10 Things You Need to Consider Before Buying a Bike Rack

There are many different types of bike racks and knowing which one is right for your car can be confusing. We have put together a list of things you need to know before buying a bike rack so that the process will be easier for you.

You want to make sure that you choose the right type of bike rack because it will affect how easy it is to use as well as how secure your bikes are when they’re on the back of your car.

It’s important that you take into consideration all these factors before making your purchase decision because once you buy something, there isn’t much room for return or exchange if it doesn’t work out in the end! Make sure not to rush through this process and do some research beforehand so that everything goes smoothly from start to finish!

1. What Type of Vehicle Do You Have?

Most people are surprised to find out that not all bike racks can fit on every car! Some will only fit sedans while others are designed for minivans or SUVs.

You need to take a look at the information provided by the manufacturer to make sure that your particular vehicle is compatible with the bike rack you are looking to purchase.

It will tell you what type of vehicle is needed to use in the description section or on the packaging. If you are interested in getting a hitch-mounted rack, don’t forget to check your hitch size. There are different hitch sizes.

2. how Many Bikes Do You Want to Carry?

Bike racks range in size and shape so it’s important that you determine how many bikes you plan on carrying with this purchase. If you are planning on taking multiple bikes with you on your rides, you are going to need an extra-long rack that will provide enough space for all of them. 

If you plan on only taking one bike at a time, look for racks that are easier to load and unload because it’s not worth it to purchase a big rack if you’re just going to use it.

When you only want to transport on a bike perhaps suction cups are an option. They are easy to install and remove from your vehicle.

3. Will the Bike Rack Be Mounted on The Roof of Your Car or Is It Going to Attach to The Rear?

If you have an SUV or minivan, then your best option is to choose a bike rack that attaches to the rear of your car. This type of bike rack is generally more stable and secure than a roof-mounted one.

However, if you have a smaller car or a convertible, then a roof-mounted bike rack would be a better option. Besides having racks attached to the rear of your car there are also racks that attach to your hitch. and then there are suction cups bike racks.

4. how Much Money Are You Willing to Spend on A Bike Rack?

There is a wide range of prices when it comes to bike racks, and you can find something to fit any budget. However, just because a bike rack is more expensive doesn’t mean that it is automatically better than the cheaper options available.

Do some research on different brands and models to see what is the best value for your money. they go from around 50 bucks all the way up to hundreds of dollars.

5. how Easy Is the Bike Rack to Use?

This is an important question to ask because you don’t want to end up with a bike rack that is difficult to use. Some bike racks are very easy to set up and use while others can be a little more complicated.

Make sure to read the instructions carefully before installing the bike rack so that there are no surprises later on.

Suction cups are very easy to install but are usually good for one bike while hitch-mounted racks are a bit more time-consuming, but really, in the end, installing a bike rack is not difficult.

If you are a bit on the shorter side, you probably prefer a rear/hitch mounted rack over a roof-mounted. And with cars getting bigger all the time who is able to reach the roof without a stepladder.

6. how Much Storage Space Do You Have in Your Garage?

This is another question that you need to ask yourself before making your purchase decision. If you are going to be storing your bike rack in your garage, then you need to make sure that it will fit!

Not all bike racks are small and compact, so take into consideration the amount of space that it will take up when it is not in use.

7. Is It Important to You that Your Bike Rack Is Stylish?

There are some bike racks that have a very sleek and stylish design while others do not look as nice.

If it’s important to you to have a bike rack that looks good when it’s not being used, then look for one with an aesthetically appealing design.

Otherwise, choose the best option for transporting your bikes safely by looking at your other priorities, like how likely is it that the rack will damage your car.

8. Is It Important to You that Your Bike Rack Is Durable?

Some bike racks are made from flimsy materials and they may not last very long after a few uses. Before making your purchase decision, it’s a good idea to read as many reviews as possible from other people who have already used the product.

This will give you an idea of just how durable the bike rack actually is before you buy it! Sometimes the straps included are really good. This is the part that often fails on cheaper models. But getting your own straps or zip ties is cheaper than buying a new rack.

9. how Often Do You Plan on Using the Bike Rack?

If you only intend to use your bike rack once or twice a year then there is no need for you to spend lots of money on a high-end model with lots of extra features.

If this describes you, then choose something more affordable that meets your needs.

However, if you plan on using the bike rack frequently then it’s best to invest in a durable and high-quality bike rack that will last for years to come.

10. Does the Bike Rack Come with A Warranty?

Every product has its own set of flaws, and if you are unlucky enough to get one that falls apart after only a few uses then you will want to make sure that it is covered by a warranty.

Most companies offer some type of guarantee or return policy on their products, so keep this in mind when making your purchase decision.

Conclusion

The main idea of this article is to make sure that the bike rack will be a good fit for you, your vehicle, and how often it will be used. You can’t go wrong if you just think about all these points before buying a bike rack.