HOW TO CHOOSE THE PERFECT BIKE RACK

Whether you enjoy cycling at your summer cottage or mountain biking in the hills, chances are you’ll need a bike rack to transport your gear. So how do you know what kind to choose? Here’s some advice.

Styles of bike racks

There are two main styles of bike racks, depending on how they attach to your vehicle:

• • Hanging
  
  This type of bike rack allows you to hang your bicycle on a bar (or bars) that extend outward from the rack unit. They’re used on rear-mounted racks, spare tire racks and hitch-mounted racks.


• • Tray
  
  Tray-style bike racks hold bikes upright. You can install them on the roof of your car or on a trailer hitch. The rack holds the bike in place with an arm that attaches to the frame or to the front wheel.

There are pros and cons to both styles, and the right one for you will depend on a number of factors.

Roof racks

Transporting bikes on the roof of your car requires you to have a roof rack bar system. They’re inexpensive and easy to install. However, your vehicle’s height increases considerably when the bicycle is on top of the vehicle. This increases your chances of hitting the top of a garage door or the low-hanging branches of trees.

Smaller, lower-to-the-ground vehicles are more suited to roof rack configurations. However, people who are short may find it difficult to mount and remove their bikes from a roof rack, especially if it’s set up on an SUV or van.

Hitch racks

A hitch rack requires you to have a rear trailer hitch. Hanging style hitch racks are lighter and give you more ground clearance than tray style hitches. Engineers have designed them to swing out of the way so you can access the rear of your vehicle.

Tray-style hitch racks, on the other hand, are heavier than hanging-style hitch racks and will better protect your bikes. However, because they sit low to the ground, they may not be a good fit for rugged terrain.

Rear racks

Another type of bike rack to consider is a rear rack. These are the least expensive option and can be installed on any type of vehicle. However, they make it hard to access the trunk. They also don’t prevent your bicycles from swinging into each other while driving.

Bike rack experts in the GTA

At Hitch City, our experts can help you choose a bike rack that’s well suited to your vehicle and your needs. Contact us today to learn more, or visit us at our Barrie, Scarborough or Mississauga location.