As you prepare to embark on your vacation or prepare for a MTB adventure, you will probably load up your bikes onto a rack attached to the exterior of your car. However, the thought of arriving at your destination with one or more of your bikes damaged is undoubtedly an unwelcome one.
To avoid any potential damage to your bicycle or vehicle during your trip, consider implementing the following tips:
Check Your Bike Rack Type
The type of bike rack you have may present unique challenges to consider. For instance, trunk-mounted carriers are a popular option for many drivers due to their versatility and accessibility. However, they can obstruct access to the trunk, and it’s important to check for dirt or debris that could potentially scratch your vehicle’s paint before mounting the carrier.
Read the Instruction Carefully
To ensure the safe installation of your bike rack, be sure to carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions, and take care to avoid accidentally scratching your car’s paint with the strap ends. Once you’ve loaded your bikes onto the rack, double-check that the straps are securely fastened and consider testing them again to make sure they haven’t loosened during transit.
Rotate the Pedal
To prevent any potential scraping or damage to your car’s paint, consider rotating the pedal of the first bicycle so that it rests against the license plate. If you’re transporting multiple bikes, you may also want to consider using padding to separate them and prevent any unnecessary movement or bouncing during transit, which could result in damage to one or more of the bikes.
Check the Height of Your Bike
Be sure to position the bikes high enough off the ground to avoid dragging, especially when driving up steep hills. Additionally, take care to ensure that the wheels are not positioned near the exhaust pipe of the vehicle, as the heat could potentially melt any rubber or plastic components and cause damage to the tires or any accessories in the area.
The Most Common Bike Rack Types
Hitch-mount Bike Rack
If you’re using a hitch-mount bike rack, which is designed to fit onto a hitch attachment at the back of your car, you may have additional options for transporting your bikes. With this type of rack, the bikes are positioned away from the back of the car, so there is less risk of scratching or damaging the paint. However, it’s important to keep in mind that your vehicle is now longer than usual, which may require some adjustments when driving or backing up. It’s essential to remain aware of the bikes’ presence at the rear of your car and to take care when maneuvering in tight spaces or reversing.
Although bikes on a hitch-mount bike rack may initially seem secure due to the force of gravity, there is still a risk of them becoming dislodged or colliding with each other while driving on uneven or bumpy roads. To prevent this, it’s important to ensure that the Velcro straps securing the bikes to the rack are securely tightened and adjusted as needed to keep the bikes in place throughout the journey.
Roof Bike Rack
Roof bike racks have the benefit of providing easy access to the back of the vehicle, but they can also present some challenges when it comes to loading and unloading the bikes due to their height. Additionally, it’s crucial to remain aware of the bikes’ presence while driving, as it can be easy to forget they are on the roof, particularly during long trips. For this reason, it may be helpful to leave reminders for yourself in the car, such as notes on the dashboard or reminders on the garage remote, to prevent the bikes from being damaged in low-clearance areas or causing damage to your vehicle or garage.
By following these tips, you can enjoy a peaceful and worry-free cycling trip with the sun on your shoulders and the wind at your back, knowing that your bikes and vehicle will be fully protected throughout the journey. This way, you can focus on enjoying your adventure and making the most of your destination, without having to worry about any potential damage to your property.
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