Are you going for a biking adventure on your Subaru Forester? Well, we know that Subaru Forester makes it super easy to carry a bike, but an inappropriate bike rack can cause damage to your car if the bike is not entirely secure. A huge collection of Subaru Forester bike racks are available that will make your biking activity even more enjoyable. However, picking the best from the market is not a piece of cake.
If you are hunting for the best bike rack for Subaru Forester, we can help you. This article has listed the best bike hitch that can easily be attached to the Subaru Forester.
Here is the list of best bike racks for Subaru Forester that are good in budget and quality.
1. KAC Overdrive 4-Bike Platform-Style Hitch Mounted Rack
Are you looking for the best Subaru bike hitch that is easy to assemble, accommodates up to 4 bikes, and is ideal for bikes with tire fenders? If yes, then KAC Overdrive Sport K4 is the best option for you to consider.
We know that no one likes to compromise on safety. Your bike will be completely secure with the KAC’s safety-first features. The safety straps hold the bicycles at the desired place. One sturdy strap secures two bikes.
The padded hooks move down over the bike frame for a strong grip and avoid scratches and scuffs. However, you need to know that if you have a low y-frame bike or step-thru bike, you may need to buy a Frame bar adapter separately.
Furthermore, you can adjust and lock the top arm adjustment knob to lock the bike in one place. When you lock the knob, it will avoid all further adjustments until it is unlocked again. In order to lock and unlock the knob, a key is available.
Along with it, if you want to protect your bike rack, insert the provided locking hitch from the right side to take advantage of its wobble-free system. After this, you will not have to worry about the safety and security of the bike rack. The rear reflector ensures added visibility at night.
Another amazing feature of this best bicycle rack for the Subaru Forester is its Quick-release smart tilt. It enables the user to move the entire rack away from the vehicle for rear cargo access, even if you have loaded bikes on it.
It is designed using heavy-duty stainless steel and supports up to almost 240 lbs when four bikes are loaded. However, make sure you never tilt the loaded rack alone. You can either utilize it either for 4 or 2 bikes.
You can simply fold it flat behind the vehicle when not in use to save space. This is beneficial when you are parking in a garage, or you don’t want to remove and install it every time.
One drawback that you might find in KV’s bike rack is it really heavy in weight and bulky. You will need to have more space to store it when not to use it.
- Quick-release smart tilt to move the rack away and access the rear cargo access.
- Padded hooks avoid scratches and provide a strong grip.
- Top arm adjustment to lock the bike at the desired place.
- Suitable for 2 as well as for 4 bikes.
- Heavy in weight and bulky comparatively.
- Require more space to store.
2. Allen Sports 4-Bike hitch Rack
If you are searching for a budget-friendly rack that can provide you with tool-free assembly, then Allen Sport’s hitch rack is the right option for you.
This Subaru Forester hitch bike rack provides an easy way to transport your bicycles on camping or road trips. This product is high in quality and accomplishes its function very well. You can easily put it in or take it off from the car. The rack features a carry arm that enables the user to secure the bicycles separately. You can fold the carry arm away when the rack is not in use to save your space. In order to approach the liftgate, you will not have to detach the rack; just simply tilt it back.
The trailer hitch is the only point of contact between the rack and the vehicle, so there is very little chance of scratches or paint damage.
No wobble bolt is included in the rack so that your bicycle stays in one fixed place during transport. Even if you are using a rack for the first time, you will not face any problems with the assembly and disassembly of this bike rack for Subaru. All you have to do is follow the simple instructions provided, and you are good to go.
The durable and sturdy construction of the bike rack makes it stay with you for a longer time. Despite its low price, it contains all the basic features required to carry bicycles from one place to another. It is specially developed by keeping the needs of the USA cyclists in mind.
Although it is suitable for four bikes, attaching four cycles on this bike rack for the Subaru Forester provides a tight squeeze. Furthermore, as compared to assembly, you need to put some extra effort into the disassembly of the Allen Sport’s bike rack. Furthermore, the steel construction also makes it a bit heavy. Apart from these drawbacks, if you are looking for a cheap good quality bike rack, this is a good option.
- Carry an arm to secure each bike individually.
- No wobble bolt keeps bikes fixed at the desired place.
- Durable construction.
- You need to put some additional effort into disassembling this Subaru Forester hitch rack.
- Steel construction makes it a bit heavy.
3. Thule Apex XT Bike Hitch Rack
The next best Forester bike rack on our list is from Thule. It is suggested for those who are searching for a lightweight bike hitch and are worried about bikes hitting one another.
The integrated cable lock enables the user to securely lock the bikes to the rack. You can easily store the cable inside the hitch rack when not in use. With this Subaru bike rack, superior bike fit and stability are assured. You can adjust 4 bikes; however, there are 7 inches of spacing between each bike so that bikes never collide and ensure safe transport. Along with it, the embedded anti-sway cradle avoids bike-to-bike connection and becomes invisible when not needed.
It arrives almost ready to go. The SnugTile present in Thule’s rack provides tool-free installation. It also eliminates any unwanted hitch rack movement and firmly secures the hitch rack to the vehicle. Well, setting it up is much easier as compared to riding a bike. You can effortlessly set it up by using the installation guide that comes with it.
The integrated HitchSwitch lever moves the carrier away from the vehicle trunk and hatch access. Furthermore, you can fold down the bike arms when you want to use them. By doing so, you will not have to remove it every time.
Very few bike racks come with a fit-all-bike feature; however, this Subaru Forester bike hitch is compatible with almost every frame style and size. In other words, you can easily carry all of your bikes while going out, including a child bike. It is specifically designed to fit a 2-inch hitch receiver. Thule’s rack has a load capacity of almost 150 lbs.
You may be thinking about the durability of this bike carrier; however, you must know that its high-quality material and padding can easily withstand extreme weather conditions. The vinyl-coated clips and buckles act as a cover for clips and prevent bike and car damage. However, the price of this Subaru bike rack is comparatively high so make sure that it is within your budget.
- Cable lock to secure the bikes with rack.
- Space among bikes to avoid a collision.
- High-quality material
- Suitable with a variety of bike frames.
- Expensive comparatively.
4. Hollywood Racks Destination 2-4 Bikes Platform Hitch Mount Bike Rack
Hollywood Rack is famous in the biking community for its good quality and durability. You can securely fit 4 bikes in this hitch carrier. Each bike fits in a movable wheel tray and makes use of ratchet straps to secure the wheels. The ratchet straps move vertically along the center post and rotate 360 degrees to cover almost every size and shape of the bike frame.
The adjustable center post has a rotating and sliding attachment cradle that is highly beneficial to secure the bike frame. These holders provide extra securing points to protect bikes from shakes and wobbles during transport.
You will not have to remove this Subaru Forester hitch bike rack when not in use. All you have to do is to fold it up vertically. It will make it easier for you to derive when bikes are not loaded.
The keyed hitch lock pin and frame hooks secure the bikes to the rack. You can load up to four bikes on this bicycle rack Subaru, and each weighs almost 35 lbs. It is suitable to use with the 2-inch hitch receivers only. If you have a towed or trailer vehicle, this is not the right one for you.
It is designed with wheel trays to make loading and unloading super easy. The padded frame holders will protect your bikes even on the roughest roads.
As it contains a maximum wheelbase of 48” and a tire width of 3”, this Forester bike rack is perfect for kid’s bicycles, hybrids, ladies’ frames, and mountain and road bikes.
On the downside, the rack is comparatively heavy, so keep your muscles strong to lift it up. Moreover, the adjustable arms are tough to manipulate and move. If you love top-quality bike racks that require little effort to install but stay for a longer time, you should give it a try.
- Movable wheel tray to easy loading and unloading.
- The ratchet straps fix the bike of almost every frame.
- Cradle for securing the bike frame.
- The adjustable arms are difficult to move and manipulate.
5. Kuat Racks NV 2.0 bike rack
The Kuat NV 2.0 bike rack contains almost every feature you can expect in your bicycle rack for Subaru Forester. It is durable, high in quality, and stylish.
It is super easy to assemble and attach to your Subaru. It can carry two bikes that are up to almost 60 lbs each. This bike hitch for the Subaru Forester can hold the wheelbase up to 48”. Along with it, if your bicycle tires are as large as 4.8”, then this bike hitch is good to go.
This Subaru bike rack enables every user to effortlessly snug up and deliver the ratcheting arm. The cradle is available so that bikes can have a minimum point of contact. In other words, it will avoid any scratches or damage to the bicycles that may occur due to the collision.
A lever ensures the easy lowering and lifting of the rack. You can easily operate it using the foot. Both rear ratcheting strap and tire cradle make it super easy for everyone to load bikes on the beam.
Furthermore, the fully integrated cable lock can be looped over the frame’s rear triangle to keep the bikes secure. Along with it, the hitch pin lock ensures that the rack stays at the fixed desired position.
The powder-coated finish makes this bike rack Subaru look fresh, scratch-resistant, and durable. You can utilize the directions and instructions provided by the Kuat to assemble this Forester bike rack. After assembly, make sure that it is fixed and working as intended. However, you may require more than one person for its assembly as it is quite heavy. Furthermore, you will not find any front wheel lock in Kuat’s bike rack.
The good thing is that all locks utilize the same key, so it will be very convenient for you.
Whether you are looking for security, ease of use, or style, the Kuat’s Subaru bicycle rack is here to serve you best.
If you are among those users who admire having durable and sturdy bike carriers for the Subaru Forester, then you should consider it.
- Cradle to avoid contact among bikes.
- Fully integrated cable lock to keep the bikes secure.
- Same key for every lock.
- Lever for the lifting and locking of the rack.
- You may need more than one person to assemble the rack as it is heavy.
6. Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack
This forester bike rack is a sure thing for cyclists who used to travel frequently. It contains many amazing features that will make your adventure better.
The pole tilts forward so that the user can access the backload and the arms that overlap down for the capacity. The tight arms are suitable for various bicycles and contain anti-sway cradles.
The switchblade anti-sway cradle greatly helps in avoiding the connection between the vehicles. Its hanging rack characteristic ensures that you can easily carry any type of bike having traditional frame geometry.
Loading bikes on the rack is not tough; however, it may take some while to tighten all the straps. When loading the bikes, make sure that you have tightened all the racks to keep the bikes firmly in place. These rubber straps provide a strong grip on the bike frame.
Even if you are a newbie and using the Subaru Forester bicycle rack for the first time, you can still install it effortlessly. Three tools are included in the package: 2 for tightening the hitch bolts and an Allen wrench. You can tilt it out when not in use. The Triggerfinger button will let you fold down the arms with just a single press of the button.
The attractive thing is that it is compatible with both 2 and 1-1/4 inches hitch receivers. The durable powder coat finish makes this bike rack for Subaru Forester to stay with you longer.
Make sure that you follow the provided guidelines by the manufacturer. This will ultimately ensure a tight receiver that gives you peace of mind that your bikes are entirely secured.
However, if you want to leave the bike rack unattended for a long time when you are going somewhere, you need to make some modifications. In another case, you can go for another bike rack.
The Yakima DoubleDown 4-bike hitch bike is a good choice for those who want a quality rack that can adjust up to 4 bikes.
- Tight arms are suitable for a variety of bicycles.
- SwitchBlade prevents any contact between bicycles.
- Tools are included in the package.
- It may require some time to fix all the straps.
7. KAC Overide sports K2 hitch mounted rack
Are you looking for a highly adjustable Subaru Forester bicycle rack? If yes, why not check the amazing features of the KAC override sports KS hitch-mounted rack? This bike rack contains tire straps and safety straps that protect the bikes from any unwanted situation.
It is suitable for two bikes, each having 60 lbs weight. The durability is ensured with the powder-coated steel tubing. If we talk about security, then hitch pins, locking knobs, and padded clamps are here to serve you.
The quick-release tilt design makes it easy for the users to approach the rear cargo and fold the bike rack when not in use. Along with it, the rear reflector is present in this bike rack Subaru which adds enhanced visibility.
The good thing is that most of its parts come pre-installed. The remaining parts are super easy to install and adjust. The heavy-duty 5-inch wide trays are adjustable and suitable for most bike frames, including mountain bikes, fat tires, e-bikes, and low Y-frame.
You can utilize the included key to lock the hook arm, ensuring that your bikes are secured at the desired place. The locking pin further contributes to making the bike rack secure. Moreover, the anti-wobble system will provide you with a sturdy and smooth ride.
The soft foam padded hook arms secure the bikes with the rack and also prevent any damage or scratches. If you own a step-through bicycle with a low frame, you should consider buying an adapter with it to get a secure fit.
Keep in mind that the locks that secure your bike are made up of plastic. They may become loose while driving, which can cause damage. So keep a close eye on the movement of this Forester bike rack.
On the other side, it contains heavy-duty wheel holders and provides a lot of adjustability. If you think it satisfies all of your Subaru Forester bicycle rack requirements, then go for it.
- Powder-coated steel tubing makes it durable.
- The quick-release design is available to access the rear cargo.
- Heavy-duty wide trays are suitable for a variety of trays.
- Locks are made up of plastic.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How to securely lock a bike to your new Subaru Forester bike rack?
We know how important bikes are for cyclists. When you are on the road, and your bikes are away from your sight, every one of us tries to make sure that they are fully secured. If you use the bike rack for the Subaru Forester that does not contain an integrated lock cable, you should try to buy it separately. By doing so, you will not have to worry about any undesired situation when you are traveling.
Like we all used to lock our bikes in public places, we need to do the same with the bike racks. It is a general rule of thumb: lock the frame first, then the back wheel, and lastly, the front wheel. You can use the U-lock or cable lock, and it is up to you. You need to understand the requirements of your bike rack before choosing the lock.
Keep the below tips in mind while traveling with your bikes:
- Make sure when you park your bike for a longer time, it is in your sight. This is especially significant when you are going to busy public points.
- Ensure that there is enough space between the two bikes attached to the rack. By doing so, there will be no chance of getting scratches or any other damage to the bikes.
- If there is any bad weather condition, it is always better to cover up the bikes with a waterproof bike cover.
- Make sure that the rack is securely fitted with the vehicle. Do yourself a favor and find an appropriate lock for your rack.
- Why do I need a bike rack?
We all know that cars are not specifically designed to carry bikes. So, to carry the bike racks, we all rely on the bike racks to ensure the convenient and safe transport of the bikes when going on long-distance traveling.
- Can I wash my car while the bike rack is installed?
Although bike racks contain coating and can bear severe road conditions, they are not designed to go through the carwash. This is especially needed to consider when you have a brush system carwash. It is always better to spare some minutes and remove the bike rack before washing the car.
- Are these bike racks difficult to install?
The answer is NO. Most of the Subaru Forester bicycle racks are super easy to install. You just need to choose the design that suits your vehicle. Most of the bike racks will work and adjust with your car as desired. You will get the snug fit with very little effort.
- What is the best bike rack for a Subaru Forester?
A variety of Subaru Forester bike racks are available that can serve you best. However, you need to keep your requirements in mind before choosing one. Some best Subaru Forester bike racks are:
- KAC Overdrive Sports K4 2” Hitch Mounted Rack 4-Bike Platform Style Carrier for Standard
- 1. Allen Sports 4-Bike Hitch Racks for 2 in. Hitch
- 2. Thule Apex XT Bike Hitch Rack
- 3. Hollywood Racks Destination 2-4 Bikes Platform Hitch Mount Bike Rack
- Can roof racks damage my car?
A securely fitted roof rack will serve you for years without causing any damage. However, on the other side the overloaded roof rack, badly fitted, under-torqued, and over-torqued bike rack can cause damage to your car.
