Know What Type of Biker you are and Love the Rack you Choose!

In this bike rack buyer’s guide we offer four considerations to ponder that will help you determine which rack is right for you. From your budget, to the number of bikes, ease of loading and unloading, and finally, looking at the types of trips you are most likely to take with your bike rack, we cover the most important aspects of buying a bike rack!

Are You Shopping Based on Budget?

First of all, what is your budget? If it’s tight, then a good quality trunk mounted bike rack would be your best choice. These are the most affordable racks, and are fine for carrying 1 to 3 bikes on long trips, and up to 4 on around-town trips. If your vehicle is older, and you don’t mind a rub spot or paint nick from a bump, then this is your style.

We recommend, however, that you never buy the low-end model, because you’ll spend more in the end, when you have to replace it. If you need a rack for only one bike, then single roof mounted trays will cost less than a 3-4 bike trunk unit. As your budget increases, your options increase, and other factors are more determinative.

How Many Bikes Will your Rack Need to Carry?

As you begin shopping today, one of the most common errors bike riders make, is buying a rack to suit only themselves. In most cases, when you load your bike into the rack, you are going to have a friend who is riding with you, possibly more than one!

We recommend at minimum, to make sure your bike rack can carry at least 2 bikes! Fortunately, most racks are flexible enough to expand and carry more than one very easily. For a family, you may want to get a 4-bike or 5-bike rack that installs into the hitch mount. These are the strongest bike racks you can get, and ultimately allow the most flexibility to carry extra bikes for longer excursions with friends or family.

How Hard is The Bike Rack to Load a Bike Into?

The second important consideration involves the loading and unloading factor. Trunk mounted and hitch mounted racks are much easier to install and load than roof mounted racks. If you would find it inconvenient or impossible to load a roof rack, then your options are narrowed.

The simplest racks to load are hitch-mounted styles that feature a platform rather than an arm. Minimum lifting is required, and the bikes are easily secured. These racks provide the added benefit of very good stability, and are good at preventing your cycles from damaging one another or the vehicle. However, adding some padding between bikes on any type of racks is always a good idea.

How Will You Most Commonly Use Your Bike Rack?

The final consideration centers around how you use your bike rack. If you use it frequently, but take it off after each use for security, a hitch-mounted unit is the choice. No rack is easier on installation/removal. Newer hitch-mounted models also allow the unloaded rack to fold tight against the vehicle, or fold down to allow access to the cargo space.

If you want a rack for long trips on the highway, a roof-mounted rack is perfect, provided you are able to load them. The cycles are secured once, and do not get in the way of cargo access or sight lines. Trunk-mounted racks are good for long trips, too, as long as you do not need to open the trunk or hatch.

A little bit of forethought will help you avoid buyer’s regret, and will lead you to a unit that will provide outstanding

Trunk Mounted Bike Racks

Trunk-mounted racks use adjustable straps to hold the frame to the vehicle’s trunk, hatchback or rear bumper. Padding along the contact points of the frame prevents damage from rubbing. The arms of the frame feature straps or cradles that hold the bike(s) in place. Up to four bikes fit on larger racks.

The advantages of trunk-mounted units begin with the relatively low price. They are the most affordable of the styles. Secondly, they are easy to install once the straps are adjusted to the specific vehicle. Thirdly, they are flexible, and will attach to most vehicles. Finally, they are easy to load and the bike(s) can be quickly secured.

The biggest disadvantage to a trunk-mounted rack is the potential for damage to the vehicle. The combined weight of the bikes rests on panels, which may cause denting or scraping. Next, the rack must be unloaded and removed to access the vehicle’s cargo area. Finally, bikes on the rack may block the rear view of the driver.

Hitch Mounted Bike Racks

Hitch-mounted units fit into the receiver on the vehicle’s hitch. Some feature an upright support and horizontal arm on which the bikes are secured. Other hitch-mounted units use a platform or tray system that bikes rest on.

The advantages include easy installation of the hitch, and quick loading of bikes with very little lifting. And since the weight of the bikes is on the hitch, there is less likelihood of vehicle panels being damaged. Most do not require removing the front wheel of the bike, as with some roof-mounts.

The disadvantages start with the added expense of the hitch, if your vehicle does not already have one. Secondly, with a single securing point, poorer quality racks suffer from instability on rough roads. Damage to bikes or the vehicle may result. Finally, some models need to be removed before the vehicle hatch or trunk can be opened.

Roof Mounted Bike Racks

Roof-mounted racks consist of a tray that is usually affixed to the vehicle’s OEM crossbars. The bike is then secured to the rack with straps around the tires, or by the front fork.

Advantages begin with the versatility of these racks. They can be used in combination with roof mounted cargo carriers, for example. In addition, most vehicles will have enough room for 3 to 7 units and bikes. Finally, many drivers like having the bike(s) out of sight lines.

The most common complaint about roof racks is that they are the hardest to load, since the bike must be hoisted all the way to the roof, and held stable while it is secured. Secondly, bikes on the roof will create a clearance problem for parking in garages or accessing some drive-throughs.