Bike Roof Rack - Thule Yakima Saris Roof Mount

Keep your bicycles in pristine condition when they are securely fastened to the top of your car with a roof mounted bike rack.

 Bike Roof Rack

3 questions to consider before purchasing a bike rack

1. How often will you use it?

Roof racks definitely make taking your bikes from your home to your destination easy. But give a thought about how often you will be making that trip. If you’re riding out to the mountains for that once a year drive, would spending few hundred dollars to install the roof mounted bike rack really be worth it? On the other hand, if you’re a weekend warrior that tramples the trails every Saturday then do you want to be hauling your bicycle and playing mind games trying to fit your wheels inside the trunk or back seat of your car? Think about the convenience and frequency of the usage the bike rack might get.

2. How many bikes will you need to load?

Are you a lone wolf who likes to take his bike and cherish the intimacy of your solitary self in the mountainous terrains? Or are you the type who enjoys taking the whole pack out for the cycling adventure? Roof mounted bike racks for sedans can usually carry four bikes while a larger van can hold as many as seven. It is also important to not exceed the weight allowance set by the vehicle or rack manufacturer.

3. Do you own a specialized or odd shaped bicycle?

Roof racks are available in two main types: fork-mount carrier, that clamps the bike’s front-wheel fork and upright mount, that holds the bike’s frame or pedal crank. While the Fork mount career requires for the front wheel of the bicycle to be dismounted every time you load your bike, it assures that most types of frame can be secured and should be easier to carry the bike above the roof. Upright mounts on the other hand does not delegate for you to remove the front wheel however may not accomodate bike’s with unusual frames.

More About Roof Mounted Bike Carriers

For those who want to transport their bicycles and don’t want to change the way they drive, they should look into roof mounted bike racks. These carriers are fastened to the top of your roof via a crossbar system that you can additionally install or are already a feature of your vehicle. Roof bike racks keep your bicycles in pristine condition while you transport them.

By installing a roof mounted bike rack, you are enhancing the storage capacity of your vehicle as well as allowing yourself to be free of obstruction when you’re en route to explore the great outdoors. Roof racks can also carry different outdoor activity equipments like snowboards and canoes with a purchase of accessories and carriers.

Roof mounted bike racks are the most secure way to move your bikes around but they require a little bit more from their owners than other carriers. Since you are housing your favorite bikes on top of your roof, lifting your bike on to your car’s ceiling can be difficult for some. Boost ladders can make this process much less demanding.

 

Roof mounts can hold up to two bikes. Dexterous bikes racks are available which can hold two bikes as well as a kayak or similar shape object. As long as you have a secure crossbar system installed on your vehicle you can use it not only bike racks but other forms of storage equipment. A solid crossbar can be one of the most useful vehicle modifications you can have made on your vehicle because of its endless versatility.