Best Spare Tire Bike Rack for Beginners
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What is the best solution to carry your camping gear, your family and their road bikes along? There is no need to hook your bike up the roof rack or cram it in the car. You may not have enough room inside to fit everything.
If you have an off-road vehicle with a spare tire fastened to the rear door, then a reliable method is having a spare tire bike rack. This rack is mounted onto the spare tire of your jeep, which keeps both your bike and vehicle in good condition, free from scratches. It is a great way to travel into the wild, to biking spots far away from your area.
Because there are so many options out there, we have selected the top Spare Tire Bike Racks which are outstanding in their own features. If you just want to skip and get the best Spare Tire Bike Racks in our list, we recommend Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack as our top choice.
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Why Trust Us
Jules and Ken
We are outdoor lovers, travellers, and writers all rolled into one. You have seen our posts here reviewing lots of different types of outdoor gear, camping equipment, RV equipment, kayaking, to cycling. Our reviews are guided by our years of experience being outdoors. We are happy to share our knowledge with you to make a better choice when you are outdoors.
Whether you are looking for the best affordable, the best overall or best quality spare tire bike rack, just know that you are at the right place. We have reviewed it all and you can save the trouble of reviewing it yourself. In this guide, we have listed down 5 racks as our top picks for Best Spare Tire Bike Rack For Beginners.
5 Top Spare Tire Bike Racks
Here are our selection for the top Spare Tire Bike Racks
This is a bike rack that is very well built and can accommodate up to 70 lbs. It weighs 9.4 lbs on its own. Its carry arms are 15 inches long, which provides plenty of space for 2 bikes. Its patented metal frame structure is designed to be high enough to ensure your bicycles are away from the hot exhaust.
In terms of installation, just rest the bike rack right on top of the spare tire. Then pull down the 2 bottom straps and hook it under the tailgate of your wrangler. Subsequently, pull the webbing to strap the bike rack tightly to the spare tire. It has a tie-down system that can secure your bicycle in a fixed position, so it will not wobble even when you are on the road.
Allen Sports Deluxe 2 is very versatile as it can hold a wide range of bicycle frames and styles without any issues. That includes women’s and children’s frames which are designed differently from average road bikes. Its design perfectly fits most oversized spare tires, even with the tire cover left on or off. You can’t go wrong with this rack.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Tie down system
- Bicycles are hung away from the exhaust
Cons
- No available security lock to prevent theft
This is a well made and sturdy spare tire rack that mounts on the spare tire carrier very well. You can even take it through the automated car wash without a problem. The rack can fit most spare tires that are up to 12 inches. This is because it comes along with 3 multiple length mounting extension brackets. This proves to be flexible, in the event you switch vehicles.
The soft rubber cradles will hold your mountain bike well enough for safe transport. They are found to be very long lasting. You will feel at ease to know this rack comes with a locking bolt to secure the rack to deter potential theft. But you may want to purchase a separate bike lock which locks to the rack. This will prevent someone from stealing the bikes off the rack.
If you are carrying your kids’ pro scooters or women’s bikes, you may need a tube adapter to mount the bikes. Usually these types of bikes do not have a horizontal top tube. The bike support arms are flexible. When not in use, you can fold the arms and access the trunk. It is known to be one of the best bike carriers to carry spare tires because it can be shifted to the center to ferry side mounted tires.
The metal frame is not rust free. But even if there is a mark or two, it is just purely cosmetic and not noticeable. The instructions to install the rack are excellent if you are not a very handy person. Hollywood Racks Bolt-On Spare Tire Rack is one of the favorites for cyclists to transport their bicycles safely.
Pros
- Rubber straps are long lasting
- Locking bolt to secure the rack
- Adjustable
- Foldable arms
Cons
- Not rust free
This rack can hold 2 bikes. It is easy to install and remove when not needed.Opening the rear door is a breeze, as your bikes will be out of the way when getting to your luggage. The rack weighs 10 lbs on its own and can be folded up to a compact size. It can be adjusted out of the way, when you are not using it. You do not need to remove the bikes and you will not notice its presence when you are not using it. This is especially useful, when you are trying to park your vehicle without taking up too much space.
The bolts rusts easily when exposed to the weather and it can eventually make the bolts seize up.You will need tools like a wrench or pliers when mounting on the rack. It is fully adjustable to fit most spare tires up to 12 inches. However, take note, this rack is not suitable for e-bikes.
The carrier is built to carry up to a capacity of 75 lbs. The strap and clamp system ensures the bike is well centered when placed on the rack. Many users find it easy to put on and take off their bikes from the rack. The cradles which are made of soft rubber will protect your bike’s finish from scratches. Your bikes will not sway due to vibrations on the road. It uses rubberized tie downs to avoid the bikes from knocking on each other.
You will love this bike as it is affordable and is a bargain compared to other options.
Pros
- Affordable
- Foldable arms
- Soft rubber cradles
- Tie down straps
Cons
- No locking system for bike and the rack
If you want to tow your bikes to your campsite, this is a great option for you. If you are looking for a higher capacity bike rack, this rack can transport up to 3 bikes. 2 adult bikes and one child bike would fit very comfortably. Rest assured, there are rubber cushions on the rack to protect your bike from scratches.
You no longer need to watch the mirror wondering if your bikes are secured tight enough. You will love the security features as it has a lock on the top of the bike rack to secure your bike. So you will not need to fear someone will steal it. However, do make sure you make yourself a spare copy upon receiving the key. The rack comes with only one key.
However, this rack cannot be folded down when not in use. But if you want to park it in a small space, just remove the exposed arm, and leave the base on. Don’t worry about the scratches on your car, as the rack comes with a non-scratch padded channel to hold your bike from being in contact between your vehicle and the bikes.
Pros
- Comes with a bike lock
- Non-scratch padded channel to secure bike
- Able to hold 3 bikes
Cons
- Lock comes with only 1 key
This is a hitch rack which works for vehicles with a spare wheel. It attaches to the hitch instead of the trunk, which is different from the other 4 bike racks reviewed earlier.
This rack needs a minimum of 2 inch hitch on your vehicle to install this bike rack. You need to install a receiver hitch before you can use one. There is a no-wobble bolt which can be used to avoid rack movement on the hitch.
This bike rack supports 4 bikes at a time. This works well if you plan to bike with your family of four. 4 adult bikes may be a bit of a squeeze for this rack. But it is comfortable when storing 3 adults and a child bike. It has a max weight capacity of 35 lbs for each bike.
However, you cannot access the trunk when the bikes are loaded on the rack. You need to tilt the rack using the pull levers and release buttons. Then you can open the hatch. When not in use, you can fold the arm out of the way, giving you extra space to park your vehicle.
It comes with individual tie downs for each bike to lock the bikes well. It has an anti-theft feature safety lock with 2 keys. This is to secure the rack to the hitch to prevent theft. Note that, as the rack keeps the bike at low height, it is easier to get dirt on the bike. This is due to the closer distance of the bike from the road.
Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks is simple in design and has all the basic needs to transport your bike. For its price, it is definitely great value for money.
Pros
- High capacity rack that fits 4 bikes
- Security lock with 2 keys
- Rack can be tilted to open the trunk
Cons
- Low height, bike gets dirty easily
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Why buy a Spare Tire Bike Rack
Efficient, good for your back
If you want to quickly load your bikes on the rack and get going on your adventure, this is the solution for you. Hanging racks are much lighter than tray racks. Thus, if you have problems with your back, then having a hanging rack is much better for your posture.
Save space and protect the interior of your car
When you have a spare tire bike rack, you will not need to risk having your leather chair being scratched by bikes stored in the car. With a bike rack, you also do not need to detach the wheels from your bike just to force squeeze it into the boot. And think of the hassle of having to clean up the inside the car after your adventure. Wouldn’t it be great just to install a spare tire bike rack?
Straightforward to install
For a SUV, a spare tire bike rack is the most straightforward rack to install. There are alternatives like a roof-mounted rack, but some vehicles may not be able to handle too much weight on its soft top. Roof racks also may be a concern if you have passing through branches or somewhere with a maximum ceiling height.
Convenient
With a bike rack, you can swing your back door completely out of the way, with no interference from the rack. Leave the bikes on it, and you will still have access to the back of your car. You would have saved lots of space in your car to store more luggage or passengers.
How to use a spare tire bike rack
The right way is to load the largest or heaviest bike first. Then secure the bikes using the straps onto the cradles. If the bike does not fit in one way, try to load it in another direction or angle.
Then you may want to add some bungee cords to lock the wheels in place to prevent the bikes from banging into each other.
When not in use you may want to remove the bike rack to avoid the rain and the sun. This will protect the finish of the bike rack.
If you are travelling in rainy weather, you may want to get a few cleaning tools to clean your bike. Expect your bikes to splashed with mud, if you are going through muddy or bumpy roads.
How to choose a spare tire bike rack
Capacity
Depending on how many bikes you want to transport, you need to get a bike rack that can support that capacity. Most spare tire bike racks accomodate 2 bikes. Avoid overloading the bike rack, as it can cause serious damage to the bike or your vehicle.
Just like a tent, you plan to carry 5 bikes, then get a bike rack for 4. If you plan to carry 3 bikes, get a bike rack for 4. This gives you more room for the bikes to sit, and more space for your handlebars and pedals.
Fit
If you plan to transport more than one bike, then you may want to look for an anti sway arm that will prevent bike-to-bike contact. This is especially so, when you are travelling on bumpy roads.
Check that your rack is durable enough to withstand the elements from the road. Some bike racks have straps or rubberised cradles to protect your bike from wiggling around.
Check if the bike rack can accommodate different types of bikes. Some women’s or children’s bikes require a special adapter to secure the bikes.
Security
If you are transporting expensive bicycles, then you may want to invest in a rack which comes with some security features to provide more protection for your bike. If you can’t afford one that has security features, you can buy separate cable locks to secure your bike.
Storage
Also if you plan to drive around with your bikes all the time, you may want a rack that can be put away into a compact shape when not in use. This helps especially when you are trying to park in a tight spot. Some racks have the option that allows quick removal, which is convenient if you are not using the rack.
Tailgate access
Some bike racks offer the convenience of allowing you to access your vehicle while the rack and bicycles are still on. Also check if the reverse camera is affected with the installation of this bike rack.
Summary
Getting a good quality bike rack is an investment. You want to enjoy biking for many years to come. We find among the top Spare Tire Rack we have reviewed, Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack has the winning edge. This gem is reasonably affordable without compromising its essential features. Thus, it is not surprising that it has consistently the best reviews and comes out as one of the most popular choices among the cycling community. So get your spare tire bike rack and elevate your next adventure!
What’s Next
If you are new to biking and want to get your hands on a bike that can tackle both road and mountain biking, then check out our picks for hybrid bikes.
I hope you enjoyed this review and if you have questions about any of the Top Spare Tire Bike Rack, or want to leave your own personal review, feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you.
