In this quick review, we take a close look at the best bike racks for the Subaru Crosstrek.
Our testing considers the most important aspects of a bike rack, such as the build quality, the load capacity, and of course how securely your bikes are mounted on the rack.
As such, we think Allen Sports Deluxe 4-bike hitch mounted rack delivers the best balance of features and performance. It is one of the sturdiest options out there, and the load capacity is among the best in its class.
We have over a decade of experience testing and reviewing vehicle accessories like bike racks. We know our way around a bike rack and can help you make the most worthwhile purchase decision for your Subaru Crosstrek.
Keep reading for a more in-depth look at the best bike racks for the Subaru Crosstrek.
Allen Sports Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack
Overall Best
Allen Sports’ Deluxe 4-bike rack provides a firm and stable bicycle mount, high load capacity AND high carrying capacity, and a virtually wobble free hitch connection with the Subaru Crosstrek.
The alloy steel design comes treated with a thick and glossy powder coating that keeps it free of rust and corrosion. Not to mention, it just looks a lot cooler and more aesthetically pleasing than the dull matte black powder coats we’ve seen.
Allen Sports outfitted this rack with their signature 22” long carrying arms, which give you ample space to mount your bikes further apart from each other. This discourages the bikes from interacting with one another, and also keeps them from banging up against the back of your Subaru Crosstrek.
The carrying arms come with heavy duty ratcheting straps that keep your bikes securely fastened at the frame. If you are concerned about getting scratches on the bike frames, fret not, as the straps have thick rubber padding to avoid leaving any scuffs on the paintwork.
The rack is rated to carry just over 140 lbs, perfect for the whole family’s bikes. The load capacity is on the high end of the spectrum so you can just as easily use the rack for mountain bikes or e-bikes as for regular road bikes.
That said, we highly recommend only carrying one or two of these heavy bikes on the rack at a time.
It comes with a 2” hitch, which is perfectly stable thanks to the no-wobble bolt which removes any free space between the receiver and the hitch so it has no room to jump around.
The carrying arms can be folded down to sit flush against the back of your Subaru Crosstrek, so you don’t have to go looking for the world’s longest parking spot! There is also a tilting mechanism that lets the rack tlt down and out of the way when you need to open your Subaru Crosstrek’s liftgate.
With so much good stuff, there was bound to be a catch, right? For the Allen Sports Deluxe 4-bike rack, that catch is the lack of a proper way to secure the front wheel and keep it from moving around in transit. Definitely pick up a strap to keep the bikes even more secure.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- Heavy duty powder coating for better rust protection
- Can carry 4 large bikes
- Can fit most different shaped bike frames
- Easy installation process
- Stabiliser pin prevents excessive wobbling at speed
- High quality tie down straps
- Rubber inner lining prevents scratching of bike frames
- Can be tilted downward for easier cargo access
- Carrying arms can be folded up to make the whole rack a little bit more compact
Cons
- Some straps or bungee cords for securing the front wheels would have been a nice addition
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Premuim choice
Thule’s EasyFold is the perfect platform style bike rack for all of your e-bikes and mountain bikes. The heavy duty build is stable and rigid, and the bike mount is one of the most secure we have seen.
We love Thule products for their generous use of high-quality aluminium for the build. This Subaru Crosstrek bike rack is no different, with its robust and firm construction that is also lighter and a bit more compact than others in its class.
Load capacity is rated for just over 130 lbs. That is pretty high for a two bike rack, and certainly more than enough for even the heaviest of e-bikes and mountain bikes.
The hitch connection used is wobble free and inspires a lot of confidence when transporting bikes. Even when we loaded it up to the max, the hitch did not shake or move around inside the receiver at highway speeds.
Installing this rack on your Subaru Crosstrek is as easy as pie. You get all of the necessary mounting equipment in the box, and you don’t even need any tools to get the job done. We think readers will fall in love with the torque limiting knobs which make mounting your bikes a million times easier.
The rack can also be tilted forward when you need to access the cargo area of your Subaru Crosstrek. We also found the included integrated foot pedal that controls the tilting mechanism to be quite convenient, and wish more manufacturers would implement it.
You get an integrated bike ramp that is really useful for loading and unloading the bikes quickly. If you are into fat tire bikes, you can buy an additional accessory that widens the wheel trays, allowing you to carry your fat tire bikes as well.
Both of your bikes can be locked to the platform, so that they can’t be stolen. Furthermore, you can also lock the hitch to the receiver, so that the whole setup is perfectly safe and secure.
Finally, when you need to store or transport this rack, you will find the integrated carry handle and wheels to be an absolute godsend.
Pros
- Aluminium design
- Compact size
- Made especially for heavier bicycles like e-bikes and mountain bikes
- 130 lbs max carrying capacity
- Foot pedal to work the tilting mechanism
- Easier liftgate access
- Bikes can be locked to the rack and the rack to the hitch
- Loading ramp integrated into the rack
- Torque limiting knobs for easier bike mounting
- High quality ratcheting straps
Cons
Can be quite pricey
Bike Rack for Car
Worthy consideration
Beneta’s bike rack for the Subaru Crosstrek features a robust build, a firm bike mount, and more than enough load capacity for even the heaviest of bikes.
Every inch of the premium iron build of this bike rack is covered in a thick powder coating. This powder coat is thicker and more resilient against rust, corrosion and scratches. We are also fans of the reflective black finish that just looks phenomenal.
This bike rack has what Beneta calls an ‘anti-sway construction’. What it is, is an anti-wobble stabiliser piece that keeps the rack firmly mounted and wobble free.
Installing the rack is surprisingly easy, given its size. It uses a 2” hitch and locking pins that make the whole set up even more rigid.
When it comes to load capacity, Beneta’s bike rack for the Subaru Crosstrek takes the cake with an astounding 220 lbs. That is more than enough to carry 4 large, heavy bicycles safely. You can also carry e-bikes and mountain bikes thanks to the higher load capacity.
And we can tell you from testing this Beneta bike rack first hand that it does not strain or bend when asked to carry heavy bicycles.
The carrying arms of this hanging style bike rack can be folded up when you are not carrying anything. This makes the rack easier to transport and live with day to day.
Moving onto the bike mount, we have heavy duty nylon straps that hold your bikes at the frame. The straps are fully adjustable so carrying different shaped frames is no biggie. Still, we would like to see some proper ratcheting straps for even more security and adjustability.
That said, we tested over two dozen different bikes, and all of them fit perfectly on this rack.
Unlike the Allen Sports Deluxe, this Beneta bike rack includes some extra straps in the package that you can use to secure the handlebars or front wheels of the bike and prevent them from banging up against each other or the back of your Subaru Crosstrek.
All in all, this is one of our favourite bike racks for the Subaru Crosstrek, and you should definitely give it a second look if you want something a bit higher quality.
Pros
- Alloy steel and premium iron used for the construction
- Powder coated surface
- Holds up exceptionally well to rust and corrosion
- Thick nylon straps hold bikes
- Can hold many different shaped bikes
- Holds 4 large bikes
- 220 lbs carrying capacity
- Can be tilted down for easier liftgate access
- Anti-rattle stabiliser for keeping the whole rack wobble free
- Easy to install
- Comes with limited lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
Cons
- Ratcheting straps would have been a better option
Hitch Mount 2 Bike Rack for Cars
This hitch mounted 2-bike rack from Maxxhaul brings a compact and lightweight construction, high load capacity for a bike of this category, and a budget friendly price tag to the table.
This budget friendly bike rack uses high grade alloy steel for the entire build. It also has a bright yellow rubberised sleeve covering the main spine that keeps the innermost mounted bike from getting scratched or dented.
You can use this bike rack with either a 1 ¼” or 2” hitch receiver. We tested both configurations and found them to be quite stable, even at higher speeds. You won’t have to deal with the bike rack wobbling or jumping around on the highway.
Load capacity comes in at just a hair shy of 100 lbs. That is more than enough for two large, adult sized road bikes, and even some larger mountain bikes and e-bikes, granted that they are under 50 lbs each. We tested various different bike frame shapes and sizes, and are happy to report that they all fit perfectly
The special tie down system is worth praising. It uses bike cradles that have two sturdy buckle straps for each of the bikes. The straps are fully adjustable so that most any bike frame shape or size will fit. The straps are also covered in soft material so that they don’t scratch or otherwise damage the frames of your bikes.
It features a locking knob on the main mast that makes the bike rack a little bit more firm and rigid. This prevents the bikes from moving around too much in transit, and potentially getting damaged or damaging your Subaru Crosstrek.
The carrying arms are foldable, so you don’t have to worry about them getting caught on anything in transit. The whole rack can also be tilted downward to allow for quicker cargo access. We also like the fact that the tilting mechanism is controllable via a quick release pin at the bottom of the bike rack.
It also has two large safety reflectors integrated into the rear design, making the whole rack and vehicle a little bit easier to see at night.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- 100 lbs carrying capacity
- Can carry two adult sized road bikes
- Compatible with both 1 ¼” and 2” hitch
- Hitch is perfectly stable at speed
- Quick install
- Comes with all mounting equipment in the box
- Sturdy buckle straps for better rigidity
- Fully adjustable bike cradles
- Cradles have a soft lining to prevent scratching the bike frames
- Rack can be tilted to allow for easier liftgate operation
- Quick release pin
Cons
- Frame adapter needed for some longer wheelbase bikes
DELUXE TRUNK MOUNTED BIKE RACK
The Deluxe trunk mounted bike rack from Allen Sports features one of the sturdiest, in addition to most lightweight constructions of any bike rack. It has reasonable load capacity and is exceptionally easy to set up, and store away, while also being extremely portable.
This is a truck mounted bike rack that features an all alloy steel build. It is smaller in size than all the other racks on this list, but still has a rigid and structurally sound construction. The compact size means you can even take it off and store it in your Subaru Crosstrek when it isn’t needed.
Load capacity is actually quite surprising for a rack of this size. It is rated for just over 70 lbs, which allows you to carry 2 large adult sized bikes. Just don’t expect it to carry any large e-bikes or mountain bikes.
The mounting system for your bikes is also perfectly stable and worry free. There are rubberised feet that keep the rack firmly positioned on the back of your Subaru Crosstrek.
The thick nylon straps on all four sides add to that stability and keep your bikes secure. We like the fact that the rubberised feet also protect the paintwork of your Subaru Crosstrek.
Here, we see Allen Sports’ proprietary tie down system for mounting bikes. Each bike is held in place using adjustable ratcheting straps at the frame. These ratcheting straps are lined in rubber to prevent them from scratching or damaging the bikes.
We could not find a single shape or size of bike frame that would not fit on this bike rack. The carrying arms are almost 115” wide, so that you can hold some longer wheelbase bikes as well.
Installing the rack is pretty simple, and you shouldn’t require more than 15 minutes to have it fully set up.
But the best part about this bike rack is probably its budget friendly price tag. Despite the budget price, this rack still comes with Allen Sports’ limited lifetime warranty that covers any defects in the build.
As for real world performance, we were really impressed by how stable and firm this bike rack stays, even at speed. It keeps your bikes steady and does not let them rattle around in their cradles.
Pros
- Alloy steel construction
- Lightweight and compact design
- Side straps for firm fitment
- Can be taken off quickly when not needed
- Simple installation
- Carries 2 large bikes
- 70 lbs carrying capacity
- Straps hold bikes at the frame
- Rack does not rattle or creak on the road
- 115 inch width supports longer wheelbase bikes
- Padding protects Subaru
- Crosstrek bodywork
Cons
- Not the best for heavier bikes
When buying a bike rack for your Subaru Crosstrek, it is important to do your due diligence before you decide where to spend your money. There are tons of options and different types of bike racks for different types of bikes.
Here, we lay out the blueprint, the cheat sheet, and the perfect buying guide for Subaru Crosstrek bike racks! We discuss the most important features of a bike rack, and the features a bike rack should have to be worth considering for your particular use case.
So, let’s get you up to speed on how to look for an awesome bike rack for your Subaru Crosstrek.
What should I look for? And what should I look OUT for?
With so many awesome options to choose from, it can be a hassle to try and select one that just works. That said, there are a couple essential features that you should consider before buying a rack.
Materials
The best bike racks will have an all metal build. High quality plastics are also a great option, but metal is the gold standard.
Look for…
Alloy steel. High grade alloy steel with a thick powder coating is going to be your best bet for a great Subaru Crosstrek bike rack.
Aluminium. It’s good for more than just soda cans! Aluminium will be a bit lighter and more rigid than even alloy steel, but will also be a bit more expensive.
Look out for…
Racks that don’t have a powder coating. All the WD-40 in existence will not be able to save you from the rust that these racks will get
Plastic bike racks. This one comes with a caveat. There are some high quality plastic bike racks out there, but most should be avoided like the plague!
Load capacity With load capacity, you might think that the higher the better, right? Well, not quite.
Look for…
A platform style rack that has high load capacity and only holds one or two bikes. This will be ideal for carrying mountain bikes and e-bikes.
A hanging style bike rack that has high load capacity and carries more bikes. Hanging style bikes are best for carrying the entire family’s bikes. It is not unusual to see racks that can hold up to 5 bikes!
Look out for…
Trunk mounted bike racks that advertise hundreds of pounds of load capacity. That tiny trunk mounted bike rack may very well be able to carry 240 lbs of bikes, but will your bikes be secure and safe?. That said, there are a couple really great high capacity trunk mounted bike racks that we have covered, check them out.
With bikes, there is no ‘one rack fits them all’. Each has its own pros and cons, Just browse our list above, check out our recommendations and you will find a bike rack that fits your Crosstrek and bikes needs..
