Bike Rack Price: How Much Does a Cycle Carrier Cost?
How much does a bike rack cost? UK price ranges for boot-mounted, towbar and e-bike cycle carriers, and the right budget for your needs.
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How much does a bike rack cost? The range is wide: from around £35 for a boot-mounted carrier to more than £370 for a towbar platform able to take four bikes or two electric ones. The gap comes down to the mounting method, the number of bikes, the sturdiness and the safety features (lighting, plate, anti-theft).
Here are the main budget ranges, with a few references available on Amazon to place each tier, along with the factors that move the price and some advice on avoiding a carrier that looks cheap but isn't safe for your bikes. Prices are a guide, updated regularly, and often move: see them as a benchmark, not a fixed rate.
Models we recommend
Three well-rated bike rack to anchor each budget, from the most affordable to premium.
CXWXC Porte-vélos électrique pour attelage, 2 vélos, charge max 60 kg, feu arrière (noir)
Price ranges for a bike rack
Boot-mounted bike racks, fixed by straps to the boot, are the most affordable. With no towbar required, they suit occasional use and light bikes, and they fold away into a cupboard between trips, which appeals if storage space is tight. At this price, boot access is limited once the bikes are on, the load stays modest, and the straps need checking regularly en route, so avoid electric bikes and stick to one or two light frames.
The towbar covers the widest range. Reckon on around £65 to £130 for an entry-level 2-bike model, like the VEVOR (from ~£65, load around 36kg). In the mid-range, around £215 to £260, you'll find more stable platforms that are e-bike compatible: CXWXC (~£215), Witter ZX203 (~£215, 3 bikes), or the well-rated EUFAB 12010LAS (~£248) and 12011LAS (~£248) references.
The premium end is aimed at large cycling families and owners of heavy electric bikes. The foldable Favoto (~£340, 2 e-bikes, load around 60kg) or the BUZZRACER 4-bike platform (~£370) focus on toughness, a high payload and superior loading comfort.
What affects the price
The mounting method
It's the first cost item. A boot-mounted carrier is far cheaper than a towbar bike rack, but you also need to own a towbar (to be fitted to the car if it isn't already). Over time, the towbar offers more stability and longevity.
The number of bikes
The more bikes the carrier holds, the more it costs and the sturdier it must be. You move from an economical 2-bike to a noticeably pricier 3 or 4-bike platform, which also requires a good load capacity at the rear of the vehicle.
Electric-bike compatibility
A bike rack built for e-bikes (a reinforced load of around 60kg, a loading ramp, wide rails) almost always sits in the mid or premium range. The weight of an electric bike, 22 to 30kg, justifies this investment for riding with peace of mind.
Lighting and signalling
A duplicated plate, a lighting board, a 7 or 13-pin connector: these mandatory items, as soon as the lights are hidden, push the price up but avoid a fine. An integrated rear light or a lit plate is a plus to check in the product listing.
Tilting and ease of use
The tilting function to open the boot with the bikes loaded, adjustable rails, tool-free assembly: these comfort details set an economical model apart from a mid-range product and explain part of the price gap.
Anti-theft and finish
A lock on the towbar, individual anti-theft locks for each bike, anti-corrosion treatment: a careful finish and built-in security come at a price, but protect a load that's often worth far more than the bike rack itself.
Popular models, from cheapest to most expensive
A few well-rated products on Amazon to gauge each budget. Indicative prices, subject to change.
| Product | Rating | |
|---|---|---|
 VEVOR VEVOR Porte-vélos 2 vélos sur attelage, charge max 36 kg, compatible receveurs 30/51 mm (SUV/camping-car/camion)
|
4,1
151 reviews
|
View |
 Witter Witter ZX203 Porte-vélo 3 vélos sur barre d'attelage, charge max 51 kg, plaque lumineuse prise 13 broches
|
4,1
165 reviews
|
View |
 Porte-vélos pour attelage, vélos électriques et roues standard, 2 vélos, dégagement rapide, éclairage 13/7 broches
|
4,2
76 reviews
|
View |
|
CXWXC CXWXC Porte-vélos électrique pour attelage, 2 vélos, charge max 60 kg, feu arrière (noir)
|
4,4
471 reviews
|
View |
|
EUFAB EUFAB 12010LAS Porte-vélo d'attelage
|
4,5
5 177 reviews
|
View |
 EUFAB EUFAB 12011LAS Porte-vélo d'attelage
|
4,4
1 342 reviews
|
View |
 Favoto Favoto Porte-vélo attelage 2 e-bikes, support pliable rabattable, charge 60 kg, roues 20–29", montage rapide, aluminium
|
4,0
52 reviews
|
View |
|
BUZZRACER BUZZRACER 4 Porte-vélo sur attelage, plateforme 4 vélos
|
4,0
21 reviews
|
View |
Spotting a false bargain when buying a bike rack
A bike rack is one accessory where the cheapest option can be the most expensive mistake, because it carries a load worth far more than itself and travels at speed behind your car. The biggest false bargain is a carrier that isn't rated for what you'll put on it. An economical strap-on model may look like a steal, but loaded with a 25kg electric bike it is unsafe at best and illegal at worst. Before price even enters the picture, match the rack's stated maximum load to the real weight of your bikes plus the rack itself.
The second trap is a low price that hides missing essentials. A bare carrier with no lighting board or plate holder isn't truly cheaper if the law obliges you to add them, and bolt-on lighting kits aren't free. Read the listing carefully:
- Confirm the maximum load and the number of bikes, not just the headline price.
- Check whether a lighting board, plate holder and the right 7 or 13-pin connector are included.
- Look for a tilting function and anti-theft locks, the details that separate a usable rack from a frustrating one.
- Read recent reviews for wobble, rust or straps that slacken at speed.
To pay less for the right rack, timing helps: demand rises in spring and before the holidays, so the quieter months often bring better offers on exactly the same model. The used market is genuinely worth exploring here, since a solid towbar platform ages well. If you buy second-hand, inspect the locking mechanism, the straps or clamps, the wiring and the frame for cracks or corrosion, and make sure any keys are present. A well-kept used platform from a known make can cost a fraction of new while carrying your bikes just as safely, whereas a tired bargain with worn straps is no saving at all.
In summary
The price of a bike rack depends mainly on the mounting method, the number of bikes and compatibility with electric bikes. For occasional use, a boot-mounted model or an entry-level towbar is enough; to set off often or carry e-bikes, a mid or premium-range platform remains the best compromise between safety and lifespan. It pays to think in terms of the whole cost rather than the rack alone: if you don't already have a towbar, factor in the price of fitting one, and weigh that against how often you'll really use it. Remember, too, that a carrier holds a load worth far more than itself, so paying a little extra for proper load capacity, secure locking and a sturdy frame is rarely money wasted. Compare the maximum load and the features before deciding, and never push a budget model beyond what it's rated to carry. And wherever you take your bikes, our roadside assistance teams are on hand 24/7 across France in case of trouble.
Frequently asked questions
From ~£35 to £78 for a boot-mounted model, around £65 to £130 for an entry-level 2-bike towbar, £215 to £260 for an e-bike-compatible mid-range platform, and £340 to £370 for the premium end (4 bikes or heavy electrics). These prices are a guide and vary with promotions.
Because it's sturdier, more stable, accepts heavy loads and often includes lighting, a plate, tilting and anti-theft locking. It also assumes you have a towbar. In return, it lasts longer and makes loading easier, which justifies the gap with a boot-mounted carrier.
Yes if you carry electric bikes. Their weight (22 to 30kg) calls for a reinforced maximum load (often around 60kg) and a loading ramp. A model like the CXWXC or the Favoto avoids overloading an unsuitable carrier, which would be dangerous on the road and costly in the event of breakage.
For rare use and light bikes, a boot-mounted model or an economical towbar does the job. But for frequent trips, several bikes or e-bikes, an overly basic product wears out fast and lacks safety. In that case, it's better to invest in a mid-range, more reliable over time.
It depends on the models. Mid and premium-range towbar bike racks generally include a lighting board and a plate holder; some, like the Witter ZX203, add a lit plate. Check the product listing and the required connector (7 or 13-pin) to avoid buying an extra adapter.
If your car doesn't already have one, yes, and it's often the biggest hidden cost. A towbar fitted professionally with the necessary wiring typically runs to a few hundred pounds, which can dwarf the price of the rack itself. That outlay only makes sense if you'll use the towbar regularly, whether for bikes, a trailer or towing. If you carry bikes just once or twice a year, a boot-mounted carrier avoids the towbar expense entirely and may be the more sensible spend overall.
Further reading
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As an Amazon Associate, MyBootlid earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability shown are indicative and may change; only the price displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase applies.