Test: Looking for the best bike carrier

Bicycles can be transported by car in many different ways. You can transport them on the roof or on the tailgate, but placing the bikes on the bike rack is strenuous and can cause dents and scratches on the car and bike. For this reason, we recommend bike carriers for the towbar. These are placed on the towbar and thus it is easier to put the bicycles on the carrier and take them off. But which is the best bike carrier? To find the answer to that question, we tested seven towbar bike carriers. The towbar bike carriers participating in this test are approved for three regular bicycles or two heavy e-bikes.

The best bike carrier is user-friendly

The results of the seven candidates and key data on each carrier are listed in the table on the following pages. Positive: all bike carriers survived our test undamaged and transported the bikes over the test route without damage. Our test winner, the Uebler i31, did it best. In addition to the many convincing details, the quality of workmanship and the easy handling of this bicycle carrier are worth mentioning. The i31 comes pre-assembled, so you don’t have to assemble it first. The enclosed user manual is easy to understand. That’s a good thing, because the first time you put it on a trailer hitch, it can be a bit confusing. Once you get the hang of the system, however, the installation is very quick and easy. Attaching the bikes is child’s play. Although the buckles that secure the wheels are not protected by rubber sheaths, they are still easy to use. The same applies to the frame holders, which are easy to move and tighten. However, you should not overtighten the frame holders, otherwise you run the risk of damaging the bicycles. The driving test is convincing. The carrier is attached to the towbar in a very solid way. The bicycles remain very stable even on bad road surfaces and hardly move, so that you can go on holiday with a clear conscience. With 276 of the 300 possible points, the Uebler i31 rightfully deserves the designation ‘very good’ and thus comes out as the winner in this test.

Price-performance winner is robust

The finish of our price-performance winner, the Bosal Comfort Pro 3, is also of high quality. This bike carrier is easy to mount on the towbar; even someone who is not so strong can place him well. It is also very robust thanks to the long metal rails. However, we have to deduct points for the way the bikes are attached. While other carriers in the test are equipped with practical clamps, the Bosal has a ratchet system. Good thing: there are rubber protectors on the plastic straps, which should protect the frames of the bicycles against scratches. Folding down the carrier is a bit clumsy, because the mechanism under the number plate has to be pushed almost all the way to the ground. All in all, however, the Bosal bicycle carrier achieves a good result with 236 out of 300 points and thus not only scores the predicate ‘good’, it is also the price-performance winner in this test.

Usually delivered pre-assembled

What is striking: the tested bicycle carriers differ greatly from each other, especially in terms of handling. The first differences can already be seen when using the bicycle carrier: almost all bicycle carriers are supplied pre-assembled. Only the XLC bike carrier required some tinkering. Mounting the frame holders was a bit more time consuming and the license plate holder also had to be screwed into this carrier. Pay attention when loading the bicycle carrier: the maximum nose weight of your car determines how much weight you can transport on the carrier. The car we used for this test, a BMW 320d Touring, has a registered nose weight for the factory fitted 75kg towbar. This means that the bicycle carrier together with the bicycles may not weigh more than 75 kilos. You will find information about the nose weight in the registration certificate or in the instruction booklet of your car.

All in all, we can say that bicycle carriers for the towbar are a practical solution. If you want a high-quality product with great ease of use and easy handling, you have to dig deep into your pocket. However, the Bosal Comfort 3 shows that a good bicycle carrier can also be affordable.

This is how we tested

We subjected all bike carriers to the same test program:

• how good are the instructions for use
• is there a warning about possible dangers?
• Are the bike carriers for the towbar supplied pre-assembled?
• Is the carrier easy to carry?
• How heavy is it and does it have a handle to make it easier to carry?
• Can it be folded up to save space?
• An important point: the mounting on the towbar.

We also checked whether the bike carriers for the tailgate are easy to attach. Is there a folding mechanism? In addition, we assessed the method of attachment of the bicycles, i.e. how easy and safe they are to attach. Finally, we made a test drive with all carriers over a gravel road with potholes and a stretch of provincial road. They were assessed subjectively.

Tip: save weight for a higher payload

With a maximum payload of 54 to 63.8 kilos, every gram can matter if you want to transport three bicycles or two heavy e-bikes. Remove heavy parts such as batteries, locks, bicycle baskets or saddles and save precious weight. Bulky bicycle baskets or saddlebags are not only heavy, but can also take up space that you need to secure the bicycles. Always disassemble expensive parts, such as bicycle computers or displays of electric bicycles.

Product information

ubler i31

The test winner impresses with its high-quality workmanship and ease of use. The carrier is firmly attached to the towbar. However, the system is somewhat confusing at first glance, leading to points deductions. Securing the bikes is child’s play. This bicycle carrier also keeps the bicycles in place excellently. The frame and wheel holders are easy to operate.

Thule Easyfold XT 3

The EasyFold XT 3 convinces with a very good finish quality and exemplary handling. Especially unfolding the carrier can be done in no time. The continuous support surface helps when charging heavy e-bikes. Rollers under the carrier help to transport the carrier to the car.

Yakima Justclick 3

The bicycle carrier from the American manufacturer Yakima performs well in most test categories. With regard to the finish quality, the course of the driving test and the commissioning, the JustClick 3 has nothing to be ashamed of. The grip on the tow bar is very stable, as is the attachment of the wheels. A small disadvantage: a possible third bicycle is transported high above the rear lights.

Bosal Comfort Plus 3

The price-performance winner Bosal convinces with its high-quality workmanship and easy mounting on the towbar. With its long metal rails, it looks very robust. However, he leaves points with regard to the mounting method. The Bosal uses a ratchet system instead of clamps. Folding is also a bit awkward.

Eufab Premium 3

The basic frame and the method of attachment to the towbar are identical to the Bosal solutions. These bicycle carriers differ little from each other with regard to the rail system, the mounting bracket and the type of mounting for the bicycles. The Eufab scores points for the way the bicycles are held in place, but it does less well on the bicycle attachment and quality components. Ultimately, it is the price that makes the difference.

Atera Strada Vario 3

At first glance, the Strada Vario 3 is the most innovative carrier in this test. A clever rail system ensures that the carrier can be folded elegantly, even when loaded. However, the way in which it is attached to the towbar costs a lot of points, as the carrier can only be attached and released with a lot of force. The square shape when folded is clumsy, and a good handle is unfortunately missing.

XLC Beluga VC-C03

In general, the workmanship is of high quality, but the operation is not very easy. Mounting it on the towbar is quite simple, but when attaching the bike carrier it always tilts to the side and then it sits skewed on the towbar. Securing the bicycles to the bicycle carrier, on the other hand, goes reasonably well.