Written By: Jonathan
Fact Checked By: Caroline Dezendorf
Reviewed By: Matt Tanner
During the vacation or travel sometimes it is important to carry a bicycle for best kind of adventure, so if you leave your bike unsecured on a car rack, even for a few minutes only.
We all have concerns about bike theft on the rise in many areas of USA, so its very crucial to lock your bike properly to stop opportunistic thieves.
So it is very important to secure your bike while it’s mounted on a car rack, that secures your lovely bike with your peace of mind.
Types of Car Bike Racks and Their Security Levels
- Roof-Mounted Racks
- Trunk-Mounted Racks
- Hitch-Mounted Racks
1. Roof-Mounted Racks
Roof racks are one of the great option as it keeps your bike on the top of your vehicle, so because of height it has offer more security due to their height, but yes they still need a lock to secure the frame to the rack for achieving the maximum security.
2. Trunk-Mounted Racks
Now, the trunk-mounted racks are very easy to set up and has been more affordable than other kinds of racks, as well as they offers less built-in security and you have to use an external lock with trunk racks.
3. Hitch-Mounted Racks
Hitch racks with locking mechanisms that make sure the security but you need to be use additional external locks for increased safety purpose so that you don’t have to worry about the security and all.
Step-by-Step Guide to Locking Your Bike on a Car Rack
Step 1 – Choose the Right Lock
You need to pick up the perfect and the most ideal lock, and you should use bike specific lock for high-level of security, so there are U-Lock, Cable-Locks, Chain Locks and Integrated Rack Locks and U-locks are my favorite one as per its high protectiveness capability.
Step 2 – Secure the Frame to the Rack
Now, put the lock on the main triangle of the bike frame as it is a stable part of the car rack and always look for the stable part as it is obvious to secure the bike.
Step 3 – Lock the Wheels (if possible)
For an added security feature you can lock the wheels, or at least lock one wheel, if not both, as this can be done by a secondary cable lock.
Conclusion
It is very essential thing to lock and secure your bike to a car rack, as it prevent from theft or any unnecessary hassles during the drive and even when parked.
If you understand the type of rack you have, you can use the right type of lock and follow best practice to minimize risk and enjoy your ride without any worries about safety.
FAQ’s on How to Lock a Bike To a Car Bike Rack
Q: Can I leave my bike on a car rack overnight?
Answer: Absolutely not, it is definitely not recommended, even if you have locked the bike securely after following each and every step mentioned, the risk of theft at night is still very high.
Q: Are built-in rack locks enough?
Answer: There is no doubt that they help, but it’s best to use additional locks according to the type of bike rack you have and the level of security required for maximum protection.
Q: What if I have multiple bikes?
Answer: For more than one bike you will need to use a longer chain or more than one lock so you can secure them separately, so that each frame and wheel is safe.
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Jonathan, the passionate owner of Bicycle Time, brings a lifelong love for bikes and automotive craftsmanship, that reflects into every corner of the shop. With deep passion in both cycling and automotive accessories, Jonathan is more than just an expert.