What to know about best bike racks

There could be nothing more exhilarating then racing your superbike in the country side. You have found the ideal weekend getaway and you are getting all charged up thinking about the adrenalin rush you will get when you are racing a bike along a winding mountain track. Now comes the problem…How do you get your bike there and that too in one piece? Throw it in the back of your pickup and get moving?

No …not after the neat sum that you have shelled out on your bike.

Well bike racks are the answer.

The market has a wide range of options to choose from but before you plunge in to make the purchase, do consider the following points when looking for the optimum bike rack to suit your needs . The right choice could ensure you many memorable cycling trips and the wrong one could end up in nothing less than a damaged bike or the vehicle you are using to carry them.

• The number of bikes that you are planning to move and their size.
• The size of the vehicle that you will be using to move the bikes. There are racks for small cars and ones for big pickup trucks. Choose one which fits your vehicle size.
• You would also need to consider the roof top load carrying limitation of your car.
• Would you like to buy a lock for your bike rack ?You might be willing to shell out a few pounds extra for this considering the  fact that the racks are quite expensive themselves and you wouldn’t want one to be stolen when you are enjoying a quick bite.
• Look for racks which offer scratch free options. These will prevent your car and your bike from getting scratched while transporting them.
• If you are planning to use the cargo area of your vehicle  you might need to make a careful choice about where to carry your bike

Now that you know what to look for, let us now consider the types of bike racks available in the market.

1. Strap on Trunk: These are the ones that can be strapped to the back of your car. These are the least expensive and can ideally carry one or two bikes

Advantages: Easy to assemble, easy to store and can be attached to all vehicle types.

Disadvantage: Blocks your rear view, offers less security and bikes are prone to get damaged easily.

2. Roof Mounted: These are attached to the roof of your vehicle. If your vehicle already has a rack this can be a good option.

Advantage: Racks can carry larger size bikes also easily and are much more secure. Can carry from 4 to 6 bikes.

Disadvantage: Difficult to install. Height clearance might be a problem sometimes. You would need to raise the bikes to a height and this could be strenuous.

3. Hitch Mounted: If your car has a tow hitch , you can attach a mounted tray to carry up to 3 bikes

Advantage: Easy to install and doesn’t require bicycle to be lifted up.

Disadvantage: Blocks rear view and accessibility to trunk, Possibility of damage to bikes

Once you have your needs in place you can now decide on the right bike rack that suits you. So go ahead and choose one which will ensure that you are never left longing for your bike on your next trekking holiday. Have fun!