Basics To Buying Bicycle Car Racks

You should have a bicycle car rack because terrific bicycling areas are always not within easy cycling distance. Carrying your bicycle on your vehicle is an excellent means to spread out your bicycling escapades. This makes it very easy to discover traffic-free streets, impressive trails or take your bicycle with you on vacations.

If you do drive regularly to bike, then you will be pleased to know about how recent bicycle car rack innovations have made transporting your bikes much easier for you.

Not all cars are can fit all kinds of bicycle car racks, which is why it is very important to buy the right bicycle car rack to fit your car as well as your needs.

Things to consider when buying a bicycle car rack:

o Your vehicle model. Generally, you can not find a bicycle car rack that will match or install two cars; therefore, if you possess two or more cars, choose the one car that you will most likely use.

o Your car load. Will you possibly be carrying 3 or 4 bicycles in the near future? How many family members are there, who are or will be joining you on your biking adventures? If you need to carry more bikes than you presently do, make certain to choose a bicycle car rack model with carry-load that is more flexible.

o Positioning of the bicycle car rack. Depending upon the model and make of your car, there are many bicycle car racks that can suit your needs several of these add more access or functionality to your vehicle.

o Durability. Spend your dollars based on primarily how long will you be using it or you require it to stay with you; good quality bicycle car racks can last up to several years, however if you need it only for a very rare trips, just buy the lower priced variety.

Familiarize yourself with your bicycle car rack choices:

1. Roof mounted bicycle racks. If positioned securely, roof mounted bike racks will carry a minimum 4 bicycles and can even accommodate more reliant on your car type.

This type of rack also can provide a utility for fastening a "roof-box" that can hold your sports equipment, luggage, and bicycles under cover, preventing bicycle damage with the clamped, upright position.

This type of bike rack is slightly expensive because of the benefits it brings and you may need to utilize a tiny ladder in order to get your bicycles on and off from it.

2. Front bumper racks. These bike car racks are normally not recommended and only are suitable for cars with a "high-front end".

If positioned excessively high, these types of racks can get in the way with the driver's vision. Take note that you need to confirm that these are accepted in your state, because in some locales, they are considered illegal.

3. Rear bicycle car racks. These are the most commonly used of all forms of bicycle car racks. Normally, you can carry 3 bicycles and it is attached with the use of metal hooks and straps.

As bicycles are usually carried very closely together, using "foam pipe-insulator" that this type of rack features as protective cover is recommended.

4. Tow ball bicycle mount. This type can carry up to 5 bicycles and is generally set up with a "square mounting post" placed into a "square pipe" attached to your car's underside rear that tilt down if empty to permit for rear doors and tailgates.

5. "Rear ball-hitch" bike racks. This type of set-up usually can only accommodate a 2 bikes maximum due to limitations in weight and generally clamps against or bolt through the "hitch-ball" mounting outlet on the vehicles hitch tongue or bumper.

6. "Sports car interior". If your car has enough room for it, this type is much safer and cheaper option as thieves have fewer chances of getting or stealing your bike or its parts.

You can buy brackets to make sure your bicycles does not move or swing around while inside your car.

Now that are well informed with the basics of buying a bicycle car rack, all you need to do next is to find a dependable dealership and ask recommendations or find the best bicycle car rack deals online.

By Lee Dobbins

Getting the Best Price On Your Car Bicycle Rack

A car bicycle rack that is discounted or on sale can be a great treasure to find. New bikers may think that a car bicycle rack is not needed, but they will quickly find that this one piece of equipment can be as important as the bicycle itself. If you cannot get your bike to different locations to ride, then you may find that you will not bike as often. By purchasing a car bicycle rack, you will be able to ride anywhere you choose.

Boredom is the most common reason that people give up a particular type of exercise. If you are riding the same path every day, then you may find that this routine becomes humdrum and boring. By purchasing a car bicycle carrier, you will have the option of riding any number of bike paths in your area and in surrounding areas to help decrease the boredom quotient.

The great thing is that this equipment doesn't have to be very expensive. By checking the sales ads in local papers and on the Internet, you may be able to find a car bicycle rack that easily fits your budget. All you need to do is bide your time until you find one that will work for you and your billfold.

When you are starting a new sport, buying equipment can sometimes be very costly. By watching sales and ads in the paper, you will find that you can find a very good price on equipment. You only have to be willing to wait until you can find equipment that you need.

Finding a car bicycle rack on sale may take a few weeks, especially if you want one that is high quality. A high quality car bicycle rack will save you money in the long run, however, because it will be more durable than an inferior one that may cost a few dollars less.

It is quite irritating when you buy an item and they see it on sale or discounted at another store the next day. You can return it to the first store, if you haven't put it on your automobile yet, but if you had simply looked around before making your purchase, then you could have save yourself time, money, and irritation. That is why it is so important to do your research first before shelling out any money.

The internet is a great resource for finding prices for car bicycle racks. It can be done anytime of the night or day and you do not have to leave your house to price check. Make sure that you also read the ads in the newspaper, both personal and sales ads and see if your neighborhood bike shop has a mailing list. All of these are ways to find the right price for your car bicycle rack.

If you do your research, you can save yourself money on your car bicycle rack. Then you can use that money for other equipment or for a bicycle tour. Doesn't that sound like a plan?

By Alastair Hamilton

Bicycle Hitch Rack

Bicycle Hitch Rack - Why You Need One

The bicycle can be tied to a car via two methods- either on the roof, or at the back of the car. The problem with getting a roof mounted rack is that cars are inevitably getting taller, making both ergonomically and logistically challenging to haul a whole bike over the car. On the other hand, such issues become void when one decides to strap the bicycle on to the back of their car.

Hitch Rack vs. Roof Rack

The bicycle hitch rack is generally designed to be positioned at low levels, with the maximum height being at the shoulder height of an adult. Another great thing about having your bike attached all the way at the back of your car is that it minimizes the risk of your bike getting damaged with pebbles and debris as you travel along the road.

Speaking of driving, it would actually be so much more aerodynamic to travel with your bicycle at the back as opposed to the top of your car so that means that using a bicycle rack will also improve your gas mileage. There have been several well-documented cases that involve drivers getting into mishaps due to the very fact that they had a bicycle on their car roof. These accidents happen when said unlucky bike is damaged as the driver passes by low ceiling areas while forgetting about the presence of their bicycle perched on top of the car.

Choosing Your Bicycle Rack

So now that you understand the importance of the bicycle hitch rack, it is also vital to understand your many options before you purchase one. Bicycle hitch racks come with the option of either 2 or 1.25 inch hitch receivers. These racks can usually transport more than one bicycle at any given time as well. Currently, there exist hitch racks that allow the user to strap down a maximum of five bicycles simultaneously while still allowing ample access to the car boot.

Incidentally, some racks are bolted to the car whereas other hitch racks are capable of swinging away from the car boot. Either way, a decent bicycle hitch rack should not deter you from gaining access to the rear side of your car. Other manufacturers have even come up with the design that allows the bicycle hitch rack to be easily removed from the car to be then used as a bike rack to store your bikes as home.

By Freddy R. Johnson

Bicycle Racks Options

Choosing a Bike Rack - Simple Options

If you are a bicycle enthusiast then you have had to deal with the issue of being able to transport your bike. Maybe you've managed to get it into your back seat only to be left with a little extra dirt and grease that you didn't expect. The practical solution to the issue of transporting your bike is to purchase a bike rack. This is one accessory that you won't know how you ever lived without. A bicycle rack can be found in a variety of shapes and sizes with different mounts to best fit your car and lifestyle.

Before you begin shopping for a bike rack you'll need to determine how many bikes you want to carry. You can purchase a bicycle rack for just one bike or one that can hold up to four. If you only need to worry about one, then the choices will be pretty easy as the rack can be one of the smaller sizes. But if you are going to carry four then you'll have to pay special consideration to the size of the rack and how it will be mounted on your car. These racks can be mounted on the roof, trunk or a trailer hitch. You want it to be sturdy and not allow your bike to move while you are traveling.

The roof mount bike rack is very popular because it is out of the way and won't block any of your vision when you are driving. This rack is usually professionally installed. You'll want to make sure that you are capable of lifting the bike up onto the roof as well as taking it down. The trunk mount is much easier to use as well as less expensive than the other types. They attach with straps and hooks and can be taken off easily when you don't need to use it.

The trailer hitch bike rack is definitely the sturdiest and the best choice for someone who wants to carry multiple bikes. You'll need a trailer hitch attached to your car. Of course you won't be able to haul a trailer at the same time but you will be able to use your trunk. Once you have decided on the best type of bicycle rack to fit your lifestyle you can purchase the simple ones at discount centers or more specialized at bike stores. The widest variety of all types as well as competitive prices can be found online. Remember safety and always place a red flag on your bikes when you travel.

By Ken Geers

Recreational Vehicle Bike Racks

Recreational Vehicle Bike Racks - 3 Ways to Safely Transport Your Bikes

Bicycles are a great way to get around and explore once you arrive at your destination with your travel trailer. The problem is, most travel trailers have little additional room to store bicycles. So how do you transport your bikes safely and without damaging them or travel trailer? Easy. By mounting a bike rack on your RV.

Once we have decided that mounting a bicycle rack on your RV is a great idea, we need to decide where. The two best places to mount a bike rack are at the front of the travel trailer (on the tongue), or at the rear of the trailer (on the frame). Why not mount the bike rack on the travel trailer's bumper or ladder? Simple, most travel trailer bumpers are not designed for the additional weight of bike racks and bikes. The constant bouncing and jostling around during travel can and will weaken welds causing them to pull apart. In addition, the bikes close proximity to the real wall of the travel trailer can cause damage to both the travel trailer and the bicycles.

Here are several ways to safely mount a bicycle rack on your travel trailer no matter which location you choose.

Frame-mount bolt-on receiver

A frame-mount bolt-on receiver is an adjustable receiver that simply bolts onto the RV's frame. Since it is adjustable, it can accommodate many most frames and is much stronger than those mounted on the bumper. Installation is mostly dependent on how the RV manufacturer mounted the rear bumper. An under-the-bumper mount is the most common but you'll have to make sure there is enough ground clearance. Most hitch manufacturers offer a frame mounted receiver. You can carry two bicycles safely with this set up and not have to worry about damage.

Semi-custom Welded Receiver

By far the strongest and better of all the options is the weld-on receiver. It is permanent and you can safely transport more than two bicycles. You'll need to determine how much you'll need to carry then ask your welder to build your hitch set up to accommodate that weight. He will probably beef up the frame area with a reinforcement plate, usually at the attachment points. Or he may even replace your travel trailer's bumper completely. With this set up, you will have a very strong receiver to mount your bicycle rack. This type of semi custom fabrication will be more expensive but if you plan on taking your bicycles with you everywhere, this is the way to go.

Tongue-mount:

This bicycle rack is all one unit that you can either bolt on or weld to the frame area at the tongue of your travel trailer. With this carrier, the two bicycles can safely be carried on top of the propane tanks. Also, you'll be able to keep an eye on your bicycles through the tow vehicle's rear window while traveling down the road. There are a two things to keep in mind when using this set up though. If tongue weight concerns you, this location may not be suitable for you. Two bicycles and the carrier can add considerable weight on the tongue. The other issue is that since the bicycles are carried over the propane tanks, you'll need to lift them up there.

If none of these solutions to mount a bicycle rack to your travel trailer appeal to you, you can go a couple of other routes. If you have room in the back of your tow vehicle, you can just carry your bikes there. Better yet, you can mount a receiver hitch to the front of your tow vehicle. Remember, the best solution to adding a bicycle rack to your travel trailer is the one that makes your life easier. Enjoy the road.

Joe Ros has been involved with sales and marketing for over 20 years. Not only does he specialize in insurance, business development, and sales, you can check out his latest website on plastic storage sheds which also help people find great deals on Rubbermaid Storage Shed.

By Joseph Ros