How to Get Bikes on Roof Rack
Getting bikes on a roof rack can be a challenge for anyone, but it doesn’t need to be. Here are some tips and tricks for getting those bikes up there quickly and efficiently. The process of loading bikes on a roof rack is pretty simple. There are many ways to do it, but we will be discussing the best and most efficient method that way, you can spend more time riding and less time worrying about how to get bikes on the roof rack.
First, make sure you have the right equipment for your bike. You’ll want either an adapter or two sets of straps, one to secure the frame and one to ensure the wheels. Next, find a good spot on your car that will allow you to strap down both bikes as tightly as possible without interfering with anything else in the car. Finally, read this entire blog post to understand getting your bike in your vehicle clearly.
Seven Ways to Get Bikes on Roof Rack
1. Front Loading:
If you have a bike and you want to put it in your car, but your car doesn’t have enough space to fit the bike by its wheels, you can pick up the bike’s front axle and lift it from the handlebars. This way, you will avoid any damages to your car or bike’s frame, hub, indicator, etc.
2. Back Loading:
If you drive a luxury car, ensure it doesn’t have indicators on its roof. You don’t want them to get scratched.
3. Lifting:
If you have a hatchback or regular car, lift the front wheel from its triangle and lift the rest of the bike with its rear wheel. As it has rearview mirrors, your car will not get damaged.
4. Hanging:
This is only possible with a truck, but it is how professional carriers transport bikes. If you have a car or an SUV, you can buy the racks attached to the back gate. These carriers are built for carrying bikes and ensure no damage is done to the bicycle’s frame.
5. Ratcheting:
If you have a car, you can use roof racks that come with ratcheting straps. You will attach the top frame of your bicycle to the rack’s frame and then tighten the belt to secure it.
6. Securing the Wheels:
You can use wheel straps to tie down your bike’s front wheel for cars without roof racks. If you have a hatchback or trunk, it will be easy for you to secure the rear wheel. For this, you need some long ratchet straps; if they are not available, you can buy them from a store.
7. Spare Rope:
Use the spare rope to tie down your bike’s frame and front wheel if you have roof racks. This way, you will avoid any scratches or damage to the car’s bodywork. Make sure that you secure both wheels with one strap at least. You can also use the spare rope to tie two bicycles together if they don’t have a front carrier.
Tools and Materials Needed:
- Bikes
- Roof rack system to transport bikes
- Ratchet straps
- Bungee cords
- Cables or padlocks
Instructions: How to Get Bikes on Roof Rack
Step 1: Mounting the Front Bike
Mount the front bike onto your vehicle’s roof rack by securing its front wheel to one of the crossbar’s rubber mounts. Make sure not to mount it too far forward, or else your rear bike may fall off while driving. However, if you have a thru-axle fork, you will need to use a spacer before mounting it to your roof rack to compensate for the additional axle width.
Step 2: Lowering the Rear Bike
Lower your rear bike onto your vehicle’s roof rack. First, attach the upper hook to one of your bicycle frame’s top tubes, then lower it onto the lower pin. If this is impossible with your bike model, simply hook both hooks into any part of its frame and secure it by tightening the rubber strap at its base.
Step 3: Checking That Bikes Are Secure
Once both of your bikes are mounted onto your roof rack, check that they are secure by pulling continuously on each of their parts. Remove the bikes and readjust their positions if you feel any loosening.
Step 4: Driving to Your Destination
Once both of your bikes are secure on your roof rack, drive safely to your destination while taking care not to make sudden stops or turns if you notice that one of your bikes is about to fall off while driving, pull over in a safe place to reposition it.
You’re now ready to roll with your loaded roof rack! It’s advisable, however, to keep your speed below 80km/h on the highway so as not to cause damage to your vehicle or the bikes mounted on it.
Precautions and Safety Measures:
Before you start anything, here are some precautions and safety measures that might help you if something goes wrong.
1. Use a sturdy roof rack system that will not sway back and forth while drivings.
2. Do not use a four-way flat connector with this method; instead, you should use the two-way version to connect two bike mounts. This is because if something goes wrong and one of your connections fails, a second connection will hold together the rack and the bikes. If you have a four-way connector, your bikes will disconnect entirely and fall off.
3. Do not depend on the straps and hooks; they can fail or break.
4. If you have a metal roof rack, it might be good to use some industrial-strength tape (like Gorilla Tape) as an extra reinforcement if possible.
5. Always ensure that the bikes are locked to the racks with a solid lock to avoid theft.
6. Use a good angle finder, a level, and a measuring tape to ensure your bikes are set at an equal height above the car roof before you start driving! If one bike is lower than another, then it may fall off when you are going.
Conclusion:
Now that you know a few ways on how to get bikes on roof rack, it should be much easier. Once the bike is on the rack, secure it with a strap or bungee cord. The straps are always more straightforward to use than cords since they can be pulled tighter and won’t loosen over time as cables will.
For added safety, you may also want to purchase locking cables that attach your bicycle frame directly to the roof rack for even more security. If you have any questions about this process, please leave us a comment below!
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