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How to Choose the Right Bike Rack for Your Car
Firstly, there are two sources of professional advice you have
available to you concerning roof racks. Your car's manufacturing
company will often have put together a list of recommended
roof-rack models and suppliers, with fitting information and
particular concerns that may be relevant. A quality manufacturer
should not have a problem with discussing these kinds of things
with you, so try giving them call.
Your second source of advice is your local roof-rack shop. A
well-established business will offer impartial advice designed
to get you and your bikes on the road safely and securely.
However, even when taking advice, it's good to have some
decisions made beforehand, and to be aware of the safety and
ergonomic considerations involved in choosing the right rack.
Load - Are you likely to need to carry more bikes in the
future? If your family is going to grow, or you're likely to get
friends involved in biking and will need to transport more than
you do presently, be sure to select a model with a flexible
carry-load.
Car Model - It's highly unlikely that you'll find one
bike rack to fit two cars, so if you have more than one car
choose which one you are likely to want to use. If you are not
taking it to the bike rack shop, note down all the make and
model details and take them with you.
Durability - Spend money based on how long you want it to
last, quality racks will last years, but if you only want it for
a few one-off trips then buy in the lower price-range.
Positioning - You've got a few choices (depending on your
car make and model) of where to fit the rack. Some areas are
common sense, and some add extra functionality or access to your
car. Here's a run-down of the different ways a bike rack can be
positioned, and details on the pros and cons of each.
Front bumper racks: Not normally recommended, and only
suitable for vehicles with a high front-end. If positioned too
high they can interfere with driver's vision, and they also
collect every single bug you come across on your way down the
motorway. You will also need to check that these kinds of racks
are acceptable in your area, as they are illegal in some areas
and countries.
Roof mounted racks: A secure position which will carry at
least 4 bikes, and can take many more depending on your vehicle.
The rack can also provide a surface for attaching a roof-box,
which can carry luggage, sports equipment and your bikes under
cover. This method of carrying can also prevent damage to the
bikes with the upright, clamped position. You'll pay slightly
more for the benefits of this bike-rack, and may have to use a
small ladder to actually get your bikes off and on to the set-up.
Vehicle-rear racks: The most common form of rack used,
you can normally carry about 3 bikes, and the rack is attached
using straps and metal hooks. Bikes are often very close
together, and the use of foam pipe-insulator as a protective
wrap is recommended. Bikes must be securely strapped to prevent
bounce, and access to the boot is often completely cut off.
Tow ball mount: Installed with a square mounting post
inserted into a square pipe bolted to the underside rear of your
car - these tilt down when empty to allow for tailgates and rear
doors. If you want one that can tilt down while loaded, you'll
need to pay extra for a load-bearing model. You can get 2 to 5
bikes on the bike rack.
Rear ball-hitch racks: This set-up can usually only carry
a maximum of 2 bikes due to weight limitations, and usually
clamps onto a hitch-ball or bolt through the hitch-ball mounting
hole on the bumper or hitch tongue.
On a camper: Some roof-mount racks will adapt to a camper
roof, and you can also get ladder-mount racks for the rear.
There are some receiver hitch racks that fit in between the back
of your vehicle and the front of your camper. A roof mount or
ladder-mount would be the best choice. Some people simply strap
their bikes to the roof, but you can easily damage the
fibreglass so this is not recommended.
Sports car interior: You can get brackets to ensure your
bike doesn't shift around when carrying it inside your vehicle,
and presuming you have enough room this is a cheaper and safer
option (less chances of thieves getting their hands on the
bikes).
It's also a great idea to make use of all the magazine and
Internet sources out there constantly testing roof rack and
roof-bars to find the best option. For example, this article targets the 6 best roof-bars, and this site
provides customer reviews of bike-racks.
Overall, the two best choices are the rear bike-rack and the
roof-mount. If you know you're only ever going to be
transporting bikes, and want to be able to free them quickly and
without fuss, a rear hitch rack may well provide the speed and
flexibility you need. If you may be wanting to transport
luggage, snowboards, skies or other paraphernalia in the future,
a set of roof-bars and a roof-box are the best idea. They
provide all-weather protection and security for whatever you
want to carry, and can be left on the car without making any
doors inaccessible. Thule is leading the way with roof-bars and
roof-boxes at the moment (although you do pay a little extra for
that quality), so take a good look into their models.
And finally, now you have the basics in mind and have likely
decided what type of bike-rack you are looking for, find a
reliable dealership to ask advice or track down the best deal on
the Internet and email them for recommendations and help.
About the author:
About the Author: The Gearbox is based in Exeter and is a
well-established Internet and store-based supplier of roof racks
and roof boxes internationally. With equipment for almost every
make and model of car, they can provide professional advice on
getting the right rack for your vehicle, and offer a free
on-site fitting service. You can find them at The Gearbox
Exeter.
Written by: The Gearbox
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