How to Choose a Spare-Tire-Bike Rack

Benefits of a Spare Tire Bike Rack

• Does not require hitch
• Makes it possible to tow while carrying bikes

To help you choose a spare tire bike rack that is compatible with your vehicle and bikes it is important to consider four simple points:

• Vehicle Compatibility
• Bike Compatibility
• Vehicle Accessibility
• User Compatibility

Vehicle Compatibility

Do you have a spare tire?

• Spare tire bike racks mount directly to the spare tire on the rear of the vehicle

Does your spare tire have a cover?

• You will need to remove the spare tire cover to use a spare tire bike rack (both hard and soft covers)
  • Removal of cover may not be necessary when using the strap-on style of bike rack

How deep is your spare tire?

• Deep spare tires may not be compatible with bolt-on spare tire bike racks
  • Spare tire must be no wider than 10" across the tread
    • Measure center of hub straight out to the farthest edge of the rubber. If this is more than 5", your spare tire is not compatible with most bolt-on spare tire racks
    • Swagman offers 5-1/2" deep backing plate for wider tires (Available only for Swagman bike racks)

Each rack offers an option for vehicles with offset spare tires that ensures your bikes are centered behind your vehicle

• See individual racks for how they accomodate offset tires

NOTE: Not recommended for use behind trailers or pop-up campers

Bike Compatibility

Spare tire bike racks come in two styles. Consider what style bike rack would be most compatible with your bike frames and transportation requirements.

Dual-Arm Models

• 2 Cradles hold bike frame, providing even, stable support
• Best with standard frame bikes (For example, mountain bikes and road bikes)
• Also compatible with alternative frame bikes (For example, women's and children's bikes)
  • Ensure bikes have adequate ground clearance
  • For best fit with alternative frames use an adapter bar
• Capacity: up to 2 bikes

Single-Arm Models

• Bike frame held by single, rotatable cradle
  • Cradles rotate to keep wheels level to the ground
  • Hand knob secures bike frame to rack by tightening top plate
  • Simultaneously accommodates most styles (standard and alternative frames) and sizes of bikes
  • Simple loading
• Capacity: up to 3 bikes

Vehicle Accessibility

Bike racks can remain on spare tire while rear door is operated. However, the bikes themselves may need to be removed from the bike rack before you open the rear door.

• Access varies depending on type of rear door
  • Swing-out doors - Bikes can remain on spare tire (not recommended if the weight of rack and bikes exceeds door-hinge weight capacity)
  • Hatchback - Bike should be taken off the rack

User Compatibility

Choose a rack with features that make it convenient and easy for you to handle.

Installation

Bolt On

• Extremely sturdy/heavy duty
• Wheel is removed and base plate is attached to spare tire mount
  • Bike rack attaches to bike-rack base plate through spare tire
  • Base plate can remain in place when rack is detached
• May not be compatible with deep spare tires

Strap on

• Extremely easy and quick to install
• Simply clamps to tire and secures with a strap that wraps around the bottom of the tire
• Conveniently accommodates most wheel sizes

Convenience

• Can allow for towing while bike rack is in use
• Locking
  • Some bolt-on racks are secured to the vehicle with lock and key
  • Single-arm models offer a locking mechanism to secure the bikes to the rack
  • See individual racks for locking capabilities
    • Consider purchasing a cable lock to secure your bikes

Updated by: Raymond P.

Last updated: 6/26/18