Which Is The Best Bike Rack?

With the growing popularity of bicycling, the challenge is how to transport your bike to your desired location safely.

Whether a road bike or a mountain bike, having the necessary means to transport your favorite bike safely is essential.

The question is, are they worth the cost? With some disassembly, most bicycles can fit into most vehicles; even big downhill mountain bikes can fit into the trunk of a small sedan.

To answer the question, bike racks offer convenience and are worth the cost by making traveling with your bike from point A to point B with ease.

They will save you stress and time when heading out for your next riding adventure, allowing you to focus on enjoying the journey ahead rather than worrying about your bike or any damage caused to your vehicle’s interior from loading and unloading the bike.

Bike racks are typically not a one size fits all application—the type of bike rack right for you will depend on many variables and your vehicle type.

Let’s look at the different options for bike racks to determine which one is best for you.

 

Type Of Bike Rack

Trunk Mount Racks

Trunk mount racks are typically the most cost-effective system. Its simplistic design works with most vehicles and can carry multiple bikes.

They are designed to fit securely on the back of your vehicle and offer easy accessibility.

 

Pros: these racks are great for the recreational cyclist. They are universal and can be adjusted to fit most vehicles. They are lightweight and easy to store when not in use. With enough practice, you should have no problem installing and uninstalling a trunk mount rack.

Cons: If you intend to transport multiple bikes, trunk mount racks are limited in load capacity (typically only two to three bicycles). Furthermore, once the trunk rack is mounted, it may interfere with trunk access.

Trunk mount racks designed to carry four or more bikes can be heavy, and your vehicle may experience sway when fully loaded.

 

Roof Racks For Bike

Roof racks are a versatile way to transport your favorite bikes safely; as long as you don’t mind lifting your bikes, larger vehicles can hold multiple bikes. They are an excellent choice for serious cyclers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can also install our Hamer Classic Roof Rack, Lunar Roof Rack, or Solar Roof Rack on the roof of your 4WD vehicle. For security, we recommend the locking feature, this system will help deter theft and ensure peace and mind; giving you the freedom to enjoy the journey ahead.

Pros: 

Roof racks do not impede access to the vehicle’s trunk or interior. They are incredibly versatile and can be used for various gear, such as skis and snowboards. Unlike trunk mount racks, most roof racks offer a locking system to deter theft. Furthermore, once properly secured, the bikes won’t move or sway.

Cons: 

Lifting bikes are required; if you have a taller vehicle or need help with heavy lifting, there may be better options than roof mount racks. Furthermore, roof racks are not easily removed and often require multiple tools. Roof racks can cause noticeable wind noise and drag, negatively affecting your vehicle’s gas mileage. This can be a problem during off seasons when you no longer need it.

It is essential to keep in mind that your vehicle clearance will change when transporting bikes on top of your roof. Be cautious of low-clearance areas such as parking garages.

 

Pickup Truck Racks

There is no doubt that trucks are tough, but just laying your bikes down in the back of your truck can cause damage to your bikes and the bed of your truck.

Whether you are going for a short trip or embarking on a long adventure, a truck bike rack will ensure safe and reliable transport.

Truck bed racks utilize the hauling capabilities your truck already has; simply install the bike rack onto the back of your truck and have the peace and mind that your bikes are secured and safe.

There are three main types of truck bike racks: wheel-mounted, fork-mounted, and tailgate pads. Each system has its advantages and drawbacks.

 

Wheel-mounted Racks

Wheel-mounted racks are reliable and save time from the hassle of disconnecting your bike’s front wheel. 

Fork-mounted Bike Racks

Fork-mounted bike racks require removing the front tire but provide excellent stability while in transit. You can 

Tailgate Pads

Tailgate pads utilize padded cushions that prevent the bike’s frame from rubbing against other components of your truck. 

For trucks with Hamer roller lids, Hamer products offer a versatile cross bar system.

Bed Cover Racks

Bed cover rack are designed to work in conjunction with their industry-leading roller lid and features a secured locking system to help deter theft. Our Hamer Cross bar is the best option for Trucks with bed covers you can find.

The cross bar is fully adjustable, made from high-quality aluminum, weighs only 5 kilograms, and has a load capacity of up to 120 kilograms.

 

Additional Tire Racks That You Might Need For The Bike Trip

The rough road conditions might pose a big problem for your 4WD tires during the bike trip. It is advisable to carry one or more spare tires in the trunk, in case of any unforeseen circumstances. Hamer has the perfect tire racks to lock the spare tire in the 4×4 trunk in both the vertical and flat position. This way, you will still have space to add a roof rack or cross bar to transport your bikes

Spare Tire Mount Racks

For vehicles such as sport-utility or off-road vehicles with a spare tire mounted on the rear, these racks are designed to attach directly to the spare tire mount.

Pros: Installation is quick, and unlike roof-mount racks, they are not permanently affixed to the vehicle, making mounting and unmounting easy with very few tools required.

Cons: These racks are usually limited to holding a maximum of two bikes. Furthermore, with the rack mounted to your spare tire, your vehicle clearance length will increase, so be aware and be extra cautious when backing up or maneuvering in tight spaces.

 

 

Buying Bike Rack Tips

Before purchasing, you should consider your specific needs: Such as how many bikes you intend to transport and what type of bikes you have.

If you have to leave your bikes unintended, consider a bike rack with a locking mechanism to provide security and peace of mind. 

Conclusion

Now that you figured out what type of bike rack is best for you, its now time to find a reputable brand.

In a competitive market, bike rack manufacturers offer different levels of features, quality of craftsmanship, and product price points.

My recommendation is Hamer products; they offer high-quality products at affordable prices. 

You are now ready for your next bike adventure; as always, have fun, be safe and follow us on Facebook to get the latest promotions at: Hamer4x4.