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Consider the number of bikes you need to carry when choosing a bike rack. They come in different sizes and can be roof-mounted, trunk-mounted, or attached to a trailer hitch. Shop around for the best price and warranty.
The first consideration when buying a bike rack should be the number of bikes you will need to carry. Racks come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Common sizes can be designed to carry as little as one bike or as many as four. Consider how many bikes you will need to support your rack, keeping in mind the possibility of adding more bikes in the future. Also keep in mind that if one rack isn’t enough to hold all of your bikes, you may be able to outfit your vehicle with two.
Next, you will need to think about where you want to place the bike rack on your vehicle. It can be roof-mounted, attached to the trunk or tailgate, or mounted to a trailer hitch. Where you put your shelf is an important consideration.
Rooftop bike racks have the advantage of being out of the way. You won’t have to worry about bikes getting into your line of sight or blocking access to the trunk. The downside to a ceiling-mounted rack is that they often need to be professionally installed, and bikes on the rack are more difficult to store and retrieve.
Trunk or rear mounted bike racks are easier to use and can be relatively inexpensive. You can buy one at a bike shop or stores like Target, Walmart, and K-Mart. They are easy to attach with straps and hooks to your car, so they can be removed when not in use. Negative aspects of a trunk-mounted rack include difficulty accessing the trunk or rear of the vehicle and less durable construction. Because they rely on fabric straps and less sturdy metal and plastic parts than permanent bike racks, they’re more susceptible to damage and theft.
A bike rack attached to the trailer hitch will likely be a sturdy metal construction and can often hold up to four bikes. Of course, your vehicle must have a trailer hitch in order to use one of these, and while the rack is in use, you won’t be able to tow a trailer. These types of racks tend to be fairly sturdy, which is good for durability, but makes them more difficult to attach, detach, and store when not in use.
As with all purchases, you’ll want to shop around for the best price and see if your dealer offers package deals, assembly instructions, or product warranties. Adding a bike rack to your vehicle is a great way to take your bikes with you wherever you go. Find the right product, securely connect your bikes, and hit the open road. Just don’t forget to avoid low bridges and be very careful when backing up.
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