Ready to take your bike on an adventure away from home? You need a car bike rack to transport your bikes safely! We can help you find the perfect solution for you, your car and, of course, your bikes!
How many bikes do you want to carry?
There are car racks that can support from 1 to 5 bikes. The number of bikes you are looking to carry will play a vital role in the type of rack you need. If you need to carry 3 bikes or less, most styles of racks will be of interest to you. If you are looking to carry 4 or more bikes, then a hitch rack or roof rack will be your best options.
How will you carry the bikes? Hitch, trunk or roof?
Car mounts come in three basic styles: trunk racks, hitch racks or roof racks. At BICYCLES QUILICOT, we carry several well-known brands, including Thule. Thule have handy fitting guides on their website to help you determine which racks will work with your car and your needs: discover the Thule fitting guide.
Now that you know which type of rack is compatible with your vehicle and how many bikes you need to carry, let's take a look at the different styles of car racks.
Trunk mounts attach to your car's trunk with straps. They fit most vehicles and do not require a hitch or roof rails. They are lower than roof racks, making them easier to load. And they are often less expensive than hitch or roof racks.
However, trunk racks can make access to your trunk difficult or impossible when in use. If you're carrying a bike with a drop-bar frame, then you may need to purchase a top tube adapter to create a top tube for the bike to hang. They usually can't hold more than 2 or 3 bikes.
The hitch racks
The second type is the hitch rack. This style attaches to your vehicle on the rear hitch. They come in two main styles: mast and tray. The mast type hitch, like the trunk mount, holds the bike by the top tube or top bar of the frame. The tray type hitch rack on the other hand holds the bike by the wheels. Sometimes there is an arm that clamps onto the frame or wheel of the bike to help hold the bike in place.
Hitch racks come in a variety of configurations and can carry up to 5 bikes or more. These racks are easy to install on your vehicle and loading the bikes is a breeze, especially if you have a tray style rack. Hitch racks come in 1 1/4 inch and 2 inch options, and some even have adapters that allow them to fit both 1-1/4 inches and 2 inches.
There are a few things to consider when selecting a hitch bracket. First, not all vehicles are equipped to accept a hitch. Second, if access to the rear of your vehicle is needed while the bikes are on the rack, you will want to select a model that folds or tilts outward. Most racks are designed to at least fold, but not all are designed to do so with bikes attached.
Caution! With a mast style model, such as the trunk rack, you may need to have a top tube adapter to carry a bike with a drop bar. With the tray style, you may need an adapter to carry a children's bike. Finally, if you are carrying bikes with oversized tires (fatbikes), you will certainly need an adapter to accommodate your wheels.
The roof racks
The third option for transporting your bike is a roof rack. This system mounts to the cross members on the roof of your vehicle. This style generally gives you the greatest carrying capacity in terms of weight and ability to carry other gear. The rack can be permanent or removable. They are very secure when properly loaded. And they don't restrict access to your trunk.
There are a few things to consider if you are looking at roof racks. First, consider whether you can lift your bike onto the roof of your vehicle. Second, bikes mounted on the roof of your car will create more wind resistance and impact your gas mileage. And finally, bikes on roof racks will tend to get more splashes and crushed bugs.
In this category, we suggest the SeaSucker Talon QR 1 (for 1 bike) or the SeaSucker Mini-Bomber (for 2 bikes). These practical bike racks can be attached to the roof of any car model. Thanks to suction cups, they are easy to install and remove.
Thule is known for the quality of its products, and it's safe to say that with the Easyfold line, the company has outdone itself! Sturdy enough to carry two electric-assist bikes and simple to use, it folds easily for trunk access and can be matched with several handy accessories, including a boarding ramp, which is very useful for larger, heavier bikes. It really is the Cadillac of bike racks!
Each style of rack has its advantages and disadvantages. When shopping, keep in mind the number and type of bikes you will be carrying.
That's it! Now you're ready to make your choice and get the perfect rack to take your family on vacation... and your bikes!
Subscribe to our newsletter
and receive our new products before anyone else!
▪️ Get 10% off your 1st online order*.
▪️ Receive our best offers every week, before anyone else
▪️ Discover every week a favorite product at a reduced price during 48 hours only
▪️ Stay informed of the latest news from your favorite Quilicot store
▪️ Receive our best maintenance tips for your bike
The information below is required for social login