Bike Racks for Prius- A brief study
Installing bike racks to your Toyota Prius is a good idea. It will bring a lot of benefits to your car. To be precise, it will enhance the efficiency of your bike.
For instance, it will provide you with additional space to store your cargo. Besides, it will provide you with an additional storage box.
You can use a bike rack for various activities apart from carrying your bike, such as carrying various bulky items. So, if you have a Toyota Prius in your garage, consider adding a bike rack to it.
It can be an advantageous tool if you are planning to carry your bike.
The top cart of the best bike rack for prius
| Image | Title |
|---|---|
 Rating: 4.4/5 | Allen Sports Deluxe 2-bike Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.3/5 | Allen Sports 2-Bike Racks Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.5/5 | Premier Trunk Mounted Rack Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.4/5 | Allen Premier 4-Bike Rack Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.3/5 | Saris Bones Trunk Bike Rack Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.2/5 | Allen Sports Ultra Compact Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.3/5 | Allen Deluxe 3-Bike Rack Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.3/5 | Hollywood Racks Express Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.5/5 | Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B Buy It On Amazon |
 Rating: 4.4/5 | Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Buy It On Amazon |
Why should you need the perfect bike rack for Prius?
We have already discussed that you will enjoy plenty of added benefits if you can add a bike rack to your car. Thus, to help you make the right decision, we will discuss why you must add the bike rack to your Toyota Prius.
Carry your bike from one place to another
It is the fundamental benefit that you will come across once you install a bike rack. The best part is you don’t have to disassemble your bike to carry.
You don’t have to compromise with the fun of your trip. If you want to enjoy cycling in the mountains or any other place, the bike rack will allow you to do that.
You will get plenty of options
Carrying your bike can be fun. It will allow you to travel to numerous places during your holidays. Also, you don’t have to scratch your head to find the best bike rack.
You will get plenty of options. Amongst them, you can choose the one that is best compatible with your bike as well as your car. You don’t have to struggle to carry your bike.
Serve you as an alternative transport
Travelling can be exigent sometimes due to transport. In case if you go to an odd destination where transportation is not that smooth, your bike can be helpful.
You can explore every nook and corner of that place without worrying about its transportation system. To be specific, it will increase the fun of your travelling. Hence, carrying a bike rack is the most convenient option.
Contribute to the environment
We all know that cycling doesn’t create any pollution. Hence, carrying a cycle with you can be a minimum contribution to our nature.
10 bike racks for Prius: Product review
1. Allen Sports Deluxe 2-bike Trunk Mount Rack
Simplicity is the forte of this bike rack. You don’t have to face any complications while using this bike rack. The sturdy design of this item will ensure the safety of your bike.
Apart from Prius, it is harmonious with most hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and minivans. The length of the carry arms is 12 inches, which is capable of carrying huge varieties of bicycles.
Be it any style, you can carry a bicycle on this rack. The breadth of the carrying arms is 11.5 inches. It is responsible for greater bike compatibility.
The configuration design of this bike rack is also effortless. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about hassles while installing the rack.
If you want to know about the specific vehicle fit, we would suggest you visit the manufacturer’s web page.
Pros
- This bike rack comes with a simple design.
- It is compatible with almost all types of cars in addition to the Toyota Prius.
- 12” length of the carrying arms will allow you to carry a huge range of bicycle styles.
- You don’t have to come across any hassles while setting up the bike rack.
- The wideness of the carrying arms is also up to the mark.
Cons
- No such cons are there in this product.
2. Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Racks
Another bike rack that you can consider buying for your Prius is Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Racks. It comes with two types of hitches.
The first one is the locking hitch. The length of the locking hitch is 1¼ inches. The second type of hitch is the receiver hitch.
You will get 2 keys for these hitches so that you can unlock them once they serve their purpose. When you are not using the rack, you can snap it and fold it.
Also, there will be no issues with the safety and security of your bike. The dual-compound of this product will tie down the cradles, which will secure your bike.
Besides, the quick set straps will protect your bicycle. There is an internal tilt in this item that will provide you with the gate’s easy access.
Pros
- The padded spine shield will make sure that your bike is protected during transportation.
- You will get easy access to the gate if you install this roof rack.
- The foldable carrying arms add to the convenience of this item.
- You can install the locking and the receiving hitch quickly.
- The quick straps will make sure that your bike is protected.
Cons
- In case of major hassle, you may have to unbolt the carrier.
3. Premier Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
Be it a Sedan, Minivan, hatchback, or an SUV, you can install this bike rack to all. The best option is to visit the official site of the manufacturer to get the information of the specific vehicle fit.
Quick snap set up design is one of the unique attributes of this product. It will allow you to set up the rack quickly once you get it out of the box. You can carry two bikes at a time as the length of the carrying arms is 12 inches.
However, one thing you need to keep in check is the weight of the bikes. Make sure not to carry more than 70 pounds. Besides, there will be no issues with the security and the protection of bicycles. Individual dual compounds will guarantee that.
Pros
- You can quickly install this bike rack to your Toyota Prius due to its design.
- You can carry two bicycles due to the 12” length of the carrying arms.
- The car pads will distribute the loads evenly and will also protect the vertical finish.
- Two patented straps will keep the bottom hooks in place.
- You can install it in almost all types of cars.
Cons
- You cannot carry more than 70 pounds to these bike racks.
4. Allen Sports Premier 4-Bike Trunk Rack
The first thing that will attract you to this product is the length of its carrying arms. With this bike rack on your side, you can accommodate up to 4 bikes at a time.
Though the weight shouldn’t exceed 140 pounds. Like the other products in the list, it is attuned with almost all types of cars apart from the Toyota Prius.
There are no questions regarding the efficiency and convenience f this product. After taking it out of the box, you don’t have to give much time to install it.
The quick snap set up design is responsible for this trait. The two patented straps that come with this item will make certain that your bike is secured.
They will keep the bottom hooks to a specific place. This bike rack’s durability is also up to the mark, as it is made up of steel.
Pros
- You accomplish the installing of this bike rack quickly.
- Hatchbacks, SUVs, and minivans can carry this bike rack effortlessly.
- The extra-large car pads will distribute the load equally.
- The padded lower frame keeps the bicycles away from the car.
- The car pads will also protect the vehicle finish.
Cons
- Sometimes, the pads may scratch your paint.
5. Saris Bones Trunk Bike Rack carrier
Saris Bones Trunk Bike Rack carrier is one of the ideal choices for Toyota Prius. Also, it is suitable for almost all popular vehicles.
The unique dog legs of this product will allow you to install it in almost all types of cars, such as SUVs, sedans, and hatchbacks.
It weighs only 11 lbs, and for that reason, you can install this to your Toyota Prius precisely. However, you don’t have to bother when it comes to the strength of this bike rack.
It is efficient enough to carry 2 bikes with an accumulated weight of 70 pounds. The design of this rack will allow you to enjoy the quick load.
Besides, it is an easy-to-use product. It comes with an arc-based design. It will help you to spate your bike on different levels.
Pros
- Compatible with almost all the popular array of vehicles.
- It is a lightweight product that weighs only 11 pounds.
- The unique doglegs make it suitable for most of the spoilers.
- Articulated rubber feet protect the paint of the car.
- It is a rust-free item.
- Made up of 100% recyclable materials.
Cons
- Not attuned with women’s bike.
6. Allen Sports Ultra Compact Folding Trunk Mount Rack
Allen Sports Ultra Compact Folding Trunk Mount Rack is an ultra-compact model that you can use for carrying two bicycles. The impressive part is, it is a foldable product.
You can fold it and make it small. Thus, you can also carry it in your backpack. You don’t have to worry about its weight as it weighs 7.3 pounds only.
The 3 padded legs will allow it to rest against your Toyota Prius. Besides, it also comes with 3 adjustable security straps, which ensures its safety.
There is padding, which creates a distance between the vehicle and the cycle. It protects the paint of the vehicle. This bike rack is also well-matched with sedans, SUVs, minivans, and hatchbacks.
If you want to know about the specific vehicle fit, we would suggest visiting its manufacturer website.
Pros
- It is an ultra-compact bike carrier that you can use for commuting and travelling.
- The security straps are adjustable.
- This rack is compatible with SUVs, minivans, sedans, and hatchbacks.
- You can carry two bikes at a time.
- Padding and tie-downs keep the racks safe and away from the vehicle.
Cons
- The quality of the hardware is not up to the mark.
7. Allen Sports Deluxe 3-Bike Trunk Mount Rack
The design of this bike is the most attractive attribute. The single configuration design makes it easier to install and set up. You can save a considerable amount of time by purchasing this product.
It doesn’t matter if you have a minivan, sedan, or an SUV, you can install it in all of them. You can consider it to be one of the convenient options if you have a Toyota Prius.
The individual tie-downs will be responsible for the protection and security of the bicycle. The materials and workmanship are of the rack are of the best quality.
For that reason, you will get a lifetime warranty regarding that. The arm’s length is 15″, which ensures that you can carry more than one bicycle.
Pros
- You can make it fit in almost all kinds of vehicles.
- The design ensures the easy installation and set up of the rack.
- Materials and the workman are of top quality.
- The individual tie-downs guarantee the safety and security of the bicycle.
- It only weighs 10 pounds.
Cons
- Not the ideal choice for long trips.
8. Hollywood Racks Express Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
It is a pre-assembled product that you will receive. This bike rack comprises EPDM rubber straps and rubber bike cradles. It will help 2 bikes to stay tightly in place.
If you are not using this rack, you can fold it and make it flat. Thus, it will not be an issue to store it in your garage or trunk.
While carrying the bicycles, make sure that they are not more than 70 pounds. Besides, this item is not compatible with the e-bikes.
If you want to carry kid bikes or ladies frame bikes, you may have to get a top tube adapter. The adapter will make them fit your rack.
We would suggest you go through the vehicle fit guide. You will understand whether your vehicle is compatible with your rack or not.
Pros
- The roof rack consists of EPDM rubber straps and rubber bike cradles.
- You can fold it to make it flat so that you can store it in your garage.
- It is efficient enough to carry two bikes at one time.
- It will come as a fully assembled product.
- There will be no hassles of installing.
Cons
- There are no such cons to this bike.
9. Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B Deluxe Black 1
Sturdy and handy construction is one of the attractive traits of the rack. It is a 100% assembled rack, which you can install effortlessly.
It will take a few minutes to install this rack. You can carry up to 55 pounds in this rack. The padded lower frame of the rack will keep it away from your Toyota Prius to protect its paint.
Also, there will be no chances of scratches. You don’t have t worry about the frame of your bike as the individual soft cradles will protect them.
If the rack is not in use, you can simply fold it and store it. It will not take much space. Moreover, it is a rust-free product. The standard black-E coating protects it from rust.
Pros
- It is a 100% assembled item, which adds up to its convenience.
- You can install this rack within a few minutes.
- The ratchet buckles will take responsibility for its security.
- The individual soft cradles will ensure the protection of the frame of the cycle.
- Harmonious with almost all types of cars.
Cons
- Can’t fit in cars with rear spoilers.
10. Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Trunk Mount Rack
Whenever you are installing setting up this bike rack, you don’t have to come across any difficulties. The single configuration design is accountable for this trait.
To be precise, it will take a few seconds to install this item. Besides, there will be no questions asked regarding the security of this rack.
The patented tie-down system will secure the bike individually. All the car types such as sedans, hatchbacks, SUVs, and minivans are suitable for this bike rack.
The quality of the item is also impressive as it is made up of steel. The material and workmanship of the product come with a lifetime warranty.
To know the specific vehicle fit for this product, you should visit the manufacturer’s web. There, you will get the authentic information.
Pros
- You don’t have to invest more than a few seconds to install the bike rack.
- The security of the bicycles is up to the mark due to the patented tie-down system.
- There are no questions regarding the material as well as the workmanship.
- You can make it fit most of the sedans, SUVs, hatchbacks, and minivans.
- The single configuration design adds up to efficiency.
Cons
- The instructions are not clear.
How to choose the bike rack for toyota prius?
Before buying a bike rack for toyota prius, there are some points that you need to take into account. Considering those points will make sure that you are purchasing the best product amongst all.
Hence, to assist you, we will share some elements you need to keep in mind before buying a suitable rack. The points that we are talking about are:
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Vehicle fit
Checking the vehicle fit is the fundamental thing to consider before buying a bike rack. However, as long as you have a hitch receiver in your car, you can add most of the racks.
Make sure to check the size of the receiver so that you can purchase the proper rack.
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Type of the rack
The next thing on the list that you should consider is the type of rack. Well, there are various kinds of bike carriers. Amongst them, you have to choose the one that is best attuned to your car.
We will recommend you to go through the list that we have mentioned above. All of them are quite efficient. With those racks on your side, you can carry bicycles effortlessly.
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Number of bikes that you want to carry
Every rack comes with a specific capacity. Now, you have to decide the one based on your necessity. For instance, if you want to carry two bikes at a time, you will get plenty of options.
Most of the products that we have shared are capable of carrying two bikes. You can make your choice amongst them as well. We assure you that you will not get disappointed.
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Your budget
Without comprehending your budget, it will be hard for you to make the right decision. Therefore, decide your budget before making your purchase. Try to acknowledge the amount that you are ready to spare. Once you do that, you can carry on with your research work according to that. To be precise, it will be easier for you to pick up the carrier that is best for you.
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Fuel economy
If you are conscious about your fuel consumption, then you should rethink before installing a rack. The reason is, installing a bike rack consumes more fuel.
It creates distress in the aerodynamic system that forces the vehicle to consume more fuel. Therefore, if you want to save fuel, avoiding the bike rack is the best option.
In such a case, the best option for you is to choose a removable rack.
Buying guide to help you choose the right bike racks for Prius
Bike racks are essential for your hiking or camping trips with the family. Picking the right bike rack for your Toyota Prius is not that simple.
There are a lot of things you need to keep in check while choosing the right one. Durability, budget are just two of them. Here we are going to help you by opting for a bicycle rack.
Check out the few things you always need to keep in check while buying one of these bike racks.
Number of cycles
How many cycles you want to take is very important while choosing the right rack for your trip. You can take up to four bikes with these bike racks.
So a trip with friends is also as easy as any other family trip. But if you do not analyze the necessities properly, you might end up with a bike rack that does not correctly aid your needs.
Prius Safety
This is another essential aspect that most people neglect while opting for these bike racks online. Besides, this tends to damage the surface of your favorite Toyota Prius car.
If you opt for the bike rack for toyota prius, you should choose a rack that does not affect your vehicle’s surface. Even though most bike racks have anti-scratch property nowadays, some low-budget tools don’t have this feature.
These can severely damage the paint or create scratches too. Be aware of it while opting for them.
Budget-friendly
This is another essential tip you need to keep in mind while opting for these racks. Not all mountain-bike hitches are expensive.
If you have the right things to look at, you can quickly get the best of them all inside your budget too. All you need to do is to look for the right things.
So, these are some of the most important things you need to check while opting for the bike racks for Prius.
User guide for a bike rack for Prius
Knowing the user guide of a bike rack is imperative. It will help you to maintain safety precautions. Besides, you will be able to extract the best result out of the bike carriers.
Therefore, these are some of the guidelines that you must know before you start using and installing your preferred bike rack.
- Make sure that the hitch receiver is free of burrs, rust, and other obstructions. You have to do this before you install the rack to your car.
- Be precise about not to exceed the maximum tongue weight for your hitch. It will hamper the efficiency of your bike rack.
- If you have a trainer or any other towed vehicle. Or else, you will not be able to use these products.
- In case, if you are planning an off-road trip, detach these carriers before your trip. It can damage the rack due to unwanted incidents.
- Before you operate the vehicle, ensure that the carrier is in a locked and upright position. If the position is not in the right place, there is a chance of an accident.
Steps to install the bike rack on your Prius
- Grab a trunk-mounted rack. It will help you to save a significant amount of space on your car’s top.
- In case, if you park your car in the right place, a compact trunk rack is the ideal choice for you.
- Visit the manufacturer’s website if that particular brand to check its compatibility with your vehicle.
- Read the instructions carefully once you unpack your rack. Well, you don’t have to worry as most of the times, they are quite easy to install.
- Next, wrap the straps of your bike carrier to the side of your vehicle’s trunk.
- Finally, lift your bike frame and join them with hooks. It will create an angle.
Who needs these bike racks?
If you have never used a bike rack ever before, you must be thinking, who needs these bike racks for a trip? Well, many people use these bike racks. In this segment, you will know about some examples:
Campers
Campers are very fond of these bike racks. They love to take their bicycle with them. They roam around their base, and they love that. Also, hikers bring their bicycles with them on their adventurous trips. So some people use these racks.
Mountain bikers
The people who love adventure sports like mountain biking are the ones who opt for these racks as well. Their love for adventure sport drives them to some of the densest forests to try their mountain biking skills, off-road biking.
To reach those places, they need their cars. But they also need to carry their bikes with them. And that’s when these bike racks help them.
Bicycle racers
When it comes to racing, bicycle racers are also the users of these racks. When they have to carry their bicycle with them to the racecourse, they also have to help from these bike racks available in the market.
These are some of those people who are hugely benefited by the best bike racks available in the market. Also, families who are taking their kids on a trip sometimes have to carry their cycles too. They take help from these racks as well.
Best features of the bike racks for Prius
There are many great features of these best bike racks available in the market. However, if you are unaware of the market, you may don’t know what you can get from these bike racks.
Here in this segment, you will know some of the best features of these bike racks for your car. Check them below.
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Scratch-free
Some bike racks offer scratch-proof racks so that you don’t have to face the problems of deep scratches or destroyed paints in your car. There are reasons for this.
When we use a normal bike rack, it tends to payback with scratches while riding on the bumpy roads. The hiking trip budget adds more expenses to repair the car. So, opting for a scratch-free will always be a better choice.
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Durability
This is another incredible feature you can get in most of the top brands available in the market. They try to design their bike racks to bear with the tough conditions, bumpy off-road destinations. These will hold your bikes better.
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Mount your bikes anywhere you want
There are different types of these bike racks available in the market. You can mount bikes to the backside of your car. Also, you can carry them on the roof of your car.
Besides, mount them to the spare wheel on the backside of your vehicle. If you have racks that can only hold two bikes, but you need to take more bikes with you, you can attach one of them to the roof of your car easily to mount two bikes over there as well.
So these are some features that you would like to know about this bike rack for toyota prius. Now that you know these features, you can easily get what you need for the right price.
Why we recommended those bike racks for Prius
There are various reasons behind our recommendation of these bike racks on the list mentioned above. Various great features make these bike racks so great.
We have mentioned some of them already.
- Durability is one of the biggest reasons for us to opt for these bike racks in the market. If these bike racks were not durable enough, they wouldn’t have lasted hours in the bumpy roads. And so won’t your cycle.
- Scratch-free features of some of the brands available in the market also make them inevitable entry into our list. We have tried to get the best for our customers. That is why we have loved these racks and handpicked them for you.
- Rating is another reason for these racks being on this list of the top bike racks available in the market. The racks we have chosen for you have 4+ star ratings on the eCommerce websites by the customers. So you can easily understand how much incredible service these racks have provided to the customers of this tool.
- Also, the racks we have chosen for you are all very pocket-friendly as well. Therefore all these tools are easily affordable for all the people out there. This is yet another reason for the recommendation of these bike racks.
Enjoy these bike racks as you go on to your adventurous trips around the country. Your bicycle will always be your partner, and it will be in safe hands. These racks will always make you satisfied with their service.
Does a bike rack damage your car?
Bike racks are genuinely beneficial to those who always want to keep their bicycle with them, even on trips and tours. However, sometimes it adds some additional expenses to the budget list, as it may bring scratches to your car. Well, even a small amount of grit and dirt can get scratches to your vehicle.
When you have a bike rack behind your car rubbing against those dust particles, it will bring scratches. Besides, not attaching the bikes properly can also get scratches and can damage your vehicle. However, if you have those scratch-free bike racks in your possession, you don’t need to worry about it in that case.
How fast can one drive with the bike racks on their car?
There is no speed limit or no such thing as a maximum speed with a bike rack mounted on the car. However, you don’t want to drive too fast, especially when driving on bumpy roads.
More intense jerking might cause a loosened grip of the bike rack, and that might cause damage to your bicycle. The max speed of 120 km/h should be observed.
However, a roof rack increases the consumption of fuel up to 35 per cent. Also, e-bikes are unsuitable for these racks due to weight.
Few common FAQs
Now that you know about most of the best bike racks available in the market and most aspects you should know about before opting for them, here are some important FAQs about these bike racks.
Many people have many different questions about these racks. Here, we are going to answer some of the most frequently asked ones. Check them out below.
Is it illegal to drive with a bike rack?
Well, there are scenarios where your bike racks might be obstructing the view of your license plate. If that’s the case, it might be illegal, depending on the state.
Whereas some states might have exemptions to allow the racks to obscure the license plate partially, most do not do the same. You should check if those laws apply to your state.
How many bikes can a rack hold?
There are different choices for it. If you are carrying one to three bikes, any bike racks will help you. However, as the number keeps increasing, you may need to check different kinds of bike racks.
If you are carrying four to five bikes and cannot put any of them in the vehicle, you may need hitch racks. Or you can use a combination of the trunk and roof tracks too.
How much weight can a bike rack hold?
There is an excellent rule of thumb to determine this. If your bikes are road bikes, they will weigh 30lbs. In the case of cruisers, it’s 40lbs, and for mountain bikes, it will be 30lbs.
So, depending on what cycles you are carrying, you can have a total of 6 bikes using a bike rack. Make sure to weigh each bike because it should not exceed a combined total of 200pounds.
How much do bike racks cost?
The list given above must have already given you an idea about how much a bike rack might cost. However, here is a summarization. Bike racks typically cost between 40 dollars to 200 dollars. However, some models might exceed the limit and might cost almost up to 300 dollars.
Is a bike rack worth it?
Well, although some roof racks are not that good for your vehicle, as they can make your bike look super-dirty with bugs and road grimes, the backside mounted racks or the trunk ones are cool.
Also, the spare tire mounted racks are pretty useful as they do not get a scratch on your vehicle. So yes, overall, these bike racks are helpful and worth the money.
So these are some of the most frequently asked questions about the bike racks. Check out the list above to get more detailed information about these racks.
If you still have some questions about these racks left unanswered, let us know. We will try to get back to you sooner. Happy traveling.
Conclusion
So, take a look at the list that we have provided. We guarantee you that all the products that we have mentioned are up to the mark. Once you buy, it will serve your purpose precisely.
The materials of those roof racks are of high-quality. It will ensure that those items will be there for you for a long time.
With those carriers, you can now carry bicycles and enjoy your trips and holidays. Your commuting will be easier with those bike racks.
