Bike racks for cars
Bike racks for cars
have become a more common sight throughout the UK over the past few years as
more people have started getting into outdoor pursuits. Here we'll have
a look at some of the more common bike carriers for cars. There are three main types of bicycle rack - the roof mounted bike rack, the towbar mounted bike rack and the boot mounted bike rack.
1. The roof mounted bike carrier is
a device which attaches onto the roof bars on the roof of your car and
secures your bike in place. This is often a good option if you're just
carrying one bike or if you want to carry a bike along with some other
equipment such as a surfboard or kayak. The bike carrier
attaches to the bike at both wheels and on the frame of the bike,
providing a very firm, secure way of carrying the bike. The main danger
with this system is that you must obviously not forget that the bike is
on the roof when driving under a bridge or underground carpark! These roof-mounted bike carriers
are designed to fit all wheel dimensions, are designed to suit all
standard roof bars andallow the bike to be fitted on either side of the
roof.
2. The towbar mounted
bike carrier is the best piece of kit if you are carrying multiple
bikes and if you are going to be doing it pretty regularily. This bike carrier sits
over the tow bar and locks down securely on it. The bikes then site
onto the carrier and are attached on at the wheels (some devices) and
at the frame (all devices), providing a secure, firm grip. Depending on
the brand, tow-bar mounted bike racks
can carry up to four bikes at any one time. They are ideal for families
who are holidaying with the car. This carrier device also allows access
to the boot, as it tilts forward (even with the bikes on it) to allow
you to access your items in the boot of the car. It is suitable for all
vehicles that have a tow bar, apart from some 4x4s which have the spare
wheel on the rear.
3. Another option for carrying bikes on a car is the boot mounted bicycle carrier.
This is a strap-based system that is geared mostly towards hatchback or
saloon cars which have a sloped boot / rear. These bike racks attach
onto the rear of the car by way of a series of straps that run on the
inside of the boot and tighten up. They can facilitate up to 3 bikes at
any one time and are a good option for motorists without a tow bar or roof rack.
They also work out the cheapest option. However they are not as easy to
fit as the other two options. It's a great economic alternative for
mainly saloon and hatchback cars. If your
car has no towbar, this is the perfect cycle carrier that can easily be
mounted at the rear of the car. It has sturdy straps for securing the
bikes.
