The objective is simple: You want to carry your bicycle on your vehicle. But there's a seemingly dizzying selection of bike-rack styles and a wide range of prices from which to choose. To get the right bike rack for your needs, you should do some research and compare the different makes and models. The right rack should fit the vehicle properly, securely transport the bikes, and fall within your budget. The wrong rack could be a safety hazard, scratch your vehicle, and possibly lead to a lost, stolen, or damaged bicycle.
Bear in mind that a bike rack, even without bikes mounted, will negatively impact your vehicle's fuel economy, as the video explains.
The key to choosing the right bike rack is accurately defining your needs and assessing your current vehicle. Consider the following when choosing a bike rack:
Bike racks generally fall into three distinct categories: Strap-on trunk racks, hitch-mount racks, and roof racks. All three types have good and bad points, but not all are available for every vehicle. The strap-on is the least expensive, but the least secure; the roof rack is the most versatile, but the most difficult to use; and the hitch-mount is the most expensive, but the easiest to operate. There are also specialty racks that are designed specifically for use with pickup trucks, SUVs or vans. Some truck racks can be used above the bed, allowing for storage underneath. Others have specialty mounts that can be attached to rear-mounted spare tires and the rear ladders sometimes found on conversion vans.
Here's a closer look at the strengths and weaknesses of the three main types of bike rack:
Strap-on trunk mounts are the least expensive bike-carrier option. They typically cost between $40 and $200, though some models can cost upwards of $300. Straps attached to the carrier's frame attach to the car's trunk, hatchback, or rear bumper. The bike's frame rests on plastic-coated support arms; better carriers have padded or indented cradles to hold the frame. These carriers must be tightly strapped to the vehicle, with the frame supports and carrier arms properly oriented before mounting bikes. Trunk-mounted carriers typically carry one or two, and in some cases three. While trunk-mounted carriers are inexpensive and can fit many vehicles, they do have a greater chance of damaging the vehicle and the bikes than do other carrier designs.
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Some roof-mounted carriers attach to a vehicle's existing roof rack and crossbars (as found on many SUVs and wagons), while others use mounting feet and clips that attach to a vehicle's upper door frame or rain gutters. The total cost is reduced if your vehicle is already equipped with a roof rack or crossbars that will support the bike mount. Basic carriers start at less than $50 per bike, but the more models start around $100. If you need to buy the basic roof rack and crossbars, add about $125 to $200 to the total cost. If you select a roof rack, you have to decide on the method of mounting the bikes. Some racks use a fork-mount carrier that clamps onto the bike's front-wheel fork. The downside is that the front wheel must be removed and stored elsewhere, but the upsides are that the bike is easier to manage up on the roof and unique frame shapes can be accommodated. Upright mounts hold the bike by the frame or pedal crank. You don't need to remove the front wheel, but you need to reach up higher to put the bike on, and some unusual frame shapes won't fit.
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Hitch-mount racks come in different sizes to match the class of hitch on the vehicle. Class I hitches with 1.25-inch openings are designed for most cars and small car-based SUVs. Class III hitches with 2-inch openings are usually found on pickups and truck-based SUVs. Your choice will depend on the number of bikes to be transported (racks for Class I hitches rarely carry more than three bikes) and your vehicle (Class III hitches cannot be adapted to most cars). Generic brand, single-bike hitch mounts can be found for under $100, but popular brands start at $125 and swing-away models can go for as much as $400. Some hitch-mount racks secure the bikes in mounting "trays," much like the ones used with roof-mounted models. Others require you to strap the bikes securely to the carrier; as with a trunk-mounted rack, you need to take care to keep the bikes from scratching each other.
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Talking to experts and experienced bikers will help you narrow your choices. Also, check Internet chat rooms for personal opinions. Research and careful shopping will help you arrive at the best rack for your needs, budget, and lifestyle. Among the best review Web sites are:
Bicycling.com
Bikeradar.com
Mtbr.com
Mountainbikingonline.com
A wide range of products and information is also available at the following retail sites:
Rei.com
Rackwarehouse.com
Sportsrack.com
Rackattack.com
Racknroad.com
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