Most cyclists rely on bike racks to carry their bicycles around, but purchasing one isn’t easy because of their high price tag, going even up to $1000. This begs the question, why are bike racks so expensive?
Bike racks are expensive because of the materials used to make them, the manufacturing and production cost, research, and engineering behind their construction. Moreover, special features, quality of build, and carrying capacity also contribute to their high price.
Most companies work to ensure you get a bike rack that’s easy to use and will last you longer. Unfortunately, that does not come cheap.
However, although bike racks can be pricey, they are necessary, especially for cyclists who travel and would like to bring their bicycles along.
Let’s explore the reasons for the bike racks’ high price, check the prices for each type, and the amount you should spend on one.
So, Why Are Bike Racks So Expensive? (4 Reasons)
Bike racks look simple, but much detail, research, and deliberation go into their construction because they carry essential responsibility. You wouldn’t want your bicycle rack to break easily, not support your bike correctly, or even damage your car.
You will likely have to spend a pretty amount of money on a quality bike rack, and here’s why.
1. The Design
A rack shouldn’t create disturbances on your car or scratch it, so it must be designed with that in mind. For that reason, plenty of effort and time is allocated to researching and engineering the perfect design to ensure your vehicle is protected.
In addition, aerodynamics also come to play, especially when designing roof-mount racks. The racks help your car cut through the air effortlessly, thus moving faster.
Better roof-mount racks are made in a way that they aren’t demanding on your vehicle’s mileage.
2. Material Choice
Since the rack supports your bicycle’s weight, it needs to be robust; hence the importance of the construction material. In addition, it needs to be heavy enough to carry your bike, but not excessively bulky as it might create car disturbances while you drive.
The most commonly used material in bicycle rack construction is aluminum as it’s sturdy, robust, and lightweight.
3. Multipurpose Use
Most racks are constructed to carry different things, which is quite convenient as it eliminates the need to have specific racks for various items. For instance, a roof-mount rack can support bicycles, cargo boxes, snowboards, and skis.
Due to this, their production and manufacturing costs shoot up, making the end product costly.
4. Weight Management
Weight distribution is vital when making bike racks because it will create difficulty if not managed effectively across all contact points. Unequal weight distribution causes some parts to bend during travel, causing damages to the rack and your car.
Additionally, driving at higher speeds usually exerts a lot of pressure on the contact points. Therefore, you will encounter problems if the weight distributions and the material used aren’t on point.
How Much Does A Bike Rack Cost?
Knowing the average cost of a bike rack will help you budget wisely when shopping for one. The price generally relies on the quality and the type of bicycle rack you wish to buy.
Below is what to expect to spend on a roof-mount rack, truck-mount rack, hitch-mount rack, spare-tire rack, and truck bed rack.
A) Roof-Mount Bike Rack
These racks are more stable, secure, and made to pretty much support any bike. Moreover, they can carry cargo, snowboards, skis, and multiple bicycles.
In addition, they are aerodynamic, thus don’t hinder your driving speed.
For these reasons, roof-mount bicycle racks are expensive and could cost you about $200 to $500. However, you can get more affordable options like Swagman UPRIGHT Roof Mount Bike Rack (View on Amazon) made of aluminum, versatile, easy to assemble, and weighs 5 pounds.
B) Trunk-Mount Bike Racks
These racks hold the bike on the vehicle’s trunk with secure straps, making them one of the strongest bicycle racks. They also cushion your car using foam material.
However, they are among the most affordable bike racks, costing $25 to $300, depending on the quality of the construction material. You may be tempted to go cheap but be wary because a budget trunk-mount rack will likely be less stable, less secure, and have a lower capacity.
For excellent quality, get yourself Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Trunk Mount Rack (View on Amazon) that costs about $39.93. It weighs 7.5 pounds, is alloy steel-made, and suits hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs, and minivans.
C) Hitch-Mount Bike Racks
They are fitted on the hitch of the car and made in two styles- hanging and platform. A hanging hitch-mount bike rack suspends the bicycle by the frame and holds with straps.
On the other hand, a platform mount bike rack supports the bike from the base, making it safer and more secure since it prevents swaying. Moreover, these racks can keep more bicycles than their hanging counterparts.
When it comes to price, hanging hitch-mount racks cost $75 to $150, while platform hitch-mount racks can be over $300.
D) Truck Bed Bike Racks
These racks are made specifically to carry bikes on a pick-up bed. They come in various styles based on the manufacturer, but they are generally highly secure and easy to install.
They can also carry many bikes with some supporting up to 7 bicycles. A truck bed bicycle rack will cost you $80 to $150.
E) Spare Tire Bike Racks
You can get a spare tire bicycle rack if your car has a rare end spare tire, and the rack matches your vehicle because they come in various designs. However, they typically fit most vehicles but have lower carrying capacities.
Their average price is $85 to $200. For example, Allen Sports Deluxe 2-Bike Spare Tire Rack (View on Amazon) is $80 and weighs 10 pounds.
How Much Should You Spend On A Bike Rack?
Since there’s a huge price range for bicycle racks, figuring out the most suitable price tag can be challenging. Therefore, it’s wise to consider your situation, from how frequent and how long you ride your bicycle to your financial situation.
About $60 to $200 is reasonable if you use your bike rack for short trips a few times monthly. On the other hand, more than $150 is a considerate amount if you regularly use the rack for longer trips.
You are better off avoiding extremely cheap racks because they are likely less secure and break easily. These racks’ construction and designs are inferior and don’t guarantee safety during transportation.
Moreover, they rust easily, have a shorter lifespan, can easily detach and fall of your vehicle.
FAQs
1. Why Do Bike Racks Cost So Much?
Bike racks are expensive because their construction requires strong materials, detailed engineering, extensive research, and proper manufacturing and production.
2. How Much Do Bike Racks Cost?
Bikes racks can cost below $50 to even $1000s. A budget bicycle rack is below $150, while high-end ones are at least $250.
3. Why Are Thule Bike Racks So Expensive?
Thule bikes racks are expensive because they have high-quality frames constructed precisely to transport your bicycle safely and hold more extensive weight. A lot of resources go into their design, testing, and materials, contributing to high production costs.
4. How Much Is A Thule Bike Rack?
A budget Thule bicycle rack is about $150, while high-end models can be $850 to even $1000. The high price tag can be attributed to their firm hold, high strength, and corrosion resistance.
In Conclusion, Why Are Bike Racks So Expensive?
The construction of bike racks must account for the safety of the car and the bicycle, meaning they have to be robust, stable, and safe, making them pricey. However, despite costing a lot of money are excellent investments and undoubtedly worth having.
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