Getting a bicycle rack will protect your car and your bike!

by John Brown, BrownCycles.com

In most cases, a bicycle rack for your car is a necessity if you want to transport your bike safely. Consequently, by trying to transport your bicycle in the trunk, you can create serious damage to it. In light of that, here are a few tips and facts about choosing, buying, and installing the right bike racks.

What is your bicycle rack going to haul

The first choice in picking a bicycle rack is deciding what you will be transporting. Most trunk racks can only accommodate 3 bikes, so if you plan to carry more, you’ll need a roof or hitch rack. Furthermore, if you plan to carry kayaks or skis, that leaves a roof rack as your only option. So before picking your rack, be sure you know what you are carrying.

Roof racks for bicycles

Roof racks mount exactly as you would expect, on the roof of your car. Typically, they are made up of three parts; Load bars, feet and bicycle tray. The load bars are sized to match the width of your car and span from one side to the other. The feet hold the load bar and mount onto the vehicle. Feet are specific to your vehicle and can mount to the rain gutters, factory roof rack, or door wells. A bike tray mounts to the load bars and holds your bicycle. Different bike trays can hold your bike by its fork, downtube, or wheels.

Considering roof racks are the most complicated type of rack, they are also the most expensive. However, once you have a rack system, the individual attachments for bikes, skis, kayaks, and other products are relatively inexpensive.

Hitch racks for your bicycle

A hitch rack fits into a receiver installed on the back of your vehicle (see image below). The receiver doesn’t need to be rated to pull a trailer; it just needs to hold the bike rack. Hitch racks are designed to carry up to 5 bikes on the back of the car. Some versions require you to remove the bikes to access your trunk, while others can swing away from your vehicle with all bikes installed. Additionally, hitch racks can be locked to the car, and bikes can be locked to them. The great thing about hitch racks is that they cost very little.

Trunk racks for bikes

Trunk bicycle racks, also known as strap racks, mount to the back of a car using fabric straps and rubber hooks. The hooks fit into the gap between your car and its trunk. The attached straps get tightened down to secure the rack in place. Trunk racks typically have a maximum of 3 bikes. Because they use fabric straps, trunk racks are not a good option for locking your bike. They are, however, very inexpensive and easy to store when not in use.

Installing a bicycle rack

The tough part about bike racks is that there are almost as many racks as there are cars, and each car requires a different fit. Sadly, there is no one best way to install a rack. That said, rack manufacturers like Thule, Saris, and Yakima publish fit guides to help. Most of these brands are displayed at your local bike shop, so stop in and check them out. Remember, if you are going to install the rack yourself, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for use and safety to ensure your equipment is safe.

Rear bike rack visibility

Any time you attach something to the back of your car, you can obscure visibility. Thankfully, you can get around this by placing the bikes on the rack properly and using your side mirrors. What you can’t get around is obscuring your license plate and tail lights.

For that issue, there are handy products that can solve the problem, like auto-light racks. Keep your bikes safe!

About John Brown, the author

John operates Browns Bicycle in Richfield, MN ane is a lifelong cyclist and consummate tinkerer. It all started for him in grade school when the bike bug bit, and that fever is still there. Now and over the past 30 years, he has worked at every level of the bike industry. Starting, like most, sweeping floors and learning anything he could about bikes. He eventually graduated as a service manager and then became a store manager.  Through the years, he has spent extensive time designing and sourcing bicycles and parts for some of the largest bike companies in the world. All the while focusing on helping as many people as possible enjoy the love of riding a bike. In that pursuit, he has taught classes (both scheduled and impromptu) on all things bikes. John also believes in helping every rider attain their optimal fit on the bike of their dreams. Please feel free to stop in any time and talk about bikes, fit, and parts, or share your latest ride. You can also see John’s tricks and tips on the Brown Bicycle Facebook Page.