Mounting a bike on a car
If you need to drive somewhere to achieve a safer or more enjoyable bike ride, you’re going on vacation or you’re looking to discover some exciting new cycle routes, being able to mount your bike to your car quickly and without fuss is a must. The good news is that there are lots of different options for transporting your bike. Each type of bike rack has its pros and cons, but to make your choice easier, your options will be limited by what type of vehicle you own and how many bikes you need to transport.
What to know before buying a bike rack
Size and accessibility for your vehicle
Some bike racks are better suited to specific types of vehicles, such as a sedan, a hatchback, an SUV or a pickup truck. Some will fit better with certain vehicle makes and models. Many bike rack manufacturers offer guides to help you select a rack that’s appropriate for your vehicle.
It’s also worth thinking about how often you’ll use the bike rack and whether you’ll want to access the trunk or hatchback while transporting your bike. On some vehicles, you’ll need to remove the bikes before accessing the rear of your car, and in some cases, you’ll need to remove the rack as well.
Using an existing rack or hitch
Another consideration is whether your vehicle already has a trailer hitch or roof crossbars. If your vehicle already has a hitch, buying a hitch rack makes sense. If you have to install these features, it may be worth considering another type of rack.
Protecting your bike frame
There are several ways a bicycle can get damaged during transportation, whether by rubbing against the arm of a hanging rack or the clamps or stabilizer bar on a roof rack or another bike. Platform-style hitch racks and roof racks perform best in this regard because they hold bikes by their wheels.
Transporting multiple bikes
As long as it's compatible with your vehicle, any type of rack can transport a couple of bicycles. If you need to haul four bikes or more, you have to choose a hitch or a roof rack, depending on your vehicle's roof weight allowance. If this is a common occurrence, you can even invest in a bike trailer.
Types of bike racks for cars
Hitch racks
Hitch-mounted bike racks attach to a trailer hitch on the back of your vehicle and allow easy access to your bicycle without too much lifting. If your vehicle doesn’t come equipped with a hitch receiver, you can install one on most models — just be sure to check your vehicle's towing capacity first. You also want to choose a rack that’s compatible with the size of your hitch receiver. From there, a hitch rack is easy to connect and use. This is a great option if you’re transporting your bicycle on a regular basis.
One downside of hitch racks is that they extend your vehicle’s length, so reversing and parking can be an issue. Also, basic models can limit your access to the back of your vehicle, but there are more advanced (and expensive) models that pivot down or away from the vehicle.
There are two styles of hitch bike racks:
Hanging (mast-style) bike racks
These racks have a mast with horizontal bars that carry bikes by their frames. Hanging racks are compact and relatively inexpensive. Some models can handle multiple bikes but work best if the bikes are similarly sized.
Platform-style or tray-style bike racks
The platform-style hitch rack is the most user-friendly and versatile. Bikes are locked in place on platforms (or trays), which minimize sway while you're driving and, therefore, minimize risk of bike-on-bike contact. Most platform bike racks are built to transport two bikes, but you can purchase an extension to house four bikes. These racks are more expensive than hanging racks but they can transport a wider range of bicycle sizes, and some can even handle the weight of electric bicycles.
Roof racks
Roof racks are very versatile and tend to be more secure than other types of bicycle rack. They’re great for keeping your bicycle out of your field of vision while you drive and don’t block access to your vehicle’s doors or trunk. You have to be mindful driving under low bridges or into parking garages, and be aware that you may face additional wind resistance while driving.
The main downside of roof racks is that they require lifting your bike or bikes overhead, which can be awkward and heavy, especially with a mountain bike or electric bike. They're also on the pricier side and are somewhat limited by your vehicle's roof weight limit (usually around 45 pounds). All roof racks are mounted to a crossbar system, so if your vehicle doesn't have one, you'll have to buy one.
Trunk racks
Trunk racks fasten to trunks or hatches with a system of straps and hooks rather than a permanent fixture, so they can be used on almost any kind of vehicle, barring pickup trucks. They carry up to three bikes that rest on horizontal support bars. Trunk-mounted racks are user-friendly, inexpensive and lightweight.
The downside of trunk racks is that they impede access to your trunk or hatch. They also increase the likelihood of swaying during transport and bike-on-bike impact. Some models have anti-sway straps that mitigate this problem.
Truck racks
If you own a truck, there are racks specifically designed to fit in a truck bed to lock bikes in position. Some truck mounts feature a protective pad attached to the tailgate, a very affordable and simple way to carry multiple bikes. Other truck racks sit on the truck bed or attach to the side rail and house the bikes upright. Whatever system you choose, it's easy to load and unload your bike.
The first time you attach the racks may take some adjusting to get the mechanism in a place that minimizes obstruction of vision while you’re driving and maximizes remaining storage space for anything else you may need to transport.
Spare tire racks
If you own a vehicle with an exterior spare tire, these bike racks are a convenient, inexpensive option. Spare tire bike racks are easy to attach and can carry one or two bikes without infringing on back door access. Bikes tend to sway with this type of rack, but this problem can be eased by using securing straps or bungee cords.
Preventing your bike from getting stolen
The rule of thumb for preventing bike theft is that the more expensive the bike rack, the more anti-theft qualities it has. Most roof racks can be locked to the vehicle, but you’ll also need to lock the bikes to the rack. More expensive roof racks account for this by featuring an integrated locking system.
Trunk racks are the most at-risk because they attach to your vehicle with fabric straps that are easily cut. To counter this vulnerability, you can purchase separate locking cables that secure trunk racks from the inside of the trunk door or hatch. When in doubt, add a heavy-duty bike lock as well.
Bryony Gilbey is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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