Roof, sunroof or hook bike mount - which one to choose? Advantages and disadvantages of each solution

Planning cycling trips in Poland or Europe? If you want to take your gear with you on your dream journey, learn how to transport it safely. In today's post, we will compare four ways to transport bicycles: in the trunk of a car, on the roof, on the tailgate and on the towbar, comparing their advantages and disadvantages. Check out which one works best for you!

What will you learn from this post?

• What is the best way to transport bicycles?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of transporting bicycles on roof racks?
• Is it profitable to buy a platform for transporting bicycles on a towbar?

Shortly speaking

Bicycles can be transported in a car in four ways: inside, after folding the rear seats and unscrewing the wheels on a two-wheeler, on roof holders, on a rack attached to the trunk lid, and on a platform located on a hook. Currently, the latter is the most popular among drivers. Transporting bicycles on a platform does not affect riding comfort – it does not increase air resistance or restrict visibility.

Why not carry your bike in your car?

If you are driving an SUV, minivan or large station wagon, you can safely skip this paragraph. In this type of car, the bike fits easily into the trunk, sometimes without even unscrewing the wheels or folding the seats. Transporting a two-wheeled vehicle in a smaller vehicle However, this can be frustrating for at least three reasons.

First: severely restricts space... To fit a two-wheeled car into a sedan, hatchback and even a small station wagon, you need to not only unscrew the wheels and steering wheel, but also fold the rear seats. And accept the fact that the car will not fit more than two people or any bulky luggage.

Second: The bike carried in the vehicle must be secured so that it does not shift while driving. Thanks to crash tests, we all know how dangerous an ordinary water bottle becomes during sudden braking and impact in a collision - under the influence of the forces acting then, the weight of each thing increases many times over. Think about what could happen if a rider gets crushed by a 10kg aluminum bike.

Thirdly: the bike can stain or even damage the upholstery and plastic parts of the interior... Before packing the equipment into the car, it is recommended to wash it, which may not be possible after many trips.

However, having a two-wheeled vehicle inside the vehicle has an advantage. It protects the bike from weather and theft.

Benefits of transporting bicycles in the trunk:

• does not generate additional costs;
• does not reduce driving comfort;
• protects the bike from theft and weather.

Disadvantages of carrying bicycles in the trunk:

• significantly reduces the luggage compartment;
• usually requires folding the rear seats, so only two people can travel;
• requires unscrewing the wheels, and often the handlebars and pedals, which can be problematic, and securing the bike with special straps so that it does not move while riding;
• the bike can stain the upholstery and scratch the plastic parts inside the car.

Transporting a bike on the roof of a car

To be able to transport two-wheeled vehicles on the roof of a car, You will not only need a dedicated bike rack, but also a basic bike rack.on which these holders are attached. You can buy both elements in a set - then you can be sure that they will fit together.

Using this solution regarding Thani – A roof bike rack from the well-known brand Thule can be bought for PLN 300-400, but it has several drawbacks. Simply setting up and setting up a two-wheeler causes problems and most often requires the help of another person. Definitely it also reduces driving comfort... When driving at high speeds, such as on a highway, the roof-mounted kit increases air resistance, which causes unpleasant noise and increases fuel consumption... You should also keep in mind that the vehicle's height has changed, so it may not be possible to drive through a tunnel or under an overpass, or to park in an underground car park.

What about the benefits? Transporting your bike on the roof of your car does not limit your view, does not block access to the luggage compartment, and does not pose a risk of scratching the paintwork.

Advantages of transporting bicycles on the roof of your car:

• does not entail too high costs;
• view and access to the trunk are not limited;
• there is no risk that the handle or any element of the bicycle will scratch the paintwork;
• The roof holders can then be used to carry other luggage.

Disadvantages of transporting bicycles on the roof of a car:

• problematic in assembly;
• causes significant air resistance when driving, which reduces comfort and promotes enhanced combustion;
• the trunk and bicycles increase the height of the car, therefore, they can impede passage under viaducts or entry into underground parking lots;
• Insects stick to the bike while riding;
• after driving the first several tens of kilometers, and then at each stop, check if the fastening belts are loose;
• makes the car more susceptible to wind gusts.

Transporting the bike on the trunk lid

A slightly more convenient solution - transportation of bicycles on a special holder installed on the rear door of the car. Such a kit usually does not protrude too much from the outline of the car, so it does not reduce driving comfort. However, when maneuvering, this can be problematic - reduces the view through the rear window. Since the design can scratch the varnish and even deform the damper if installed incorrectly, care must be taken when installing it. And don't forget to secure the bikes just before you hit the road, when all the packages are already in the trunk - with a bike on the holder, access to it will be limited.

Advantages of transporting bicycles on the trunk lid:

• does not reduce driving comfort.

Disadvantages of transporting bicycles on the trunk lid:

• reduces visibility through the rear window;
• blocks access to the trunk;
• handles or bike can scratch the paintwork or deform the cover;
• The holder must be installed so that bicycles do not obstruct the license plate and headlights.

Transporting the bike on a platform located on a hook

If the car has a towbar, you can use another method - installation. bike mount for tow bar. Many drivers find that this is by far the most convenient solution. The platform does not affect ride comfort, does not increase fuel consumption on the road and does not block access to the trunk, and mounting bicycles on it is not a problem.

The only disadvantage of transporting bicycles on a towbar is limiting visibility (though not as large as the trunk lid handles) and slight lengthening of the carthings to remember when parking. According to the regulations in force since 2016, the platform attached to the hook must be integrated with the headlights of the vehicle - when buying, you need to check whether the plug is suitable for the car's electrical network. Before you hit the road, you should also go to the communications department to get some training. third license platewhich is attached to the frame.

Of course, if you don't have a hook, nothing will stop you from installing it. Such additional equipment later useful for towing another car or trailer (eg camping). However, its assembly is not cheap, so you have to recalculate whether it is profitable for you. We will give you a hint: if you often ride bicycles, rather yes!

Advantages of transporting bicycles on a towbar:

• does not reduce driving comfort: does not cause air resistance and does not generate noise;
• does not restrict access to the trunk (especially for models with the possibility of reclining);
• does not destroy the flap;
• provides convenient and quick assembly of bicycles.

Disadvantages of transporting bicycles on a towbar:

• the installation of a hook and the manufacture of a third license plate is required;
• slightly reduces the view through the rear window;
• sometimes causes parking problems;
• quite an expensive solution.

Each of the presented ways of transporting bicycles has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of one should be dictated by individual needs. If you transport two-wheelers no more than twice a year and travel alone or with one passenger, packing equipment in the car is not a problem. However, if you're away with your family and biking across parts of Poland and Europe has become a regular fixture on your calendar, it's worth considering investing in a hook-on platform. Whatever you choose, check out avtotachki.com - we've got everything you need to get your car ready for your bike rides.

One thing is certain - the pleasure of cycling through beautiful nature compensates for all the inconveniences associated with transport.

You can read more about transporting bicycles in our blog:

How to transport a bike by car?

Roof rack - why is it worth it?