Rear bike carrier or roof carrier: which is better for your transport?
If you want to take the bikes with you on vacation or are planning a bike tour far away from home, the best way to transport the bikes is by car. You have various options for the transportation as you can use the rear bike carrier on the one hand. On the other hand, you have the option of transporting bicycles on the roof of most vehicles. But which of the two options offers which advantages?
Transport with the rear bike carrier
Of course, you need a towbar to transport your bikes on a rear bike rack. The rear bicycle carrier is placed on the towbar and fixed to the ball head. At the same time, you have to make sure that your rear bike rack has a lighting system and is equipped with a license plate, as both can be hidden on the vehicle when the bikes are being transported. Before driving off, you should also check the width of the vehicle with the bicycles on the carrier, the bicycles should not protrude beyond the width of the vehicle. Make sure that you do not overload your rear bike carrier and that you secure and fasten the bikes well.
The German ADAC also recommends paying special attention to the speed at which you are driving with the rear bicycle carrier. The driving behavior of your vehicle can change due to the carrier and its load, also due to the increased air resistance. TheADAC recommendation is therefore not to drive faster than 120 km / h and not to use a cover.
Your bicycles for transport on the roof
The first requirement for transporting the bicycles on the roof is a roof rail on your vehicle. The carrier system is attached to this. As with loading the rear bike rack, you have to make sure that this and the vehicle are not overloaded when transporting with the roof rack. You should therefore always keep an eye on the roof load and also know the weight of your individual bicycles.
The loading of the roof rack is a little more complex than with the rear bike rack and the loading height is of course more uncomfortable for you. It is best to protect the car with a blanket while it is being loaded and make sure that the two of you load the roof with the bicycles.
When driving with a roof rack loaded with bicycles, you should also make sure not to be traveling too fast. Of course, this transport option also changes the driving behavior of the car accordingly. When driving into underground garages, tunnels or under locking beams, you should make sure in advance that it is also possible to drive in with the bicycles on the roof.
You have to pay attention to this when you are abroad
In some countries protruding cargo must be marked. In Germany we do not know this from the ride with the rear bike carrier, but it is necessary in Spain, Portugal, Austria or Belgium, for example. The type of marking for protruding cargo is regulated individually for each country, it is best to inform yourself before your trip in order to avoid fines during your journey.