Car Bike Rack

Choosing the right one

Choosing the right vehicle bike rack can lead to hours of road-trip adventures for you and your family; choosing the wrong one could lead to damage to your bike or vehicle, theft, and wasted money.

There are three general different types of vehicle bike racks: a hitch-mount rack, a roof rack, and a strap-on trunk rack. The type of car you drive to some extent dictates what mounting system you must use, as larger vehicles such as trucks and SUVs have more options for carrying your bicycles. Before you decide which system is best for you, ask yourself the following questions:

• How many bikes do I want to carry?
• Do I want to take the rack off when not in use, or switch it between vehicles?

• How much money do I want to spend?
• Does my vehicle have a tow hitch? A luggage rack on the roof?
• If the rack is mounted up high, will I be able to lift the bike up alone?
• What is the size and shape of my bike?
• Does the bike need to be secure from theft at all times?

Trunk-mounted racks

These are the least expensive option (usually costing less than $100), and have the advantage of functioning with most models of vehicles. They are relatively easy to transfer between cars, and to remove when not in use. These racks carry between one and three bikes, but may not support non-standard frames. While their price and mobility are their main advantage, trunk-mounted racks do have some disadvantages: the straps can be easily cut, or may break; the bikes can be damaged in a rear-end accident, and the cycles may block the driver's view from the rear window. However, for cyclists on a budget who are not overly concerned about theft, trunk-mounted racks may be the best option.

Roof-mounted racks

Designed for minivans, station wagons, and SUVs, these racks cost about the same as the trunk-mounted variety if the vehicle already has a luggage rack installed, but if it doesn't, they can be around $150 more. Besides the higher price tag, other disadvantages include more complicated installation, limited accessibility to the bikes, and higher overhead clearance. But for riding enthusiasts looking to pay a little more, this type of rack has several major advantages: putting the bikes on the roof frees up cargo space, the bikes can be securely locked, and you can carry four to seven bikes.

Hitch-mounted racks

These racks can be installed on most cars, trucks, and SUVs, and generally cost from $100 to $400. Their main advantage is accessibility: they are easy to install, and the bikes easy to secure. They do carry some of the same disadvantages of the truck-mounted racks, such as limited rear visibility and vulnerability to damage. They also make the bikes and vehicle more prone to scratches.

With careful consideration of your budget and transportation need, you can pick out the right bike rack for your vehicle.

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