Bike racks are the best way to secure your bike to your car's tow bar.
Content
The universal rack securely fixes the bike of any size at the optimal height from the roadway. The maximum number of bicycles transported is three. The kit includes a frame for the license plate, which must be installed on the lower part of the bumper so that the load does not cover the sign.
Many cyclists know how comfortable it is to ride a bike and how inconvenient it is to transport it in a compact hatchback or sedan. An oversized bike does not fit in the cabin, there is not always a desire to remove the front wheels in order to put it in a car box on the roof or in a standard cargo compartment. And if you are planning a multi-day trip, there is no possibility to use a bike rack on the roof, and the upper compartment is occupied by other things…
To transport a bike, it is better to buy a bike rack for a car tow bar. The universal trailer rack is designed to fit 2 bicycles. The design is removed and installed in 2 minutes. It is legal to use a bicycle holder for a car on a towbar: there will be no questions from the traffic police.
How to transport a bike by car
From an ergonomic point of view, bicycles are the most inconvenient load to transport. The pedals are turned out, the steering wheel sticks out, the seat sticks out. It is possible to transport the bike piece by piece by removing the wheels and handlebars, but few cyclists would take such steps.
Bicycles with 16-20 inch wheels are suitable for carriage in the cabin. If the bike is of a sporty type and has wheels of 20 inches or more, a towbar bike mount for the car would be the best option. As an alternative, drivers use:
- roof rack on roof rails;
- fasteners for the fifth door;
- take the seats out of the cabin to expand the cargo space.
Cyclist
If your car has a trailer hitch, you can use it to mount a bike carrier. The design of the bike holder is extremely simple: there are no bolts, complex brackets, etc. The bike rack for the towbar of a car has an external lever that is installed in the towbar and snaps into place. As a result, a reliable axle is formed on which you can fasten the bike, fix it with straps and lock it with a key.
Bicycle rack as a type of attachment
As a type of mounting, the bike holder on the car on the towbar is a folding metal frame with latches. The carrying part of the bike rack is made of steel, the lining and locking handles are made of rubberized, heat-resistant plastic.
The device has a lock, is made of high-strength steel, meets safety requirements.
The fasteners are removable, removed from the hood every time after transporting bicycles, when folded it takes up little space. Weight - from 3 kg. Most manufacturers install an adapter on the trunk base to fix non-standard bike frames.
The best luggage carrier manufacturers
Buying a bike rack for a car towbar is easy. There are budget models on the market, costing from 2000 rubles, products of the middle price segment - from 6 rubles, premium products for transporting 000 bikes with a remote rear warning system, a frame for an adaptive state sign.
Bicycle on towbar
The best manufacturers that produce double and triple bike mounts on a car towbar are the following companies:
- Thule. The Doubletrack range is designed to carry two adult bikes. Included is a frame for the license plate, a cable system for connecting the dimensions through the standard connector of the towbar.
- Hollywood. The Racks HR1000 Sport Rider is designed to carry two bikes. It has a lower device for fixing the wheels. Widely used for the equipment of minivans and minibuses. The improved model is regularly installed on regular buses.
- Yakima. The DoubleDown 4 bike rack is considered the best premium model. When installing a massive structure on passenger vehicles, it is necessary to connect additional dimensions and ensure full visibility of the license plate. A fine for an unreadable or hidden license plate - from 500 rubles.
- Saris. The company "Saris" is the leader in the market of bicycle racks for towbars. The two-bike T-Bones model features heavy-duty braces and an impact protection system. The powerful railing of the device reliably protects the bicycle wheels from mechanical damage.
Many riders use homemade bike mounts to attach their bike to their car's hitch. The design must comply with the requirements of the technical regulations for the conversion of cars: do not protrude beyond the side dimensions of the vehicle by more than 40 cm on each side, do not cover the back number, do not obstruct the view.
Thule
The German concern Thule produces equipment and devices for the transport of bicycles and motorcycles. The company's lineup includes dozens of roof racks that are mounted on roofs, towbars and fifth doors.
The Thule Xpress 970 tow bar bike rack is one of the most popular. With it, you can transport two bikes with a large wheel diameter and a non-standard frame.
The frames are provided with soft holders that tightly fix the bike by two bases. For reliability, the design is complemented by soft belts and reflectors. The bike is installed at the optimal height from the ground, does not reduce the clearance of the car and does not interfere with the view. The design has an adapter "Thule Bike 982". The convertible retainer is designed to secure bikes of a non-standard design, for example, for a cycle track, downhill or a bike with reinforced frames.
The total load capacity of the folding trunk is 30 kg. When installing two bicycles, a safe distance is maintained between them. The trunk model is suitable if a spare wheel is installed on the tailgate. The kit includes a Thule 976 lightbar, which is connected to a standard power connector, overall indicators comply with EU requirements for the carriage of goods. Each latch has a lock that prevents the bike from being stolen.
Doms
The Polish company Amos is the leader in budget bike carriers. Buying a bike mount for a car on a towbar from Amos means getting a reliable trunk made of high-strength steel.
A feature of the Amos mounts is the V-shaped design. The device is inserted and fixed to the towbar connector and deployed to the required distance.
Bike mount
The universal rack securely fixes the bike of any size at the optimal height from the roadway. The maximum number of bicycles transported is three. The kit includes a frame for the license plate, which must be installed on the lower part of the bumper so that the load does not cover the sign.
Customer Reviews
Drivers who have purchased proprietary products note the ease of installation of the trunk and the reliability of the design. This is much more convenient than using your drawings or diagrams from the Internet and making fasteners yourself.
The disadvantage is the danger of spending the night. But these are not the manufacturer's miscalculations, but the peculiarities of the criminal situation in the country. Reliable locks ensure the safety of the bike on the fasteners, but do not prevent vandalism. To prevent intruders from breaking the frame, bending the steering wheel, etc., it is recommended to equip the car with an anti-theft protection system that works if the body is hit, bumped, etc.
Bicycle transport fees
The Supreme Court of the Russian Federation in 2016 made a final decision, according to which the transportation of bicycles on a towbar is legal. Provided that the load does not interfere with viewing the license plate, does not block the view, optics, is installed in accordance with the dimensions of the vehicle.
If the driver violates the rules for installing the bike, Part 1 of Art. 12.21 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which regulates the procedure for the transportation of goods. In particular, a fine of 500 rubles. or a warning threatens the driver if the bike closes:
- external light sources of the vehicle;
- plate number.
Prior to the decision of the Supreme Court, inspectors often applied Art. 12.2 part 2 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, which regulates the availability, installation and review of car license plates and provides for deprivation of rights up to 3 months and a fine of up to 5 rubles.
All Thule roof racks are certified by TC No. TC RU C-SE.OC13.B.01711, RU No. 0417107, according to which the driver has the right to install a license plate on the frame of the bike carrier. In this case, it is not necessary to remove the regular rear number. You can order a third registration plate (duplicate), which is used for trailers, in any accredited organization or the traffic police.
How to attach a bike to a hitch
Branded trunks have several reliable latches that hold the base of the bike carrier on the towbar. Universal designs allow you to install the bike horizontally and along an inclined line. This is important if two or more bikes are being transported. Each latch has an individual lock.
Towbar bikes
Additionally, the bike frame is fixed with soft straps on the carabiner. Carabiner locks are not provided. Models for carrying more than 3 bikes can use a steel horizontal base with welded brackets at the base of the trunk. Wheels are installed in the blocks and additionally fixed.
If you plan to transport bikes frequently, it is better to buy a bike mount for a car on a towbar. Homemade devices do not solve the problem: equipment can break down during movement, it is difficult to choose locks for brackets and reliable tape clamps.
