Last Updated on July 24, 2023 by Emmanuel
If you want to add a bike car rack to your vehicle and avoid spending money on cycling outfitters when you travel, this guide about bicycle car racks suits you.
We will cover the cyclist enthusiasts’ most asked questions and show you where you can purchase top-quality car racks for bikes in North America.
Table of Contents
What are bicycle car racks, and how to choose quality ones?
What are bicycle car racks, and how to choose quality ones?
Bicycle car racks are ideal for transporting bikes from one place to another with cars: several types exist on the market.
You can pick a Roof Mount, Hitch Mount, Spare Tire Mount, or Trunk Mount bike rack. These innovative devices are pretty straightforward to install.
Choose a bicycle rack that suits your vehicle; manufacturers typically have fit guides that help you check which one fits perfectly on your car.
However, using a fit guide requires you to know some information regarding your vehicle.
First, find your car specifications: features, model, year, and the number of bikes you want to attach to your vehicle.
How to attach a bike rack to a car?
A wrench enables you to install most bike racks easily; each bike rack brand and type has instructions for each model.
Follow the steps to install this gear on your car; most have straps and hooks to mount tightly in proper places.
Check your bike rack spec sheet for the exact quantity it can hold. A car rack’s weight capacity and arms typically determine the number of bikes it can handle.
For example, trunk mount racks can hold up to three bikes, car roof racks up to four, and hitch mount racks up to five bicycles.
RELATED: The ten best mountain bike helmets for men.
How do you put four bikes on a bike rack?
How do you put four bikes on a bike rack?
If your bike rack can hold four bikes, it must have enough space to attach them. Hanging racks usually go between the handlebars and the seat.
- Put your bikes onto the hanging racks starting from the heaviest one closest to the car.
- Arrange the bikes accordingly so the pedals don’t scrap each other’s frame.
- The trick is to put the first bike heading in one direction.
- Then, put the next in the opposite direction.
- That way, the handlebars won’t obstruct each other.
- Finally, lock the safety strap to hold the bikes in place.
A four-capacity bike rack can withstand one hundred twenty to sixty pounds; check the spec sheet for accurate information.
If you put five bikes, their accumulated weight will likely exceed the bike rack’s capacity.
Besides, there won’t be enough arms to fit another bike; forcing the gear to carry five bicycles can damage them and your vehicle.
Do bike racks damage vehicles?
The short answer is no; bike racks fit various cars perfectly; install yours correctly per the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you install a bike rack poorly, it might scratch off your car’s paint because bike racks are made of steel.
Besides, you can apply a paint protector where the scratch is most likely to happen to minimize the risk of damage.
Bike racks can also damage the trunk when positioned close. Some bike racks contact the car’s trunk to scratch off its paint when it is in motion.
Unless you ensure proper measurement and installation, tight and secure all straps.
You must also check for any wobbling to fix it to prevent the rack falls off or rattling when speeding up or taking corners.
Can I open the boot with a rear-mounted bike rack?
You can install most trunk bike racks in a way that makes it easy to open the car trunk, but bike rack manufacturers don’t recommend it.
Indeed, the door hinges of your car’s trunk are not strong enough to hold the rack’s weight, let alone if a bike is on it.
If you force it, the door will not stay open or come down immediately after you open it.
Do Bike Racks Fit All Cars?
Regarding the bike rack types, roof racks and hitch racks are the only two types that can fit all cars.
Bike racks are not universal. They are more like adjustable ones rather than universal.
You can follow the product’s manual and make a few adjustments to fit your car, but you can only adjust so much.
You are better off with a specific bike rack model that suits your car’s model. That way, you can get the best out of your bike rack.
RELATED: The best QuietKat accessories.
Do all bike racks require a hitch?
The type of bike rack determines how and where you install a bike rack on your car. You won’t need a trailer hitch if it is a roof rack, a trunk rack, etc.
Only a hitch bike rack needs a trailer hitch to fit all cars; if your vehicle does not have a trailer hitch, use other ways.
If cleaned, you can also throw your bicycle inside your vehicle, but it could damage your car’s interior and the bike itself.
You will likely first disassemble the bike to fit inside your vehicle. Another alternative is installing a roof or trunk rack; those racks don’t need hitches.
Do Roof Racks Hurt Gas Mileage?
Anything you put on a vehicle will affect gas mileage, including a roof rack, especially if the bike rack is large and bulky. The rack's shape affects the car's aerodynamics and leads to changes in air resistance.
How can I secure my bike rack better?
Locking and securing your bikes properly on the bike rack avoids the bike rack, bikes, or car damage.
Riders typically use the passive strap and the tow hitch methods. The passive strap method requires a cable lock to secure the bike’s frame.
For the tow hitch, you must have an external tow hitch mechanism.; form a loop around your bike while utilizing a tow loop to lock it.
Do I need lights on my bike rack?
A roof rack doesn’t require installing lights on it. You only need lights on your bike rack if the rack obscures your car’s rear lights and plate number.
If other drivers can’t see your rear light, they will not know when you hit the brake or activate the turning signal.
The bike racks that may cover the car’s rear lights are trunk racks, hitch racks, and spare tire mount racks.
How do I stop my hitch movement?
How do I stop my hitch movement?
Hitch’s movement can be irritating when it produces a clanking sound. It can happen when your car has a unibody to amplify the noise inside the vehicle.
Fortunately, you can quickly fix this problem in the three following ways:
- First, match your hitch equipment’s dimensions.
- Next, use a cushion hitch with a buffer to reduce metal rattling.
- Lastly, use a hitch tightener to hold the hitch movement.
A hitch tightener help reduce the hitch rattling caused by loose hitch components.
Slide the hitch tightener over the trap with the plate under the receiver tube; tighten the two nuts until the hitch tightener snugs everything up.
After that, check your hitch by wiggling the ball mount. If it still moves, tighten the two nuts more strongly.
You can also check the best bodybuilding supplements for strong and lean muscles.
Do bike racks wobble or rust?
No, a bike rack should not be swaying and wobbling, but a hitch-mounted bike rack would not stay still.
Roof racks and trunk racks should be far stiffer when correctly installed.
The wobble can damage your bike and car, scratching the paint; try to fix yours quickly if it is wobbling.
As for rust, it depends on the material; aluminum or metal car racks typically rust over time, specifically when mounted outside your car due to repeated exposure to heat, water, and dust.
Besides, keeping your bike rack on your car all year can cause rust, even when you don’t use it.
To keep your bike rack from rusting, clean it regularly to remove moisture, dust, sand, or anything that can stick to it to cause rust over time.
You can also apply lubricant to joints for easy movement or coat the device with paint to keep the rust away.
Do thieves steal bike racks for cars?
Do thieves steal bike racks for cars?
Well, people can steal anything when they are desperate. However, in terms of bike racks, the objective of thieves is rarely to take the bike rack.
Instead, thieves may aim to steal the bike attached because bike racks are not universal.
However, that does not mean that bike racks would not be the primary thievery targets. Malicious people can sell these pieces of gear on the platforms such as Craiglist or others.
To protect yours, park your car in a secure place, preferably a place that is under CCTV surveillance.
If you regularly use your bike rack and don’t mind the look, you might consider welding it and making it permanent.
This will make the top-notch bike rack security, or use a cable lock, folding lock, or U lock.
RELATED: Why are motorcycle jackets so expensive?
It it wise to leave the bike rack on my car?
Bike racks rarely get stolen due to their safety features, but they can increase gas mileage.
But leaving this device on your car permanently can end up causing rust.
Remove your bike rack anytime by unlocking all the straps or bolts holding it. If you own a hitch rack, remove the bike rack from the hitch.
With a key, unlock the unit and pull the bar that holds the tube away from the bike rack.
Loosen a hitch tightened if you use it to pull the bike rack away from the trap.
Are bike racks illegal in New York?
You will be fined in New York if your bike rack obscures your car’s license plate number and tail lights.
If the bike rack is loosely fitted, the best option is not to use the bike racks mounted on the rear side of your car, like a hitch rack, trunk rack, or spare tire-mount rack.
Also, New York requires you to remove the bike rack if it is unused.
How fast can I drive with a hitch bike rack?
A bike rack adds more weight; pay attention to your speed when you put bikes on the bike rack.
Typically, you would want to maintain your speed limit relative to the type of bike rack you have on your car.
With a trunk rack, you should not exceed 55mph. A hitch rack will give you 65 of the speed limit; for a roof rack, you can speed up your car until it hits 80mph.
How much does installing a bike rack cost?
The type of bike rack, material, and feature determine the cost of a bike rack which can vary from less than a hundred to one thousand dollars.
The links on this page take you to the accessories retailer online stores.
Check under the corresponding category; the supplier has many options for everyone to choose from what they prefer.
RELATED: The nine best QuietKat electric hunting bikes.
Why are bike racks so costly?
Some bike racks are expensive because they have better capacity, quality, and features.
Most can support two or four bikes, and even up to six bicycles for the top-rated ones.
High-end bike rack manufacturers use quality materials to ensure the safety of what they hold and their durable lifespan.
Besides, these accessories have locking, sway control, and other features increasing safety and making it easy to use.
Final thoughts.
That’s all we have to tell you in this guide about bicycle car racks; we hope you will find it helpful.
A bike rack allows you to ride anywhere you can’t reach. Choose what suits your cycling needs and install it correctly per the user manual.
Be aware of what your bike rack must not obscure, and know your speed limit when you attach a bike rack to your car.
Thank you for reading this article about bicycle car racks.; comment or ask questions for us to reply quickly.
Leave a Reply