Want to ride around the park without having to ride on busy streets to get there? Want to keep the kids out of mischief by bringing their bikes on holidays with you? Haven't got an SUV or station wagon where you can throw your bike in the back? Then you need a bike rack for your car.
Bicycle car racks for the family car are pretty much a necessity if you have a bike and love riding. Whether you take your mountain bike into the hills on the weekends, or if you just want to take your road racer for a quit ride through the park, the safest way to get you and your bike there is with a quality bike car rack. Bicycle car racks come in many designs, so there'll be one to suit your bike and car.
Firstly, the two main types of bicycle car racks are:
1. Roof mounted bike racks, for carrying your bikes on the roof of your car, and
2. Rear mounted bike racks including hitch, bumper and trunk mounted, for carrying your bikes on the rear of your vehicle.
If your car has roof racks, you might consider a roof mounted bike rack. These racks fit onto your existing roof racks allowing you to carry up to three bikes on the roof of your car. With roof mounted bike racks, you have the option of a rack that secures the wheels of your bike in place, or a rack that secures the front forks and rear wheel of your bike.
The advantages of roof mounted bike racks include no loss of visibility. However, you need to load your bike onto the roof so a roof mounted bike rack may not be for everybody, or every car. Also, you may need to factor in the extra wind resistance, especially if you're taking your bikes on long trips.
Rear mounted bike racks can be mounted onto your tow hitch, trunk, rear bumper or your spare wheel depending on your vehicle. Some of these are secured using straps which won't appeal to everybody, while the hitch mounted racks offer a greater level of security. You can generally hold up to three bikes on these rear mounted racks, depending on the type. The advantages of rear mounted racks are that you don't need roof racks, your bikes are easier to load and unload and it can be a cheaper alternative. One disadvantage is that your rear visibility is usually reduced.
When it comes to transporting your bikes, you can find a bike rack to suit your bike, your vehicle and your own needs. Now there's no excuse for not getting out there on your bike. Wherever it is you love to ride.
