Are you sick and tired of having to choose between your love for cycling and for your Prius? Well, no fear, because we’ve got you covered with a review of the best bike racks for Prius. Not only will you be saving the planet by driving a Prius, but now you can also save it by transporting your bike in a sustainable way!
We tested 17 popular models and selected the 6 best bike racks for Prius. The two most important features we paid attention to are security and ease of use. We chose those with locking mechanisms that ensure your bikes stay securely attached to your car, even on uneven roads. And with easy-to-use thumb levers, installation and removal of the racks is a breeze. These racks are also designed to fit the contours of your Prius, so you can be sure that your bikes are transported safely and securely. The Hollywood Racks Expedition became our favorite.
More features: six attachment straps, rubber cradles, patented anti-sway blocks
The Hollywood Racks Expedition rack is our Editor’s Choice because it is made of lightweight alloy steel, so it leaves any scratches on your vehicle and lasts for years to come. Its rubber anti-sway bike cradles protect from any scratches on your bike, and six EPDM rubber attachment straps will securely hold up to bikes in place, not allowing them to hit when riding on rough terrains. The rack comes fully pre-assembled, and it can be easily folded flat to be stored in a trunk or a garage.
Hollywood Racks, as a reputable brand, has several quality racks such as the Mounted 2 Bike Rack, F4 Heavy Duty, Bolt-on Spare Tire Rack, and B2 Baja 2-Bike Rack. However, the Hollywood Racks Expedition stands out because of its adjustability and easy installation. It also works more incredibly for men’s bikes, plus its super perfect for hatchbacks and SUVs minivans too.
More features: fits 1 1/4″ and 2” receiver hitches
We also tested 2-Bike Hitch Racks from Allen Sports and they became our favorite hitch racks. With the help of a quality locking knob, the rack is securely tightened into the receiver hitch with no further wobbling. Its UV-resistant secure straps keep your bikes in place and are compatible with a wide range of tube sizes, while a dual compound cradle bed and padded spine shield provide full protection for your bikes on the roads. The carry arms snap into place and can be folded out of the way when not in use. In addition, it is perfect for easy lift gate access with an internal tilt-away release function.
This bike rack does get a lot of praise with tons of positive reviews due to its high quality, and it has been perpetually rated and recommended to be an excellent option for anyone who seeks a car bike rack for two bikes by users. While the Allen Sports Hitch Rack comes in different models, such as the 5-bike model, 4-bike model, and 3-bike model, this 2-Bike Hitch Rack offers great security and protection and allows easy lift-gate access.
More features: 6-point strap securing system, soft rubber handles
If you want the most strength and security, we recommend looking at Bones EX Bike Rack by Saris, which has an arc-based design for separating bikes on different levels, and its injection-molded plastic arms and legs will last years and years. Its rubber feet are articulated to protect the paint. The ratchet straps are quick to fasten and the strap excess can be hidden away with the help of strap management caps. It can carry up to 2 bikes (35 lbs. each) while weighing only 11 lbs. and being also one of the most lightweight bike racks. It is compatible with 90% of top vehicles, even with those with spoilers.
One major thing that separates this rack from other racks is its sustainability feature. Manufactured with 100% recyclable materials, it’s hand-built in Madison, Wisconsin, and it is an excellent option for eco-friendly individuals. The Saris Bones Car Bike Rack is also an upgraded version of the Saris Bones 2-Bike model, and it offers a great value with its affordable price, lightweight, sturdy construction, and versatile design.
More features: lifetime warranty, includes base bars, base stays and foot/hook, locks and keys
The INNO Complete Rack System is one of the safest options out there as it is a roof-mounted rack specifically designed and sized for Toyota Prius. This complete bike rack consists of three rack components: base bars, base stays, and foot/hook. Plus, locks and keys are included, so you don’t need to purchase additional equipment. With its limited lifetime warranty, any defective parts can be replaced or repaired by the manufacturer at no additional cost.
Although the INNO Complete Rack System is often underrated, it remains an excellent choice for anyone who seeks a bike roof rack. Unlike the Hollywood Racks Expedition, which is more suitable for hatchbacks and SUVs minivans, this INNO Complete Rack System is specially designed to cater to the Toyota Prius. Another interesting feature is that it comes with whooping ten different options, which is thoughtful of the manufacturer.
More features: SuperCush ZipStrip cradles, bomber external frame, safety strap
The FullBack rack by Yakima is a strap rack that features a sleek design for durability and paint protection and SKS (Same Key System) locks for additional safety and theft prevention. Its SuperCrush ZipStrip cradles are perfect for loading, unloading, and securing your bike. The rack comes fully assembled, all you have to do is to install it. It has easy installation thanks to a 4-strap attachment and an interlocking HUB for aligning key adjustment points. In addition, the rack has a built-in bottle opener for post-ride parties.
Boasting a premium high-gloss finish, the Yakima Fullback Premium Rack is built to last long and more interestingly, it comes fully assembled, and it is ready to use just like the Hollywood Racks Expedition. You can choose to go either for the Fullback 2 or Fullback 3 when you’re purchasing this rack. But unlike the INNO Complete Rack System, the Yakima Fullback Premium Rack doesn’t come with a lifetime warranty.
More features: individual soft cradles, padded lower frame, extra safety strap
We awarded the Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B Rack with the Premium Pick nomination as it’s made of high-quality material and is compatible with most vehicles, the only exception is vehicles with rear spoilers. It can carry up to one bike of 55 lbs. with its sturdy construction. The padded lower frame ensures that your bike and car are kept away. Soft cradles and ratchet buckles are made to protect your bike’s frame, while an extra safety strap is supposed to stabilize the bike while transporting. The rack has a standard coating for rust resistance.
This bike rack is a unique rack on this list because it’s the only single bike rack featured. But don’t underestimate it. Though it may not have much carrying capacity like others, it has very sturdy steel construction and packs awesome security features. While it is fit for virtually all kinds of vehicles, it is a fantastic option for adventurous lone wolves setting out with just one bike.
For Toyota Prius, you can choose from three common bike racks which are namely trunk, hitch, and roof-mount racks. Each of them has its benefits and drawbacks, so let’s look closely at them.
Trunk mount racks are typically the most affordable bike racks that cost around $50-$200. As the name suggests, it is designed to be placed on the back of a car trunk while securely held with straps. Its arms and cradles are meant to support the bike and hold it in place while transporting. These racks are lightweight and can be mounted on different vehicles. However, the effectiveness depends on how tight you secure the straps.
Hitch mount racks are priced higher than trunk mount racks ($150-$500) and are designed for carrying from two to five bikes. This type of rack includes platform and hanging cradle-style racks.
When buying a hitch-mounted rack, you must check the tongue load capacity of your vehicle’s hitch. If too much weight is loaded, the hitch can bend or even break, causing an accident.
Roof mount racks are designed to be placed on the top of the roof and are perfect for serious cyclists. However, they cost $200-$500 and go higher if you decide to build a whole rack system. They either come with preinstalled mounting points or you can build your own. You can transport not only bikes but also small boats, skis, and cargo boxes. However, it can be challenging to lift the bikes on the roof.
The number of bikes is the next thing you want to look at. Each bike rack, no matter what model you get, can have a different number of cradles. Don’t try to attach several bikes on one rack, otherwise, it can break under the extra weight. If you are planning on transporting more than three bikes, it’s better to opt for rood mount racks.
The weight limit of a bike rack also determines what bikes you can transport. If it’s a single bike rack, the weight capacity for it is recommended by the manufacturer. If the rack is for several bikes, the manufacturer also provides the weight per bike.
Some bike racks fit only standard-sized bikes and not women’s or kids’ bikes so make sure you check this before ordering a bike rack. Actually, you need to look at the top tube of the frame of a bike. For instance, some models require additional adaptors or bike beams for horizontal top tube bikes (women’s and kids’ bikes).
Of course, when transporting bikes outside of the car, you want to check if it is equipped with anti-theft features like locks and keys. The effectiveness of the bike rack depends on how you install the rack. So take time and follow the instructions carefully.
When choosing a bike rack for your Prius, think about whether you’re ready to spend extra cash on fuel. Generally speaking, a roof rack can influence your fuel expenses by up to 30%, as they distress the aerodynamics of a vehicle. On the other hand, rear racks don’t consume much fuel as they are placed out of the way.
Remember that hauling with a hitch bike rack is going to be different and you need to adjust to it. So when hitting the road remember to brake carefully and when backing up, think of accessories you have installed.
It is rather challenging to do, but with the right equipment, it is possible. However, if you experience backache or have other health issues with lifting heavy things, opt for either trunk or hitch bike rack.
We especially liked three bike racks out of the list. The Hollywood Racks Expedition rack is our Editor’s Choice which has a sturdy alloy steel construction that can carry up to 3 bikes and leave no scratches on your vehicles.
Next, you can find the Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Racks which was selected as the Best Hitch Bike Rack. It is easy to take on and off the bikes of this bike rack. The added padded spine protects both bikes from hitting each other.
Lastly, we put the Saris Bones EX Bike Rack which is the Best Strength Rack and has an unusual arc design and injection-molded plastic arms and legs to keep the bikes secure.
Whether to heed our advice or not is your choice. We do hope you’ll find your best bike rack for Prius.
