A good friend of mine recently bought a new bike rack for his car only to find that it didn't fit the car very well and it wasn't very sturdy. So if you are looking for information on bike racks for cars then make sure that you do your homework first before wasting the time and money on a model that's not suited to you or your car.
There are three types of bike racks for cars and within these, there are many models that are suited to either a hatch backs, minivans, SUVs, a vehicle with a spare tire and so on.
You already have a car right? Now you need to decide which bicycle rack will be right for that car and for the number of bicycles you need to carry.This article will explain in a bit more detail about the three main types of bike racks and which cars they are best suited too.
1. Roof Top Bike Rack
If you really want to look like a Tour de France competitor then go for the roof top bike rack look! Most pro's use these because they need the trunk space and any extra space to fit more bikes in. This option is suited to people who don't mind climbing up on top of their vehicle to load and take off their bikes. If a car can fit roof racks, then your car will be able to carry a bike.
Personally I don't like this option because of the wind resistance and the amount of gas my car chews when going on a long trip. I also find the bikes are more exposed to rain, insects, dirt and dust and are more protected behind the car. But, if you are concerned that the other types of bike racks will not fit your car or indeed cannot, then the roof top is still an option.
2. Trunk Mount Bike Rack
These guys are really useful for people with cars (and not an SUV or truck). They fit on the trunk with straps and steel frames. Try to buy one that is already assembled. It makes the job of mounting it on the trunk a whole lot easier. The down side is that some people do complain that it's easy for bikes to get stolen - and have had this happen! This is because the trunk mount is so easy to install and remove that a bicycle robber (if there is such a thing) will be able to get their dirty hands on your precious baby in no time. So if theft is an issue, then the trunk mount bike rack might not be the answer.
Also each maker is best suited to certain cars. You will have to check this out with the maker or in the fine print section when shopping online. (Always read the fine print!) If you need to be able to get in and out of your trunk while transporting your bikes, then this option is a not for you! The entire trunk will be inaccessible once the carrier is fitted to the vehicle.
3. Hitch Mount Bike Rack
This type of bike rack can be fitted to any vehicle that has a hitch receiver. Most are suited to a 2 inch receiver and some are for a 1 and ¼ inch receiver. I particularly like this option because no one can steal your bikes! It's also a lot sturdier.
Some people worry that it will add too much weight to the back of the car, but the rack is light and very strong. It's built to carry bikes, but it's not bulky. Some models (the more expensive ones) let you swing the rack away from the car so you have access to the trunk.
Each of the above have models that carry from one to five bicycles.
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