Recommended Bike Rack For a 2020 Honda CRV

Question:

I'm looking to carry 2 bikes on my 2020 Honda CRV. I'm looking at both roof rack (I have a bare roof) and hitch rack options and somewhat overwhelmed by the choices available. I want to compare the cost and ease of installation for both options. One bike is a fat bike with 50" wheels and the other a road bike. Can you help me select a rack and make this simple?

asked by: Rhonda

Expert Reply:

Let's first look at the roof rack option and then the hitch mounted option.

Mounting bikes to a roof rack will require you to purchase both a rack and 2 bike carriers in your situation. The roof rack is simple to install but loading bikes onto your CRV may not be as easy as loading bikes to a lower, hitch mounted bike rack.

A great roof rack that will work for your 2020 Honda CRV should you go that route, is the Rhino Rack Kit including parts # RRVA137B-2, # RRRLKVA, and # DK284. Then for a roof mounted bike rack solution, the Yakima FrontLoader # Y02103 would work great for each of your bikes, including the fat bike.

The other option of a hitch mounted rack is my preferred solution here. I recommend the etrailer.com Trailer Hitch Receiver # e98848 as a solid option to carry your bikes that comes in an attractive matte black finish that is more scratch resistant than the glossy finishes of other hitches.

Then for the hitch mounted rack, I recommend the Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Platform Rack # KU74FR as an easy to load option with it's step through design and lowered position will save your back after a long day riding. Included is an installed example from one of our customers. For your fat bike you'll need the Phat Bike Adapter Kit for Kuat Bike Racks # APBK to accommodate it's larger tire size on the Transfer.

Included are video resources to review as you consider your options.