Road trip-
“From bike racks to tune-up tips, here’s what you need to know before bringing a bicycle on your next road trip.”
The following written content by Cassandra Brooklyn
Riding your bicycle around the neighborhood has its charm, but bringing it along to new, scenic locations is even better. Getting out and pedaling is an excellent way to break up the monotony of driving during a long road trip. These tips can help you properly transport your bike both longer and shorter distances.
How to tune up your bike before a road trip
Before bringing your bike on a road trip, you’ll want to make sure it’s in good condition—this is particularly true if you’ll be traveling to an area that doesn’t have a bike shop. Be sure your tires are inflated (and bring a bike pump), and confirm that the brakes are in good working order and the chain is well-greased and in good shape. If you haven’t ridden the bike in a while, go for a quick ride to make sure everything feels right. If it doesn’t, swing by your local bike shop to have it looked at.
Be sure to bring some basic tools and supplies with you so you can adjust the saddle, patch a tube, and fix a flat. Even if you don’t plan on riding at night, bring front and back lights with you, just in case. Regardless of when or where you’ll be riding, always wear a helmet.
Can you put a bike rack on any car?
Bike racks can be installed on most cars, either via a rooftop carrier, trunk rack, or back hatch. Small sports cars, cars with a rear spoiler, or those with a lot of glass in the back may not be able to support a bike rack. Though some smaller cars can support a rack (you can get a factory-issued rack from the dealership), tiny cars and smart cars may not have room for a rack. Even if you don’t purchase a rack from a car dealership, it’s a good idea to call and ask if the manufacturer makes a rack for your model car. If they do, chances are that an aftermarket rack is also available, just make sure it’s installed correctly.
What kind of bike rack is best?
The best bike rack for your car depends on the type of car you have, how often you’ll travel with a bike, and how much money you want to spend. Simple rooftop and trunk racks start at $40 but may only be able to carry one or two bikes and they could be difficult to use or require you to remove the rack to access the trunk. Premium trunk and hitch racks can run up to $600 but they can hold multiple bikes, are very user-friendly, and don’t need to be removed to access the trunk.
Roof racks (which typically need to be installed on crossbars) mean bikes are completely out of the way so that the trunk can easily be opened and accessed. The flipside is that they add additional height (remember this when entering parking garages and drive-thrus), and can sometimes be difficult for a single person to get the bike onto. This is particularly true if the person is short, the car is tall, or the bike is heavy.
How fast can you drive with a bike rack?
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