1. Yakima ForkLift, $159 BEST FOR: The lone-wolf biker with a roof-barred Prius.
Bike racks that mount on the roof can produce wind drag and noise at highway speeds. On the other hand, a roofie anchors bikes vise-tight and won’t obstruct the trunk or hatchback. There are cheaper one-bike carriers, but the ForkLift is the best: It fits any roof bars, holds practically any bike, and installs without tools. Just remember to save room in the trunk for the front tire.
2. Küat NV, $549
BEST FOR: Two-cyclist households with a taste for mud.
The Küat NV uses a hitch-mount design with a traylike rack—there’s no need to remove tires or hoist bikes onto the roof. It’s the perfect rack for hauling fancy rides and preserving spendy paint jobs. There’s even a built-in repair stand for on-the-fly adjustments. And when you need to open the hatch of your Evoque, the whole assembly pivots down out of the way, bikes and all.
Styling by Mikhael Romain/Aubry Balk Inc.; Illustrations by Brown Bird Design
