How to Mount a Bike Rack Securely

So, your buddy finally convinced you to join him on that trail to Yosemite. You have everything ready- booked some vacation days, sent your wife and the kids to grandma's farm, and prepared your bike. But now, how the heck does that fit into your car? Think twice: you don't have to squeeze your bike into the cabin, twist its handle bar around, and break some wires. Or ruin your car's interior with oily chains and muddy tires. With a bike rack, you'll be able to store your bikes both conveniently and securely throughout the ride.

How does that work? Bike racks can be mounted onto your vehicle in different ways. Solutions that let the bike ride above you are perfect for sedans. The Yakima bike rack can be mounted on your vehicle's roof and makes sure your bikes stay ahead of the traffic. That's not only economical, it gives your vehicle a cool and vibrant look. Plus, the durable bomber steel should ease your worries about a bike flying-off once you hit a bump.

There are other ways to keep your bike with you, though. Perfect for SUVs or Vans, a Thule bike rack sits on your hitch and stores up to four bikes. They held securely position while you drive, so they won't rub against each other. The arms are even narrow enough to work with odd-shaped frames, so go ahead and hook that beach cruiser up there.

In whatever way you decide to transport your bikes - make sure to have them fixed and mounted on properly. You don't want your bike to end up as a twisted piece of metal on the freeway, and you definitely don't want to pay the other guy compensation for ruining his car. But if you keep the following steps in mind, you should be able to use your bike rack to the fullest:

• Install the bike rack onto your vehicle with close attention to the manual
• Verify that all steel parts are consolidated
• Mount a bicycle in the way it's described
• Make the 'joggle' test and go over some crazy dips and bumps
• If your bike's still there, you've done your job!

If it is installed safely, a bike rack is a convenient way to get your bikes where you want them to be, without actually riding them. Plus, you'd make your buddy happy and save both of your cars' interiors for the kids. Have a safe trip!