No family picnic is complete without a bike ride. You get to sit back and relax while you watch your kids ride their bikes around the park.
The Subaru Crosstrek comes with enough storage space for all the picnic components. However, moving the bikes may be a little trickier.
This may leave you wondering where to get the best bike rack for Subaru Crosstrek. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular picks on the market. We’ll also tell you what to look for when buying your next bike rack.
Bike Rack Features
Before you go and buy the first bike rack you come across, consider the following first.
Load Capacity
One of the first features to keep an eye out for is load capacity. This tells you how many bikes the rack can handle safely.
On average, a standard rack can carry between two to four bikes at a time, depending on the type of bikes you plan on carrying around.
So, a hitch bike rack would be better if you want to carry more than two. This is because it can easily fit up to five small bikes. However, these racks tend to be more expensive.
For a more affordable option, go with a roof rack. They can handle four bikes and come with a much lower price tag.
Weight
When installing any type of bike rack, you need to be aware that you’ll be adding weight to your car. Yet, how much extra weight you add depends on the type of rack you install.
For example, roof racks provide the most balanced weight distribution. It spreads the load of the bikes over the entire surface of the car.
As for hitch racks, their weight rests on the chassis of the car. This adds considerable weight to the rear part of the vehicle.
Also, keep in mind that the car also has to support the weight of the bikes. So, try to opt for lightweight racks to reduce the extra load on your car as much as possible.
Top 4 Best Bike Racks for Subaru Crosstrek
With these features in mind, we can move on to our top picks. Let’s dive into the best bike racks for Subaru Crosstrek.
1. Hollywood Racks F2 Over-the-Top Rack
- Type: Roof rack
- Length: 9.8 in.
- Width: 19.69 in.
- Height: 19.8 in.
- Weight: 19 lb.
- Bike capacity: 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 35 lb.
- Folding: No
If your Subaru Crosstrek has spoilers, the Hollywood racks F2 may be the way to go.
This functional bike rack fits onto the roof of your car. It has an adjustable frame, and it comes pre-assembled. This makes the mounting process a breeze.
Even though it hangs off the back of the car, it doesn’t interfere with trunk access. However, because of the way it covers the back of the vehicle, it may impair your rear vision.
Pros
- One of the most affordable options
- Has an adjustable frame
- Comes pre-assembled for an easier mounting process
Cons
- Can restrict the rearview mirror
2. Saris Bones EX Bike Rack
- Type: Trunk rack
- Length: 19.79 in.
- Width: 8.75 in.
- Height: 22.31 in.
- Weight: 11 lb.
- Bike capacity: 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 35 lb.
- Folding: No
One of the best features of the Saris Bones EX is its lightweight design. It allows you to mount all types of bikes without worrying about the extra load on your car.
For stability, the rack has multiple straps to secure all the components.
On top of that, this rack is incredibly environmentally friendly. It consists of 100% recyclable materials.
Yet, this doesn’t mean that the EX compromises on quality. On the contrary, it performs just as well as all the other racks on our list.
However, the mounting process of the EX can be a little complex. The instructions aren’t clear, and it could take a minute for inexperienced DIYers to figure it out.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Multiple straps for security
- Made with recyclable materials
Cons
- Difficult installation process
3. Swagman XC2
- Type: Hitch rack
- Length: 5 in.
- Width: 34 in.
- Height: 11 in.
- Weight: 28 lb.
- Bike capacity: 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 70 lb.
- Folding: Yes
If you plan on driving on rough terrain, the Swagman XC2 may be the right option for you.
This rack has amazing anti-wobble mechanisms. You can secure your bike to the car using a series of locks and straps, and it won’t budge.
Since the XC2 attaches to the hitch of the car, it doesn’t weigh down the car significantly. In addition, it doesn’t block your access to the trunk.
Aside from that, it can carry up to 70 pounds. This means you can drive around with two adult bikes comfortably.
Unfortunately, this rack doesn’t work on all spoiler types.
Pros
- Features a reliable anti-wobble mechanism to secure bikes
- Doesn’t obstruct access to the trunk
- Can accommodate two adult bikes
Cons
- Isn’t compatible with all spoiler types
4. Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR Rack
- Type: Hitch rack
- Length: 54 in.
- Width: 43 in.
- Height: 15 in.
- Weight: 52 lb.
- Bike capacity: 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 60 lb.
- Folding: Yes
If you’re looking for a sturdy rack that’ll last for years, the Thule T2 Pro is the way to go.
The T2 can handle a lot of wear and tear and can carry heavy bikes. In addition, it also has a tilt function that lets you customize the slope of the rack. This feature can come in handy when you have altered bikes.
On top of that, the rack comes with wheels, making the mounting and packing process much easier.
We especially like the integrated cable locks. These allow you to secure your bikes to the rack with a few straps.
However, because of these extra features, the Thule T2 is on the more expensive side.
Pros
- Durable frame that can handle a lot of wear and tear
- High weight capacity suitable for carrying heavy bikes
- The tilt function controls the slope of the rack
Cons
- One of the most expensive options on our list
Wrapping Up
When looking for the best bike rack for Subaru Crosstrek, there are a few things to look out for. The most important include load capacity and the weight of the racks.
If you want a lightweight option that will get the job done right, go with the Saris Bones Ex. However, for us, the top option is the Thule T2. It’s the most durable and can handle heavy bikes.