If you need to transport your bike you may be wondering if a bike rack is a good idea, or if there is a chance of damage to your car…
Can a bike rack damage my car?
Unless it’s improperly installed, a bike rack definitely should not damage your car. That said, if installed haphazardly or if the rack itself is damaged, then there is a chance that your vehicle could get small scratches during normal use.
If you are worried, then you might be able to hire a local expert to install it or see if the provider of the rack has installation options, but for the most part, they are pretty simple to affix into place with a little patience and attention to detail.
Are bike racks safe for long drives?
Yes, bike racks are perfectly safe for taking your bike with you on a long journey, but you want to make sure that you are sticking to the recommended speed parameters.
As a loading bike rack will create a certain amount of drag, you need to stick to 55 mph for a trunk rack, 65 with a hitch, and no more than 80mph for a rooftop rack – but check your product documentation to make sure that your model of the rack supports these average speed limits.
Provided that you stick with operational guidelines, the bike rack and the bike in it should be fine.
Should you remove the bike rack when not in use?
Yes, you should remove a bike rack if it is not going to be used, with wintertime being a great example of when you will be least likely to travel with your bike.
The metal parts are typically fine, although a rack that is left on your vehicle will still be exposed to rising and falling heat, wind, potentially snow, and hail… you get the idea!
Even just a day after day the sun can bleach out the color of the rack and damage nylon straps, so to get the most life out of your rack, you should remove it when it’s not in use.
Do bike racks damage your bike?
No, bike racks are not going to damage your bike – after all, they wouldn’t sell very well if that were the case! You DO need to make sure that you don’t leave your bike on the rack more than is necessary to get it from point A to point B, however, doing this COULD damage your bike.
While the rack can hold it securely for transport, if you leave it unattended then you have to think about inclement weather, sunlight, and UV exposure, and then you should do the sensible thing by removing your bike from the rack and putting it inside, in bike storage, or at least under cover and shade.
Does car insurance cover bike racks?
You will need to check your insurance policy, but likely the only scenario that is almost always covered would be if you were in an accident and the bike rack was damaged in the process or fell off and could not be recovered.
That said, in some states, theft or vandalism may also be covered, but you’ll need to verify this with a thorough review of your policy or by contacting your insurance provider well in advance. This is something that you should check now so that you don’t find yourself uncovered should the worst occur with your bike and bike rack.
How fast can I drive with a bike rack?
You’ll need to check your product documentation, but typically the rules are that you should not exceed 55 mph with a trunk rack, 65 mph when using a hitch rack, and 80 miles per hour when you are employing a rooftop-style rack.
While there are not any specific laws in most states regarding this, these guidelines are generally accepted to be the recommended speeding limits for driving safely with a bike in a rack on your vehicle. As such, use your best judgment, and don’t forget that a rack and bike are not as aerodynamic as a vehicle without these!
Do bike racks affect gas mileage?
Yes, your loaded back may be going to have an impact on your gas mileage. First, the addition of the bike on the back, plus the installed rack, will be adding a little weight to the vehicle.
Aside from this, bike racks are not very aerodynamic, so this is going to create a small amount of drag. This will have an almost negligible effect on moving your bike short distances, but for long trips then it will certainly add a modest amount to your overall fuel costs.
Will my bike rack get stolen from my car?
An unloaded bike rack will rarely be stolen, but it does indeed happen. Bike racks are designed to be easy to install in very little time and the caveat to this convenience is that they are also quite easy to remove.
If you are worried, then you could always uninstall the rack when not in use, as it’s generally just a matter of minutes to remove it and put it back into place later when you need it. While it’s highly unlikely that someone will steal it, it’s almost 100% unlikely that this will happen if you simply remove it.
So, use your best judgment after mentally factoring in the removal and reinstallation time. If you don’t mind it, those extra few minutes can provide a little comfort and security in the knowledge that your rack won’t be leaving you unexpectedly anytime soon.
Are hanging or platform bike racks better?
It depends on how you intend to use it, but if you will be loading and unloading bikes frequently and intend to leave the rack on your vehicle MOST of the time, then a platform style helps to speed things up and improves the ease of use for your bike rack.
If, however, you just need a place to hang your bike and you will be frequently removing the rack, then a bike rack will be a better fit for this. A standard bike rack is much easier to quickly remove or replace than a platform rack, while the platform rack is more convenient and easier to use.
Is it OK if the bike rack wobbles?
Yes, to an extent, but the rack should only wobble minimally, if at all. A little rocking back and forth provided that the movement is 2 inches or under, is a little annoying but should still be fine for safely hanging and transporting your bike.
If it is moving more than this, however, then it may need to be resecured or if you’ve had it for a while, then it might simply be time to replace it with a new, more reliable model. Remember – racks are relatively cheap to replace, but your bike is NOT.