Pros and cons of bike racks on the roof of a car

Cycling is a sport, a hobby, a feeling of freedom, and care for nature. With a bike, you can forget about traffic jams, gas stations and even roads. And the most interesting routes, as a rule, are hidden outside the dusty cities. Therefore, taking a bike with you on a trip is the right decision if you have a car. But it is important to choose the right bike rack. They come in many different types, and this article is about roof mounts, because this is one of the most popular options for transporting a bike.



Advantages and disadvantages of a bike rack on the roof of a car
When choosing bike mounts for a car, or rather, for its roof, you will choose a reliable type of mount and a minimum of problems. The bikes are fixed on the roof with special holders, and the wheels also need to be fixed. The price of such mounts depends on many factors: material, brand and even the brand of your car. Cheaper options are made of steel, while more expensive models are made of aluminum and are equipped with anti-theft locks.

Benefits of mounting bicycles on the roof of a car:

• You do not need to disassemble and reassemble your bike.
• You can carry up to 4 bicycles on the roof of the car at once.
• Suitable for transporting heavy models.
• The bike does not take up precious space in the trunk or cabin.
• One of the cheapest options.

There are also disadvantages:

• Every bike needs its own mount. So, if you are going to transport 3 bikes at once, then, accordingly, you will need 3 mounts.
• The car becomes higher, aerodynamic properties worsen, a rumble will be heard at high speeds.
• On the roof of the car, a luggage system with crossbars should be provided.
• If you have a tall car, it may be difficult to install bikes on the roof.
• When traveling, you can damage both bicycles and the body of a car.

Types of fastening is great to the roof of a car

There are several types of mounting the bike to the roof of the car:

1. For the frame. One of the most common ways. The downside is that there is a risk of scratching the frame at the attachment point.
2. For the pedal. At first glance, the method does not seem reliable, but still it is not inferior in strength to fastening to the frame.
3. For a fork. This method requires the removal of the front wheel. But a car with a bicycle will not be so bad with aerodynamics.
4. Behind the wheel. In this case, the bike must be turned over and tightened in three places with fastening straps, including the handlebars and saddle.

There are pros and cons to any method of attaching bikes to a car, so you should decide what is important to you in order to choose the right option.