Like to bike? Rack it up!

Whether you’re a dedicated cycling enthusiast, professional racer or just someone out for the occasional pedaling cruise, you need the right equipment to transport your bike to the trails. Yes, you simply stuff whatever part of your Schwinn that fits into your vehicle’s trunk or cargo hold, secure it with a bungee cord and cross your fingers. Fortunately, there are scores of affordable bicycle racks offered in various configurations that can fit just about any car or SUV.

If you plan on buying a new car, check out what the dealership has to offer in the way of bike racks, which these days are often offered as accessory items. If you buy a factory-authorized rack, you can be assured it will properly fit your vehicle and look well integrated. Plus, the dealership will usually handle the installation and provide warranty service for it down the road. It’s also the only way you are likely to be able to finance a bike rack at a lower, new-car interest rate rather than at higher credit card rates. This might enable you to buy a better rack in the first place.

Some makes and models go further than others in their efforts to be bike-friendly. You may not find original-equipment racks offered for high-end luxury or sports cars, whereas they’re more-frequently available on models sold to younger and more active buyers. Some car companies sponsor bicycle racers and racing, which means they also offer appropriate bike-related equipment. If, say, Chevrolet is sponsoring a racing team, the company doesn’t want its members driving other automakers’ models to transport their bikes to the event.

Otherwise, there are literally hundreds of aftermarket racks available through bike shops, auto accessory outlets and sporting goods stores. The best of them are those that are made to mount solidly to a specific vehicle, as opposed to strap-on “universal” racks that are designed to accommodate any number of makes and models.

Rooftop bike carriers hold bikes in different ways. Some hold the entire bicycle, while others require the removal of the front wheel for “fork mounting.” Some cyclists prefer a fork mount because it affords a streamlined look and overall sturdiness. Others like the “upright mount” variety because it precludes having to remove the bicycle wheel, although it could be more difficult getting the bike up there, particularly with heavier bikes on taller vehicles. More expensive racks tend to hold bikes more securely and are generally easier to use.

Unfortunately, roof-mounted racks usually create added wind noise when driving at highway speeds whether they’re carrying a bike or not. Most brands offer a wind fairing that often cuts down on the wind-noise levels considerably. This is generally just a slanted plastic panel that pushes the wind over an empty rack.

And then there’s the potential peril involved in carrying a bike upright atop a vehicle. Many bicycles have ended their useful life after being forgetfully driven into the top of a garage door.

Those who either don’t want or are unable to hoist a bike atop a car should consider a rack that mounts on a trailer hitch. Trailer hitches are fairly common on pickups and SUVs but less so on passenger cars, although they can be installed on most models. The racks mount into the square part of the hitch, commonly known as the “receiver.” There are two sizes of receivers: 1-1/4-inch and 2-inches. The latter is far more common. Be sure you know which size receiver is in place on your vehicle before buying a rack for it.

Hitch mount racks vary widely, with some able to carry as many as four bikes at once. Since they tend to block an SUV’s rear hatch or a pickup truck’s tailgate, look for a model that can swing away or fold down for easy access.

Hitch-mounts add a one- to four-foot extension to the rear of the vehicle, which can make backing-up difficult. Worse, when there are no bikes attached, the rack can’t be seen by the driver, who must always keep in mind the extra length added to the vehicle – preferably without hearing a crunch first.