, towbar carriers were even prohibited. The EU has managed to undo this but the rules remain very strict for all types of bike carriers.
• The bikes and bike carrier must not be wider than the vehicle.
• The bike carrier must be certified and be demonstrably suitable for the load it is carrying. So remember to bring the documents etc. of the bike carrier with you!
• Towards the rear, the bike carrier must not protrude further than 45 centimetres (!). For towbar carriers, this is measured from the towbar; for trunk carriers it is measured from the rearmost point of the car.
• The vehicle’s number plate and lights must be fully visible. If they are not, a separate light board and official auxiliary licence plate are mandatory.
• If you’re using a roof rack, the combination of car and bikes must not exceed 4 metres in total. The bicycles must not stick out to the sides and no further than 55 cm to the front and 45 cm to the back.
• There must be a square, white marker board with 3 diagonal red stripes on the back of the bike carrier at all times, i.e. even when there are no bikes on the carrier or when it is folded. The sign must be made of plastic or aluminium and must be 50 x 50 cm in size.

Bike carrier rules in Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• The bikes must not stick out further than 30.5 centimetres on each side of the vehicle.
• The vehicle’s number plate and lights must be fully visible. If they are not, a separate light board and official auxiliary licence plate are mandatory.

Bike carrier rules in Sweden

• The bikes must not stick out further than 20 centimetres on each side of the vehicle.
• An official auxiliary licence plate must be attached to the bike (carrier) at all times.
• In Sweden it is very important that there is a country identifier (NL, B, IRL etc.) next to the number plate on the back of the bike carrier.
• The vehicle’s number plate and lights must be fully visible. If they are not, a separate light board and official auxiliary licence plate are mandatory.