Just Rack It

JUST RACH IT A GUIDE TO BUYING THE PERFECT BIKE RACK Choosing the proper bike rack for your vehicle is just as important as choosing the right style of bike for the type of riding you do. To make it easy, we created a simple guide to find which bike rack will work best for your vehicle and all your sports and outdoor needs. HITCH BIKE RACKS Average Price $150 - $450 ROOF-BIKE RACKS Average Price $55 - $380 Requires a hitch, which is found on many cars and truck based SUVS, pickups, and motor homes/RVs Requires that your vehicle have crossbars or a factory roof rack, like SUVS, minivans, and station wagons. See Roof Racks Explained below. Pros · Easy installation • Hanging and tray styles available • Trays provide greater support Quick load and unload of bikes • No need to remove front wheels • Little to no risk of scratching the vehicle's paint Pros • Supports tandem and odd-framed bikes · Can be used to transport other things like skis, snowboards, car top carriers, kayaks, and canoes. • Lockable mounting available Provides full access to trunk CAPACITY 7 MAX • Can be used for other outdoor sports gear with easy attachments • Affordable option for vehicles with an existing roof Cons • May partially block driver's view out of rear window Hanging styles can damage bike frames and require frame adapter bars Doesn't support all tandem bikes • Some models don't provide access to rear lift gate • Odd framed bikes might require added attachments • Requires a hitch that's rated for towing* rack Cons • Can be complicated to load, and unload bikes Wind resistance from the bikes reduce gas mileage • Cannot fit curved-roofed or convertible vehicles Front wheel must be removed or a wheel fork is 15% of new vehicles are manufactured with factory roof racks needed Tow hitch class and weight limits Vehicle cannot be driven under low overhead structures • Class 1: up to 2,000 Ibs. • Class 2: up to 3,500 Ibs. • Class 3: up to 5,000 Ibs. (campers, boats) • Class 4: up to 10,000 lbs. (large campers, boats) like parking garages and fast food restaurants. ROOF RACHS EXPLAINED A CAUTION Bikes can be damaged if the vehicle is backed into something or involved in a rear collision accident. Roof racks are the ultimate way to transport equipment for all out- door enthusiasts. A basic "roof rack systems" include three compo- nents - pads, towers and cross bars. Check hitch clearance to ensure the rack will not be obstructed by spare tires. Fit pads Towers Cross bar systems CAPACITY Custom fit based on vehicle model, make Attach to foot pads and hold cross bars Span the width of the vehicle and 5 MAX and year. in place attach to the towers Available in pairs Sold as sets of four or in pairs depend ing on vehicle types Sporting equipment is attached to these bars two sets are required, one for front, one for rear Fewer varieties than fit pads but easy to purchase Sold in many lengths with aero dynamic systems available at a higher price DRIVING UNDER LOW CLEARANCES WITH A ROOF REMEMBER RACK OR TRUCH BED BIKE RACK · Ensure the racks and carriers will fit the roof rack Additional attachments may be required • To reduce wind noise, purchase a fairing to block the gap between the roof and bar system CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE TO BIKES OR YOUR VEHICLE. TRUNK/REAR MOUNT Average Price $45 - $320 Perfect for any style car. The strap connects to the car's trunk, hatchback, or rear bumper. Pros · Economically priced • Not vehicle-specific • Conveniently stowed in vehicle . Greater chance of damaging the vehicle · Easy to load and unload bikes Cons • Straps can wear out or come loose • Obstructs view out of rear window IF NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED, BIKES CAN SLIP OFF AND • Limited mounts accommodate a spoiler • Not recommended for expensive road bikes, mountain bikes, odd framed, and tandem bikes License plates and taillights cannot be obstructed, which can result in a fine. Bikes can be BIKES CAN EASILY CAPACITY 3 MAX CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BE STOLEN OFF BIKE RACHS LOCKING MECHANISM. IA damaged if the vehicle is backed into something or involved in a rear collision accident. MOTOR HOME/ Average Price $80 - $320 RV BIKE RACKS Average Price SPARE TIRE $80 - $560 Average Price $100 - $260 TRUCK BED BIKE RACKS BIKE RACKS Connects to receiving bar that secures the trailer, boat. Can only be used in trucks Sport utility and off-roading vehicles that have or camper to your vehicle. Pros · Easy to install · Access to trunk Pros: · Easy to load and unload bikes • Simple installation to bed rails or tool boxes in bed rear-mounted spare tires consider a frame adapter bar to keep the bikes level and balanced Cons · Bikes dominate truck bed • Can only be used with trucks Pros • The rack is lightweight and compact • Rear door access is not prohibited when bikes Cons • Too high of a towing capacity for are removed Size of truck beds CAPACITY CAPACITY З МАХ CAPACITY some vehicles • Can only be used when towing a trail- er, boat, or camper Cons • Tire covers must be 4 MAX Standard bed 65-8ft long Long bed: 9-10ft long 4 MAX removed to install COMMON MISTAKES MADE WHEN SHOPPING FOR A BIKE RACK STRAPS CAN SNAP AND LOSE TENSION, LEAVING THE • Purchasing the wrong rack design for your vehicle. RACK UNSTABLE. • Buying a rack that doesn't support the kind of bike frame or style. For example, tandem bikes are not compatible with many bike racks. • Choosing a rack that doesn't support all your bikes. • Picking a rack that's too difficult to load and unload. • Purchasing a hitch or roof-mounted rack without knowing your vehicle's load capacity. • Buying a rack that doesn't offer a locking mechanism. Bikes can easily be stolen without a locking feature. • Buying a used bike rack that might wear too easily. Straps and clips wear out with use. • Purchasing a rack that's not easy to store and /or difficult to install. • Choosing a cheaper model that doesn't meet all safety requirements • Purchasing a rack that does not suit all your sport and outdoor needs. Sources 1. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/ 10. http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/trunk_bike_racks/?pg-2 bike-racks-tips-for-choosing-the-right-one-for-you/index.htm 11. http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/car-racks.html 2. http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/hitch_bike_racks/tray_hitch_racks/ 12. http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_ racks/spare_tire_bike_racks/ 3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tow_hitch 13. http//www.edmunds.com/car-buying/the-disappearing-spare-tirehtml 4. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/ 5. bike-racks-tips-for-choosing-the-right-one-for-you/index htm 6. http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/roof_bike_racks/ 14. http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/car-racks.html 15. http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/truck_bike_racks/ 16. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pickup_truck 17. http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/rv_bike_racks/original_3 bike_towing_rack/ 18. http://www.bikerackshops.com/vehicle_racks/rv_bike_racks/ 7. http://www.westsideresearch.com/whyusewestsideresearch.html 8. http://www.bikerackshops.com/resource_center/how_to_choose_base_roof_racks_for_cars/ 9. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/- 19. http://ezinearticles.com/?Bicycle-Racks-For-Cars-Common-Mis- bike-racks-tips-for-choosing-the-right-one-for-you/index.htm takes-to-Avoid-When-Buying-Car-Bike-Racks&id-3286079 COPYRIGHT 2013 BIKERACKSHOPS.COM| ALL RIGHTS RESERVED