Unfortunately, we can’t ride our bikes everywhere. Sometimes we have to transport our bikes from one place to another. In the old days, people would use hodgepodge methods to tie their bikes to vehicles for transport, but those days are long over! With the advent of back racks, it is now possible to transport your bikes safely and securely.
Bike racks come in
many different styles and uses. They also come in various prices. You need to
do a little investigation to see what fits your needs. You very well sped as
much as 300 dollars on a high-quality bike rack or pick up one really cheap at
bazaars or garage sales. The one you pick will depend on your needs. Be sure to
ask yourself the following questions.
1. What vehicle will be used?
You need to know
where the bike rack will be going. This is important because you need to know
how the rack will attach to your vehicle. Racks use different attachment
methods. You will have to choose one that fits your vehicle.
2. How many bikes will you need to
transport?
Do you transport one,
two or more bikes? If so, you will want to buy attachments that will allow more
than one bike rack.
3. Where do you want them to be
racked?
Consider whether
you want a roof, rear, or sport rack:
- Roof Racks These
racks are attached at the top of a vehicle
- Rear Racks These
racks attach to the rear of vehicle
- Sport Trailers
These are used to carry many bicycles
4. What shape are your bikes?
You must take into
consideration the size and shape of your bikes. If you are transporting smaller
wheeled urban bicycles will require different sized racks than larger wheeled
triathlon or mountain bikes.
5. Who will load the bicycles on
the rack?
It has to be
convenient for the loader. The easier the rack is to load unto the more
expensive the rack.
6. How strong should your rack be?
If you are loading
heavy bikes, you will need racks that can withstand the weight of the bike.
They have to be made of sturdy material. But the sturdier the material, the
pricier the rack.
7. Should it be lockable?
If you want added
security for your bikes you will want to purchase racks that support locks and
other security devices.
8. How often are you likely to use
the rack?
You need to know
how often you will use the rack so that you can purchase one that can withstand
the rigors of travel. If you will not use it often, you will not have to
purchase a heavy-duty, high price rack.
9. How much do you want to spend?
Ultimately,
everything boils down to your budget. If you can’t afford it, even if you need
it, it will have to wait. But don’t be afraid to save up if the cheaper
alternatives do not match up to your needs. Try to find a rack that has only
the features you need. If it has bells and whistles you don’t need, don't buy
it right away. It's fine to take into consideration features and functionality
that you might need in the future, for example.
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