Hitch vs Roof Bike Rack Compared: Which Is Better?
Arguably the most popular car bike racks are the hitch rack and the roof rack. No wonder most of the best bike rack manufacturers are producing both. So, the overall quality and reliability aren’t an issue.
There are pros and cons to both hitch-mounted bike racks and roof-mounted bike racks. Ultimately, the best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Here are some things to consider when deciding between a hitch-mounted bike rack and a roof-mounted bike rack.
I’ve used pretty much all car bike rack types, including hitch and roof racks. These are my experiences.
Hitch bike racks: advantages & disadvantages
Pro
- Capacities of up to 5 full-size bikes.
- Easier to load and unload, as they are closer to the ground.
- Highest weight capacity of any vehicle bike rack.
- Low impact on fuel economy, even when fully loaded.
- Standardized compatibility based on 2 main tow hitch sizes 2″ and 2.5″
- Garages and park decks are still accessible.
- Lockable to the hitch for security.
Contra
- Tow hitch required. Potentially additional installation costs.
- Heavier and bulkier than roof-mounted bike racks, which can make them harder to store when not in use.
- Will obstruct license plates and rear lights, which is usually illegal but has workarounds.
- Obstruct view of the rearview mirror.
- The rear parking sensors will not work.
- Should be dismounted when not in use.
- Trunk access is limited.
For more, here’s an entire article dedicated to the pros and cons of hitch racks.
Roof bike racks: advantages & disadvantages
Pro
- Usual capacity of 3 bikes.
- Lighter and compact. Easy to store and install.
- Full trunk access.
- Can be left on the car indefinitely.
- Multipurpose: Wide variety of use cases and mounts for existing roof rails.
- Locks for theft security.
Contra
- Less aerodynamic for bad fuel efficiency when loaded.
- Difficult to load and unload, as you have to lift the bikes up high to get them onto the roof of your car.
- Thus, not e-bike friendly.
- No universal fit, research for the individual car is required.
- Garages and park decks inaccessible.
- Unusable on b.
For more, here’s an entire article dedicated to the pros and cons of roof racks.
Price
There is no definitive answer on which is more expensive between roof and hitch racks. Either one has to be looked at as a package. Only the complete one can get the job done.
The actual rack and accessories needed depend on the make and model of the car, if it has certain features (like a tow hitch or roof rails pre-installed) and what other uses the rack has to fulfill.
Roof racks may be able to carry bikes, but that’s only one of many different uses of a car roof rack. Here are all the other options. The actual rails are just the basis for modules packed onto them. Each with its own price tag. This is why the price range of roof racks can vary quite drastically.
Alternatively, hitch racks have basically one use, which they excell at. But not all cars come with a tow hitch installed. And precautions may be necessary to make sure license plate and rear lights are not covered. All additional costs on top of an expensive rack.
Stability
As far as stability goes, one’s not better than the other. I have used both and couldn’t argue for either one. Hitch racks tend to move and wiggle at the attachment point with the tow hitch. And roof racks tend to have leeway for the actual bikes.
But none of your cargo is going to come off. It just may look weird seeing it move.
Fuel economy
There is a big difference between hitch-mounted and roo-mounted rack types when it comes to the effects on fuel consumption. While an empty roof rack is negligible, a loaded one can have dramatic negative consequences.
This is a decision point often not considered, which it should be. To help you out, I summarized the exact impact at different speeds and put all the info on bike rack fuel consumption in this article.
Are hitch bike racks better?
Hitch bike racks are best for most cyclists as they offer the highest carrying capacity and are the easiest to load of all car bike racks. They also fit any car with a tow hitch, are e-bike compatible and have only little impact on fuel economy. However, they can limit trunk access and have to be removed when not in use.
They are generally easier to install and remove than roof-mounted racks, but heavier to carry. Aerodynamics, wind noise and gas mileage are not nearly as big of issues.
However, they can be heavy and bulky, which can make them difficult to carry and store. They can also block access to the back of your vehicle if the don’t tilt or swing to the side, as most premium ones by the top hitch rack brands are. Hitch-mounted racks are also not suitable for vehicles without a receiver hitch, or for vehicles with a spare tire mounted on the back.
Are roof bike racks better?
Roof bike racks are generally better for cyclists who regularly use their rack and want to leave it on the car for quick use. They’re also usable with other outdoor gear and cargo modules like no other car rack. However, when loaded they affect gas mileage negatively and make park decks inaccessible.
They are generally lighter and more compact than hitch-mounted racks, which makes them easier to carry and store. Roof-mounted racks also provide better access to the back of your vehicle, and they do not block the view out of the rear window.
However, roof-mounted bike racks have some drawbacks as well. They require you to lift your bike up to the roof of your vehicle, which can be challenging depending on strentgh, bike weight and car height. When loaded they also have a higher profile than hitch-mounted racks, which can increase wind resistance, noise and ultimately furl consumption.
Why I mainly use roof and trunk racks
While I have used hitch, roof and trunk racks to transport bikes over the years, hitch racks have never hit me as long-term options. And this is for one reason very important to me.
As a bike rider who rides regularly, only a bike rack that can stay on the car indefinitely will reduce hesitation to load up the bike to the car and go out for a ride.
For me, this is once a week at least. So, I’m getting my money’s worth out of my bike rack. I’m okay with having slightly higher (if any with my trunk rack) fuel consumption when driving around unloaded. All for the benefit of the least hurdles between me and bike riding.
Hitch Racks Might Damage Carbon Wheels
Now, full disclaimer, this isn’t something that I or MTB friends with hitch racks ever experienced firsthand. But I came across this topic one day when browsing. And it’s interesting enough to share with you.
Matt Philips (from bicycling.com) discovered some unusual deformations on his carbon wheels when hauling his bike on a hitch rack. This actually doesn’t have very much to do with the rack itself. Rather, where it’s located on the car. More specifically, where the exhaust pipe(s) are located in relation to the rack and its cargo.
In Philips’ case, the hot exhaust fumes passed by the bike’s wheel and damaged the rim over time. Just an unlucky coincidence, as this only happens with the wrong rack and car combo.
As each car, hitch and rack is designed differently, definitely make sure the exhaust isn’t pointing directly on any bikes loaded.
Conclusion
In summary, both hitch-mounted and roof-mounted bike racks have their own advantages and disadvantages. The best choice for you will depend on your budget, specific needs and preferences.
In summary, hitch-mounted bike racks are generally easier to use and have a higher capacity, but should be uninstalled when empty and may obstruct the view from your rearview mirror. Roof-mounted bike racks are generally more compact and can be used with many attachments besides bike racks, but they can be more difficult to load and don’t fit universally.
