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Trunk Mount Bike Racks in Canada — Top 5 Picks for 2025: Trusted, Tested Options and Fit Tips to Protect Your Paint

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Trunk mount bike racks are strap‑based carriers that attach to a vehicle's trunk or rear hatch, offering a lightweight, budget‑friendly transport option for occasional cyclists. Popular across Canadian cities, suburbs and cottage country, these racks appeal to people who need an inexpensive, easy‑to‑store solution for weekend rides, errands and short trips. Consumers choose trunk racks for their low cost, compact storage footprint and minimal vertical clearance compared with roof racks — an advantage in parking garages and when carrying bikes to trailheads. That said, successful use depends on careful fitment, correct strap tension and protective padding to prevent paint scuffs and trim damage, particularly in Canada's varied climates where road salt, temperature swings and longer seasonal storage can affect fasteners and straps.

Quick Menu

1. Best Premium 3-Bike Trunk Rack

2. Best Compact/Design-Focused 2-Bike

3. Best Budget 2-Bike

4. Best Heavy-Duty 3-Bike

5. Best Value 2-Bike Trunk Rack

1
BEST PREMIUM 3-BIKE TRUNK RACK

Thule Gateway Pro 3

Thule

The Thule Gateway Pro 3 is a premium 3-bike trunk-mount designed for riders who need capacity, refined fit and strong anti-sway protection. It justifies a higher price with advanced adjustability, protective cradles and a more car-friendly profile compared with lighter or budget trunk mounts on this list, making it ideal for families or frequent travelers who prioritize security and finish.

4.7
★★★★☆
  • Three-bike ready

  • Quick-click arms

  • Three-bike ready

  • Quick-click arms

Review Summary

91%

"Users say the Gateway Pro 3 is a premium, rock-solid trunk rack with excellent build quality and secure bike hold. Long-term owners appreciate its minimal trunk contact and ease of use, though it's heavier and more expensive than budget options."

  • Rubber-cradle spa

  • Designed to carry up to three bikes with adjustable, soft-cradle arms to reduce frame contact.

  • Rubber-cradle spa

  • Designed to carry up to three bikes with adjustable, soft-cradle arms to reduce frame contact.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

The Thule Gateway Pro 3 is a premium 3-bike trunk-mount designed for riders who need capacity, refined fit and strong anti-sway protection. It justifies a higher price with advanced adjustability, protective cradles and a more car-friendly profile compared with lighter or budget trunk mounts on this list, making it ideal for families or frequent travelers who prioritize security and finish.

  • Three-bike ready

  • Quick-click arms

  • Rubber-cradle spa

  • Designed to carry up to three bikes with adjustable, soft-cradle arms to reduce frame contact.

  • Quick, tool-free installation with secure straps and multiple anchor points for trunk-safe fit.

  • Three-bike ready

  • Quick-click arms

  • Rubber-cradle spa

  • Designed to carry up to three bikes with adjustable, soft-cradle arms to reduce frame contact.

  • Quick, tool-free installation with secure straps and multiple anchor points for trunk-safe fit.

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$450-600 CAD

2
BEST COMPACT/DESIGN-FOCUSED 2-BIKE

Saris Bones 2-Bike

Saris

The Saris Bones 2-Bike is an iconic injection-molded trunk rack prized for its lightweight, rust-proof construction and minimal vehicle contact that reduces scrape risk. Versus metal-framed rivals like Allen and Yakima it offers distinctive styling and quiet durability, though it carries only two bikes and lacks some of the advanced anti-sway and adjustability features found on higher-end Thule models.

4.6
★★★★☆
  • Iconic arc design

  • Snap-on simplicity

  • Iconic arc design

  • Snap-on simplicity

Review Summary

88%

"Long-term users praise the Saris Bones 2-Bike for durable molded construction, excellent trunk protection and stylish design, with simple installation. A minority report fit limitations on some hatchbacks or challenges with very heavy bikes."

  • Tri-arm protection

  • Distinctive molded arc design that is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and gentle on vehicle finish.

  • Tri-arm protection

  • Distinctive molded arc design that is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and gentle on vehicle finish.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

The Saris Bones 2-Bike is an iconic injection-molded trunk rack prized for its lightweight, rust-proof construction and minimal vehicle contact that reduces scrape risk. Versus metal-framed rivals like Allen and Yakima it offers distinctive styling and quiet durability, though it carries only two bikes and lacks some of the advanced anti-sway and adjustability features found on higher-end Thule models.

  • Iconic arc design

  • Snap-on simplicity

  • Tri-arm protection

  • Distinctive molded arc design that is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and gentle on vehicle finish.

  • Mounts directly to the trunk with adjustable straps and universal fit for most cars, SUVs and hatchbacks.

  • Iconic arc design

  • Snap-on simplicity

  • Tri-arm protection

  • Distinctive molded arc design that is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and gentle on vehicle finish.

  • Mounts directly to the trunk with adjustable straps and universal fit for most cars, SUVs and hatchbacks.

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From 219.99$
3
BEST BUDGET 2-BIKE

Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike

Allen

The Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike is a budget-friendly steel-frame trunk rack that delivers straightforward, dependable carrying at a low price. Compared with premium options such as Thule and Yakima it trades refinements like sophisticated cradles and finish for affordability and wide availability, making it a practical choice for occasional riders or cost-conscious buyers.

3.9
★★★☆☆
  • Budget-friendly build

  • Foam-cradle care

  • Budget-friendly build

  • Foam-cradle care

Review Summary

78%

"Reviewers who used the Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike regularly find it a solid budget choice—lightweight and easy to store—but note that straps, buckles and padding can wear and it feels less stable with heavier bikes. It's popular for occasional use but seen as less durable long-term."

  • Speed-strap fit

  • Affordable, no-frills trunk rack that carries two bikes with foam-padded support arms to protect frames.

  • Speed-strap fit

  • Affordable, no-frills trunk rack that carries two bikes with foam-padded support arms to protect frames.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

The Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike is a budget-friendly steel-frame trunk rack that delivers straightforward, dependable carrying at a low price. Compared with premium options such as Thule and Yakima it trades refinements like sophisticated cradles and finish for affordability and wide availability, making it a practical choice for occasional riders or cost-conscious buyers.

  • Budget-friendly build

  • Foam-cradle care

  • Speed-strap fit

  • Affordable, no-frills trunk rack that carries two bikes with foam-padded support arms to protect frames.

  • Adjustable straps and tie-downs for a universal fit across sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs.

  • Budget-friendly build

  • Foam-cradle care

  • Speed-strap fit

  • Affordable, no-frills trunk rack that carries two bikes with foam-padded support arms to protect frames.

  • Adjustable straps and tie-downs for a universal fit across sedans, hatchbacks and SUVs.

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-31%63.55$
Suggested Price: 92.53$
4
BEST HEAVY-DUTY 3-BIKE

Yakima FullBack 3

Yakima

The Yakima FullBack 3 offers a strong middle ground with three-bike capacity, solid anti-sway features and user-friendly mounting that balances price and performance. It often undercuts the Thule Gateway Pro on cost while matching many stability and adjustability attributes, positioning it as a compelling trunk-mount alternative between budget models like Allen and premium Thule offerings.

4.5
★★★★☆
  • Three-bike capacity

  • Folds compactly

  • Three-bike capacity

  • Folds compactly

Review Summary

86%

"Owners report the Yakima FullBack 3 is a sturdy, well-designed 3-bike trunk rack with secure cradles and good stability, and that it folds compactly for storage. Some users note fit issues on certain sedans and that it's costlier than basic alternatives."

  • All-weather grip

  • Built to accommodate three bikes with stable, molded cradle supports and anti-sway protection.

  • All-weather grip

  • Built to accommodate three bikes with stable, molded cradle supports and anti-sway protection.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

Enhanced Physical Well-Being

The Yakima FullBack 3 offers a strong middle ground with three-bike capacity, solid anti-sway features and user-friendly mounting that balances price and performance. It often undercuts the Thule Gateway Pro on cost while matching many stability and adjustability attributes, positioning it as a compelling trunk-mount alternative between budget models like Allen and premium Thule offerings.

  • Three-bike capacity

  • Folds compactly

  • All-weather grip

  • Built to accommodate three bikes with stable, molded cradle supports and anti-sway protection.

  • Robust attachment system with multiple straps and secure anchor points for reliable trunk mounting.

  • Three-bike capacity

  • Folds compactly

  • All-weather grip

  • Built to accommodate three bikes with stable, molded cradle supports and anti-sway protection.

  • Robust attachment system with multiple straps and secure anchor points for reliable trunk mounting.

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From 337.95$
5
BEST VALUE 2-BIKE TRUNK RACK

Thule Passage 2

Thule

The Thule Passage 2 is an entry-level trunk rack that brings Thule's build quality and simple installation to a more accessible price point. It provides better materials and trunk protection than basic budget racks like the Allen, but it has lower capacity and fewer deluxe features than the Gateway Pro or Yakima FullBack.

4.4
★★★★☆
  • Two-bike simplicity

  • Simple strap mount

  • Two-bike simplicity

  • Simple strap mount

Review Summary

87%

"People who used the Thule Passage 2 long-term say it's a reliable, easy-to-use trunk rack with solid build and good bike protection at a reasonable price. Some mention the straps and padding are less refined compared with Thule's higher-end models."

  • Cushioned cradles

  • Two-bike trunk rack offering a balance of price and quality with padded cradles to protect frames.

  • Cushioned cradles

  • Two-bike trunk rack offering a balance of price and quality with padded cradles to protect frames.

Recreational Enjoyment

Time-Saving Convenience

The Thule Passage 2 is an entry-level trunk rack that brings Thule's build quality and simple installation to a more accessible price point. It provides better materials and trunk protection than basic budget racks like the Allen, but it has lower capacity and fewer deluxe features than the Gateway Pro or Yakima FullBack.

  • Two-bike simplicity

  • Simple strap mount

  • Cushioned cradles

  • Two-bike trunk rack offering a balance of price and quality with padded cradles to protect frames.

  • Universal fit with adjustable straps and quick-attach buckles for easy installation and removal.

  • Two-bike simplicity

  • Simple strap mount

  • Cushioned cradles

  • Two-bike trunk rack offering a balance of price and quality with padded cradles to protect frames.

  • Universal fit with adjustable straps and quick-attach buckles for easy installation and removal.

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$250-350 CAD

What Research and Testing Say About Trunk Mount Racks

Controlled tests and industry evaluations point to clear tradeoffs between trunk mount racks and other bike transport options. For consumers new to bike carriers, basic findings from vehicle dynamics, materials testing and independent product labs help explain why trunk racks are a strong occasional‑use choice — and what precautions improve safety and durability. The key lessons focus on load stability, paint protection, and how aerodynamic and mechanical forces act on a strapped bike during normal driving.

Stability: Lab and field testing show that properly strapped racks keep bikes stable during typical suburban and highway driving; insecure mounting dramatically increases movement risk, so following fit instructions and periodic checks are essential.

Paint and trim protection: Materials research demonstrates that soft, high‑density foam or rubber contact pads significantly reduce micro‑abrasions compared with bare metal straps; additional soft cloth or protective film at contact points lowers the chance of paint damage.

Aerodynamics and fuel use: Comparative tests indicate trunk racks generally create less aerodynamic drag than roof racks for most passenger cars, improving fuel efficiency on short trips; however, exposed bikes still increase drag and can affect handling in crosswinds.

Corrosion and weather resilience: Studies of outdoor hardware show that salt and freeze–thaw cycles accelerate wear in unprotected fasteners and straps — choosing corrosion‑resistant metal finishes and storing the rack inside during winter extends service life.

Load limits and safety standards: Independent testing emphasizes following manufacturer load ratings and securing loose components (front wheels, pedals). Overloading or improper tie‑down increases the risk of vehicle damage and unsafe handling.

In Canada, trunk mount bike racks remain a practical, low‑cost choice for riders who value ease of installation and compact storage. The five models reviewed here — Thule Gateway Pro 3, Saris Bones 2‑Bike, Allen Sports Deluxe 2‑Bike, Yakima FullBack 3, and Thule Passage 2 — each suit different vehicle types and budgets. If you want a balance of build quality, ease of use and paint protection, the Thule Gateway Pro 3 is the standout option on this list, especially for drivers who plan occasional multi‑bike trips and value refined fitment features. We hope you found what you were looking for; you can refine or expand your search by vehicle type, bike count or price using the search tools on this page.

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