One of the best ways to expand your experience with cycling is to take your bicycle with you somewhere out in the countryside.
It really is not that much fun when you’re always cycling on the busy streets of a city. The countryside offers a better view and you don’t have to worry about cars getting in the way of their experience all the time. However, there are some people who stay just within the city limits because they probably think it’s difficult to transport their bicycle.
If you don’t have the right gear, transporting bicycles can be a challenge. However, if you do have the right gear, it would be so easy to load your bike, buckle up, and drive.
Here’s some gear from reliable companies, such as Yakima, that you need in order to conveniently transport your bicycle using a car:
1. Bike Roof Rack
A roof rack is one of the most popular ways to transport a bicycle. There are pros and cons to using a bike roof rack. One of the good things about using a roof rack is the option of not needing to remove the wheels of your bike, especially the front wheel.
It takes so much work to unassemble your bicycle, to the extent that it discourages a lot of cyclists to go farther than where they usually go. Also, your trunk will have more space for other bike gear and other essential stuff, such as a bike helmet. Using a bike roof rack is very secure and safe for the bicycle.
On the other hand, if you choose a bike roof rack to transport your bicycle, you’ll have to avoid a low overhang or the bike will be damaged. Also, you may need assistance to get the bike on the roof rack.
2. Trunk Rack.
As the cheapest racks in the market, a trunk rack is best if you don’t want to shell out a lot of money. The trunk rack can be easily swapped between two cars. You can also take it out without a fuss if you’re not using it at the moment and simply put it back on when you do.
On the downside, when you use the trunk rack, you’ll have limited access to your trunk. If you need to get something from the trunk while you’re on the road, you may have to take out the rack in order to do that.
3. Bike Hitch.
A bike hitch is a good way of transporting your bicycle as it’s secure and can carry multiple bikes. It’s also great if you’re traveling with your family or friends. It can be installed and taken out easily. It can also be used for multiple cars. The bike hitch is durable, so it’s perfectly fine to use it frequently. It’s also easier to load bikes compared to when you use a roof rack.
Since a bike hitch is of good quality, expect it to be a little bit pricey compared to other racks, especially if you want to cop the full-featured unit. Also, expect the bike hitch to be a bit heavy as it’s designed to carry multiple bikes.
4. Towball Rack.
The towball rack is also great if you want to carry two to four bikes at a time. It can be easily mounted and removed. There are models that can be folded, so it doesn’t occupy a lot of space. You can simply store it in the trunk of your car if you’re not using it. It’s very secure and, most of the time, it comes with lights.
The towball rack has a simple click system when mounting it on the vehicle. Also, even after you have mounted your bikes, you can have access to the trunk of the car because it allows you to tilt the rack backward.
Conclusion:
Bike gear is great to have when you plan to travel long distances. When you’re choosing racks for your bikes, you need to choose one that has very good quality. Some racks that are not of good quality may be easily affected when there are bumps. This will scratch your car if any part of the bike comes in contact with it. This will eventually cost you hundreds or a few thousand dollars to have the car repaired.