Rear mount bike racks offer secure and easy transportation of your bicycles and depending on the type will carry up to 5 bicycles . But you probably have some questions about picking the best bicycle rack for you? Below is a quick and easy list of considerations before purchasing a rear mounted bike rack.
There are a couple of things you will need to consider before searching so you feel confident that you have located the right bike rack for your needs:
1. Does your vehicle have a rear based spare tire that could not be compatible with certain bicycle racks ? If it does then you will need to look at spare tire bike racks.
2. Does your SUV, car or truck have a hitch? Then I suggest you look into the hitch mount bike racks. ( Idea: there are some hitch mount bike racks that come with extra length arms to fit over a spare tire.)
3. How often will you be using the bike carrier ? Will it stay on your vehicle for weeks at a time ? If so think about a folding rack that swiftly folds away from your hatchback or car trunk for easy access.
4. How many bicycles will you be carrying? You can find rear mounted bike carriers that carry from two to five bikes at a time.
5. Will you be using the rack on different vehicles? Be certain the rack will fit both vehicles. (Note: Even if both vehicles have a rear hitch you will want to check the size of the hitch. There are two basic sized hitch receivers, the 1.25″ and 2″ .)
6. How much would you consider paying ? Different styles can range from less than $100 up to $400.
7. Do you have other outdoor activities that you enjoy? A few racks are able to be matched with adapters for carrying items such as skis.
Rear mounted bike racks are a breeze to attach and transport your bicycles securely but don’t cut down on features to cut down on cost. Some styles are lighter and can fold out of the way so you will easily access the trunk or hatch. These small features are well worth a few extra bucks .