Many motorists prefer to completely surrender to cycling, only being out of town. This option allows you to freely ride in safe conditions. In this case, you do not have to avoid reckless drivers or pay attention to restrictions on movement.
To ensure the delivery of the bike to the destination in full safety, special roof racks for the bicycle allow.
Types
Currently, the following options are available to motorists:
- bike racks on the roof of the car;
- structures for fixing the bike in the area of the rear door of a four-wheeled vehicle;
- bicycle racks on a turnbuckle.
Each of these solutions has its advantages and disadvantages, which are worth discussing in more detail.
Car roof racks for bicycles
One of the most common and relatively cheap devices for transporting two-wheeled vehicles. A roof rack bike carrier for 2 bicycles can be used. Some models allow reliable fixation and transportation of 4 bikes at the same time.
What are the advantages of a bike carrier on a car roof? Reviews of motorists who already have experience in operating such products, allow to highlight:
- affordable cost;
- ease of handling;
- low exposure to pollution.
Among the disadvantages that differ on the roof racks of a car for a bicycle are the inconvenience of loading bikes for stunted people, the deterioration of aerodynamic performance during movement, and the need for special rails to secure the structure.
Rear door mounts
If bike racks on the roof of the car need to install additional fasteners, then the design on the rear door is more practical. They are suitable for installation on almost any vehicle, from station wagons to hatchbacks. Moreover, it is quite possible to carry up to three bicycles on such trunks.
The main advantages of this solution are reduced air resistance when driving, the convenience of loading bikes. The only drawback is the reduced visibility in the rearview mirror.
Luggage carrier on a turnbuckle
This option is convenient, first of all, for owners of sedans. A similar solution is also indispensable when it is absolutely necessary to place things on the roof of the car.
Luggage carriers for transporting bicycles on a tow bar are convenient for loading. Another advantage here is the presence of marker lights, stops and turns. As for the drawbacks of the luggage racks on the hitch, then these can be attributed a high cost.
Do-it-yourself bike carrier on the roof of the car
If desired, the availability of funds and materials with one's own hand to make a bicycle carrier is not so difficult. Let's look at how to assemble a structure for transporting a bike on the roof of a car.
To make a bike carrier you will need the following:
- metallic profile;
- strong tubes (it is recommended to give preference to steel products);
- thin sheet metal;
- fasteners;
- paints and varnishes for the final processing of the structure;
- welding machine;
- tools for working on metal.
To begin with, the metal profile is bent in the shape of the letter "P". The vise allows you to cope with the task. Then the edges of the tubes are flattened. In crumpled places with a metal drill holes are made for fasteners.
At the next stage, a pair of recesses is cut out in the prepared profile, where the bicycle wheels will subsequently be placed.
Upon completion of the above work, you can proceed directly to the installation of the trunk. A pre-curved sheet of metal is screwed with fasteners to the luggage structure of the car. A profile is laid on top, after which tubes with flattened ends are screwed at an angle of 60 ° in the direction of the hood. The latter will keep the bike stationary.
The above recommendations allow you to make quite decent roof racks for a bicycle, which will become a reliable means of transporting a bike.
Operation tips
When transporting a bicycle in a specialized car trunk, you should take care of maintaining the appearance of a two-wheeled vehicle. Therefore, it is recommended to first place the bike in a special cover. In the absence of the latter, it is worth at least covering the chain, which will protect the mechanism from contamination.
It is advisable not to leave the bike fixed on the trunk during stops during transportation. Removing it from the mounts is quite simple. Even the most proven systems are not able to protect against such cases.
When transporting a bicycle, it is advisable to comply with speed limits, avoid sudden acceleration and braking. Riding at an impressive speed creates an additional load on the mounts and increases the likelihood of damage.
If the bike is mounted on the towbar of a car, you should be careful when parking and moving backwards.
Finally
Which luggage carrier for transporting a bicycle to give preference is the business of each individual motorist. Couples with children should consider buying a structure that is installed on the roof. When choosing the option of placing the bike on the fasteners in the area of the rear door, there will be enough space left in the reserve for laying the remaining cargo on the upper trunk. The same applies to installing a bicycle on a tow bar.