General information about bike carriers

As bike rack Various devices are referred to carry a bicycle on or at another vehicle. Conventional applications are for example roof rackor bike rack for the trailer hitch at the rear in cars, minibuses, caravans or regional buses. Bicycles are very bulky devices. To carry them in one piece is in many cases only possible through the use of special mounting options. Conventional designs are, for example, the roof rack, in which the bike through a rail systemis fastened on the roof of the vehicle or the coupling carrier. In the coupling carrier, the hitch system is attached by friction on the spherical head of the trailer hitch by frictional connection. Rear carriers are also located at the rear of the vehicle, but are attached directly to the rear of the vehicle or the tailgate. Pedestrian carriers can be found on the drawbar of caravan trailers. Rarely to find attachment systems for the transport of bicycles inside vehicles, for example in motorhomes or minibuses.

Rear and clutch carrier

For fastening systems which use the trailer hitch, the carrier is fastened on the previously grease-free coupling head. As a rule, this clamping systems are used, which with a torque wrenchor clamped with a tool-free system. The biggest advantage of this bike rack is that the carrier is not vehicle type-dependent. On the EUFAB 11514 coupling carrier hatch four bikes can be mounted on each vehicle. The only requirement is that the vehicle has a suitable trailer hitch. In some special cases, the bicycles must be additionally secured with, for example, straps. But as a rule, the trailer hitch is sufficient as a point of attachment. Frequently, the coupling carrier together with the wheels can be folded down to the rear, so that the trunk is still accessible. It should be noted that in Germany only coupling carrier with taillights are allowed. Likewise, the third brake people must be recognizable. Rear carriers differ only marginally from clutch carriers. Only the mounting system requires no trailer hitch, as it is attached to the tailgate. For many carriers of this category, the view is restricted to the rear.

Roof racks are most widespread in Germany

Roof racks were for a long time the only permitted way to carry bicycles in Germany. This is because over a long period of time it was only allowed on the roof to carry items. Meanwhile, from the western neighboring countries, especially from France and Holland, increasingly rear carrier prevailed. Many vehicles already have special mounting points for roof racks. On these mounting points, a skeleton is mounted, on which rails for the bicycles are mounted in the direction of travel. The Thule Rapid foot set is clamped at the receiving points to secure the associated rail carrier. Advantages of the roof rack are that the base of the vehicle remains unchanged. This makes shunting with the vehicle easier. Furthermore, in contrast to rear carriers the view to the rear remains free. It should be noted that care should be taken with low headroom in, for example, multi-storey car parks or under bridges. The driver should be aware at all times that the vehicle height when using a roof rack is much higher than usual. Likewise, the air resistance of the vehicle is significantly increased. This increases fuel consumption and forces the driver to slow down. Additional expense is the lifting of the bicycle on the vehicle roof.

Internal fastening systems

Due to the trend that vehicles are getting bigger and bigger and more and more SUVs and station wagons are bought favors the bicycle transport in the interior of the vehicle. In the growing vehicles is increasingly space for the beloved wheel. Advantages are in particular the unchanged aerodynamics and the associated constant fuel consumption. Likewise, the wheel is better protected against dirt, cold, vandalism and theft. The driving behavior is only very slightly influenced by the only slightly changed center of gravity. As a result, however, a very large space in the interior is claimed because bicycles are still very bulky. Many manufacturers of mobile homes now offer the option of a special Bicycle Garageto integrate inside the motorhome. There are currently various universally mountable systems for the interior mounting of bicycles with various functions. At the Thule Indoor 592 bike rack For example, the skeleton is attached to the seat rails of the vehicle.