Riding your bike in the great outdoors is one of the few pleasures in life that people who are outdoorsy loves to do. but if you live in the urban part of the town there might not be any suitable bike trails for you. Sure, there might be pathways that are safe for you to ride your bike but if you prefer scenic landscapes and panoramic views, you would want to bring your bicycle near nature. Since bike racks could be pricey, you would want one that you could use for a long time.
Of course, it would be difficult for you to bike from the city to the beachside or mountainside. So, you would need to transport your bicycle (unless of course, you have the time and the stamina to bike all the way through). There are a lot of bike racks available in the market and to narrow down your choices, consider the following:
The vehicle you will be attaching the bike rack to
A bike rack is not a size, fit all. your first consideration when buying a bike rack is deceit about the vehicle where you will be attaching it. It should match the size and capability of the vehicle to carry the additional weight. this is one of the things that you need to consider first when choosing bike racks. What works for an SUV might not work for another make and model of a vehicle.
Look for a bike rack that is complementary to your vehicle to make sure that you are not spending unnecessarily since with an SUV, a compact bike rack will do. But, if you drive a minivan, get a larger and sturdier bike rack. For example, a Thule bike rack is popular because of its high quality.
The number of bikes you need the rack to carry
Generally, one bike rack is sufficient to carry two bikes. But if you would be transporting more than two bikes at a given time, you should consider that as well. Sure, it might just be you and your spouse or partner for now but what if your kids suddenly started showing interest in biking as well and would want you to buy them their own bicycle to join your biking trips?
Or what if your siblings or friends want to join? It is better to purchase a bike rack that could accommodate and carry more than two bikes so you would have an allowance if and when someone else would want to join you. This is just good sense especially if you know several people who share the same interest.
The main consideration when selecting a bike rack is its sturdiness and stability especially if you would be transporting more than two bicycles. Of course, you would not want it if the bike rack damaged the part of your vehicle where it was attached because it was not able to carry the weight of the bicycles. To avoid this, make sure that you purchase a bike rack not only compatible with your vehicle but also with the capacity to carry the number of bikes you plan on transporting.
