Have you recently bought a bike and decided that you want to go for rides that are a bit further out than your local area? Popping it in your car and driving to nice bike trails and parks is the obvious solution- but if you own a small car, chances are this won't be possible. Or perhaps you and your partner as well as your kids want to go on bike rides together, fitting all of them into one car can be a bit of a problem for most vehicles. The way to get around this is to buy a bike rack, which is convenient as well as safe, there's no risk of damage in transit and the bike is protected by a truck bed and straps or other cushioning material. The best bike rack for you will be based on your preferences; there are many types of racks on the market which can make it difficult to come to a decision.
Most truck bed bike racks can be put in the truck and left there without affecting the load capabilities. This essentially means that as long as you have an ideal locking facility, the rack won't need to come in and out and is ready whenever you want to use it. You can load your bikes within minutes, and whenever you fancy going out for a ride there's very little messing around. Over the summer, the popularity of the family sport of cycling always increases- and with at least a month left of warm weather it's not too late to get out there and make the most of it this year. Here are some of the mistakes to avoid when buying a bike rack.
Choosing the wrong type of bike rack
There are a total of five types of racks for cars and trucks. These include roof mount, tire mount, hitch mount, truck bed mount and trunk mount. The type of rack you purchase will depend on the type of truck you own. The article “The Best Truck Bed Bike Rack of 2019” from Rack Fact recommends choosing a bike rack that you can leave installed in your truck without it interfering with space availability. You need to ensure that the model you choose will fit in the truck. Also ensure that the rack includes the extras including extra bars, straps, and locks if you need them. A number of racks come with good padding for the purpose of protection, they have a lifetime guarantee and strong customer support but they might not include all the parts you need. Read the reviews and the fine print to choose the right type of rack. Before you head out to purchase the rack, you need to consider the inches it should be so as to fit it well.
Choosing a rack thats too small
A truck bed bike rack will carry three bikes with ease but fitting the fourth bike might be slightly difficult. This happens due to the design of the carrier. It is designed for general frames and not for ladies' bikes or kids bikes. Hence, you need to consider the number of bikes you want to fit in the rack and then choose the right size. A small rack will only cause trouble and you might have to replace it sooner than you planned to. Ensure that the bike frame and size is suitable for the rack you choose.
Choosing a rack bigger than necessary
Choosing the wrong size can cause a lot of trouble, whether it is a bigger size or a smaller size. You need to ensure that you invest in the perfect size of the rack. Bikers tend to get so involved in their riding that they rope the entire family in. If you are planning on getting a carrier for only one or two bikes, you need to think of getting one for three bikes. They will not cost too much and you will always have extra space for a friend. You get additional space by paying a small amount. It is better to invest in a bigger bike rack than regret buying a small rack which is not enough for your requirements.
Not being careful about the paintwork on your vehicle
This has happened to a lot of people who buy a bike rack that comes with straps. This doesn't mean that the bike rack is a bad one but you need to take necessary steps in order to prevent any scratches. You can purchase cheap rubber padding and place it between the frame and the truck for extra care. You need to ensure that you do not ruin the paintwork on the truck. Ensure that your truck is clean and free from dust when you attach the rack. This will help avoid the sandpapering effect. Most importantly, you need to choose a rack that is going to fit well. A bad fit will mean that it will be a tad loose and will end up rubbing badly.
Now that you know what potential problems you could have run into, you can go and choose a rack that is perfect for your vehicle and the types of bikes you want to carry. A bike rack is an investment for both your bike and for your car, chances are you spent a fair bit of money on both of those things and so you don't want them getting ruined. Ensure that you choose the best quality rack for your bike so that it's carried safety at all times.
Now that you know what potential problems you could have run into, you can go and choose a rack that is perfect for your vehicle and the types of bikes you want to carry. A bike rack is an investment for both your bike and for your car, chances are you spent a fair bit of money on both of those things and so you don't want them getting ruined. Ensure that you choose the best quality rack for your bike so that it's carried safety at all times.
