Bike Racks
Storage Racks
Travel Racks
Car racks come in three main styles. Which of these you choose depends on how you plan to use it. Obviously you want to use it for your
bikes, but what if you want to use it for other things, such as
skis or
kayaks? Here are some more questions that you should ask yourself.
Things to Consider
* How many bikes will you need to carry at once? Do you have a large family?
* What kind of vehicle do you own?
* Are you able to lift a 20lb. bike over your head to put it on a roof rack?
* Do you store your vehicle outdoors or in a garage?
* Do you plan to dismount the bikes every time you store your vehicle?
* Will you need to remove the rack every time you are not using it?
Once you have answered these questions, look below at a quick breakdown of what each type of rack offers.
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Major Manufacturers
'''Roof Racks'''
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*
Yakima
*
Thule
*
Rocky
'''Trunk Racks'''
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*
Yakima
*
Thule
*
Saris
'''Hitch Racks'''
*
Yakima
*
Thule
*
Saris
*
Swagman
*
Highland
'''Pickup Bed Racks'''
*
Yakima
*
Thule
Storage Racks
You don't need to play bike domino, lining them in a never-neat row (and how much worse without a kickstand!), just to watch them tumble, one by one, onto the garage floor. Or onto your car. Or onto you. Storage racks try to lessen the fuss in the garage, earn you some extra storage space and peace of mind.
Top Picks
* For outdoor use, a '''standing''' rack is the obvious choice. It will keep your bikes in nice order.
** Buy good
bike locks.
** If you have a single bike you want to store outside, forget a rack: Find a nice pole and buy a good lock.
* For indoor storage, any of the wall mounted models described in the table below will be of use provided you match their pros to your needs.
** Consider your strength and the weight of your bike. How high can you lift your bike? Who will need to get to it?
*** For
kids' bikes, mount the rack so the bike lies close to the floor.
** Consider the layout of your space. How many bikes do you need to store? Is your ceiling high enough to hang one bike above of the other?
** For the best ease of use and stability, choose a '''mounted''' '''horizontal''' model.
