Bicycle Rack Mounting Instructions

A bicycle rack is the safest way to transport bicycles. Whether you have an SUV, car or truck, there is a bike rack that fits it. With a bicycle rack, your bikes are protected, can be locked, and are securely mounted to the car. A bicycle rack also saves your car from scratched paint and dirty or greasy upholstery. Mounting a bicycle rack is fairly easy and often self-explanatory, however the techniques can differ foe each rack type. According to the Yakima website, investing in the right bicycle rack is as important as investing in the right bike.

  1. Tie-on Rear Rack

    • Many tie-on rear racks are available and each has its own unique style. Essentially a tie-on rear rack consists of a metal or polymer rack that attaches to the rear of a vehicle by polyester straps and hooks. The hooks are rubber coated and the feet are normally plastic or latex to avoid scratching the paint on your car. The hooks mount around the rear panel/door of the vehicle and the feet are placed against the bumper. The polyester straps are pulled tight and then the bikes are set into the bicycle cradles of the rack arms and secured with straps or rope. A tie-on rack often is considered a temporary rack and many times needs to be removed if you are to gain access to the trunk or rear hatch of your car.

    Roof Rack

    • Many vehicles are equipped with a roof rack or at least roof rack capabilities. A roof rack is mounted onto the luggage strips running along the length of the vehicle’s roof. Hooked feet fit over the luggage strips and are screwed down or large rubberized feet are hooked into the door wells of the vehicle and tightened down with counter pressure bolts (these are normally called “Universal roof racks”). The roof rack is one of the most stable and secure racks as the bicycles are actually clamped into place via their front forks or their wheels. A roof rack is easily locked and can be left in place on the vehicle at all times, however it can be a bit more difficult to mount your bicycles on.

    Hitch Rack

    • The hitch rack is often considered the best of both worlds in the bicycle rack design world. A hitch rack offers the convenience and ease of a rear mounted rack, but can also often be tilted or removed easily to provide access to the rear of the vehicle. To mount a hitch rack, simply remove the hitch bolt, slide the receiver end of the rack into the hitch of the vehicle and slide the hitch bolt back through the hitch body to hold it in place. Place the bicycles in the bike cradles in the arm of the hitch and then secure them with straps or rope. The hitch rack is secure, easy to handle, and offers convenience that many avid cyclists want.