We're debating whether to take our bikes camping as it seems like a big hassle. What are our options for transporting the bikes with our car? – Anna in Calgary
There are lots of options on the market when it comes to transporting bicycles. Three common types of carriers are hitch, roof, and trunk-mount.
The first type utilizes the hitch on the rear of your vehicle (if you have one). The type of hitch, and maximum tongue weight of your vehicle, will determine how many bikes you can carry. The manufacturer has specified what your vehicle can safely tow, and the tongue weight refers to the weight that presses down on the hitch. A small car can typically carry two bikes, while a large SUV can handle much more weight.
The roof mount option is typically the most complicated to install. "Most cars don't have a factory rack, so we build a vehicle-specific rack on the roof, and at that point a bike tray can go on top," says Jeff Geiger of Thule Vehicle Solutions North America. "If you already have factory crossbars from the driver side to the passenger side, there are bike carriers which mount directly on those – but you must verify with Thule or the rack manufacturer that the carrier can be mounted to that factory bar."
There are a couple of different mount styles for roof carriers. In a "fork mount," the front bike wheel must be removed, and the front fork of the bike fits into a clamping mechanism which secures it to the roof. "Typically the fork mount method is the most fuel-efficient way to carry a bike because it points down into the wind," says Gieger. "The other style of roof mount is called 'upright.' You don't have to remove the wheel, so it's nice if you want the convenience to just throw the bike up top, lock it down, and go.
"As long as the load bars don't exceed the width of your mirrors, and your load is under the maximum roof weight, you can fit as many bikes as you have space for. The average car can hold 165 pounds on the roof, but some are less," says Geiger.
Remember, with a roof mount you have to lift the bicycle fairly high to secure it onto the rack, and the new height of your vehicle could limit where you're going. You'll run into trouble if you're travelling in areas with low clearance, and watch out for those low-hanging branches. Your parking options will be limited, and you may have to change course if you're planning to take a ferry.
Finally, the trunk-mounted carrier, also known as a strap rack, is typically the least expensive. The downside, however, is that they're also the least resilient, and the most likely to damage your car if not properly installed. Also, the trunk cannot be opened when the rack is in place.
"The rack is on the trunk of the car, and the bikes hang off the back. Most have six points of contact; two on the top of the trunk, two on the side, and two on the bottom. Trunk mounts are great for customers who want to take it on and off quickly and easily. Once you've done it once or twice it becomes second nature. It's also adjustable to fit a wide range of vehicles and is easily transferred to other cars, as long as you check with manufacturer," says Geiger.
So you have a few options, but what is the best?
"If the customer is an active individual that likes to do year-round activities, I steer them to a roof rack because there are more options. With a Thule rack, you can put other accessories on it – such as a water sport accessory, a cargo box, or a ski carrier. But if they take their bike out just a couple of times a year, a strap rack or hitch rack is a great option, because it's easy-on easy-off, and a smaller investment," says Geiger.
Then there's the number of bikes you want to carry. "The maximum number of bikes you can carry with a hitch mount is five, three with a strap rack, and typically four to five bikes easily on the roof," says Geiger.
One thing to take note of is that unless you're in the higher-end, most bike carriers don't come with locks, but these can, and debatably should, be purchased as an add-on.
The number one thing is to make sure the carrier is suitable for your vehicle type, and make sure it's properly secured according to the manufacturer's directions. If you're in a large group, however, you may have to look into folding bikes, pulling a trailer – or perhaps even renting.
Send your car questions to Ask Joanne at globedrive@globeandmail.com