Every passionate cyclist knows it: regularly riding the well-known routes and paths by bike can become monotonous and boring in the long run. To explore new paths and also to face challenging routes – be it because of the length or the nature of the road – this is an absolute highlight for a passionate cyclist. Rides in the mountains or on bottlenecks in the forest are particularly popular here. But how do you get there if these special off-road routes are not in your home country? Sometimes a slightly longer route has to be taken into account. Of course, the best way to overcome this is with your own car. But what is the safest and easiest way to transport a bicycle here? What tools are there, how do I install them and which ones best suit my vehicle? What do I have to pay attention to so that road safety is not impaired? We would like to address these questions below.
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The transport of the bicycle IN THE car itself
With certain vehicles, it is possible to transport the bicycle not on the roof, as is usually the case, but directly in the vehicle itself. Of course, this is only possible with station wagons, large SUVs or vans. It is important here that certain fastening elements are purchased, which ensure that the bike stands securely and cannot tip over while driving. One can ask oneself what advantages transport by car brings with it. This is obvious: if a bicycle is not transported on the car roof but inside the vehicle, the aerodynamics of the car are not affected during the journey. In addition, the loading process is of course much easier and involves less effort. But even the influences of the weather can no longer affect the bike. But there is also a small disadvantage when transporting a bicycle inside the vehicle: you have to reckon with not having too much space left for other passengers or a lot of luggage.
The transport of the bicycle on the car roof
However, if you do not have a station wagon, van or SUV and therefore do not have enough space inside your vehicle to transport it inside, or if you need space for other passengers or luggage, then it is advisable to use the wheel carried on the roof of the car. Many accept this alternative. It is important here again that your vehicle has roof rails. But please note here that the assembly is complex and that loading the vehicle with the wheel will also require a lot of effort. You can even transport more than one bike on the roof of the car, but also consider the impact on the aerodynamics of your car while driving. You can expect your vehicle's fuel consumption to increase significantly when driving with one or even more wheels on the roof, especially when driving at higher speeds on the highway. And never forget that if you want to drive through the car wash or go through a tunnel, you have a higher vehicle height due to the bicycles on the roof. However, there is also an alternative roof rail, which is designed for transporting the bicycles lying down.
Transporting a bicycle with a rear carrier
If you can't transport your bike either in the vehicle or on the car roof, you can alternatively opt for a rear carrier. This is a device that is installed on the trailer hitch at the rear of the vehicle like a trailer and allows one or more bikes to be transported floating above the road. The advantage of this solution is that the aerodynamics are hardly affected, but on average these devices cost more because they are more expensive. And also note that this will change the length of your vehicle. Would you like quick access to the luggage compartment? Then this solution is not the best either, as the luggage compartment is no longer easily accessible with this device.
If your vehicle does not have a towbar…
… this is not too bad. Because there is an alternative device that does not require a trailer hitch. If you drive a vehicle that has a steep drop at the rear, it is also possible to purchase a device that attaches directly to the tailgate. However, you should find out more about this variant beforehand. The assembly can take a lot of time and unless you have the necessary expertise and a certain degree of care when working, scratches on the paintwork can quickly be an unpleasant result. It is therefore essential that you seek advice from experts.
Would you like to transport an e-bike with your vehicle?
Then make sure that the maximum weight that you are allowed to transport is not exceeded. This is because the support load of the coupling must not be exceeded here. And very important: not only the weight of the e-bikes counts here. The weight of the wearer must also be added. Only then do you come to the total weight that you have to reckon with. Also make sure that you carry the battery for your e-bike with you inside the vehicle. This means you do without additional weight that weighs on the device, and you can be sure that the battery inside the vehicle is not exposed to the weather.
The conclusion and a tip from CarTipsandmore : For every passionate cyclist, a short vacation or a trip by bike to foreign regions is an absolute must. Often, however, a distance must first be covered by car. It doesn't matter whether you have to cover a few kilometers on the motorway or whether you just want to go to the next village: it is essential that your vehicle is used to transport bicycles in a traffic-friendly manner. For this you need the necessary devices that are TÜV-tested and guarantee the best possible safety on the road. CarTipsandmore strongly recommends that you seek professional advice before purchasing a bike transport device. In addition, always adhere to the permissible total load and the permissible dimensions! Only then can you set your sights on your new holiday destination without hesitation.