Why you must install a bike rack on your car
In 2022, there are more eBikes on the market than ever before. From fat tire cruisers, road bikes, and mountain bikes, there’s an electric bike for everyone. Whether you’re a downhill thrill-seeker, long-distance commuter, or a casual hobbyist, electric bikes are the perfect way to explore what’s outside your front door!
However, owning an eBike comes with unique challenges that you wouldn’t face with a traditional bicycle. For example, there’s the added weight and limited cargo space to consider. And while we love the added speed boost that comes with an eBike, it can further complicate things when it comes time to park and store your ride in between excursions.
If your city has good cycling infrastructure, then you are one of the lucky ones who can use their eBike right from home. But for many, this is not the case. Usually, one has to go outside the city and drive through traffic to reach cycling trails. And for many, biking through or alongside traffic may be challenging and scary.
Considering the increased weight of your electric bike compared to normal bicycles, it might not be as simple to load it into your car as the non-electric alternatives. To resolve this issue, it is recommended to purchase a high quality bike rack to install on your car.
Bike racks can be divided into three categories:
- Roof-mounted bike racks
- Towbar bike racks / Hitch mount racks
- Trunk bike racks
1. Roof-mounted bike racks: Roof bike racks are screwed on the roof of the car and have a crossbar to which the bike racks can be attached.
Pros
- More weight-carrying capacity
- Easy access to the trunk
- Versatile
Cons
- Difficult to install
- Can be difficult to load and unload bike
- Harder to maintain
2. Hitch Mount Racks: Also called towbars, these types of bike racks are attached to the towbar of the car. These racks can be of two types: Hanging cradle style, and platform style.
a. Hanging Cradle: Hanging cradle racks allow the bike to hang from the rack. These racks are comparatively cheaper, and are great for lightweight bicycles. However, the bottom section of the bike is not supported. To add, hanging cradle racks are not off-road friendly as the bikes can swing and bump into each other, causing some damage to the frame and paint.
b. Platform style: Platform style racks have the bikes placed on a platform. These racks are more stable and are suitable for carrying multiple bikes and can tolerate higher weight pressure. However, these racks are more expensive than the hanging cradle rack.
3. Trunk bike racks: These bike racks can easily be attached to the back side of a car with a strap system.
Pros
- Easy to install: These racks can be installed and customized for any car.
- Easy to store: The racks are compact and can be stored easily when not in use.
- Cheaper: These racks are generally less expensive than other bike racks.
Cons
- Less secure: They are less stable than other bike racks. If not installed properly, they can cause damage to the bike and/or the car.
All bike racks have their pros and cons, so it’s important to be thoughtful when selecting a bike rack for your eBike. Electric bikes are heavier than normal bikes, so it’s advisable to choose a rack that is stable, secure, and has more weight capacity. We would recommend a towbar rack to accommodate the extra weight of your electric bike and for easier mounting and dismounting.
If you are serious about purchasing a car rack for ebike or any other vehicle, then we would wholeheartedly recommend taking a look at the Thule EasyFold XT bike rack! It is one of the best bike racks available in the market: the Easyfold XT has a weight-carrying capacity of 130lbs, is fully foldable, and easy-to-use. This bike rack is designed to withstand the weight of two eBikes, and is perfectly-suited for your adventures to the trails.
It is recommended to contact your local eBike dealer to consider the best bike rack for your vehicle.
