How To Put A Bike On a Bike Rack

How To Put A Bike On a Bike Rack - MTB News & Reviews

Two Exclusive Tips On How To Put A Bike On A Bike Rack

When you travel extensively, you may want to secure your bike for carrying and locking it beside the busy streets. Well, in both cases the use of a bike rack comes in handy. You can use the bike rack to quickly attach the bike to the car or securely lock your bike in the parking lot. 

However, if you don’t know how to put a bike on a bike rack properly, things can get incredibly tricky. First off, you may damage the bike or hurt the car paint, both of which aren't desirable. Hence, today we will discuss the two most practical ways to attach the bike on a bike rack. 

So, let’s get in to this!!. 

How to Put a Bike on a Bike Rack 

You can use the bike rack to connect the bike to the back of your car and securely lock it within the parking lot. We will discuss both methods here. 

Method One: Use a bike rack to connect the back of your car and bike 

When you want to carry your bike for cycling in a distant place, taking it at the back of your car is a convenient way. You will need a bike rack for the purpose. The steps include:

Step 1: Opening the bike rack 

Various bike racks are specially designed to suit different make and models of automotive vehicles. For instance, a Prius bike rack will be supportive to the Toyota Prius plus several Toyota built cars. 

However, most standard bike rack will open up with a pleasing arc shape. The exact opening varies according to automobile designs. 

• SUVs and Hatchbacks models will feature a bike rack that mounts one end underneath the trunk and one end towards the rear window. 
• The rack will mount between the top and bottom of the trunk in sedans and coupes. 

When you attach the bike rack with the car trunk, make sure that the clamps of the rack face upwards. It will make the entire rack mounting process easy and straightforward. 

Step 2: Attaching the clips with the car trunk 

At first, find the clips attached with the bike rack. Then find the space right where the car will separate from the trunk. Once you find the right connecting point, you may start clipping the points with the car trunk. 

The clipping is made easy with the markings on each clipping point. You will see top, bottom and side marking written on the clips to inform you which clip will attach wherein the car trunk. 

Step 3: Tightening the straps 

Next, comes the tightening straps of the bike rack with the car trunk firmly. The tightening of the clips using the belt is essential. You should never miss the strap fastening because, with a loose strapping, the bike may fall from the rack. It will cause significant damage to the bike. 

So, when you tighten the clips and straps, make sure every point is adequately tightened. If you find any clips and straps damaged, either repair them or buy a new rack. It is essential because driving your car with a loose bike rack and bike on it poses a massive risk of accidents. 

Step 4: Testing the rack strength 

Once you have clipped the racks with the car trunk and fastened the rack straps too, you might want to put the bike on the shelf immediately. However, we discourage such temptations and recommend you to check the rack strength first. 

For this, shake the bike rack frequently from side to side with your full force. Check whether you find that the car and the attached frame moving sideways at the same time and both feel like a similar entity. If it happens, it is a confirmation that the rack has been connected properly. So, the rack will be able to hold the bike weight with ease. 

Step 5: Pulling and locking the arms 

Next, you need to pull the locking arms towards the bike rack. Note that we are talking about actual arms which will hold the bike firmly on its place on the shelf. There are various models of these arms, each of which works with the specific bike model. 

There would be clicking points which will automatically connect in when the arms fall in the right position. Alternatively, some locking arms are tightened using screws. 

Step 6: Place the bike on the locking arms 

Now, you will have to put the bike on the bike rack. For this, at first, place the bike properly on the locking arms. You need to put the uppermost part of the bike frame on the arm locked with the rack. You must be extremely careful not to hurt the car, bike and the rack whiling positioning the bike on the arms. 

Note: The frame runs directly from the front wheel to the saddle section and is entirely made flat. 

Step 7: Clamping the bike with the locking arms

Find the right clamps to lock the bike frame with the arms securely. It will hold down the bike firmly and secure it while you drive through the road with your car. 

That’s it- you have now successfully put the bike on the bike rack of your car and is all set to pass down the roads. 

Method Two: Locking the bike with a bike rack

This method is for securing your bike in a populated area in a nearby parking lot. Luckily, the technique is quite simple and easy to follow. 

1. At first purchase a good-quality U-lock system. The U-lock will be made of hardened steel for durability. 
2. When you ride through your bike and want to park it, find a well-populated location with the bike parking lot. There’re you will see the bike racks. 
3. Find an empty rack and push the bike front. The front wheel of the bike should go all through the way of the rack’s frontal section. 
4. Insert the U-lock through the bike frame and rack stand. Ideally, you should secure both wheels with the rack stand using the U-lock. However, if the U-lock is short, use an accessory tool for securing the front wheel. 
5. Now, insert the bolt through the U-lock. If you hear a click sound, it confirms the locking for the frame and rack stand. 

Conclusion

Knowing how to put a bike on a bike rack is crucial if you want to transport the bike from one location to another. Also, it helps you secure the bike in busy streets from theft. Luckily, the methods to lock a bike on a car bike rack aren’t tough. 

We sincerely hope, the methods of locking the bike in the bike rack will benefit you to transport and secure the bike. 

Many people ask how to put a bike on a bike rack. The rack is used to carry the bike on a car or park the bike.

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