Which bike rack is right for my vehicle?
When selecting a bike rack for your vehicle, think a lot about how you'll use it. Consider the following questions:
Hitch mount bike racks are sturdy chips off the ol' steel block that can handle a number of bikes. Spare tire bike racks make an excellent use of otherwise dead space. Trunk mount bike racks remove and collapse in seconds for complete convenience. Think about how you'll use your bike rack when picking among the three styles.
- If you want the most stable and secure way to haul your bikes, go with a hitch mount bike rack.
- When long trips are a normal part of your biking adventures, pick a hitch mount bike rack for on or off-road stability.
- Hitch mount bike racks are the pick for carrying the most bikes at once.
- Select a folding trunk mount bike rack if you need the convenience of fast removal of your bike rack—great for the weekend rider.
- The ideal bike rack for taking kids and their cycles to work is a trunk mount bike rack.
- Pick a spare tire bike rack for utilizing your rear vehicle space on a Jeep or other SUV.
The difference between swing away bike racks and fold down bike racks is the way they clear your rear cargo area. Both motion away from the vehicle, even when fully loaded with bikes.
- If you have a lifting hatch-style rear door on your SUV or minivan, go with a fold down bike rack.
- When a drop-down tailgate is what you have on the back of your vehicle, select a swing away bike rack.
If it's just you and a buddy on most of your biking journeys, you rarely take more than two bikes at a time. If you've got a whole family of bikes, or like to take several styles of cycles along for your own use, the math gets a little trickier. Luckily, AutoAnything has bike racks that carry anywhere from 1 to 5 bikes.
- When just a couple bikes need to go along for the ride, select a bike rack with 2-bike capacity.
- If your trips require anywhere from 1 to 4 bikes at once, select a bike rack with 2-bike capacity that accepts extender accessories.
- For the ultimate in cycle-hauling versatility, pick a 5-bike hitch mount bike rack.
Hardcore mountain bikers and 10-speed trainers wear their bike racks on their SUVs like badges of honor. The more occasional bike hauler would rather have their rack on the vehicle only when necessary. Plus, people living in metro downtown areas have to remove their bike racks to fit in those microscopic parking spaces curbside or in their garage.
- If you don't mind leaving your bike rack on your vehicle or removing the rack in 5 or so minutes sounds good, pick a hitch mount bike racks.
- For frequent removal of your bike rack, go with a truck bed bike rack.
We hope you have found our Bike Racks Research Guide Center a good guide in helping you choose the best Bike Racks for your vehicle. It is AutoAnything's goal to provide the most information on the Internet and through our Auto Accessory Specialists on every product we sell. If you have any information that you think could help improve this section, please email us at researchcenter@autoanything.com.
A Quick Tutorial
How vehicle bike racks protect paint finishes
While doing their best for security, AutoAnything's bike racks don't forget the looks of your favorite spoked mode of transportation. The secure channels that cradle your bike surround the frame in one of a number of paint-safe soft material varieties, including foam or gel. Through nasty road vibration, hill climbing, loading-up and more, your bike's paint stays unscratched and in the same pristine condition you started with.
Reference
The Basics on Bike Racks and Bike Security
Many of AutoAnything's vehicle bike racks feature security measures that keep your cycles right where they're supposed to be. That's welcome news for bike owners, considering how easy it usually is to pinch a two-wheeler. And, after all, a bike thief's bounty turns into their eventual getaway ride!
Fear not – AutoAnything's bike racks sandwich your favorite cycle(s) in channels that are secured by lock and key. These secure holders of your bike collar the frame's top tube, making the five-finger discount nearly impossible. For added security, the bike rack allows a standard lock to be looped through your tires and frame for tying-down all parts.
What's more, hitch mount bike racks are tough to swipe off the hitch of your vehicle. All you need is a locking hitch pin, which is a common and readily-available part.