Bicycle enthusiasts know that some of the best places to ride are too far away to bike to. The solution to install a bike hitch on the car. According to the National Bicycle Dealers Association, 38 million people in the United States rode a bike six or more times in 2009. A bike hitch or rack becomes an important piece of equipment for the fitness or recreational rider as it allows transportation of the bike to safe riding areas.
What Kind of Racks Can I Buy?
Roof racks or rear mount racks are available for bikes. You can choose from two rear mount options. Strap-on-trunk mounted carriers use a system of straps and hooks for attachment to the car. Remove the straps and store it in the trunk when not in use. Strap types might not hold the bike as securely as other types. A hitch mounted carrier slides onto the trailer hitch mounted on the vehicle. These types mount more securely, but require the expense of adding a trailer hitch to the vehicle. A roof rack can make use of the vehicle's existing crossbars if available, for secure attachment. To use a roof rack you need to the ability to lift the bikes to the roof of the vehicle.
Installation
The strap type of rack does not require any type of drilling or bolting on the vehicle, but the tricky part comes when tightening the straps correctly on some vehicles. The hitch mounted type does require the installation of a trailer hitch, but once installed, the rack should slide easily onto the hitch. A roof rack can cause a difficult to installation, depending on the set up that exists on the roof. Crossbars or racks already in place can be used to attach the bike rack.
Warnings
Strap type carriers have a greater chance of damaging a vehicle. The weight on the panels of the car may cause dents or marks. The bikes might also hit each other in the rack. A hitch mounted rack also allows bikes to bang each other and the installation of a trailer hitch requires permanent modification of some vehicles. A roof mounted rack requires the driver to be careful about driving under low hanging objects.
Considerations
Before spending money on an expensive hitch, consider the distance you plan to transport your bicycle. If you want to go just a few miles to the local state park you won't need the same set up as the biker taking her bikes across the country. If you will transport your bike frequently, check to see whether the hitch you are considering will allow you to open the trunk or hatch of the car with the bike loaded on. You might look for a model with locking device if you plan to leave the bike on the hitch for extended periods to prevent theft.
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