As much fun as it is to bring a bike on your next outdoor adventure, you can’t fit it in the trunk because you’ll have little or no room for the essentials. Instead, you’ll need to utilize a bike rack, and which one you choose can be the difference between a comfortable ride and a terrible experience that leaves your car with scratches and paint peeling.
How can you tell if the bike rack you’re about to purchase is the right kind or type? What should you think about before purchasing one? How do you know if a bike rack will even be considered in the first place?
Here’s everything you need to know about buying a bike rack so you can make the right decision the first time.
How to Choose the Best Carrier for Your Bike from all fancy types.
Bike Rack Types
Determining the sort of rack to utilize is the first step in selecting the best bike carrier. There are a lot of evaluations and thoughts about bike carriers for vehicles on the internet. For example, BikesHaven, a cycling blog dedicated to riders who want to take their cycling to the next level, has top bike rack reviews.
In addition, we wanted to provide more information about each type of bike rack on the market to assist you in determining which model is best for you.
Their are three popular types roof racks, trunk racks and hitch racks.
Roof Racks
A roof mount rack, which can be a fork or upright mount, mounts to the top of your car and allows you to carry your bike with maximum flexibility while leaving your trunk open for other important items.
Some roof racks lock both wheels, while others require the front wheel to be removed before loading. Whichever type you choose, both will come with locks to keep your bikes safe. Bike loading is often easier with versions that require you to remove the front wheel, whereas those that allow you to keep both wheels require more effort.
They’re more expensive and, unfortunately, less stable, but using them eliminates the need to constantly remove and reinstall wheels.
Roof racks are useful since they can be used in a variety of situations. On a road trip, you can utilize them to transport more than just your bike. You don’t even have to take them off after each use unless it’s really necessary.
Pros
• A safe, stable, and versatile bike rack for easy transport.
• Won’t obstruct access to the trunk or doors
• For your next road trip, a safe bike rack is essential.
Cons
• Because wind increases air drag, your fuel efficiency will suffer.
• Won’t fit in low-clearance places
• Unloading a bike is difficult to reach.
Hitch Racks
Hitch Racks, which come in tray and mast mounts and are designed to attach to a car’s tow hitch, are great for bike owners who need a bike rack that is quick and easy to load. Hitch carriers are clearly the most adaptable bike racks on the market right now, with to quality features like lightweight construction, built-in locking, and repair stands.
Pros
• They’re simple to set up and use, with convenient loading and access.
• Hitch carriers can be used to move bikes on a regular basis.
• They give your bike a reasonable level of security.
• They’re fuel-efficient because they’re always following a car.
Cons
• If your car doesn’t have a towbar or hitch, you’ll need to purchase one separately.
• They’re usually quite costly.
• Reserve driving can be challenging and even dangerous.
• Access to the trunk is restricted on basic models.
Trunk Racks
These bike racks are designed to be attached to the back of a car utilizing straps that hook into the trunk lip. They’re the best alternative to consider if you’re on a budget because they’re usually the cheapest.
Trunk bike racks aren’t the safest, but they’re so simple to adjust that they’ll fit the back of almost any car (check the manufacturers fit guide for more information). Trunk mounts can be tricky to install, so you may need assistance or spend some time making sure everything is in place correctly.
Pros
• Trunk mounts are inexpensive, so they’re great if you’re on a tight budget.
• They’re lightweight and portable, making them ideal for on-the-go use.
• Make it simple to load and unload bikes.
• Trunk mounts are simple to take down for storage due to their tiny size.
Cons
• Your bike is easy to steal because it is not secure.
• Not ideal for transporting a bicycle over long distances.
• The bike’s tendency to swing can damage your car’s paintwork.