Roof and Hitch Mount Bike Racks for Fat Bikes

We have updated our Fat Bike Rack Buying Guide for winter 2016-17!

Have a Fat Bike? Need a way to carry it to your favourite biking destination? Racks For Cars has you covered. We carry the most extensive selection of hitch bike racks and roof bike racks to carry your fat bike. We have roof mount fat bike racks from Kuat and Rockymounts and hitch mount fat bike racks from Thule, Kuat, Yakima, Hollywood, Swagman, and Saris. We stock and display all of our fat bike rack options at both of our Edmonton Store Locations and also offer free shipping across Canada to cities such as Calgary, Vancouver, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and more.

Hitch Mount Fat Bike Carriers

As fat bikes become more and more popular for both winter and summer cycling, bike rack manufactures have been finding new ways to carry these wide tire bikes. Some manufacturers are able to offer adapters for their existing hitch mount bike racks, while other have come out with new hitch bike racks capable of carrying tires up to 5 inches wide.

We now carry fat bike hitch racks from Thule, Yakima, Kuat, Hollywood, Swagman, and Saris. Some hitch mount bike racks will carry fat bikes right out of the box, while others will use a fat bike adapter combined with an existing hitch mount bike rack. Here is a list of our top 6 hitch mount bike rack options for carrying fat bikes!

Top 6 hitch mount racks for fat bikes

#1 - Thule T2 with 919 Fat Tire Kit

The Thule T2 is a highly tested hitch bike rack capable of carrying nearly any bike on the market. When used with the 919 Fat Tire Kit is can handle up to 5" wide tires and since the rack is wheel mounted it will never make contact with your bike frame, especially important if you have a carbon fibre frame! Here are some of the key features of the Thule T2 and 919 Fat Bike Kit:

• Fits up to 5" wide tires
• Wheel mount style, no frame contact
• Includes locking hitch pin and built in cable locks
• Tilts away from your vehicle for rear hatch access
• Folds up against your vehicle when not in use
• Expandable up to 4 bikes with the purchase of the 2 bike extension (only available for the 2" hitch model)
• For vehicles with 2" hitches use the Thule 916XTR T2 and 919 Fat Tire Kit
• For vehicles with 1.25" hitches (must be a class 2) use the Thule 917XTR T2 and 919 Fat Tire Kit

#2 - Kuat NV with NV Strap Extender

The Kuat NV is one of our most popular hitch mount bike racks due to its slick look, ease of installation, and built in repair stand. With the addition of the NV Strap Extender the rack can now accommodate up to a 4" tire. Here are some of the key features of the Kuat NV and NV Strap Extender:

• Fits up to 4" wide tires
• Wheel mount style, no frame contact
• Includes locking hitch pin and built in cable locks
• Tilts away from your vehicle for rear hatch access
• Folds up against your vehicle when not in use
• Expandable up to 4 bikes with the purchase of the 2 bike extension (only available for the 2" hitch model)
• For vehicles with 2" hitches use the Kuat NV Black 2" and NV Strap Extender
• For vehicle with 1.25" hitches (must be a class 2) use the Kuat NV Black 1.25" and NV Strap Extender

#3 - Kuat Transfer with NV Strap Extender

The Kuat Transfer was launched last year and is quickly becoming a top seller due to its unique design, foot pedal folding lever, and lower price point. By combining the Transfer with the NV Strap Extender you can carry fat bikes with up to 4.5" wide tires. Here are some of the key features of the Kuat Transfer and NV Strap Extender:

• Fits up to 4.5" wide tires
• Wheel mount style, no frame contact
• Tilts away from your vehicle for rear hatch access
• Folds up against your vehicle when not in use
• Locking hitch pin and cable lock sold separately
• Available in a 2 bike or 3 bike model
• Fits both 1.25" and 2" hitch sizes out of the box. Class 2 - 1.25" hitch required for the 3 bike model
• If you need to carry 3 bikes use the Kuat Transfer 3 Bike and NV Strap Extender
• If you need to carry 2 bikes use the Kuat Transfer 2 Bike and NV Strap Extender

#4 - Yakima TwoTimer or FourTimer with Yakima Fat Straps

The Yakima TwoTimer and FourTimer were launched last year as a replacement for the Yakima StickUp. The TwoTimer is used to carry 2 bikes and the FourTimer is used to carry 4 bikes, although I'm sure you could tell from the names! Both options are platform frame mounts so your wheels are supported underneath and a arm clamps down over the crossbar of your bike. By combining the Yakima Two Timer or Yakima FourTimer with the Yakima Fat Straps you can carry up to 4.5" wide tires. Here are some of the key features of the Yakima TwoTimer, FourTimer and Yakima Fat Strap:

• Fits up to 4.5" wide tires
• Tilts away from your vehicle for rear hatch access
• Folds up against your vehicle when not in use
• Platform design has trays for your tires to rest in and a clamp over the crossbar of your bike
• Available in a 2 bike or 4 bike model
• Locking hitch pin included, cable locks sold separately
• If you need to carry 2 bikes use the Yakima TwoTimer and Yakima Fat Strap
• If you need to carry 4 bikes use the Yakima FourTimer and Yakima Fat Strap

#5 - Swagman 64681 G10 with Swagman 64679 G10 Fat Tire Trays

 

 

The Swagman G10 when combined with the Swagman Fat Tire Trays is a great option for carrying your fat bike on a budget. The G10 is a platform style bike rack so it has trays which your tires rest in and an arm clamps down over the crossbar of your bike. When the G10 is combined with the Fat Tire Trays it can carry up to 5" wide tires. Here are some of the key features of the Swagman G10 and G10 Fat Tire Trays:

• Fits up to 5" wide tires
• Tilts away from your vehicle for rear hatch access
• Folds up against your vehicle when not in use
• Platform design has trays for your tires to rest in and a clamp over the crossbar of your bike
• Locking hitch pin and cable lock included
• Here are the items you need: Swagman 64681 G10 2 Bike Hitch Rack and Swagman 64679 G10 Fat Tire Trays

#6 - Hollywood HR200 TrailRider with Hollywood Fat Bike Adapter

The Hollywood HR200 combined with the Hollywood Fat Bike Adapter is another wallet friendly option for carrying your fat bike. The HR200 TrailRider is a platform style bike rack so it has trays which your tires rest in and an arm clamps down over the crossbar of your bike. When combined with the Hollywood Fat Bike Adapter it can carry up to 5" wide tires. Here are some of the key features of the Hollywood HR200 and Fat Bike Adapters:

• Fits up to 5" wide tires
• Platform design has trays for your tires to rest in and a clamp over the crossbar of your bike
• Locking hitch pin and cable lock included
• Center mast tilts to the side for rear hatch access when your bikes are removed
• Here are the items you need: Hollywood HR200 TrailRider 2 Bike and Hollywood TrailRider Fat Bike Kit

Roof Mount Fat Bike Carriers

Another option for carrying your fat bike is on the roof of your car, truck, van, or SUV. While there aren't as many roof mounted bike racks which can carry fat bikes as there are hitch racks the option is still available. Currently we stock fat bike roof mounts from Kuat and Rockymounts. The Kuat Trio is a fork mount fat bike carrier, meaning you will need to remove your front wheel, while the Rockymounts BrassKnuckles is a wheel mount fat bike carrier, meaning you can leave both wheels on your bike.

Rockymounts Brassknuckles with Rockymounts Fattie Fat Bike Adapter

The Rockymounts Brassknuckles is a wheel mount roof bike rack, this means that both wheels can stay on your bike and the rack makes no contact to your bikes frame. This is the most universal style of roof bike rack as it can carry bikes with wheel sizes ranging from 20" to 29". If you use the Brassknuckles with the Rockymounts Fattie fat bike adapter it is capable of carrying bike tires up to 5" wide. Here are some of the key features of the Rockymounts Brassknuckles and Rockymounts Fattie.

• Fits up to 5" wide tires
• Wheel mount design just holds your bikes wheels, no contact to your frame
• Universal mounting hardware fits square, round, aero, and most factory installed cross bar systems
• Easy to use mounting hardware
• Fits bike wheels from 20-29"
• Locks are sold separately
• Here are the items you need: Rockymounts Brassknuckles Black and Rockymounts Fattie fat bike adapter

Kuat Trio with Kuat Trio Phat Bike Adapter

 

 

The Kuat Trio is the only fork mount bike rack on the market capable of carrying fat bikes. The Trio already fits 9mm drop outs as well as 15mm and 20mm thru-axles out of the box for standard mountain and road bike forks. With the addition of a Phat Bike Adapter you can carry fat bikes with 9mm x 135mm drop outs, fat bikes with 15mm x 142mm thru-axles, or fat bikes with 15mm x 150mm thru-axles. The Phat Bike Adapter's also include a wheel strap extension to secure up to a 5" wide rear wheel down to the tray. Here are some of the key features of the Kuat Trio and the available Phat Bike Adapters:

• Fits up to 5" wide tires
• Fork mount design fits fat bikes with either 9mm x 135mm drop outs, 15mm x 142mm thru-axles, 15mm x 150mm thru-axles by using an adapter
• Included locking cable extends from the rear of the tray to lock your frame and rear wheel
• Universal mounting hardware fits square, round, aero, and most factory installed cross bar systems
• Easy to use mounting hardware
• Two color options: Kuat Trio Gun Metal Gray or Kuat Trio Flat Black
• Three Phat Bike Adapters available: 9mm x 135mm Fat Bike Adapter, 15mm x 142mm Fat Bike Adapter, or 15mm x 150mm Fat Bike Adapter

Truck Box Mount Fat Bike Carriers

 

 

If you have a truck and don't want to carry your fat bike on your roof or hitch there are also truck box fat bike mounts available from Kuat. While these mounts are extremely simple and inexpensive they do require some drilling in-order to be mounted. You can either mounts these to the bed of your truck box, to the bed rail or your truck box, or to a 2x4 piece of wood which you can then cut to fit into the box of your truck. These options are cheap, hence the name, Dirtbag. Below are the options available for fat bike truck box mounts:

• For fat bikes with 9mm x 135mm drop outs use: Kuat Dirtbag 9mm x 135mm Fat Bike Mount
• For fat bikes with 15mm x 142mm thru-axles use: Kuat Dirtbag 15mm x 142mm Fat Bike Mount
• For fat bikes with 15mm x 150mm thru-axles use: Kuat Dirtbag 15mm x 150mm Fat Bike Mount

Have questions? Need some advice?

If you have any questions about rack systems for carrying fat bikes or need any advice on which system will work best for your needs, contact us for assistance.

Here at RacksForCars.com we offer free shipping on orders over $150 across Canada. We also have two store locations in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. If you are from Edmonton drop by one of our store locations to check out our selection of options which are on display.

Happy cold snowy trails,

Dustin Chipchura