Each vehicle has its unique features, and the Jeep Wrangler’s most distinctive feature is its tall body and the characteristic spare tire mount at the rear fender. As a bike rack is an essential tool for cycling enthusiasts to travel long distances. So how choosing the best bike racks is a topic that must be considered. At the same time, this is also the topic we are talking about today.
How do we choose the right Jeep Wrangler bike rack?
The Jeep Wrangler’s tall body means it has a wide range of bike racks to choose from when it comes to bike racks, including the roof-mounted, spare tire, platform, suspension, and more. It’s not an insurmountable challenge to not worry about the presence of a spare tire causing problems with the mounting of the rack. Instead, it brings a lot of novelty to the bike installation at the trunk.
When we choose to install a bike rack before, we must consider factors such as the type of bike rack, the capacity of the bike that can be carried, the feedback from users, and the quality of the bike rack, etc.
In the following, we’ve compiled a summary of the ten best bike racks for the Jeep Wrangler that have received numerous positive reviews over more than a week.
Recommended List
- Rockymounts BrassKnuckles ($249.95)
- Hollywood Racks SR2 Bolt-On Spare Tire Bike Rack ($239.99)
- Thule Spare Me 963Pro ($429.95)
- Allen Sports Deluxe ($69.5)
- Yakima SpareRide ($399)
- Hollywood Racks SR2 ($171.36)
- Thule T2 Pro XTR ($899.95)
- Rockymounts BackStage ($769.95)
- KAC K2 Sport 2″ ($419.99)
- Rockymounts SplitRail LS ($579.95)
Learn More: How To Load A Bike Rack For A Car?
1. Suitable For Jeep Wrangler Roof-Mounted Bike Racks
If your Jeep Wrangler is not a soft top and you want to have full access to the space at the trunk. Then a roof-mounted bike rack is perfect for you.
Although there are many types of roof racks, I only recommend wheeled racks. Because the fork and frame type other than the wheeled frame either have the trouble of removing the front wheel or have the disadvantage of poor stability. The wheeled bike rack not only does not need to load and unload the front wheel before and after use but also has a strong front wheel fixing arm to ensure stability during transportation. And the bicycle frame and the roof of zero contact design can also play a role in protecting the bicycle.
Recommended Roof-Mounted Bike Racks For Purchase
1. Rockymounts BrassKnuckles ($249.95)
- Type: Wheeled
- Weight: 18 lbs
- Weight capacity per bike (maximum): 45 lbs
Advantages.
- Roof-wheeled bicycle carrier with excellent price
- No need to disassemble the front wheel of the bike for use
- Able to guarantee stable enough transportation
Disadvantages.
- Not applicable to bicycles equipped with mudguards
- And need to purchase a separate lock cylinder
Rockymounts’ BrassKnuckles have been well received by consumers for their ergonomic knuckle brass grips since they were first introduced. This also makes it very easy for the user to load and unload the bike.
Not only that, but the Rockymounts BrassKnuckles have all the advantages that a wheeled roof bike rack should have. That is a stable enough transport experience and no need to load or unload the front wheel of the bike before or after use. Being stable enough for transport is key.
This ensures that the bike doesn’t get loose and wobbly on bumpy roads during off-road journeys. At the same time, the roof-mounted bike rack arrangement also makes the body look more neat and smooth, and the use of the trunk is not affected at all.
2. Suitable For Jeep Wrangler Spare Tire Type Bike Racks
As the most common bike rack for the Jeep Wrangler, the spare tire carrier not only has a strong enough structure, but also a simple enough design to attach to a spare tire without tools. But nothing is perfect, and the spare tire carrier can only be mounted on the spare tire carrier. If your car doesn’t have a spare tire carrier, then you’ll need to consider another bike rack.
Recommended Spare Tire Carrier-Type Bike Rack For Purchase
1. Hollywood Racks SR2 Bolt-On Spare Tire Bike Rack ($239.99)
- Type: Spare tire rack type
- Weight: 24 lbs
- Number of bicycles that can be carried: 2
- Weight capacity per bike (maximum): 35 lbs
Advantages.
- Spare tire carrier bike carrier with high compatibility
- It can hold the bicycle well and the soft rubber material of the bracket will not damage the bicycle
- The design of the frame can be folded more convenient to carry when traveling
Disadvantages.
- Only for cars with spare tire carrier
- Not very strong load-bearing capacity
The Hollywood Racks SR2 Bolt On’s best feature is that it is stiff and solid enough. This is thanks to its adjustable bike support arms as well as its one-piece tether strap. This not only gives it the ability to hold the bike steady but also gives it wider compatibility. The soft rubber material of the brace ensures safe transportation without causing any damage to the bike.
The capacity to carry two bicycles is not too much, but if it is just a family trip 2-bike are enough to use. The foldable design is not only more space-saving but also easy to carry. In addition, the rack also comes with a lock button, so you do not need to buy an additional bike lock.
2. Thule Spare Me 963Pro ($399.95)
- Type: Spare tire rack type
- Weight: 15.6 lbs
- Number of bicycles that can be carried: 2
- Weight capacity per bike (maximum): 37.5 lbs
Advantages.
- The Stay-Put bracket used and the removable anti-sway frame can maintain stability very well
- The design of the frame can be folded more convenient to carry when traveling
- The bracket comes with a bike rack lock
Disadvantages.
- Only for cars with spare tire carrier
- More expensive
Although the classic Thule Spare Me 963Pro has a high price tag, it can give you a correspondingly great experience.
Thule Spare, Me has a simple and easy installation, so you don’t need to think much about it.
And according to user feedback, the Thule Spare Me is very durable and has an extremely long lifespan. One user from Florida said that his Thule Spare Me has been working for him for 10 years. During this time the Thule Spare Me has only suffered cosmetic wear and tear from the elements, but its primary function has remained unaffected.
So, if you have the budget, then trust me, Thule Spare Me 963Pro will give you a lot of surprising performance.
3. Allen Sports Deluxe ($69.5)
- Type: Spare tire rack type
- Weight: 9.2 lbs
- Number of bicycles that can be carried: 2
- Weight capacity per bike (maximum): 70 lbs
Advantages.
- Cost-effective spare tire carrier bike carrier with excellent price
- Suitable for almost all externally mounted spare tires
- Lightweight, easy to install, and carry
- Suitable for all sizes of rear spare tires
Disadvantages.
- Only for cars with spare tire carrier
- Non-collapsible
- The quality of the bracket is average
Allen Sports Deluxe has a friendly price, but it has to be light enough weight for easy installation and is more convenient to carry.
Its unique tethering system protects the bike well and ensures stable transport. Although the Allen Sports Deluxe is not as safe as other racks, it is excellent enough considering its price. If you don’t use bike racks often, then suspension racks can also be a good choice.
4. Yakima SpareRide ($399)
- Type: Spare tire rack type
- Weight: 21.5 lbs
- Number of bicycles that can be carried: 2
- Weight capacity per bike (maximum): 35 lbs
Advantages.
- The SuperCash mount provides the best quality protection for your bike
- With a strong and durable steel bracket
- The rack comes with an SKS cable lock
- Fits almost any size rear spare tire
Disadvantages.
- Only for cars with spare tire carrier
Yakima SpareRide, a long-established brand trusted by consumers, has achieved sufficient completeness in terms of rack quality.
To provide better protection for the bike, the Yakima SpareRide uses a TireTread pad for added stability in addition to the high-performance SuperCash mount.
The anti-sway rack is designed to minimize collisions between bikes as a way to avoid causing unnecessary wear and tear.
The rack comes with an SKS lock to secure the bike to the rack to prevent theft. Also, the Yakima SpareRide comes with a classic Yakima bottle opener so you can party and drink with friends after the ride.
5. Hollywood Racks SR2 ($171.36)
- Type: Spare tire rack type
- Weight: 39.5 lbs
- Number of bicycles that can be carried: 2
- Weight capacity per bike (maximum): 37.5 lbs
Advantages.
- Excellent price
- The bracket with a soft rubber band will not hurt the bike while holding it in place
- Rust-resistant, durable steel frame
- The rack comes with an SKS cable lock
- Fits almost any size rear spare tire
Disadvantages.
- Heavyweight
- Only for cars with spare tire carrier
The Hollywood Racks SR2 has an excellent price, but at the same time, it has a strong enough rack and stable transportability. The dual swivel arms provide support for the bike, and the foldable rack makes it easier to store when not in use. The sturdy steel surface of the rack is coated to prolong the life of the bike while also having an aesthetic effect. The adjustable arms of the Hollywood Racks SR2 make it very compatible with a wide range of applications.
But the corresponding downside of a sturdy rack is that the Hollywood Racks SR2 has a relatively heavy rack weight. The 39.5 pounds is a relatively rare weight for a spare tire rack. This also means that you will need to spend more effort to install the Hollywood Racks SR2 than you would install a regular spare tire rack.
3. Suitable For Jeep Wrangler Platform Type Bike Racks
Although platform bike racks are more expensive, they have always been the most popular type of stand. This is due to its ease of loading and unloading bikes as well as its stability. But for the Jeep Wrangler, the choice of a platform bike rack is not as arbitrary as for a regular car. That’s because the Jeep Wrangler’s huge spare tire carrier at the rear of the car does make a bit of a difference. But don’t feel frustrated, we found a more suitable platform frame for the Jeep Wrangler according to its characteristics.
Recommended Platform Bike Racks For Purchase
1. Thule T2 Pro XTR ($899.95)
- Type: Platform type
- Weight: 52.04 lbs
- Number of bicycles that can be carried: 2
- Weight capacity per bike (maximum): 60 lbs
Advantages.
- Tool-less AutoAttach system allows for quick rack installation and removal
- HitchSwitch lever to adjust rack angle for trunk use
- The bracket comes with a bike rack lock
- Wide range of compatibility, can accommodate almost any bike on the market
- High load capacity, up to two 60-pound bicycles
- The design of the frame can be folded more convenient to carry when traveling
Disadvantages.
- More expensive
The Thule T2 Pro XTR’s frameless contact technology and adjustable, simple design are perfect for avoiding collisions between bikes. And it also holds the bike extremely stable.
The superior performance of Thule T2 Pro XTR still lies in its durable enough rack. No matter what kind of road you are driving on or what kind of harsh environment you are facing, Thule T2 Pro XTR has enough confidence to protect you on your trip.
2. Rockymounts BackStage ($769.95)
- Type: Platform
- Weight: 59 lbs
- Number of bicycles: 2
- Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs
Advantages.
- The platform-type frame is more convenient for bike loading and unloading
- The support bracket can be rotated 180° for easy access to the trunk
- High stability, can protect the bike well from wear and tear
Disadvantages.
- With a higher price
- Heavier bracket weight
- Not applicable to bicycles equipped with mudguards
Rockymounts BackStage has exclusive technology that allows the support rack to rotate 180°. This means that even when fitted to a Jeep, you don’t have to remove the bike when you need to use the trunk and spare tire.
And Rockymounts BackStage has a very strong load-bearing capacity, even for hybrid e-bikes and fat bikes and other heavier bikes can be transported securely.
The downside is that Rockymounts BackStage not only has a higher price tag but also has a heavier weight. This may cause you a little trouble when installing.
3. KAC K2 Sport 2″ ($419.99)
- Type: Platform
- Weight: 44.8 lbs
- Number of bicycles: 2
- Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs
Advantages.
- Platform bike rack with a strong load capacity
- Very convenient for bicycle loading and unloading
- Adjustable soft satin hook arm protects the bike from wear and tear
- High compatibility, can accommodate almost all brands of bikes on the market
- Rack with hook lock
Disadvantages.
- Heavyweight
- The surface of the frame is easily worn out
KAC K2 Sport 2″ has always been recognized by consumers for its sturdiness, which makes it very suitable for all kinds of roads. However, at the same time, its heavy rack weight is also a controversial flaw. About this, you may feel annoyed when installing.
In addition, the KAC K2 Sport 2″ has a load capacity of up to 60 pounds and strong fixed arms. All these can guarantee your bike can have enough safe transportation environment. The rack is equipped with a hook lock, so you don’t have to worry about the safety of the vehicle even for long-distance transportation.
The KAC K2 Sport 2″ has a built-in tilt function for easy access to the trunk, so you can use the trunk directly without removing the bike.
4. Rockymounts SplitRail LS ($579.95)
- Type: Platform
- Weight: 44 lbs
- Number of bicycles: 2
- Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs
Advantages.
- Platform bike racks that combine good looks and good performance
- High load capacity, up to 60 pounds per vehicle
- Bicycles do not collide with each other to avoid wear and tear
- The rack comes with an integrated lock
Disadvantages.
- Not applicable to bicycles equipped with mudguards
One of the very attractive things about the Rockymounts SplitRail LS is that it strikes a good balance between aesthetics and functionality. This makes it not only beautiful to look at, but also has a good enough performance. This is reflected in the excellent feedback from users.
The superior performance of the Rockymounts SplitRail LS can also be seen in its strong load capacity, with a range of up to 60 pounds to cover almost any bike on the market.
It is easy to load and unload bicycles and has a stable bicycle fixing effect, while bicycles do not collide with each other. This is why unnecessary wear and tear is avoided.
Bicycle Racks Specifications Table
| Frame name | Type | Weight | Price |
| Rockymounts BrassKnuckles | Wheeled | 18 lbs | $249.95 |
| Hollywood Racks SR2 Bolt On Spare Tire Bike Rack | Spare tire rack type | 24 lbs | $239.95 |
| Thule Spare Me 963Pro | Spare tire rack type | 15.6 lbs. | $429.95 |
| Allen Sports Deluxe | Spare tire rack type | 9.2 pounds | $69.95 |
| Yakima SpareRide | Spare tire rack type | 21.5 lbs. | $399 |
| Hollywood Racks SR2 | Spare tire rack type | 39.5 lbs. | $171.36 |
| Thule T2 Pro XTR | Platform type | 52.04 pounds | $899.95 |
| Rockymounts BackStage | Platform type | 63 lbs. | $769.95 |
| KAC K2 Sport 2″ | Platform type | 44.8 lbs. | $419.99 |
| Rockymounts SplitRail LS | Platform type | 44 pounds | $579.95 |
The Jeep Wrangler itself is already very adventurous and exploratory, but for cycling enthusiasts, only taking their beloved bikes along for the ride is considered a success. And while choosing a suitable bike rack is not a difficult task, it does require careful and attentive selection.
I hope you can choose the most suitable bike rack that belongs to you to accompany you on more journeys.
