So you want to take your bike on holidays or a trip.
No doubt you will want to select the best bicycle rack
or bicycle carrier to be able to carry your bike in a
convenient way, secure the bike to your vehicle,
caravan, motor home or RV and protect it as best you can
from dust, dirt and theft.
Bike racks or carriers for vehicles
There are various types of bike racks or bike
carriers that can either attach to the roof
racks or strap onto the back of the vehicle.
Other bike carriers or ‘bike beaks’ attach to
the tow bar and there are also floor mounts for
‘well back’ vehicles such as utes, wagons and
pick-up trucks. Some racks require the front
wheel of the bike to be removed. The front
forks of the bike are then clamped onto the rack
itself.
A disadvantage of a roof mounted carrier
is you may forget the bike is on top when
entering your garage, car parks or supermarket
shopping center and impact or destruction of the
bike may occur.
There are other makes of the swinging arm
type that attach to the tow bar or rear wheel
carrier of a vehicle and swing back to
permit access to the rear cab or back of station
wagons and the like. One ‘swing away’ model is
available from Australian owned distributor
Bern’s Beaks and a ‘swing down’ bike carrier is
available from Camec.
A disadvantage of a rear mounted bike carrier
or bike beak would be if someone ran into
the back of you it would likely destroy the
bikes. A strap-on type bike carrier has
rubber stoppers to prevent damage to the rear of
the vehicle and the straps come from the boot or
rear window of the vehicle. One disadvantage is
they can be a little less sturdy.
Also, the bike rack or bike carrier must not
obscure the number plate of the vehicle. An
additional (smaller) number plate may be ordered
from your Motor Registry, Transport or Road
Authority.
Some bicycle rack/bicycle carrier brand names are
Sandrox, Thule, Yakima and Graber. Rola Roof Racks
supply cycling accessories with some bike racks
specifically designed for the quick release front wheel
as well as hitch mounted bike carriers .
Fiamma produce a bike rack specifically for 4WD
vehicles. It holds two bikes and can be installed onto
the rear spare tyre. Haymen Reese also distribute bike
carriers.
Bike racks
or carriers for caravan ‘A’ frame or
drawbars/Motorhomes/Campervans
Fiamma have a range of Carry-Bike bike racks.
They can be fitted to your caravan, motorhome or
RV in a variety of different ways. Installation
is dependent upon the model of your motorhome or
RV.
Fiamma have a bike carrier suitable for caravans
extended drawbars or ‘A’ frame. The bike
carrier will hold two bikes, attaches to the ‘A’
frame or draw bar and pivots to allow access to
the boot storage compartments. Those caravans
with a plastic cover on the ‘A’ frame would
require removal of the plastic cover to enable
the bike carrier to be fitted.
Some models are designed for bolt fitting
through the rear wall of a motorhome.
Fiamma also distribute a model VW T4 Transporter
for campervans.
Bicycle Covers
Bicycle covers are available. A number of
suppliers for folding bikes offer a carry case.
Check for those that are padded and weather
proof.
Some brand names are CycleSAK, Brookstone
WeatherWrap, Dayva, Trenway Textiles, Topeak and
Bicyclette Capote mountain bike covers.
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