Bike Racks

Travel Racks | Storage Racks

Travel Racks

Car racks come in three main styles. Which of these you choose depends on how you plan to use it. Obviously you want to use it for your bikes, but what if you want to use it for other things, such as skis or kayaks? Here are some more questions that you should ask yourself.

Things to Consider

• How many bikes will you need to carry at once? Do you have a large family?
• What kind of vehicle do you own?
• Are you able to lift a 20lb. bike over your head to put it on a roof rack?
• Do you store your vehicle outdoors or in a garage?
• Do you plan to dismount the bikes every time you store your vehicle?
• Will you need to remove the rack every time you are not using it?

Once you have answered these questions, look below at a quick breakdown of what each type of rack offers.

Racks At a Glance
Roof racks,  which go on top of base racks, are the best option for multi-sport users. Best for larger cars and station wagons with pre-equipped base racks. Versatile. Stores more. Not good for vehicles that are stored in low-ceiling areas. Some people may need a ladder to reach it.	Trunk racks  attach to the back of your car. Ideal for smaller cars. Simple to use, easy to reach. Good for low-ceiling parking locations and garages. Needs cables and locks to be secured. Single systems are built to carry only one type of equipment or another.	Hitch mount racks  are the newest type of rack. Good for SUVs and minivans. Hold up to four or five bikes without causing height restriction problems. Usually adjustable and easy to remove. Easy to access. Makes your vehicle a lot longer in the rear.	Pickup racks  hold bikes from knocking around in the bed. Great for big pickups, but tighter on small ones. Doesn't work so well if you have a shell. Easy installation, though sometimes require drilling into the pickup bed.

Major Manufacturers

Roof Racks

• Yakima 
• Thule 
• Rocky 

Trunk Racks

• Yakima 
• Thule 
• Saris 

Hitch Racks

• Yakima 
• Thule 
• Saris 
• Swagman 
• Highland 

Pickup Bed Racks

• Yakima 
• Thule 

Storage Racks

You don't need to play bike domino, lining them in a never-neat row (and how much worse without a kickstand!), just to watch them tumble, one by one, onto the garage floor. Or onto your car. Or onto you. Storage racks try to lessen the fuss in the garage, earn you some extra storage space and peace of mind.

Top Picks

• For outdoor use, a standing rack is the obvious choice. It will keep your bikes in nice order.
• Buy good bike locks. 
• If you have a single bike you want to store outside, forget a rack: Find a nice pole and buy a good lock.
• For indoor storage, any of the wall mounted models described in the table below will be of use provided you match their pros to your needs.
• Consider your strength and the weight of your bike. How high can you lift your bike? Who will need to get to it?
• For kids' bikes, mount the rack so the bike lies close to the floor.
• Consider the layout of your space. How many bikes do you need to store? Is your ceiling high enough to hang one bike above of the other?
• For the best ease of use -- easy to put your bike up and take down -- and stability, choose a mounted horizontal model.

Racks at a Glance
Standing  What you might see outside a school or library. Hold multiple bikes. Available as large as you want. Only for outdoor storage. Requires separate lock for each bicycle.	Wall Mounted Hoist  Each holds a single bike. Hook clamps top wheel. Need to be drilled into sturdy wall, preferably in garage. Can also be mounted at near-floor level, holding bikes in standing position. TidyGarage hangs multiple bikes side to side. No security; only hang in secure areas.	Wall Mounted Horizontal  Double hooks allow bikes to be hung against the wall without dangling. Less flexible, space-wise. Need to be drilled into sturdy wall. Can be mounted at near-floor level. Not the height of security, but do allow for bike locks.	Floor-to-Ceiling  Tension mounted (no drilling needed). Suited for two bicycles, one hung over the other. Otherwise the same as wall mounted horizontal racks. Make sure the ceiling is strong, reliable. Other option: stands with hooks, like jungle gyms or laundry racks for bikes.