Best Spare Tire Bike Rack For Jeeps & SUVs: Malone 3 Bike Rack (The Price Is Right)
Updated: Aug 28
Affiliate Disclosure: This post is unsponsored, I don't take products for free to do reviews on them. To support the studio, I use affiliate links from Amazon and eBay. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
TL;DR / Quick Summary
Hassle-Free Alternative to Hitch Racks: Eliminates the need for expensive hitch extenders, prevents clearance issues, and avoids leaving a bulky, theft-prone rack permanently on your vehicle.
Fast Setup & Compact Storage: Folds flat to store inside your cargo area and mounts securely directly over the spare tire in under a minute.
Tailgate Access Retained: Loosening the lower mounting straps allows the rear tailgate to swing open even when fully loaded with bicycles.
Secure & Frame-Friendly: Integrated anti-sway cages and grooved rubber cradles prevent bike-on-bike contact while protecting sensitive frames like carbon fiber. carbon fiber.
What You Will Learn In This Post
If you drive a Jeep or SUV with an exterior rear-mounted spare, you know the frustration of traditional hitch-mounted bike racks. They often demand costly hitch extenders, stick out dangerously far, block rear cargo access, and carry price tags that can easily stretch past a thousand dollars. This post breaks down how the budget-friendly Malone 3 Bike Spare Tire Rack eliminates those pain points with an easy-to-use, foldable design that stows out of sight until you need it.
You will get a step-by-step overview of how the rack mounts over your spare tire in less than a minute using a top brake-light bracket and secure bumper straps. We also explore its clever tailgate-friendly functionality, allowing you to swing the rear gate open to grab gear without having to strip your bikes off the rack first.
Finally, we take an up-close look at the engineered security features that keep your bikes protected on the road. You will learn how the built-in anti-sway cages eliminate frame-to-frame collisions, how flexible rubber cradles cushion delicate finishes, and when you will want to utilize a bike frame adapter for angled mountain bike frames.
Transporting Bikes On My Jeep Sucked! Then I Found The Best Spare Tire Bike Rack At A Great Price!
Hey there! I love hopping on my bike and cruising around my neighborhood whenever I can. But, you know, sometimes I need to drive a bit to hit up my favorite spots like Santa Cruz or Fort Ord. That’s where my Malone Spare Tire Bike Rack comes in—it makes transporting my bike super easy!
Malone Spare Tire Bike Rack Solved Problems: It Has Unique Features That Add Value
My impression of Spare Tire Bike Racks was they were lame. This is the Malone Spare Tire Bike Rack mounted on my Jeep. It is awesome!
Have You Noticed Hitch Mounted Bike Racks Can Cost Upwards Of $1000.00?
I own a couple hitch mounted bike racks and have owned others. When the vehicle has a rear mounted spare tire and you choose hitch mounted, several issues are created.
Opening tailgates becomes problematic.
Hitch extenders may be required to clear the spare tire.
Difficult to take on and off. Chances are it will be left installed.
Remaining installed makes it a target for theft.
Sticking so far out they become a hazard and make parking difficult.
Did I mention high purchase price?
My hitch mounted rack stuck out so far I finally took off the spare tire and strapped it inside my Jeep. That was so aggravating I made a video.
My Malone Spare Tire Rack Lives In The Back Of The Jeep And only Comes Out When I need It
The Malone rack folds compactly, and stows easily. Takes less than a minute to get it out and mount it on the spare tire. It gets stowed when not in use. This is my Jeep. Check out this series of pictures where I mount the Rack.
A Clever Feature Of The Malone Spare Tire Bike Rack: Loosening Straps Allows Opening Of Tailgate
A great feature of this rack is it allows the tailgate to swing out even when loaded with bicycles. Simply loosen straps and swing the tailgate open.
This Video Shows Tailgate Opening When Rack Is Loaded With Bikes
How Do Bikes Get Fastened Securely To Rack? Here Are The Parts That Do Just That
Quality product! I really like the design of these parts. Well engineered and clever. See details in this next series of pictures. Starting with my favorite feature that will help prevent damage to bikes.
"Anti Sway Cages" Provides 3rd Point Of Contact: Prevents Damage By Limiting Bikes Swinging Forward And Backward
These Anti Sway Cages are adjustable and very easy to use. They also have ability to accomodate 2 rubber straps. Nice feature on the Malone Rack. Remove the reflective cap and arrange these parts on the tubes if needed.
Soft Rubber Cradles Are Designed With To Hold Bike And Absorb Shock
I noticed that these red "Cradles" are not a solid piece of rubber. They have lines that allow flex and really hug tubes when strapped on without damage. Great for Carbon Fiber bikes. Cradles without Sway Cages will rotate 360 degrees. Those with Sway Cages rotate 180 degrees from 3 o'clock to to 9 o'clock.
Bike Frame Adapters: Must Have Accessory For Loading Bikes Without A Horizontal Top Tube
Bike frame adapters are actually a very simple device. My Gravel Bike Has a straight top tube and does not need one. Mountain bike with angled top tube does. Adapter insures you can carry just about any bike that does not exceed weight limits.
Conclusion: This Malone Spare Tire Rack Performs Very Well
Great features, durable construction, simple to use, stays on the vehicle and a iron grip on the bike. All at a awesome price! If your in the market for a bike rack for a vehicle with rear mounted spare consider this one. Malone also make a whole range of racks for all types of vehicles and bikes. I have affiliate links below. Check them out!
Update:
Been a couple years and many trips using the Malone Bike Rack since I wrote this post and I stand behind what I wrote here. Greatt Product!
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Amazon Shopping
✅ - Malone 3 Bike Spare Tire Rack (Amazon)
✅ - Bike Rack Frame Adapter (Amazon)
✅ - More Great Bike Racks From Malone (Amazon)
✅ - Thule Bike Racks (Amazon)
✅ - Yakima Bike Racks (Amazon)
✅ Amazon Purchases - Use This Link To Shop On Amazon
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✅ - Malone 3 Bike Spare Tire Rack (eBay)
✅ - More Great Bike Racks From Malone (eBay)
✅ - Thule Bike Racks (eBay)
✅ - Yakima Racks (eBay)
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