Transporting your bike seems to be very difficult, a task that requires both effort and hard work. Well, it becomes pretty easy once you read the following tips:
First, you have to keep in mind:
- Your car’s type.
- The type of bike/bikes that you ride.
- How many bikes you will transfer at a time.
- Your budget.
- Your needs.
- The space that your car has.
- Approximately how many times you will use your rack (per week).
These thoughts will help you (and the employee at the shop) choose the right rack.
There are 2 different types of racks:
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Roof-Mounted: Used to mount your bikes on your car’s roof. It helps the driver have better visibility, but it adds height to the car (be careful when passing under bridges). Roof-mounted racks come in two different models:
- Fork-mounted racks
- Frame-mounted racks
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Rear-Mounted: Used to mount your bike at the back of your car. This kind of rack makes life easier because wind resistance is low, and storing/removing your bike is a piece of cake. Rear-mounted racks come in 4 different models:
- Hitch racks (linked to a receiver on your car, do not make any contact with your car) provide stability. Perfect for most cars, trucks, and SUVs.
- Trunk racks (mounted into the trunk) are an affordable choice for those who own 2-3 bikes.
- Truck bed racks are designed to provide truck drivers with stability. An excellent and cheap choice, as they can easily be removed and placed again.
- Spare tire-mounted racks are designed for those who have a spare tire mounted on their car.
When buying your rack:
- Consult the staff about your choices.
When transporting your bike:
- Be careful when driving and avoid contact with any items (this may damage your bike, car, or rack).
- Do not forget to secure everything.
- Do not mount any other items along with your bike (your water bottles, cycle computers, seatbacks, and pumps should be stored with you in the car).
For bikers who want to explore and make their riding adventurous, these racks are a great opportunity to help with that. Well, load up your bikes, and let the adventure begin!