A bike rack is almost unavoidable if you own a Subaru Forester. Most bike racks are compatible with this compact crossover. However it’s important to find one that fits well.
An ideal bike rack on this SUV will reshape your lifestyle forever if cycling is your thing. For Subaru foresters there are 3 main types of bike racks that suit them. One is the roof mounted rack, then the towball mounted rack, and lastly the trunk mounted rack. Everyone has different preferences, so finding one to suit your needs is important. preferences change depending on how many bikes you want to carry and how often. In this article we look at the best Bike racks for Subaru Foresters.
Let's have a look at the best bike racks to suit your Subaru Forester
Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack
Best Overall
- Reasonably priced
Pros
- Does not require tow hitch
Cons
- Can only hold 1 bike
Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack
Budget option
- Affordable
Pros
- Adapter to minimize wobbling
- Safe and durable design
Cons
- Can only carry one bike
Hitch Mount Bike Rack
Premium option
- Great all around option
Pros
- Can hold 2 bikes
Cons
- requires a hitch
Bike Trunk Mount Bicycle Carrier Rack
Tyger Auto TG has earned its reputation for being a safe, smart and a hassle-free bike rack for single bikes. This deluxe bike rack has the looks to go with the widely popular compact Subaru Forester. This trunk-mounted rack has a foam-padded base which keeps the vehicle and bike free from scratches.
Tyger Auto can be a great asset for individuals looking to carry bikes around every now and then. This rack is the best choice if you are a keen cyclist as the load capacity of 55 lbs makes this rack compatible with most types of bikes.
There is hardly a rack in the market which is more hassle-free. A few clamps and a safety strap on the rear of the vehicle and away you go.
But what about the safety of your bike and vehicle when you are on bumpy roads? This rack is pretty safe when you haul a bike through harsh road conditions. This bike rack has a soft cradle that protects the frame of the bike. its padded metal bars absorb impacts similar to how suspension works, this means the bike is not subject to rattling or bumps. The ratchet buckles on this rack secure your bike firmly when you are on the go. they can be fastened nice and tight so your bike doesn’t more independently from the rack or car.
Ultra Compact Trunk Mounted Bike Rack
This bike rack is built by Allen Sport. It has all the looks to keep up with your compact crossover in style and performance.
Once fitted it makes hauling bike a breeze. The bike rack comes in two options to haul single or two bikes. Allen sports offer a lifetime warranty for this bike rack. It’s good to see them putting their money where their mouth is.
Allen sports trunk-mounted rack is fully loaded with features that make it the safest bet for your Subaru Forester and the bikes. You can fold this rack in a backpack, thats not a joke, it is extremely compact.. The trunk mount bike rack has three padded legs which rest against the vehicle and prevents ugly scratches on the rear of the car. Allen sports bike rack is 2.7 Kg and it can haul a bike of 35 LBS.
Allen sports ultra-compact bike rack comes with a tie-down design with padding to separate rack and vehicle during transportation. The padding provides protection to the bike frames and the vehicle.
Hitch Mount Bike Rack
This bike rack is make for cars with a hitch, its lower down and holds the bikes from the wheels rather than the frame. It’s easy to install and great for heavier bikes as the centre of gravity for the rack is lower than your typical hitch rack. It can hold two bikes at a time, and can be tilted back to access the rear boot space.
But the most important question which came to your mind when this list was lying on your study table is which rack is best for your Subaru Forester. You need a bike rack that is versatile, easy to assemble and will secure your bike to your Subaru Forester. If you want all these features in one bike rack then the Swagman XC2 hitch mount bike rack is definitely a good candidate. The maximum loading capacity of this hitch mount bike rack is 35 LBS. Before going for this rack you have to check two important things, your Subaru forester should have a hitch receiver of 1-1 ¼ or 2”. Another thing you have to check is that the tire of your bike should be 20” to 29” as this bike rack is designed for this tire size only.
For installation of the Swagman XC2 hitch mount bike rack you need a few minutes. The upright ratchet arms easily adjust to different sizes of frames.
4. Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack
The final way you can mount a bike is on your roof! You will of course need a roof rack already on your Forester for this to be possible.
This option by Thule is a mount, that connects to horizontal roof racks. Its make so that both tyers of the bike stay on whilst the bike is on the rack. The rack has three main contact points, front and rear wheels and the frame to keep it upright. Just be mindful of clearance when this is installed. you don’t want to find out that the hard way.
Thule is known for making solid products, however they are not the cheapest.
We hope this guide helped you make up your mind on a suitable bike rack for your Subaru Forester. It can be a bit overwhelming when looking for whats suitable, hence why we narrowed it down, once you decide how you want to mount your rack, choosing a rack is quite easy.
We can see the appeal of tension mounted racks for their versatility, roof mounted bike racks for their low profile, and hitch mounted racks for their sturdiness.
If you end up picking something from this guide, let us know how it worked out for you. We love hearing from our readers and thanks for stopping by!
Tristan Kavanagh
Tristan is an automotive specialist and the current author at Beast Auto. He has been in the automotive industry for years. He has a passion for sharing his depth of knowledge with his readers.