The best bike carrying systems on the market
by: Lana Sain
Posted on: Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm by: Lana Sain
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You’ve got the bike, the helmet, a pair of cycling shorts, and maybe even a cool new jersey. You’ve tested out a local trail or two, or maybe you’ve been touring the roads and tackling the hills. You’ve recovered nicely from the vacuum effect that getting into the sport of cycling can sometimes have on your bank account, but the last time you met your biking friends for a group ride they gave you strange looks as you wrestled your bike into the trunk of your car or SUV. Not to mention the fact that the trunk now looks like it should be part of nature as well. Dirt, grass, leaves; you name it. Oh, and don’t forget the grease left behind from the chain. If you’ve noticed yourself suddenly eyeballing every bike carrying system you see but don’t know where to start in finding the one best suited to you and your baby, uh, bike—relax. I’m going to give you the run down on the best bike transportation systems on the market.
Let’s explore the four main types of bike racks for your car.
Roof racks
These racks attach to the roof or factory installed rack on your car. They have carriers that mount to them, which you can buy specifically for the type of bike or gear you need to transport. Most roof racks have security accessories that can be purchased to keep your bike locked into the rack. The Yakima Viper Bike Mount retails for $135.00 and mounts via the fork with the front wheel removed. If you prefer to leave the front wheel on the bike, try the Yakima High Roller Bike Mount for $169.00. Both of these racks will carry any type of bike, although some custom accessories may need to be purchased to ensure they can be mounted specifically to your vehicle.
Pros : You can put a roof rack on virtually any vehicle. You do not need a trailer/receiver hitch installed, and the total package is comparatively inexpensive. It is also rather versatile, since you can install several different carriers for your needs.
Cons : Mounting the bike onto the rack can be difficult for the smaller individual, since the bike must be lifted above the car. Most roof racks require that you remove the front wheel, which can be inconvenient. Finally, there is risk involved in using a roof rack if you are capable of “forgetfulness” and drive into your garage or under a permanent awning and crush your bike into several different pieces. Believe me, it happens.
Hitch racks
These racks attach to your vehicle’s standard receiver hitch. If your car or truck does not have a hitch installed, you can buy one and install it separately. Hitch racks vary in the amount of bikes that can be transported, in the means of securing the bike onto the rack, and in the convenience of access to the rear of your vehicle. As always, the more bells and whistles you order, the higher the price tag becomes. The Thule Revolver 4-Bike Rear Hitch Rack is one of the best on the market. It’s sturdy, secure, and it easily swings away from the vehicle to provide rear access. Price: $429.00
Pros
: Easy to mount and dismount the bike. No danger of overhead crashes like the roof rack. No need to remove the front wheel. Some hitch racks can carry up to 5 bikes at time.
Cons
: Some of these racks can block access to the rear of your vehicle. You must have a receiver hitch, and the total package can be a bit pricier than other types. Not as versatile as a roof rack, since hitch racks are mainly for carrying bikes.
Trunk racks
A trunk rack is comprised of a set of straps and hooks by which a rack is mounted to the trunk or deck of your vehicle. The
Thule Speedway 3 Bike Rack
is a good choice for $139.00. If you are only carrying 2 bikes, try the
Thule Speedway 2 Bike Rack
for $119.00.
Pros
: Easily mounted, not permanent, and easy to store when not in use. These racks are the least expensive of all four types.
Cons
: Trunk racks usually can carry only up to 3 bikes at a time. They are not as sturdy as permanently mounted racks, and have been knows to cause scratches to the vehicle and/or the bikes.
Spare tire racks
A spare tire rack is like a hitch rack, except it attaches to the spare tire on the back of the vehicle. The
Yakima Spare Joe Bike Carrier
is a top of the line, quality spare tire rack with the capacity for two bikes. Price: $121.00.
Pros
: Easy to install when you own a vehicle with a rear spare tire. These racks are sturdy and reliable, and they still allow you to pull a trailer with your hitch. They are less expensive than roof and hitch racks, but provide the same quality.
Cons
: They are only usable on vehicles with a rear spare tire. They can also block access to the back of the vehicle and to the spare tire itself. Another downside is that they will not accommodate other types of gear.
Now that you understand the pros and cons of each type of bike transportation system, you need to evaluate what other kinds of gear and how many bikes you will be transporting, consider what type of vehicle on which you will be using the rack, and decide what kind of price range in which you will be shopping. These considerations, combined with the pros and cons described above should give you a good idea of the perfect system for transporting your bike. No more strange looks, no more wrestling before and after the ride, and no more mess to clean when you are finished. Ride hard and rest easy.
