Mountain biking is a favorite sport that attracts a considerable amount of fans all around the world. Many biking lovers choose their minivans as the primary vehicle to carry the bike to the destination. That’s why you need to have a good bike rack.
This review will introduce you to the top 5 bike racks for minivans. Moreover, you will have some help on how to buy the best bike racks for cars.
Top 5 Minivan Bike Racks – Detailed Reviews
1. Overdrive Sport Hitch Mounted Rack
Top of the list is the Overdrive Sport hitch mount rack with excellent sturdiness and optimal ergonomy that you can merely see in other options at the same price.
With a simple purpose to offer solid, high-quality, and affordable rack, Overdrive knows the importance of protecting your mounting bikes. And as for riding passionates, they work their best to help you bring your bikes to any pristine mountains in the country.
The Overdrive tray-style hitch rack is made from powder-coated steel tubing that can accommodate two bikes of up to 60 lbs. With 2-inch hitch receivers and a maximum tire width of 5”, this bike carrier rack is the ideal rack for electric bikes. Also, it can accommodate a fat bike, or road, and mountain bikes.
The hitch-mounted carrier rack from Overdrive features quick-release tilting that offers an easy adjustment to your bikes. This platform hitch-mounted bike rack allows you to access your trunk without taking off the bikes. That’s why it is the best choice for family camping with a lot of stuff to bring along.
In terms of security, the carrier rack includes a locking hitch pin, key, and locking knob for additional holding ability. Besides, the padded frame hook with cable locks design will keep your bike locked and safe from scratches and scuffs. The carrier rack also features an anti-wobble system to remove slack between the rack and the receiver. Thus, it will keep your bikes safe, even on the roughest route.
Finally, the rack comes unassembled, but you can set it up in a matter of minutes with a detailed instruction included. You can also find some guys assemble this item on Youtube and finish installation in about ten minutes.
- Maximum tire width of 5” for all types of bikes
- Quick-release tilting for extra cargo access
- Heavy-duty construction for frequent use
- Need safety straps for extra security
2. Allen Sports 5-Bike Hitch Rack
If you are looking for a spacious bike rack that can accommodate more than just one or two bikes, the Allen Sports Deluxe hitch mount bike rack is an ideal option for you. With half a decade of experience in producing car accessories, Allen Sports Deluxe rack is a trustable manufacturer that will offer you the premium quality.
This is a five-bike rack that offers you excellent security along with handiness. You will find the hitch insert that fits firmly to your 2-inch receiver hitches on your car. With exclusive hardware from Allen Sports Deluxe, you will need no wobble to install the rack securely.
Moreover, the ratcheting arms will add extra handiness and flexibility to your trip. You can fold down the rack when it is not in use, which will make it more versatile to use your vehicle with the rack installed. Besides, the main mast on the rack can be tilted back for trunk access when your mounting bikes are still on the rack.
In terms of security, the Allen Sports Deluxe rack is the safest rack for electric bikes. It features a built-in tie-down cradle system with an integrated cable to secure your bike one by one. With a flexible carry frame, you can transport any type of bike from kids bikes to adult road bikes with the same confidence.
Generally, the Allen Sports Deluxe carrier rack with a maximum loading capacity of 175 lbs is suitable for a group of campers to transport up to 5 bikes. However, you might need some technical knowledge and a few trials to finish installing this unit.
- Can accommodate up to 5 bikes of 175 lbs
- No-wobble installation with an exclusive knob
- Individual tie-down cradles for extra security
- You might need some trials and errors before successfully install the unit.
3. Kuat Racks Sherpa 2.0
Hitch-mounted bike racks are often heavier in weight and require more than one person to assemble. The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 rack can solve your problem within a minute with its incredibly modest weight. Sherpa 2.0 is an upgraded version of Sherpa, a great and reliable unit from Kuat that received a lot of compliments from users worldwide.
With an optimal technology in manufacturing that reduces the weight to 30.8 lbs, the Sherpa 2.0 is lighter than any other rack that you can find in the market. Thus, only one man can install or remove this unit without calling for extra help.
Although it is made from aluminum for optimal weight, the quality remains the same. It can withstand two bikes of up to 40 lbs each bike and 14.5” between bikes. The spacious platform enables you to carry almost any type of bikes without scratching or damaging your vehicles.
Apart from the incredibly modest weight, the installation of this unit is as less effort as possible. It features a hand-tight hitch-cam system that fits firmly with a 2” hitch receiver without any tool required. You can also adjust the rack with one hand, thanks to the ergonomic folding tire cradles and foot-actuated pivot.
Finally, the rack comes with enough accessories and items you need for a successful installation. You will also find detailed instructions that can do you a favor with assembly the unit.
However, the reduced weight and accessories might lead to some hassles in installation. It doesn’t have a built-in cable, but just a single lock to attach the bike on the rack. And this single-bike rack has no room for addon extensions for more bikes.
- Extremely lightweight and easy to access
- Spacious platform to carry any types of bike
- Can be adjusted with one hand
- No room for additional carrier racks
4. ROCK BROS Suction Cup Bike Roof Rack
The ROCK BROS bike rack is a creative innovation that makes transporting your bikes during camping much more convenient. It can be used with many vehicles, including sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and especially minivans.
The suction cup system is very easy to install. You only need to clean the car’s roof and sucker to remove all water, dust, and sand. The cylinder rod can be installed within a minute by pressing it on the car roof. Then, you only need some adjustments to finish the installation.
In terms of security, the vacuum pumping offers excellent firmness and fixes the cups on your car’s roof. The tray rack features individual heavy-duty fork clamps to hold bikes securely. Besides, the rubber sucker and the velcro strap will protect your bike from scratches.
The ROCK BROS fits with mountain fat bikes, electric bikes, road bikes, trail bikes, and bikes with quick-release front wheels. It also offers you excellent flexibility and a wide range of buying options for 1, 2, and 3 bikes.
With an elegant and nice-looking design, this bike carrier rack leaves no room for awkwardness. When the tray rack is not in use, you can attach the protection cover to extend the service life of this rack.
As this bike rack has strong suction, you should install it in a flat place like a car roof. The suction cups will crack the glass if you install them on it.
- Easy to set up and remove
- Stylish design with innovative technology
- Durable and highly compatible
- Should not install on glass
- Advise the speed less than 120 km/h
5. CyclingDeal 1 Bike Bicycle Car Roof Rack
Last but not least, the CyclingDeal roof rack for bike transportation is the best choice for carbon bikes. It is a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of time to install and then remove trunk-mounted or hitch-mounted bike racks.
This roof mount bike rack is for a single bike only. But it can accommodate any types of bikes, even the kids bikes, or fat e-bikes with giant wheels. It features a 9” front quick-release fork that will secure the front wheel of your bike to the rack to keep it safe during transportation. Besides, the frame holder and tie-down strap holds the bike steadily and also make it handier for you to put the bike on the roof of your car.
In terms of compatibility, CyclingDeal is a great choice for minivans with high compatibility. It fits the bars with a maximum thickness of 50mm and a maximum width of 85mm. It is also compatible with square and aero crossbars from the Thule, Rhino, Ralo, and Prorack brands.
The installation of this rack is such a breeze. You don’t have to look for further instruction as it is already comes assembled. The only thing you need to do is to attach the rack to your car’s roof. It will take you less than fifteen minutes to make this unit assembled sturdily to your car with a couple of bolts.
The only thing that you might not like about this rack is how it looks. Although it is quite poorly designed, the quality is undeniable. The U bolts are not the prettiest way to secure the rack on your car, but it is among the most secure one. It will offer you the incredible confidence to carry your bike with you on any trip.
- Easy to install
- Compatible with many types of crossbands
- Can accommodate all types of bike
- Only for one bike
- A little bit poor-designed
How to Choose a Bike Rack for Your Minivan
Generally, a bike rack is a must for those who want to carry their bike on the road trip. But choosing the right bike racks for cars is never a simple task. Which criteria that you should look for? Check out some recommendations below.
Types of bike racks
The first and foremost factor you should concern is the type of rack. How many types are there, and which one will be suitable for you?
There are three main types of car bike rack that you can find on the market:
1. Roof rack
As their name suggests, roof-mounted carrier racks are installed on the roof of your car. They are the best choice to save space as they will not cause any barrier for you to access your trunk or your cargo. Another advantage of roof-mounted racks is lightweight and easy to install.
However, putting your bike above your car’s roof requires a lot of physical confidence. Also, the roof rack is available for a single bike or a maximum of 2 bikes. You should also pay attention to the speed limit as a roof-mounted rack will cause some defects in speed.
One more thing to consider when you choose a roof-mounted rack for minivans is the limited height. If you drive under bridges with low clearance, it might be dangerous.
2. Hitch rack
A hitch bike rack is an ideal option for any purpose. They are attached to the trailer hitch receiver at the bottom of your car, offering full access to your trunk, but still, take up some space.
Hitch-mounted racks have a great loading capacity to carry up to four bikes. However, the downside of this type is the heavyweight, which you must have someone to help you install it.
Generally, hitch bike racks are the most commonly used rack among the three. Thus, it is easier for you to find replacements or accessories.
3. Trunk rack
Finally, a trunk mount rack is the traditional type of rack that offers excellent compatibility. Trunk racks are suitable for any type of car, and of course, they are the ones for minivans.
The biggest advantage of trunk mount rack is installation. It is optimized for one person to set up without any tool required. Besides, trunk racks will not cause any harmful effect on your car’s performance.
But this type of bike racks possesses a weakness that makes it less flexible than others. When you mounted the rack on your car, it is impossible for you to access the trunk from the outside. So, think about how much you need your trunk before purchasing this type of carrier rack.
Sturdiness
The next thing you should take into account is the sturdiness of the rack. A good bike rack is made from sturdy material that can withstand the beating of weather and impact.
As bike racks are often made from steel, the rust resistance property is a must. A good rack should be coated with a non-corrosion and non-rust coating to prevent the damage.
However, the sturdiness of your bike rack might come along with enormous weight, which might cause hassles in installation and removing the unit. So, the best option is to balance between sturdiness and weight for the optimal benefit.
Installation
Who wants to waste half a day to install a bike rack, and another half of the day to detach it? It must not be you.
Although car bike rack is the stuff that needs strength for installation, many manufacturers have made it possible for one person to finish assembling the unit.
Apart from the weight property that you have considered above, you should look for a bike rack that has a detailed manual that will teach you to install the rack step by step. Or you would love to have a no-wobble or no-tool installation carrier rack.
Security
The most critical factor that you should consider before buying a bike rack is security. Can it hold your bike securely even on the toughest route? Will it fit will your fat-tire bikes?
Some specifications that can help you decide a racks’ level of security are maximum tire width, front lock or not, velcro straps included, and many other kinds of stuff.
You should read the product description carefully to make sure that the rack can accommodate your bike. Moreover, experts recommend you to go with the buying options with additional straps for extra safety.
Other concerns
Some other factors that you might need to concern include the price, how the rack looks, and warranty.
About the price, bike racks are the thing that you will get what you paid for. A high-quality option will never cost you less than $100. And it depends on how many times you will use it, and which loading capacity you will need. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on this item, many budget picks are available.
The next minor factor is the look of your bike rack. It is not a big deal if you want to uninstall the rack after use. But if you want to keep it installed, a stylish look will be a greater choice.
Conclusion
Minivan is a thoughtful mean of transportation to carry your mountain bikes. And the best type of bike racks for minivans is hitch-mounted racks. Among the top 5 bike racks for minivans above, you should go for the Overdrive and Allen Sports bike racks as they are the top-quality products at a reasonable price.