When transporting bikes, drivers should use a safe and practical bike rack.
Vienna (OTS) – It is becoming increasingly popular to take your own bikes with you on vacation. However, when transporting bikes by car, be it on a roof or rear rack, some important aspects must be taken into account. “Selecting a carrier system is crucial so that you can find the best solution for yourself and your bike transport. Both practicality and safety play an important role,” explains Gerhard Graner, technical manager of the ARBÖ in Burgenland.
The ARBÖ recommends obtaining appropriate information from an expert before purchasing a wheel carrier system. “It would be best if you tested the system yourself on your own car and with your own bicycles,” explains Graner, and further emphasizes: “It is usually more sensible to choose a high-quality carrier system with the appropriate functions and safety standards. A cheap product from the Internet can easily become a bad purchase. It definitely helps to get advice from specialist retailers or from ARBÖ.”
ARBÖ tips for buying bike racks:
Transporting bicycles with a roof or rear rack has the advantage that the entire vehicle interior is available for the passengers and luggage and several bicycles can be easily taken along. When purchasing, you should definitely make sure that the holder is tailored to the width of the tires. The same applies to the clamp fasteners for the frame tubes. Mountain bikes, modern racing bikes and e-bikes in particular often have frames with thick tube diameters.
The maximum load capacity must be taken into account for all systems. With e-bikes, which can be relatively heavy, you quickly reach the limits of the permissible roof load or the maximum vertical load of trailer hitches. The attachments on the bicycles that are easy to lose – such as the saddle, the lighting system, bags, etc. – should definitely be removed. It is also not advisable to cover the wheels with a tarpaulin as they can easily be lost in the wind. Safety instructions that can be found in the car’s operating instructions and those of the rear rack manufacturer must be strictly observed.
The disadvantage of a wheel carrier on the roof is that the aerodynamics of the vehicle are hugely affected, fuel consumption increases and sensitivity to crosswinds increases. When cornering you can feel the higher center of gravity and the vehicle is a lot higher with the wheels on the roof. This is crucial for toll stations, underground car park entrances or tunnel portals. The prerequisite for installing a roof rack is roof rails or a mounting system recommended by the car manufacturer. Before driving, the air pressure in the tires should also be adjusted to the higher transport weight.
The rear carrier requires a sturdy tailgate or a trailer hitch. The carrier is attached to the ball head. A lighting system and a license plate are mandatory if the taillights are covered. Graner points out that the increased vehicle length must be taken into account when parking.
Questions & Contact:
ARBÖ press department
Sebastian Obrecht
Tel.: +43 1 891 21 244
Mobil: +43 664 60 123 244
E-Mail: sebastian.obrecht@arboe.at