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Toyota Prius is a car designed for modern times, corroborating eco-friendliness and fuel efficiency. It’s highly likely that if you own a Prius, you’re an avid fan of cycling as well. Even if you’re not, everybody enjoys a few bike riding endeavors with their family or friends every now and then.
If that’s the case, investing in a good-quality bike rack can prove to be one of the best decisions you’ve made. It will not only save room but also keep your car in top condition without any dents or scratches.
So, if you’re interested in buying a great rack for your Prius, read further to find out how you can do exactly that.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Bike Racks For Prius
- OUR TOP PICK: Allen Sports Deluxe 103DN-R
- RUNNER-UP: Saris Bones Car Bike Rack
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B
Comparison of the Best Bike Racks for Prius
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What Makes a Bike Rack Great for a Prius?
Buying a bike rack for your Prius is a great choice to make if you fancy outdoor biking with your friends or family. Buying a bike rack for a Prius can be a great choice because:
Safety of the Car
If you want to bring your bike along in your Prius, you can either shove it up in the back or trunk or buy a bike rack. Buying a good-quality bike rack will save not only the inside of your vehicle from scratches or minor damages (like grease stains) but also the exterior. This is because bike racks feature special padded systems that are designed to maintain a safe distance between the bike and the car. So, your car will not be exposed to unnecessary scratches or dents.
More Room Inside the Car
If you don’t own a bike rack, but you intend to transport your bike, you will need to put them in the trunk or back seat. This will obviously take up unnecessary space. Furthermore, if you’re traveling with family or friends, you can’t afford to waste space like that, so buying a bike rack is the ideal choice.
Allen Sports Deluxe 103DN-R
Bikes Remain Intact and Undamaged
It’s possible that the type or model of bike you own doesn’t fit into your Prius. In such a case, you might have to adjust or dismantle a few parts of the bike in order to fit them. This will not only cause unwanted hassles but also warrant the need to carry around extensive tools for the assembly. Therefore, it’s a good choice to invest in a bike rack so you can easily transport your bike without any worries.
Can Transport More Than One Bike
If you do plan to transport your bike in the trunk or back seat of your car, your amount will be limited. In other words, you can only transport a single bike or two if you put one in your back seat and one in your trunk, but then where will your family and other stuff go?
Attaching a bike rack with your Prius will allow you to carry about three bikes at once without taking up unnecessary space.
Can You Really Find a Quality Bike Rack That’s Affordable?
With so many different options and variations available in the market, there’s hardly anything you’ll find that won’t fall in a number of different price categories. The same goes for bike racks as well.
There are a few different types for you to choose from and ones that fall well within your budget. Our catalog of options is here to deliver just that.
With that being said, nowadays, you can definitely find an affordable bike rack without compromising on quality. The mentioned products will not only offer stability and securely transport your bike but will also be compatible with a number of different bike models. Keeping in mind the safety hazards as well and possible damage to your vehicle, we’ve cherry-picked some of the most durable models for you.
Review of the Best Bike Racks For Prius
Now that we’ve talked about bike racks as a whole, let’s dive into the actual products that you must definitely check out.
Best Overall:
Allen Sports Deluxe 103DN-R
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
Buyers seem to praise the product, owing to its easy installability and fitting. The bike rack fitted well with their vehicles and offered strong support. Furthermore, they claimed it was extremely easy to mount and dismount. Most users carried up to three bikes on this rack and were pleased.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Allen Sports Deluxe definitely stands out among the different options available. It’s safe, versatile, and extremely easy to install and use.
First off, let’s talk about the patented individual tie-down system. This ensures that your bike remains secured and protected at all times. Moving on, the tie-down, even though they exhibit a rather fixed position, offer great compatibility. This is because they have the ability to rotate, so they can engage a number of different bike frames, sizes, and styles.
Secondly, the whole configuration features a set of rugged top and bottom and two side straps. These are immaculate when it comes to offering stability.
The narrow set carry arms are designed to fit a wide number of bike frames and sizes; be it adult size bikes, children’s bikes, or women’s bikes.
Bottom Line
Each component embedded into the Allen Sports Deluxe corroborates the highest standards of durability and reliability. These rugged and high-quality components will securely transport your bike to the location you desire. So, you can be sure that the next time you take your Prius out, your bikes won’t have to remain in the garage.
Runner-up:
Saris Bones Car Bike Rack
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
People who purchased this product seemed very happy with their decision. They claimed that the bike rack proved to be great in terms of quality and definitely worth the price. The straps are manufactured using a sturdy design, and so are the rungs. It’s very easy to install, mount, and dismount.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Saris Bones is a company that precedes most others when it comes to experience and history. The Saris Bones Trunk rack was one of the first bike racks debuted on the market. So, it’s safe to say that this is one company that knows its way around the whole concept.
Coming to the present age, the Saris Bones car bike rack features unique doglegs that enable it to effectively fit over a Prius. Moreover, it’s found to be compatible with quite a wide array of bicycle designs.
The rack only weighs 11 lbs, so it’s very lightweight. Moreover, it has the capability to carry two bikes at a time, which is a fair amount.
What’s more, is that it incorporates premium bike hold downs that are not only easy to use but also quick to adjust. The special arc-based design is put in place to separate the bikes on different levels while the articulated rubber feet are introduced to protect the paint of the vehicle.
Lastly, the unit is fabricated from 100% recyclable materials and has rust-free and robust injection-molded arms for years of service.
Bottom Line
This particular bike rack is excellent when it comes to eco-friendliness, as it’s made from 100% recyclable materials. Not to mention, the longevity offered by this product is great as well. The strong injection-molded arms, coupled with years of experience of the company, translate to what we usually term as resilience and reliability.
Best for the Money:
Tyger Auto TG-RK1B204B
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
Users report back saying that they had their eye on a number of different bike racks, but they chose this one, and this decision proved to be great. They claim it is sturdy and of extremely good quality.
It’s easy to mount on the car and doesn’t slip or get loose once secured in place, even if there was the frequent opening of the back of the car. There were no scratches or damages to the car as well.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Tyger Auto is one of our top favorites, owing to its hassle-free installation and extra safety straps included in the package. The rack features individual soft cradles that are specially designed to protect the bike frame.
Furthermore, it has four nylon straps with two adjustment arms in order to attach it with the Prius. There are rubber cushioned pads embedded into the design as well that ensure safety. In order to keep your vehicle and the paint on it protected and scratch-free, the company has introduced a padded system.
We’d also like to mention the additional straps and rubber cover screw locks that help in the adjustability of the rack to the trunk of your car. This bike rack is easily foldable and, thus, extremely easy to transport.
Bottom Line
Tyger Auto bike rack is the way to go if you’re looking for a good-quality and portable option. There are a number of different mechanisms that are put in place to ensure the safety of your bike as well as that of your vehicle.
Best Prius Bike Rack Hitch:
Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Racks
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What Recent Buyers Report
All buyers claim that the product is easy to install, lightweight, and sturdy. It locks into the hitch quite easily and folds down for tailgate access. Once installed, it remains fastened and secured in place. Overall, users claim that this bike rack works great, is budget-friendly, and is rock-solid in construction.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch is amazingly secure, of superior quality, and offers a reasonable price. Furthermore, it’s fairly easy to mount and dismount from your Prius.
Talking about the construction, the rack comes fully assembled and only takes a few minutes to install onto your car. The assembly further features 12-inch long carry arms to efficiently lock the mounted bikes into place while the tie-down system makes sure they’re tight and secure.
This bike rack can carry up to two bikes for you to take onto your road trips or camping endeavors. Additionally, the side straps are incorporated into the design for increased lateral stability. Padded lower frames help in maintaining a safe distance between the bike and the vehicle, so they don’t collide and scratch each other.
Bottom Line
This particular bike rack showcases a single configuration design that aids in eliminating hassles related to set-up and installation. Moreover, once the bike mounts onto the rack, you can be sure that it will remain locked in place as long as you want. So, we’d say this is an excellent choice that’s not only affordable but also premium in terms of quality.
Best Prius Trunk Bike Rack:
Allen Sports Ultra Compact
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What Recent Buyers Report
Most buyers seem to be very satisfied with this high-quality and well-built bike rack. Allen Sports is a trusted brand, and it has proved to provide everything it claims. The padded spine provides sufficient protection for the bike, and for the price point it’s at, users are extremely pleased with the product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Allen Sports Ultra Compact Trunk rack is designed to fit SUVs, sedans, minivans, and hatchbacks. This patented design is why it would be perfect for your environmentally-conscious and fuel-efficient Prius.
After a quick fold, it is so small that it can fit inside your backpack or even a shoebox. This makes it extremely easy to transport and store. Don’t let the size fool you, though; it can easily carry one to two bikes. It also features a patented Tie-Down System that securely holds your bicycles while protecting both the car and the bike. This feature also enables the frame to be compatible with a wide range of sizes and styles of bicycles.
Furthermore, you get a nylon carry bag that's big enough to fit the frame rack and an Allen Sports lifetime warranty. All in all, we don’t see how you could go wrong with this one.
Bottom Line
The Allen Sports Ultra Compact is a great trunk bike rack. It will fit well with your Prius and will be able to hold two bikes easily. It is aesthetically designed while also being very durable. Stability and sturdiness are also commendable. In conclusion, this is an affordable option that doesn’t skim on any of the important features you would need in a trunk bike rack.
Best Prius Bike Roof Rack:
SeaSucker Talon Single Bike Rack
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
Many users seem to love this bike rack not only due to its technical and functional features but also because of its stylish design. With this on their roof, they never had to worry about any damage to their car. They further claimed that it provided protection and security in terms of holding their bike in place. With such versatility, users were quick to recommend and praise this unit.
Why it Stands Out to Us
SeaSucker Talon is an all-American-made bike rack that is hand-made and can carry one single bike. It uses suction cups to hold the rack anywhere on the car. The pull rate of these suction cups is over 210 lbs, so you won’t need to worry about your bikes falling off.
These innovative suction cups can work in any weather, be it hot or cold. Even if it’s raining and below zero degrees, they will stick and hold just as well. Due to the design implementation, this makes it compatible with not only Prius but other cars as well.
All in all, this is a highly advanced product with maintenance and durability at its forefront. It is very easy to assemble and takes a few minutes to install. You really can’t go wrong with this amazing roof bike rack, and we can’t recommend it enough.
Bottom Line
To sum up, this is, by far, the most innovative and advanced type of rack we’ve come across. The company even offers further variations for more than one bike if that’s what you’re looking for. In conclusion, we really can’t seem to find any significant flaw or reason why this wouldn't be perfect for you and the roof of your Prius.
Aspects to Consider Before Buying
Before you buy a bike rack for your Prius, you need to consider a few aspects. These will help you in making a well-thought-out decision - one that’s more tailored to your particular needs.
Budget
Budget is one of the most fundamental considerations when choosing a bike rack. Obviously, you’ll want a model that fits well within your financial constraints but also offers superior quality and durability. Luckily, all the products mentioned in our list are budget-friendly and showcase some of the highest quality standards.
Type of Rack
You need to know the types of bike racks manufactured. The three most popular designs are hitch mount, roof mount, and trunk mount. Understanding each one will help you to choose a model that best fits your needs and criteria.
For example, if you intend to use your trunk quite frequently throughout the ride, buying a trunk mount bike rack is not a smart choice. On the other hand, if your height is short, a roof mount bike rack would be a bad idea. Lastly, buy a hitch-mounted bike rack if your Prius has a hitch previously installed.
Saris Bones Car Bike Rack
Number of Bikes
Another important aspect to consider is how many bikes you want to transport at a time. Using one of the products mentioned in our catalog, you can transport up to three bikes, which is a good amount. But if three is too much for you, buy one that can handle up to two bikes. You also need to make sure that the rack is sturdy enough to withstand the weight of the bike.
Weight of Your Bike
If you plan on transporting regular adult or children bikes, then that should be no problem. But, if you intend to transport some bulkier untraditional models, you’ll need to buy a heavy-duty bike rack with increased load capacity.
Cautious Considerations to Keep in Mind
Whether you’ve already invested in a bike rack or you’re planning on doing it, you should keep the following cautious considerations in mind at all times.
Always Review Installation Instructions
Even if you think you know your way around bike racks or similar gadgets in general, always refer to the instruction manual before trying to install the product on your own. Make certain you read all the written instructions very carefully in order to ensure a safe installation process. If you’re not careful with it, you might accidentally scratch the paint of your car with the straps.
Perform a Safety Check
When you're done with the installation process, i.e., the attachment of the rack to your Prius, you need to do a safety test to ensure that the rack is locked into place as these may give in during the process. So, make sure your rack is tightly secured before you mount the bikes on it.
Spin the Bicycle Pedal
In order to prevent your car paint from scratches, you need to spin the pedal of the bike, so it rests safely against the license plate of your car. Furthermore, if you’re transporting more than one bike, make sure there’s some kind of padding in between them to protect them from damage. The damage may be caused when you’re driving, and the bikes bounce around.
Allen Sports 2-Bike Hitch Racks
Conclusion
With a myriad of advantages and specific traits that make bike racks a great investment, it’s safe to say that you can’t go wrong if you own one.
This article gives you a closer look into what it’ll be like to own a bike rack for your Prius and, more specifically, what bike racks are worth your attention.
We’ve given you hints on what racks will fit best with your Toyota Prius; now, the rest is up to you to decide.
We can only hope that you’re in a better position to make a well-informed decision after reading this article.
People Also Ask
Before buying the first rack you come across, make sure to read our question and answer guide. We hope it will alleviate some of your queries that may have gone unnoticed.
Are Prius Bike Racks Universal?
Bike racks, in general, are designed to fit most cars, trucks, or SUVs. So to answer that question, we’d say yes. Bike racks are universal if you intend to mount them onto your Prius.
How Much is a Bike Rack For a Prius?
You can buy a good-quality bike rack for your Prius in the price range of about $50-$150.
How Should I Store My Bike Rack When I’m Not Using It?
If you plan on storing your rack when not in use as opposed to leaving it on your Prius, you need to store it properly. This way should not involve your bike rack lying around your garage floor. If you want to efficiently store it, you can buy a device called the ‘rackdock.’ It's a wall-mounted docking station specially designed for your bike rack. It has the capability of accepting 2″ or 1¼” racks with the included adapter.
Can I Leave My Bike Rack on Year Round?
Yes, you can leave your bike rack on year-round. There’s absolutely no harm or damage associated with it. Some people do it and claim to have no problems. But if you do plan to keep it on, you’ll need to regularly wash and maintain it as the dirt or junk can cause issues.
