With bike racks, compatibility with your car is one of the key things you look for. As such, if you drive a Mazda 3, not all racks will work with your vehicle.
There are some options that would be considered the best Mazda 3 bike racks in the market. That said, they aren’t easy to find, especially if you don’t know what features to look for. In our opinion, your selection should come down to features like the load capacity, size, weight of the rack, material construction, and a few extra features. These will influence how well and easily the device attaches to your car, how well it’s able to carry your bikes, and a few other determinants of your user experience. Listed below are the top rack options to consider.
Other features: strap mounting, foldable, 12-inch-long carry arms, extra-large car pads
As far as bike racks for cars go, the Allen Sports Premier 2-Bike Trunk Rack is a jack of all trades. Its patented quick setup frame fits minivans, SUVs, and even the sedan and hatchback options of the Mazda 3. The rack features metal construction and extra-large car pads that bear the weight of the bikes while protecting the car. The design also incorporates strap mounting with the straps fitted with UV-resistant rubber cradles that keep bikes secure without damaging them. Another feature of the rack’s design is the narrow carry arms which accommodate just about any bike model you can think of.
The Allen Sports Premier Rack is for users who want to carry two bikes on their Mazda 3.
Other features: SuperCush ZipStrip cradles, four-strap design
Another contender for the best Mazda 3 sedan bike rack is the YAKIMA Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack. This option can carry a maximum of three bikes, but only if they each weigh 35 lbs or less. It ships fully assembled, although you might need to visit the Yakima website to determine the settings for your Mazda 3, whether it’s a hatchback or a sedan. Included in the purchase are SuperCush zipstrip cradles to hold your bikes in place. Depending on the bike model, you may also need a TubeTop accessory purchased separately. Also, since this rack comes with the SKS locking package, you can secure your bikes to prevent theft.
The YAKIMA rack is for users who can spend more for premium rack features.
Other features: foldable, 6-strap tightening system, integrated anti-sway cradles
If you want a bike rack model specifically designed for hatchback attachment, the Thule Gateway Pro Trunk Bike Rack is one of your best bets. Like the YAKIMA Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack it can handle a maximum 105 lbs bike weight evenly distributed between the bikes. This option features plastic and aluminum construction; hence it’s relatively light compared to the competition. That said, it’s also durable. One notable rack feature of this model is the anti-sway cradles included, which work in conjunction with the 7” spacing to prevent bikes from touching each other while you ferry them. Additionally, there’s an integrated cable lock that you can use to keep your bikes from getting stolen.
The Thule Gateway Pro Trunk Bike Rack is for users who want extra security on their Mazda 3 hatchback while ferrying their bikes.
Other features: injection-molded arms and legs, 100% recyclable materials
The Saris Bones 805 2 Bike Trunk Mount Rack features plastic construction, and thus most potential users have questions about the durability. However, since the arms and legs are injection molded, they seem capable of holding their own against the bikes as long as they weigh 35 lbs or less. The extra benefits of the plastic construction are that the rack doesn’t rust, and it’s recyclable. Notably, fitting your bikes onto the rack is a straightforward affair, and so is mounting the rack onto your Mazda 3. There’s even the inclusion of anti-sway straps to keep your bikes from damaging each other.
The Bones 805 is for users who prefer lightweight construction on their racks and who would love the option to recycle the device once it’s outlived its usefulness.
Other features: rust-resistant coating, lifetime limited warranty, foldable when not in use
The Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B is the Mazda 3 hatchback or sedan bike rack you go for if you’re trying to save some money. However, it can only carry one bike with a maximum weight limit of 55 lbs. While not specified, the construction of the rack features some metal components. That said, these components are also finished using E-coating, and that protects them from rust. The device is already fairly lightweight and compact, but it folds as well, making it easy to store. Lastly, the padded section of the rack serves as a physical barrier between the bike and the car.
The TG-RK1B204B is for users with heavy bikes and a limited budget.
If you’re wondering how to pick the best bike rack for Mazda 3, it will probably involve an in-depth look into the features. They determine not only how well the rack fits onto your car but also the functionality and the use experience. As such, the information provided on these rack features below should be more than helpful.
According to Consumer Reports Trusted Source Best Bike Racks for Your Car - Consumer Reports Consumer Reports tips for choosing the right bicycle rack for your car. www.consumerreports.org , there are three major types of bike racks available. They include roof-mounted carriers, hitch-mounted carriers, and the strap-on, trunk-mounted carriers which make up our list. Some specialty options like spare tire-mount racks and trunk-bed bike racks are also available, but they aren’t very common.
In terms of cost, the strap-on, trunk-mounted variation is the most affordable, making it one of the most popular. It’s also easy to use and configure on your Mazda 3.
Additionally, you need to consider how you intend to use the rack, as that will dictate the model you go for. Things like the type of bike you intend to use the rack with, the weight, the design of the top tube, and more can also be determinant factors.
Another box to tick when buying a bike rack for your Mazda three is the construction. What materials are used, and consequently, what are the expected durability levels? The materials may also affect things like rack weight and the weight of the bikes it can handle.
Some material options you may encounter include alloy steel, aluminum, plastic, and more. It’s easy to brush off plastic as a weak material, but as shown by the Saris Bones 805 Bike Trunk Mount Rack, it can also be durable.
Of course, your needs come into play as well. These racks vary not just in the number of bikes they can carry but also in the weight limits. The Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B Bicycle Carrier Rack, for instance, can only carry one bike and has a 55 lbs limit. As such, if you take solo riding trips and have a relatively heavy two-wheeler, the rack is well suited to your needs.
Conversely, if you like to make cycling a bonding moment with either your significant other or your kids, you’ll need to carry more than one bike at a time. As such, a model like the YAKIMA Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack that can handle three bikes may come in handy.
Even when they feature the same capacity in terms of how many bikes they can carry, they come in different sizes. As such, you’ll have to decide on the size of rack you want. Most people prefer compact racks because they’re easier to carry.
On the other hand, larger racks may provide more clearance between bikes and between the bikes and the car. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide between these two options.
According to Markel Insurance Trusted Source Bicycle Theft Prevention | Markel Specialty Bicycle theft prevention is more than just bike locks. Check out Markel’s 6 easy ways to help prevent bicycle theft & increase your bicycle security today! www.markelinsurance.com , more than 188 500 bikes are reported stolen annually. As such, the security of your rack may be something you have to consider if you want to avoid adding to this number.
Options like the Thule Gateway Pro Trunk Bike Rack come with integrated cable locks so your bike can be safe. However, some options don’t include a locking mechanism which can make keeping your bike secure a hassle.
Weight can be a significant issue when strapping the rack onto the car. After all, you do need to hoist up the rack and keep it lifted as you fasten the straps. Heavier racks may also prove problematic when you’re moving them to storage or carrying them to your car. As such, lighter racks are preferred.
Despite strap-on, trunk-mounted carriers being some of the cheapest racks in comparison to other rack types, they may still cost a pretty penny depending on the model. Ideally, the model you settle for should be within your budget limitations. That said, higher-priced racks are typically more durable and tend to come with more features.
There are many more rack features, and they’re usually model-specific. Manufacturers include them in a bid to add value and attract customers. Examples include being foldable, recyclable materials, larger car pads, and more. You can look at these extra features and compare them before deciding which ones you’d rather have in your rack.
Additionally, you may have to adjust the rack’s body to fit the mold of your trunk. The straps can be adjusted for a snug fit, so they support the rack and the bikes. The arms also need to be adjusted to a slight incline angle. That way, the bikes won’t come into contact with the car and cause damage.
There will be in-depth instructions on how to pull off the setup included in your purchase. After all, there might be some slight differences depending on the rack model and design. Finally, always ensure you wipe off debris and dust from your car trunk before installing the rack; otherwise, you may damage the finish.
For a 2-bike setup, the Allen Sports Premier 2-Bike Trunk Rack is one of the best racks models hence its selection at the top of our list. It’s durably made, comes with large pads to protect your car, has long carry arms, and is lightweight to boot.
Another top model is the YAKIMA Fullback Trunk Mount Bike Rack. Designwise it’s a notch above most other options. It also includes security features, cradles to keep your bikes from swaying, and easy adjustability to match different car models.
Even the Thule Gateway Pro Trunk Bike Rack has some top-tier features, including anti-sway cradles, a cable lock, and an impressive strap system. All in all, you can pick out amazing features in just about any option listed, which makes choosing the best Mazda 3 Bike Rack problematic. However, with the buying guide above, your selection process should go a lot smoother.
