{"id":9774,"date":"2022-09-07T14:21:53","date_gmt":"2022-09-07T18:21:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/brooklynfixedgear.com\/?p=9774"},"modified":"2024-02-05T22:41:17","modified_gmt":"2024-02-06T03:41:17","slug":"best-rooftop-car-bike-racks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/brooklynfixedgear.com\/accessories-and-apparel\/best-rooftop-car-bike-racks\/","title":{"rendered":"The 3 Best Rooftop Car Bike Racks: Which Is Right for You?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Are you looking for the best bike car racks that can transport your bikes safely and conveniently? Then you’re in luck!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article is specifically designed to help you find the best rooftop bike car rack<\/strong> for your needs. We’ll discuss the different types of racks, their features and benefits, and which one is right for you. Below are just three of my featured favorites. Scroll further down to see my full roundup, or<\/strong> click here<\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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What is a bike car rack?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A bike car rack is a mounting system that allows you to securely mount your bike to your vehicle using hooks and loops. This makes it easier to transport your bike, and most come with anti-theft features. Bike racks can be attached to the inside or outside of your vehicle, so they are perfect for any use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does a bike car rack work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A bike car rack is a system that attaches your bike to the back of your car using special hooks and loops. The bike rack can be installed in just minutes, so it’s perfect for those who want convenience and flexibility when traveling. Some racks even feature suction cups, so you don’t have to install anything on your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bike Car Rack hooks attach securely to door handles or similar fittings on your vehicle, while the straps keep your bike stable even during high-speed traffic. You can also adjust the height of the bike car rack to accommodate different bike sizes or frame types<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the benefits of a quality bike rack? (advantages)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Upgrading to a high-quality bike car rack can be an easy way to enhance your family’s trips to the mountains. And there are many benefits to having a bike car rack installed on your vehicle. Some of the benefits include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Increase safety<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having a quality bike car rack installed will increase your safety when driving because a poor rack can be flimsy and detach while driving, causing accidents. So make sure to get a good-quality car bike rack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Increased storage <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having a bike car rack installed can significantly increase the storage space inside your vehicle. This is great if you have a lot of bikes and need a convenient place to store them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Reduced clutter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Having a bike car rack installed can reduce the amount of clutter in your car. Not only will this make the interior of your car more organized, but it will also make it easier to see and get to things inside your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What are the different types of bike car racks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are a few different bike car racks, each with its benefits and drawbacks. Before making a purchase, it’s important to understand what you’re looking for and what will work best for your needs. Here are a few of the most popular types of bike car racks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The roof-rack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This type of rack is usually the most expensive, but it offers the widest range of options and is the easiest to install. However, it is also the heaviest and requires the most space, so it’s not ideal if you only have a limited amount of space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The trunk-rack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This type of rack is typically less expensive than the roof rack, but it doesn’t offer as many options or installation options. It also weighs less, but it may not be as sturdy or safe if your car is heavy enough to buckle under its weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The front-mounted rack<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This type of rack is the lightest and easiest to install, but it doesn’t offer as many options or storage space as the other two types. It’s also not as sturdy when driving in bumpy conditions or loading and unloading your bike frequently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What to consider when buying a bike car rack (things to look for)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Choosing a bike car rack with the right features for you can be daunting, so here are the most important things you should consider when choosing a bike car rack. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Hitch rack design<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before purchasing a bike rack, you must determine the size of your vehicle’s hitch. Most smaller cars have a 1.25-inch hitch, while larger vehicles have a two-inch hitch. Two-inch hitches are preferable to 1.25-inch hitches because they provide more rack options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Capacity and expansion<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Growing families should consider purchasing a rack that can be expanded to meet their future needs. Also, regardless of receiver size, most hitch racks have a maximum capacity of four bikes. If you need to transport more than four bikes, vertical hanging racks are your best bet because they are the only five-plus racks that work with children’s bikes. If you plan on hauling a 12\u2032\u2032, 14\u2032\u2032, or 16\u2032\u2032 bikes, they will not fit in a tray-based system (except 1-UP), but they may fit in a hanging system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For those who prefer the convenience of a tray-based system, 12-inch and 16-inch bikes are usually fairly easy to throw into, unfortunately, someone. Unfortunately, some tray-based systems are incompatible with 20-inch bikes as well. On the other hand, most tray-based systems are expandable, with a standard capacity of two bikes that can be expanded to hold up to four bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Wheel and tire dimensions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost all racks can accommodate 24\u2032\u2032 and larger bikes, but smaller kids’ bikes, fat bikes, and bikes aren’t as universally compatible. Platform Hitch Racks: Platform hitch racks are best suited for bikes with 24 inches or larger wheels<\/a>, though some racks have 20-inch bike adapters. The 1-up is the only platform rack that can accommodate a 16-inch bike.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most platform racks come standard with fat tire trays or have fat tire trays as an option. Vertical Hanging Racks: With a lower weight limit, you’ll have to be more cautious when transporting heavy bikes, kids, or adults! While the fat tires won’t be used because you’re hanging the bike by the frame, make sure it’s not too heavy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While most hanging racks can accommodate 20\u2032\u2032 or larger kids’ bikes, Allen racks are the best option if you need to transport a 16\u2032\u2032 bike. Hitch Racks, Vertical: Wheel size compatibility highly depends on the manufacturer. Some brands can transport 12-inch bikes, while others can only transport 24-inch bikes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Ground Clearance Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Platform racks have the significant advantage of carrying bikes at a fixed distance from the ground, regardless of the size of your bike<\/a>. In addition, you won’t have to worry about ground clearance with a platform rack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanging and vertical hitch racks suspend your bikes, so larger or longer bikes will hang lower to the ground than smaller bikes. As a result, the bikes may hang too low to the ground\u2014there should always be at least 12\u2032\u2032 of space between the lowest rear tire and the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have a vehicle with a low hitch, a horizontal hanging hitch rack is much more likely to cause ground clearance issues than a vertical rack (like in sedans or minivans). Please read our reviews of individual racks for more information on these issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Vehicle compatibility?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The first and most important factor to consider when selecting the best bike rack for your needs is compatibility with your vehicle. To do so, you must first understand how each bike rack works. We’ve explained how each section above works in detail, but a quick run-through is as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roof-mounted bike racks attach to your car’s roof bars, which you may need to purchase if you don’t already have them. Almost all cars will allow this, but you must ensure that you get ones that are compatible with your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hitch-mounted bike racks require that your vehicle be equipped with a tow ball\/hitch. If your vehicle lacks one, you can have one installed; however, this will come at a cost, so first consider whether it is a better value than another type of bike rack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Trunk\/boot-mounted bike racks use straps and clips to attach to the back of your car and are usually secured with a ratchet mechanism. These are available in various configurations compatible with saloon and hatchback vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Are your bikes compatible?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The next question is whether it will fit your bike. The answers to these questions depend on the bike and rack you have in mind. Roof-mounted racks typically hold one or both wheels in a groove and wrap a strap around the wheel to keep it in place. Check the width and strap length if riding a bike with fat tires or deep rims<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some people then clamp a brace bar to the down tube of their bike. This is an area to inspect if you ride a bike with deep or thick tube shapes. Others remove a wheel and bolt the bike using the axle, so if you choose one of these, ensure the corresponding axle on your bike is compatible with the rack. The same is true for hitch racks and the groove into which you fit your wheel, so make sure they’re compatible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And trunk or boot-mounted bike racks usually suspend your bike from the top tube, which can be difficult if you’re riding a mountain bike with full suspension or a hybrid bike with a step-through frame, as the bike will be suspended at a potentially insecure angle. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check the width between the two braces as well, because if you’re transporting both adult’s and children’s bikes, you’ll need to strike a balance between being wide enough for stability and narrow enough to fit through the small frame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Consider the weight of all the bikes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Finally, every type of rack has a weight limit, so if you’re transporting an e-bike, double-check the combined weight of your bike to make sure it doesn’t exceed the limit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For even more tips, check out this video: TOP 5: Best Bike Rack for Car 2021 | Perfect for SUVs, Sedans, and Other Cars<\/em> from the SteMir ReViews YouTube Channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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