There are five types of bike racks available for cars. It’s difficult to choose the right one. There are five types of bike racks available: hitch racks and roof racks; trunk racks; truck bed racks; spare tire racks; and roof racks and trunk racks. Two to three types of bike racks are most commonly used for a bicycle vehicles. The roof and hitch are the most popular.
Your car’s ability to handle different types of racks will depend on the bike you use. To illustrate, trunk and hitch racks that attach to the frame could cause interference with full-suspension mountain bike suspensions. Hardtail mountain bikes, as well as road bikes, have more space inside the frame so they can fit on any bike rack.
Bike racks are usually less expensive than $100, and can be as high as $1,000 for the top-of-the-line version that has space for four. Bike racks can be fitted with integrated locks to protect your bike against thieves while you park your car. You can lock your bike to a trunk rack bike rack but there’s no way to secure the bike rack to your car. If someone is nefarious and wants a new bike, a pair of scissors or a knife can easily cut the bike rack mounting straps.
Expert tips and information on how to haul your bike. Find out which one is best for you.
How to Use a Bike Rack
- Different types of bike racks
- What bike rack is best for my vehicle?
- Which is the Best Bike Rack?
There were many of us who grew up riding BMX bikes before we began mountain biking. Since BMX bikes are smaller than good mountain bikes, they are easier to transport in a sedan or hatchback. To fit a mountain bike into a car, you will need to remove the wheels and place everything in a blanket. This will prevent grease from stains or tears. You might find it difficult to load and unload the bike each time you want to.
First, some background
You may be looking for a bike rack once the inevitable happens. We have gained valuable insights from Vermont Mountain Bike Association members and through our experience with different types of bike racks over the years.
Different types of bike racks
There are five types of bike racks available. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. The one thing that is consistent across all bike rack types is the fact that more than two bikes can be expensive. For $239 and $40, additional bike mounts can be purchased for popular hitch bike racks. With a trailer-mounted bike rack that weighs over $1,000, four bikes can be transported. This may seem like a large amount of money, but it is important to remember the value of mountain bikes.
Racks for Hitch Bike Racks
A hitch bike rack is the best option for avid cyclists who plan to ride a lot. The easiest way to load and unload bikes is with a hitch-mounted rack. There are two types: one that supports the bike by the wheels and the other by the frame. There are hitch-mount bike racks that support your tires and won’t scratch the frame. They also work well with full-suspension mountain bikes.
Roof Bike Racks
Roof-mount bike racks are a great option for outdoor enthusiasts who need to transport different types of gear. A bike rack can be added to your car’s roof if it has crossbars. You can mount skis, kayaks, snowboards, and cargo carrier on the crossbars. The rack can be more difficult to load and unload bikes on tall vehicles than a hitch bike rack.
Trunk Bike Racks
Trunk-mounted bike racks are typically the most cost-effective and compact. The trunk-mount bike racks work best on sedans and some hatchbacks. Avoid using trunk bike racks on hatchbacks equipped with spoilers as they aren’t designed to hold any weight.
Expert Tip: To prevent paint scratches, make sure you add scratch protection to the mounting clips. You can fix scratches that are too severe by applying paint correction. On the back of the mounting hooks, apply a bit of paint protection film to prevent scratches, scuffs, and scrapes. It is typically applied to paint as a vinyl coating. The same results can be achieved using the PPF without having to cover the trunk in protective film. Online shopping for trunk bike rack protectors will bring up a variety of specialty products.
Truck bed Racks
There are two options for mounting bikes on pickup truck beds. There are two options for mounting bikes to pickup truck beds. You can attach racks to the truck bed and you can also use tailgate pads to allow the bikes easy removal. Even though they cost more, truck-bed mounts offer greater security for transporting bikes and leaving them unattended. This is a thick, flexible material that covers the back of your vehicle and protects it.
Spare Tire Bike Racks
Many vehicles don’t have spare tires on the back. A spare-tire bike rack might be an option for you if your vehicle is a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco. While most spare-tire mounts attach to the frame of the bike, a few others attach to the wheels. Most racks that support wheels have a 48-inch wheelbase, while some mountain bikes can have a greater 50-inch wheelbase. If you need to transport a trailer, or a cargo vehicle, a spare-tire bike mount might be the best choice.
What bike rack is best for my vehicle?
Your vehicle type may influence the bike rack you choose. Roof-mount and hitch-mount bike racks are the most versatile, as they can be used with a wide range of vehicle styles. The cost of installing specific bike racks on your vehicle will rise if it doesn’t have roof crossbars and a trailer hitch bike rack.
Cars
Cars offer a variety of bike rack options. However, they often require the installation a trailer hitch and roof bars which can increase the cost. If you have a limited budget, a trunk bike rack may be your best choice. If your budget and vehicle allow for a hitch, or roof bike rack, these are better options for transporting bikes.
- Racks for hitch bikes
- Roof bike racks
- Trunk bike racks
SUVs
Many SUVs have roof bars and trailer hitches that are installed at the factory. This reduces the cost of installing a hitch or roof biker rack. Roof-mount racks are usually more affordable than hitch-mounted racks, especially if they come with roof bars.
- Racks for hitch bikes
- Roof bike racks
- Trunk bike racks
- Spare-tire bike racks
Trucks
Pickup trucks can carry a lot of bikes because of the many mounting options available. You can transport bikes from the hitch to the roof, the bed, or the roof of a truck. The most popular type of bed-mount bike rack is the truck tailgate pad and is also the most cost-effective.
- Racks for hitch bikes
- Roof bike racks
- Bike racks for tailgate parties
- Truck bed racks
FAQ
How much do bike racks cost?
Bike racks are available in a range of prices, from $100 to $1,000, depending on their quality and capacity. Although it may seem expensive to purchase a bike rack, it is a reasonable price for transporting bikes safely and securely.
Which bike rack is the most cost-effective?
Although they are the most cost-effective, trunk mount bike racks can be dangerous for your vehicle and bike. If your vehicle has roof crossbars, you can add a roof rack to your bike rack. The bike tailgate pad is a cost-effective and unique alternative to a bike rack for pickup truck drivers.
Why are bike racks so expensive?
Bike racks are more expensive if you need to transport more bikes. Bike racks that are more expensive offer greater stability and security to protect bikes from being damaged if they’re not used.
