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Recommendations for mounting your bike to the car
Transporting a bike on a car can be a tricky issue, you need to consider how many bikes you want to carry, and how you want to locate them on the car.
If your car is to full to accommodate your bike or bikes internally, then you need to consider a system to attach the bikes securely to the outside of the car. There are three main systems that are popular, and we will consider them in depth.
With all the methods safety is of paramount concern, and you should always ensure that loads are secured, that your lights and registration details are visible.
1: Roof Mounting.
A popular way of mounting bikes is on the roof of the car. Most roof rack systems (eg Thule) can be equipped with additional bike racks that can enable 4 bikes to be carried on the roof of the car. Advantages of this system are that the bikes are out of the way, access to the trunk of the car is un obscured. This is also among the most secure method of carrying bikes. Also if you are taking a roof box, then this can be fitted in conjunction with the bikes (at the cost of possibly only fitting one or two bikes to the top.
Some of the disadvantages are that you need to buy a separate rack for each bike carried, the increased drag will lower overall fuel consumption. If you not tall enough, or are not particularly strong, it can be challenging to lift the bikes on to the roof.
This is a popular method, as most cars are able to take a roof rack that will support the weight of up to 4 bikes safely. The roof rack can also in many cases be interchangeable across cars, and have other uses such as mounting cargo boxes or large loads such as ladders.
2: Rear Tailgate Mounting:
This is a frame that attaches to the rear of the car, that is designed to hold usually from 2 to 4 bikes. It is a common and low cost method of securing the bikes, however it can be fiddly to fit and to ensure that the bikes are secure.
The advantages of this system are that it can be cheaper than a full roof rack, the bikes are mounted at a lower level (this can be easier than lifting the bikes onto the roof). This lowers the drag of the car, allowing access to car parks and reducing fuel consumption.
As the system relies on being firmly attached to the rear of the car, it does mean that the tailgate may not be accessible unless the bikes are removed along with the rack. This makes it tricky for some people to use.
3: Rear Ball mount rack:
The final option to consider is the rear ball mount. This has become popular in recent years and overcomes some of the issues faced with rear tailgate mounting, and even roof mounting.
The system works by a large rack securely attached to a standard ball mount. The rack is lowered down and a large lever clamps down on the ball and secures the entire system. With some models the lever can move the bikes away from the car at an angle (while still secured to the car) to allow access to the trunk.
Advantages of this system are that the bikes are secured at a lower level, meaning that they are easier to mount, they are out of the airflow of the car, making it more stable and fuel efficient.
The disadvantages are, you need to have a tow hitch on the car otherwise this system wont work. It can be quite expensive as there is some serious engineering in play to attach 4 large bikes safely to the car.
Overall, the best device is the ball hitch system. It provides the most convenient method of attachment and is capable of holding up to four bikes.
If this is not an option, then there is tailgate mounting or roof mounting. Roof mounting is slightly more expensive, but does provide a more convenient method of mounting bikes and is more secure.
This leaves tailgate mounting as the third choice, its a quick and easy method, however it is not as secure as roof mounting and there are often issues with lights and number plates being covered.
On this site there are examples and review of the three main systems featured:
Thule 591 Proride roof mounting system (UK) Or Thule 598 Criterium (for USA)
Thule Parkway Hitch Bike Carrier – 4 Bike
Thule Xpress 2-Bike tailgate mount