So you’d like to check out some options for mounting a bike rack to your rear-mounted spare tire? Since your bike(s), rack, and vehicle must fit together correctly in order to work safely—and since a rear-mounted spare may interfere with typical rear racks—it’s best to purchase a rack that’s designed to integrate with the spare to provide the most secure fit. Our Spare-Tire Racks and Extended-for-Spare Hitch Racks do just that, and more!
Bike Rack Shops offers the widest selection of Spare-Tire Bike Racks with the best availability, so getting your bike there and back is faster and easier than ever. We’re here to help you determine which spare-tire rack is best for both your car and your bike(s) from among our many models.
Please give us a
call or
email if we can answer any questions you may have, and always feel free to
contact us with any suggestions that will help make this a better resource for customers like yourself.
Key considerations for all Spare-Mounted Racks:
- Use caution to ensure that the rack does not obstruct brake lights.
- You may wish to protect your bikes from rubbing against each other during transit, using Protect-o-Pads (specially designed foam blocks) or other cushioning.
Vehicle Specs
Does your vehicle have a centered spare or an off-center (offset) spare?
- Centered Spare: Any of our Spare-Tire Racks or Extended-for-Spare Hitch Racks will fit properly.
- Offset Spare:
- Most every model we carry has a centering mechanism to balance the load of an offset spare (whether left or right mounted), with the exception of the Allen Deluxe 3-Bike Spare Tire Rack.
- An offset spare does not affect an Extended-for-Spare Hitch Rack since the rack itself is centered by the hitch and the extension positions the rack at a distance from the spare.
What size is your spare tire?
- Our racks adjust to fit a wide variety of spare-tire sizes. If in doubt, consult individual rack listings or contact us to find the rack that best fits your spare’s size.
Does your vehicle have a hitch?
- If your car has a hitch in addition to the rear-mounted spare, you can opt for an Extended-for-Spare Hitch Rack that’s designed with extra horizontal clearance to accommodate the spare tire’s depth.
- For the next two options for mounting a Hitch Rack on a vehicle with a Rear Spare, consult our Hitch Bike Rack Clearance Guide for Spare Tires before ordering, as you must take vehicle measurements to ensure proper horizontal clearance between the spare and the rack.
- If you pair a regular (non-extended) Hitch Rack with a Hitch Extender—which lengthens your vehicle’s hitch to provide extra clearance behind the spare—it may provide enough clearance.
- A standard (non-extended) Hitch-Mounted Rack may also be an option.(NOTE: Fit Guides are not sufficient in determining which rack to buy because there are too many variables involved.)
Bicycle Specs
How many bikes will you usually carry with the rack?
- Most of our Spare-Tire Racks can carry a maximum of two bikes.
- The Allen Deluxe 3-Bike Spare Tire Rack holds up to three bikes.
- Our Extended-for-Spare Hitch Racks can carry up to four bikes.
- Standard (non-extended) Hitch Racks can carry up to five bikes. (See important information about our Hitch Bike Rack Clearance Guide for Spare Tires, above)
TIP: If you want to carry a women’s, BMX, or non-standard bike frame on your spare-tire rack, you’ll need to also choose a
Frame Adapter Bar to create a level/straight top tube for proper mounting.
Rack Specs: Strap-Mounted vs. Bolted (to center of spare)
Strap-Mounted Racks:
- Installation and removal are quick and easy.
- Versatile designs fit a variety of spare tires.
Bolted Racks:
- Since these attach directly to your spare tire’s mounting bolts, they have an extra-secure, snug fit.
- Installation and removal are somewhat more involved when compared to strap-on racks.
So, now that you understand all the pieces of the spare-tire rack "puzzle," it’s time to put them together, then get out there and get riding!