If the trunk of your car does not fit all the bicycles belonging to members of your family, then this article will help you solve this problem. How to make a bike mount for a car?
The best thing to do in this situation is to equip the roof of your car to carry bicycles on it. Similar bicycle racks can be purchased at the store, but their cost is very high: from 100 to 150 US dollars. An excellent solution would be to make the fasteners yourself.
On the Internet you can find many instructions on how to make a roof bike rack with your own hands.
Popular models from
A wide selection of accessories for transporting bicycles, boxes and much more is produced in Russia. Depending on the mounting methods, the following types of devices are distinguished:
- For gutters: such structures consist of two rectangular arcs and four metal supports. They are attached to the drain with clamping plates and screws. Thanks to the rubber gaskets, the gutters are not damaged.
- On a smooth roof: modern car racks consist of four universal supports equipped with rubber pads. They protect the roof surface from external influences. Thanks to its universal shape, this system is suitable for installation on smooth roofs of cars of any brand.
- On the roof rails: they are located along the roof of the car and can be standard or integrated.
Luggage systems of the Russian brand are in high demand for their affordable cost and reliability - these are the characteristics indicated by the majority of buyers who prefer products.
Possible breakdowns and how to eliminate them
The most common bike rack failure is when the bolts that secure the racks to the dropout are cut off. A very unpleasant situation, since part of the bolt usually remains inside the hole, and removing it from there is quite problematic. Sometimes you even have to drill it out. The cause of this malfunction is poor tightening of this bolted connection. Even if you tightened everything properly during installation, regularly check and tighten all bolted connections of the trunk to the bicycle, because they can unwind spontaneously over time.
The second most common option is when the rack or other elements of the bike rack burst. If it is steel, then there are no special problems. Using a welding machine, we weld the damaged part. Well, in the case of aluminum and titanium, then most likely you will have to buy a new one (although it is not very easy to break a titanium trunk).
Bike rack from what's at hand
Almost everyone in 2022 has their own bicycle, because it is a convenient means of transportation that does not harm the environment and has a relatively affordable price for most domestic consumers. However, they cannot be called low either, because wages, at the moment, are not very generous, which forces people to save, counting every penny before purchasing this or that product. That is why you have to get out using the methods that are available. For example, you can cut down on waste a little and make a bicycle rack yourself if it was not originally provided or was damaged.
- Types of bicycle racks
- How to make a trunk with your own hands?
Homemade devices for transporting bicycles by car
6 minutes Author: Mikhail Skvortsov 304
It's no secret that sometimes places that are considered beautiful are located quite far from where you live. Sometimes, in order to get to the desired section of a mountain highway, a cyclist has to travel several hundred kilometers. Of course, you can use a folding bicycle and carry it on the train. Or buy a trailer for a car. But a much better way out is a device for transporting the bike on your car. If you have one, of course.
Previously, in the eighties and nineties, when there were not so many “foreign cars” on the roads, car owners had access to perhaps the only way to transport a bike - lying down on the roof of a Zhiguli car, using a trunk. Sometimes it was possible to “shove” the bike with the front wheel removed into the back seat.
But scientific and technological progress does not stand still. For many years now, a decent bicycle rack can be bought in sports stores, sometimes in car dealerships, or ordered online.
Flaws
There are quite a lot of disadvantages here. So not everything is as perfect as it seems at first glance.
The disadvantages of this type of bike rack include:
- Increased dimensions, which imposes some difficulties when opening the rear door of the car;
- Relatively high price. If these are professional-level designs, you will have to spend an impressive amount;
- You'll have to drive carefully. You can underestimate the dimensions of the car, hit other cars, etc.;
- Access to luggage compartment. To get it, you will have to remove the bike from the mounts. If you do this often, the procedure will quickly become boring;
- Possibility of damage to the bike. It is enough for someone to drive into you from behind, and at best you will have to repair your two-wheeler;
- The design can cover the license plate, turn signal and dimensions. Because of this, drivers are often stopped by traffic police officers.
Now draw final conclusions about what is your priority, and whether the advantages managed to outweigh the disadvantages.
Some disadvantages are conditional, so they should not always be taken into account in the selection process. If you are a competent driver and have chosen the right design, you will still get more advantages than problems and disadvantages.
Types of bicycle trailers
As we have already noted, trailers can have from one to four wheels.
Single-wheel trailers are not suitable for transporting large luggage, so we will focus on two-wheeled carts. Depending on the area of application, they can be divided into several main types:
Universal cargo trucks are perfectly suited for transporting anything, be it crops from a summer cottage, building materials or small-sized furniture. The load capacity of a conventional trolley largely depends on the quality of the materials from which it is made, and on average is about 50 kg. In more spacious versions, very durable pipes are used, and the platform area is increased.
Load trolley 120 kg
Passenger trailers are designed to provide their occupants with the greatest comfort and safety. Many of them undergo special crash tests. These carts are wider than cargo carts and have a lower center of gravity, which allows them to maintain stability in turns. They are also equipped with seat belts, a canopy and shock absorbers, and sometimes a luggage compartment.
Passenger bicycle trailer
Children's trolleys are similar to passenger trolleys, but may have some special features. They are also equipped with an awning and soft seats. In addition, many models provide the possibility of using them as a lightweight stroller for a child.
Multifunctional baby stroller trailer Thule Chariot Cougar
Commercial bicycle carts are primarily characterized by their large dimensions, otherwise their use would be unprofitable. Most often, they are used as mobile retail outlets, so they are equipped with special equipment, for example, a refrigeration unit for selling ice cream, a counter with taps and space for beer kegs, a coffee machine, and so on. Also, such trailers are equipped with side lights and other optics necessary for driving on public roads.
RezecRR › Blog › DIY roof bike rack.
The bike rack was made more than a month ago, and full field tests were carried out only last Saturday. A 200 km trip on varied road surfaces confirmed the reliability of my design. Our family consists of 3 people, so we needed bike racks for 3 bikes. At the time of making the decision to make a homemade trunk and purchase materials from us, you could buy either “Thule” from 5,500 rubles. per piece, or in Yulmart Chinese fasteners for 2200 rubles. per piece (when my trunk was almost ready, they had a promotion - 990 rubles
