While bikes are excellent forms of transport, sometimes you have to move them from one place to the other using an external agent like your car. A bike rack comes in handy in such situations but, it is also essential to know what to do if there’s no bike rack. So what alternatives do you have?
You can put it inside the car, either the backseat or the trunk, on the rooftop, or use a multi-sports trailer or a truck bed. These options get the job done but before picking the one that suits you, remember that these options have risks.
I will get into in-depth details of these alternatives to help you better understand them.
How Can I Secure My Bike Without A Rack?: What To Do If There’s No Bike Rack
Below is what you need to do to transport your biker without a bike rack.
1. Inside The Car
Some cars have ample space to haul a bike or at the very least come up with creative ways to fit it in. However, this method can be tricky because you may have other things to carry, making the car a bit crowded.
Make sure you secure the bike, including the removed wheel(s), using a rope and bungee cord to prevent it from hitting the window or falling over when navigating the road. You can also use seatbelts or cargo loops.
You may have to disassemble the bike parts for them to fit inside. Depending on how much space you require, you can either remove the front wheels or both wheels and the saddle.
The Trunk
The truck is typically the best choice. If it’s too tiny and you drive an SUV or hatchback, fold the car seats down to create an extended cargo area to lay your bike.
Protect the drivetrain by laying the bike “drive side” up and be well-versed on the gearing (derailleur, cassette, among others) when putting the bike in the vehicle’s cargo area. If your bicycle has hydraulic disk brakes, put a spacer between the pads to protect them from locking or closing in transit.
The Back Seat
This is another viable option, especially if the trunk is too small and you cannot fold the seats. Before putting your bike in, ensure it is clean (no stains, mud, dust, etc.) to avoid dirtying your car seats.
Remove the front wheel and place the bicycle on the car’s floor rather than the seat with the left pedal leaning on the chair to keep the vehicle’s equilibrium.
Separate the left pedal and the seat using a cloth for extra protection and between the seat and dropouts. In addition, avoid damages to your vehicle by restraining the bike.
The Car’s Rooftop
You can hoist your bicycle up the car’s rooftop for transportation. However, this method is a bit problematic because it can damage your vehicle or bike.
This method can work when traveling for a short distance. Make it safer by removing the front wheel and the side pedal on the non-drive side and laying a blanket on the roof before placing the bike.
You shouldn’t use this method regularly because your car’s roof will suffer eventually and avoid it for long-distance journeys as well, especially using the freeway. You can be fined for endangering other road users and carrying an unsafe object.
A truck bed is a simple but excellent way to transport your bike without a bike rack. However, you will require certain items to secure your vehicle to prevent them from falling off or damaging the paint.
It can be challenging to monitor your bike once you start driving. To ensure your bike stays put and prevent bumps, use a bungee cord or soft strap to join the truck to the bike.
Use a different strap to fasten the rear end to the bike’s saddle to keep it from sliding off. Avoid ratchet straps because they don’t have the optimal tension required to stop the bicycle from moving around.
3. Use A Multi-Sports Trailer
If you are going to do extracurricular activities and need to carry other equipment like golf bags, surfboards, and badminton bats, use a multi-sports trailer to transport your bike. This will ensure everything is secure.
You can even transport multiple bikes with this method because it offers plenty of space. However, the method is not accessible to everyone because multi-sports trailers are expensive and inconvenient to store, as it needs sufficient garage space.
Use a lock and hitch receiver and check up on your bicycle from time to another during the journey to keep your items safe.
What The Best Bike Rack To Consider?
While the above options work, alternatively, you might want to get a bike rack. If you do, consider these options based on your needs and vehicle.
1. Trunk Mount Racks
These are usually the most affordable types, going for about $50 to $200. They are made to rest on the car trunk’s back, secured by straps.
The cradles and arms support the bicycle, keeping it in place. Truck mount racks are light, easy to store, highly portable, excellent for recreational cyclists, and adjustable; hence you can use them on different cars.
2. Use A Truck Bed
However, they have a limited load capacity (carries a maximum of 2 to 3 bikes), interfere with accessing the trunk once mounted. In addition, the rack’s effectiveness depends on how well you secure it, and its design can make locking the bike to your car a bit hard.
If you want a truck mount bike rack, consider INNO RT201 (View on Amazon). It’s easy-to-use, versatile, affordable (about $40), and safe.
2. Hitch-Mount Racks
They are usually designed to hold about 2 to 5 bikes, making them an excellent choice for frequent users who carry over three bicycles. However, they are more costly than truck-mounted bike racks, going for about $150 to $500.
They either come in hanging cradle style or platform style.
Hanging Cradle Style
If you are looking for a durable, secure, and stable hanging cradle style hitch-mount rack, consider YAKIMA, RidgeBack Tilt-Away Hitch Bike Rack. It has zero-hassle fully removable zip strips to secure the bicycles to the rack and keep them from swaying.
Platform Style
An excellent example is the MAXXHAUL 50027 Hitch Mount Platform Style 2-Bike Rack. It’s compact, great for SUVs, and has rubber straps you can adjust for extra stability.
3. Roof Mount Racks
This method is ideal for serious outdoor and cycling enthusiasts who are okay with lifting their bikes to the car’s roof. It costs from below $150 to over $500 and can get even higher if you add cradles or build an entire rack system.
One of the best top roof mount racks is Swagman UPRIGHT Roof Mount Bike Rack because it’s versatile, secure, easy to assemble, and has a sleek, minimalistic design.
4. Spare Tire Mount Racks
This easy-to-install and relatively inexpensive ($50 to $200) bike rack resembles a trunk mount. It’s excellent for off-road vehicles or sports-utility that have a spare tire mounted on the back.
Unfortunately, they only carry at most two bikes, and you must remove the tire cover first.
Consider Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack (View on Amazon) for a spare tire rack that fits almost every externally–mounted spare tire. It’s rugged, safe, and easy to use.
FAQs
1. Do I Really Need A Bike Rack?
Although you can do without it, a bike rack gives the peace of knowing your bike will stay safe during transportation and also protects your car from damage. Most are also affordable and a good investment.
2. Can A Bike Fit Inside A Car?
Most bicycles can fit into cars, even the small ones like Sedans if you position them correctly. You’ll also need to take one or both tires.
3. Do Trunk Bike Racks Work On SUVs?
Trunk-mounted racks are ideal for various vehicle types, including SUVs and vans. When buying one, consider the number of bikes you’ll be transporting and bike types.
4. Do Bike Racks Damage Your Car?
Improper bike rack use, installation, or maintenance can cause car damages. Some bike rack types can cause more injuries than others, with trunk racks being the most damage-prone.
Conclusion
Now that you know what to do if there’s no bike rack and also the strengths and shortcomings of each method, you no longer have to struggle to transport your bike.
While investing in a good bike rack is the safest option, if you choose to forgo bike racks, make sure you follow every precaution for transporting bikes without a rack to protect your bike and car.
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