As fun as outdoor biking may be, fitting your bike in the trunk of your Subaru can be challenging because you'll have little or no room for other essentials. In this situation, a Subaru Outback Bike Rack can securely hold your bikes even on the bumpiest trip.
Choosing a bike rack can make a big difference between a disappointing moving experience and smooth transportation. With so many options available on the market, selecting the appropriate tool might be difficult but we have compiled a list of some of the best bike racks that you can use to make the job easier for you!
The 5 Best Subaru Outback Bike Racks
Here are some of the best bike racks you can find for your Subaru:
1. Retrospec Lenox Car Hitch Mount Bike Rack
The Lenox Car Rack 4–Bike Hitch is designed to let you enjoy your next biking adventure in total comfort. This mountain bike rack is tailored to accommodate a 2-inch trailer hitch. Your car needs to have a Class II or IV hitch to use this item.
The rack also has a durable and safe design, featuring a carry arm spacing which has been developed to fit a variety of frame designs. The tie-down straps and cradles secure and safeguard each of your bicycles separately.
The Lenox Car Rack comes with an adapter that helps reduce bike wobbling when riding. When you're done riding, the Lenox Rack folds up easily in a compact and convenient design for easy storage. The steel frame for this rack has a weight limit of up to 35 pounds.
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Vehicle Service: Passenger Car, Trailer, Bicycle
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Brand: Retrospec
- Is Foldable: Yes
- Item Weight: 23 pounds
- ASIN: B092MXTNN3
Pros
- Sturdy and does not wobble around
- High quality and durable
- The fold-down feature on the rack makes it flexible
- Quick and easy to set up and remove
- Comes with assembly instructions that are clear and easy to follow
- The rubber straps are strong enough to secure a bike
- Each bar has a reflector that offers additional safety
- The rack has sufficient room to accommodate adult bikes
Cons
- The rack is heavy, and some people may find it a bit too heavy
- If you have a hitch, you’ll have to bolt it in rather than use a locking hitch pin
KAC Overdrive Sports K2 2” Hitch Mounted Rack
This Subaru Outback Bike Rack has a unique Anti-Wobble system designed to keep your bikes safe and secure. When not in use, the carrier’s Quick Release Tilt Design makes it easy to fold up the rack and access back cargo.
The rack can support two bikes weighing up to 60 pounds, owing to the powder-coated steel tubing that is quite durable. The rack also has a hitch pin, a locking knob, and padded clamps for additional security.
A rear reflector improves visibility. The rack is easy to set up and customize since the majority of its components are pre-assembled.
It also features adjustable 5″ wide trays that can accommodate most mountain bikes, road bikes, fat-tire bikes, and electric bikes, and more. A KAC Overdrive Bike Frame Adapter may be required for low Y-frame bikes, but only for 2″ hitches. Using a 1 14″ – 2″ hitch adaptor is not recommended.
Specifications
- Item Weight: 44.8 pounds
- Product Dimensions: 36.89 x 61.02 x 38.11 inches
- Department: Unisex-adult
- Manufacturer: KAC
- ASIN: B07D94B52G
- Color: Black
- Vehicle Service Type: Car, SUV, or Truck
- Material: Alloy Steel
- Is Foldable: Yes
- Load Capacity: 60 Pounds
- Mounting Type: Hitch Pin with Hitch Clock
Pros
- The carrier is ideal for fat tire E-Bikes
- All load-bearing sections are made out of steel, making the carrier strong
- The bike wheels are secured in the carrier to prevent any damage
- Frame is securely fastened with a locked padded hook for extra security
- The tilt allows for quick loading and access to the liftgate
- The rack's structure is sturdy and well-designed.
- The rack can hold more than one bike, which offers convenience
Cons
- The vertical bar that holds the bikes in place moves horizontally (from left to right)
- Although sturdy, the rack wobbles a bit
Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack
The Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack has support bars that you can fold when you don't need to use your bikes. The DoubleDown folds down as well, enabling you to get to the rear of your car and quickly grab a cooler.
The Double Down 4 refers to a hanging rack that may be used to transport any bike with a classic frame shape. The Rack also has Switch Blade anti-sway cradles that secure your bikes in place and keep them from getting scratched or bumped while you drive.
This bike rack is safe and you can easily complete tasks such as installation, loading, and tilting when not in use. Equipped with Trigger Finger technology, you can fold down the rack's arms just by pressing a button.
The rack also has a smart design and a powder coating that provides a long-lasting finish.
A hitch must be used, and it is compatible with (class I, II, and III) 1-1/4″ and 2″ hitch receivers.
Specifications
- Color: Black
- Brand: YAKIMA
- ASIN: B004YDX1XM
- Item Dimensions: 42.75 x 14.5 x 6.5 inches
- Item Weight: 35.45 pounds
- Is Foldable: No
- Item Model Number: Yakima
- Department: Unisex-adult
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- Sturdy and stable, which gives you peace of mind when driving
- The TriggerFinger technology allows you to fold it up by pressing a button
- The DoubleDown folds down, giving you flexibility
- Powder coating on the rack provides a finish that lasts long
- Great for small cars
- The carrier holds more than one bike
Cons
- Does not come with assembly tools
- The two-piece structure might be unsafe
Genuine Subaru SOA567B020 Thule Bike Carrier
This bike carrier has jaws that loop around the downtube automatically and self-adjust for a tight frame hold. Its adjustable straps offer a tight grip on the rear and front wheels.
Mounting clamps that can be adjusted provide an easy way to install and swap between Subaru Outback Bike Rackdifferent cars. Most 20″ to 29″ bikes with tires up to 2.6″ wide will fit on this rack, but a crossbar set is needed. The Subaru Outback Bike Rack has one lock so that both the carrier and the bike are securely locked together.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Subaru
- ASIN: B01JKHJ2QQ
- Color: Standard
- Brand: Genuine Subaru
- Item Weight: 1 pound
- Folding: No
- Model: SOA567B020
- Package Dimensions: 56.75 x 11.9 x 3.9 inches
- Cover Included: Thule Bike Carrier – Roof
Pros
- High-quality and durable bike carrier
- The carrier is easy to install and remove
- The rubber belt provides additional security and stability for your bike
- Mounting clamps to move this carrier from one car to another
- The carrier and the bike are locked in securely to avoid any damage
- The carrier has a clean and compact design that provides convenience
Cons
- The carrier is better suited for road bikes, specifically since it fits 2.3 tires and below
- You may need to readjust more than once for proper alignment
Subaru Bike Rack Outback Hitch Bike Carrier
Thule's lightweight aluminum hitch rack is approximately half the weight of traditional hitch racks, making it easy to handle, install, and remove. The anti-sway cages safeguard the frame by preventing bike-to-vehicle and bike-to-bike contact and absorbing road shock.
When not in use, the arms fold down and the rack pivots backward to better fit the back of the car. The bike is locked to the carrier, and the carrier is locked to the vehicle, owing to an inbuilt locking wire and locking hitch pin.
When transporting bikes with solid disc wheels, only use roof-mounted bike carriers so you don’t obstruct the tail lights. Also, you should check your state's legislation concerning license plate display and visibility requirements before installing this carrier.
Specifications
- Brand: Subaru
- Manufacturer: Subaru
- ASIN: B07MQG5W7Z
- Manufacturer Part Number: Subarusoa567b041
- Vehicle Service Type: Trailer
- Material: Aluminum
- Folding: Yes
Pros
- Light and easy to handle
- The anti-sway cages on the bike prevent road shock and swaying
- The rack can fold down to offer accessibility
- The inbuilt locking wire keeps the bikes secure in the carrier
- The carrier is easy to attach and remove
Cons
- Not fit for mountain bikes
- Instructions may not be sufficient in some areas
Factors To Consider When Buying A Subaru Outback Bike Rack
The following are factors to consider when purchasing a bike rack for your Subaru:
1. The Cost
The Number of Bikes You’d Regardless of the other considerations, it is essential to be aware of how much you're willing and able to spend. This will determine the type of bike rack that is best for your vehicle and that does not impact your finances. Though there are several bike racks in the market, you shouldn't go for the cheapest one because it might end up being of poor quality. Want to Carry
The number of bikes is an important consideration when you're out buying a bike. Irrespective of the model, every bike rack has a different number of cradles, each designed to hold only one bike at a time.
After you've determined how many bikes you'll be transporting, look for a rack that can handle the task. The maximum weight is just as crucial as the number of bikes that it can transport. If the rack only holds one bike, pay attention to the manufacturer's recommended weight. Manufacturers will often show the weight per bike if it holds more than one bike.
2. Your Car Type
Most car owners still find it challenging to determine which bike rack is ideal for their vehicle. For this reason, many wind up with a bike rack that is inadequate.
Remember that the model of your car can significantly impact your options, therefore it's an important thing to consider when selecting a model that fits your vehicle. Vehicle fit guidelines are provided by manufacturers, and you may use them to choose a rack that matches your car model.
3. Security
If you value security, go for bike racks that have anti-theft measures. Some racks include locking methods that prevent thieves from stealing your bike, so you can be assured that it will always be safe. The effectiveness of a security feature is determined by how the rack is installed in the first place, so don't take any chances.
Conclusion
That concludes our comprehensive buying guide and review of top Subaru Outback Bike Racks. With all the bike rack options available, finding the ideal one can be challenging and may take some time. Purchasing a bike rack shouldn't be a quick decision.
The good news is that there are numerous alternatives available to meet the needs of all buyers and you can always find a Subaru Outback Bike Rack that matches your tastes.
Take your time to make sure the features are exactly what you're searching for. If you're still unsure, you can always come back to this guide and pick one of the racks we have covered here. Hopefully, this will give you a clear idea of which bike carrier you should buy.