At some point we all need to transport our bikes to the trailhead, bike shop, etc. While most cars can handle one bike stowed inside, it’s a pain getting it in and out, and if you want to carpool withfriends it can be difficult to fit them all.
The solution is a quality bike rack, and there are three basic types: trunk mount, hitch mount, and roof mount.
Trunk mount carriers are the least expensive solution and can be quickly removed from the vehicle when not in use. Because these racks mount using only straps and buckles, they are not the most secure solution. They do very little, if anything, to prevent theft, and damage to your car or bike is likely. These should be considered a temporary solution, and if you consider yourself a serious mountain biker you should look into a more permanent option. These racks will run from $50 to $250.
photo credit 1upUSA.com
Hitch mount carriers, as the name implies, attach to the receiver hitch on your car. If you car already has a hitch, this is a great way to go. If your car doesn’t, you’ll need to factor in the cost of a hitch as well as the rack. Hitch mount racks come in two versions: ones that hold the bikes by the frame, or ones where the wheels sit in a tray. The former are usually less expensive, but are limited on what frame shapes they can fit.
The tray mount variety can hold literally any bike, and tend to be more stable and secure. Most hitch mount racks can swing down or away from the vehicle to allow access to the trunk or hatchback. One issue with hitch mounts is that they can drag or scrape when driving through a dip such as when entering a parking lot. Another is that even the best hitch mounts have a little bit of ‘bounce’ which jostles your bike when you hit bumps. This is mitigated when the bike is held by the wheels. Expect to pay between $200 and $500 for this type of rack.
Roof mount racks, obviously, go on the roof of your car. The two major rack vendors are Thule and Yakima–both make systems for a wide variety of car models. Both vendors also make the bike trays as well, or you can choose a tray from Rocky Mounts that will fit on eithermanufacturer’s’ bars. Roof racks are my preferred setup, and they tend to be stable and secure. If your car already has factory rails, setting up the rack system is a cinch. Even cars without rails can usually be made to work, and some sedans such as Volvo havededicatedmounting plates specifically for Thule rack systems.
While roof racks are easy to use and are very stable while driving, they also present a couple of issues. When transporting your bikes, you will take a fuel efficiency penalty; however when the racks are empty they shouldn’t make too much of a difference. Another potentially disastrous problem is driving your bikes into a drive-thru overhang or into your garage. At a minimum you will damage your fork, and possibly your rack, car roof, and the structure you hit. It’s not pretty. Expect to pay as much as $600 or more for a complete setup that can haul a pair of bikes.
If you have a Jeep or SUV with a rear-mounted spare tire, there is also a bike rack that can attach directly to the tire mount hardware. It looks like the trunk mount, but is much more secure and can be locked. This type also swings with the tailgate, allowing access to the back of the vehicle.
Whatever rack system you decide to go with, do a little research online and see what other owners of your type of car have had success with. Also factor in how frequently you actually need to transport bikes, and how many. If you really only need to transport a bike occasionally, a trunk mount might be okay. If you routinelytransporttwo or more bikes, and do so for long distances, you owe it to your bikes and your car to get a dedicated hitch or roof mount system.
41 Comments
Jun 2, 2012
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Jun 1, 2012
With bikes, however, there is a noticeable wind drag.
Getting the bikes off the car is no biggie with mine because it's so low. It's a bit more challenging with her SUV.
As for rear mounted, I know two people who have lost bikes to rear end collisions. Both got them replaced from the other driver's insurance, but they were without their bikes while that played out. Really though, crap happens no matter how careful you are so I wouldn't let that deter me from a hitch mounted setup if that was the best option for me.
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
I think Trek7k posted something on the forums a while back about some sensor/alarm setup for garages, but it seems like overkill to me.
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
However...
As it stands now I can put 4 bikes on the roof of my wife's car, and seat 4 adults comfortably, and stow all of our gear. I can't do any of that if a bike is inside the car. I also don't like putting a dirty bike inside my car after the ride.
Jun 1, 2012
But yeah I definitely see what you are saying.. See for me I had this Benz C350 sport that I'd throw my rack up on and it got 17-19 in the city before even putting bikes up lol so for me to now get an extra 10 miles or so I'm like a goonie with One-eyed Willies treasure. lol
Feb 9, 2014
http://www.northshoreracks.com/NSR%204-bike.htm
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 7, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
http://kuatracks.com/products/bike/the-nv/
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
I like my hitch mounted rack. You do have to be careful of scraping it on the ground, some models have more clearance than others. I have a Raxter rack, and it's only scraped once - and I drive a lowered car. But some other designs wouldn't work well for me at all.
Hitchmounted racks do leave your bikes vulnerable though, if someone rear ends you the bikes are toast.
Roof racks will decrease your gas mileage even when the bikes aren't mounted, they really mess up the flow of air over the top of the car, especially for cars not designed to have rails on the roof. Some folks have report around 15% decrease in MPG without bikes mounted. They can also cause a lot of wind noise (I've experienced this with a rental car myself, at highway speeds the entire roof vibrated and turned into a speaker...not cool). One other concern, if it's a fork dropout mount, that can be problematic with all the various standards now. 9mm quick release, 15mm and 20mm thru-axles, and Cannondale Lefty's.
Roof racks scare me. I just know I'd drive it into my garage eventually. A buddy of mine did that with his $9,000 carbon bike....brick-1, carbon-0. I also worry about being super tired after a big ride and droping the bike down the side of my car.
Jun 2, 2012
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150828578641254.393145.519101253&type=1&l=d9849b6476
You can see that the tongue is way to short and it makes maneuvering it a pain, so I have to run over to Speedy Metals and pick up a 14' section of channel to replace it.
Harbor Freight Mini Utility Trailer With 12" Wheels
40.5"x48" steel diamond plate decking
Yakima Control Towers
Yakima Landing Pad 1
Yakima 78" Cross bars
Yakima Viper fork mount tray (x2)
Yakima HighRoller (x2)
Thule 611 Boxter
I also have Yakima Hullraisers for carrying the kayaks, but with the tongue being too short they interfere with things like, the car. minor difficulty.
I'm also looking to build an enclosure then mount everything on top of that.
Jun 2, 2012
We bought a Thule hitch rack in April, but returned it. My wife was afraid she wouldn't be able to lift it up and slide it into the receiver if she and my daughter wanted to go somewhere and I wasn't home to install it.
We've been looking at roof racks, both new and on craigslist. There are quite a few deals to be had on barely used racks! Thanks for the tip, Madd.
My only concern is getting the mounting hardware/kits. As you can see from the top pic, my car doesn't have a roof rack.
I have to admit, I was happy to not have a roof rack the day after that pic was taken. I broke my collar bone but was still able to get the bike on the trunk rack. Had it been on the roof, I'm not sure what I would have done.
We know the roof rack will decrease our MPG when we're carrying the bikes, but we didn't even consider the noise factor. Time to do some more thinking...
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
I have cross bars setup on it so that I can mount the cargo box in the middle and two bikes on either side. The bikes are over the wheels but they are rock solid there. You can mount them directly to the trailer frame in a staggered pattern if you use something like this http://yakima.com/shop/bike/truck-bed/blockhead
I need to lengthen the tongue a bit so that I can get my kayaks on there and to make it more maneuverable. It is very short and hard to back up.
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
For one thing with today's economy having bikes up top on the roof is a big drag and slows the vehicle down.
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
I did leave the front wheel sitting next to truck and run it over once, oops.
Jun 7, 2012
As Allroy said, the locking mechanism isn't the best, but I tend to not let my bike or car too far out of my sight while traveling. And, it's so easy to remove and install that you can easily take the bike and rack with you wherever you go.
Jun 2, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 2, 2012
Jun 19, 2012
Roof racks have a few disadvantages and issues, the fuel efficiency penalty and the possibility of driving your bikes into the top of your garage door, plus it isn't as easy to load and off-load bikes onto the roof of your car as it is onto the rear.
For these reasons, a quality hitch bike rack like the Allen Premium comes up trumps for me. Easy loading to the back, very stable and secure, and keeps your bikes safely away from your vehicle.
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 2, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
After these trips I decided to get a trailer. Went to Harbor Freight and bought the small utility trailer with 12" wheels http://www.harborfreight.com/1090-lb-capacity-40-1-2-half-inch-x-48-inch-mini-utility-trailer-with-12-inch-four-lug-wheels-and-tires-90153.html
I mounted all my Yakima roof rack to it. I now have 1000lbs carrying capacity, low lift height, better gas mileage (no giant cargo box on top of the car), and the car can be used without all the gear inside or on top for running around town by easily detaching the trailer.
Jun 1, 2012
Jun 1, 2012
http://www.seasucker.com/content/cable-anchor-trunk
I usually put my bike in my hatchback VW. But when I use my wife's car, I have used my Seasucker rack, which uses vacuum cups. Good alternative to a traditional roof rack. Take it off when not in use. Better for gas.
Some disadvantages, the locking mechanisms aren't that stellar, so keep your car near the restaurant. You need to keep your car clean to get the best suction!! Price is fairly comparable to getting a whole bike roof rack, but without the accessories.
Jun 24, 2012