what kind for towbar bike rack is better ? ?
06-30-12, 09:51 AM
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what kind for towbar bike rack is better ? ?
im looking to buy a towbar bike rack, however there are 2 kinds that are very similar. one with just 1 bar
or another kind with a fork type
just wondering are they any difference in it's stability while driving? provided that the bike is evenly loaded in the center.
or another kind with a fork type
just wondering are they any difference in it's stability while driving? provided that the bike is evenly loaded in the center.
07-02-12, 12:06 AM
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I don't think either of those racks would work well. I can't imagine the clamping mechanism working well and making it difficult to load the bike.
I would look for double support and straps. Thule and Yakima make the most common racks.
My rack is about 10 years old, has a nice cradle, and although the straps are long gone, bungee cords work well.
Mine slides into 2 inch square hitch.
I would look for double support and straps. Thule and Yakima make the most common racks.
My rack is about 10 years old, has a nice cradle, and although the straps are long gone, bungee cords work well.
Mine slides into 2 inch square hitch.
Last edited by ChargerDawg; 07-02-12 at 12:07 AM. Reason: additional comment.
07-02-12, 06:24 AM
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Set your bike on a level surface and look at it from the side. Does the top tube on your bike look level? If it doesn't (most bikes today) your bike is going to tilt on either of those racks. That would drive me crazy and, if it tilts too much, you may have issues with the front wheel dragging on steep driveways.
Another issue with either of those racks is starting and stopping. Your bike is going to swing front-to-back. You can minimize that with bungy cords but I doubt you'll be able to eliminate it completely. I wonder if that swinging will damage the paint on your top tube too.
The hitch racks I like best secure the bike by it's own wheels. That way you don't have anything touching the painted parts of your car and you don't have anything touching the painted parts of your bike.
Another issue with either of those racks is starting and stopping. Your bike is going to swing front-to-back. You can minimize that with bungy cords but I doubt you'll be able to eliminate it completely. I wonder if that swinging will damage the paint on your top tube too.
The hitch racks I like best secure the bike by it's own wheels. That way you don't have anything touching the painted parts of your car and you don't have anything touching the painted parts of your bike.
07-02-12, 10:02 AM
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I've been using one like the top for about 6-7 years now with no problems. You'll want to bungee the bike to keep the front wheel from swinging madly about. And if you've got a mixte frame, it's much easier to carry with a bar that goes between the seatpost and the stem to act like an extra top tube, although it's possible (if fussy) to put the bike on the mount between seatstay and seat tube.
