Rooftop Bike Racks vs. Hitch Bike Racks
“I entered the parking garage without thinking. I went in with 4 bikes on my roof rack; I came out with $5,000 of damage to my vehicle. The bikes and rack were totally ruined.”
It’s amazing how many variations of this story you’ll hear when you talk to serious bike rack owners. It’s not just the threat of low-hanging parking garages that is pushing more and more customers towards alternatives to rooftop bike racks.
- Rooftop racks can be difficult to access (particularly on SUVs and Minivans).
- Rooftop racks often need to be custom-fit to your vehicle.
- Rooftop racks create a ton of drag, reducing fuel mileage and creating the potential for highway nightmares.
The most common alternative to rooftop bike racks are hitch-mount bike racks. Here’s a table for easy comparison:
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Accessibility |
Limited, particularly on SUVs and Minivans. |
Convenient, waist-level access at the back of your vehicle. |
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Fit issues |
Can require custom grips or rack customization specifically to an individual vehicle. |
Universal fit on most hitches. Can require custom fit if vehicle has rear-mounted spare tire or ladder. |
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Effect on Gas Mileage |
Can create serious drag, negatively impacting your vehicle’s miles per gallon. |
Sit in the slipstream behind your vehicle. Generally, no noticeable effect on gas mileage. |
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Price |
As low as $40, but quality racks run from $125- $200 plus customization in some cases. |
Simple, quality racks start at $125 – high-end racks can reach $200 - $300 or more. |
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Safety Concerns |
Wind can rip bikes off rooftop racks (happens more often than you think). Low-hanging parking garages, overpasses, etc. |
Hitch Mount Racks feature tons of safety options: hitch locks, cable locks, cushioned cradles, you name it. The safest choice! |
Ready to take a look at your hitch-mounted bike rack options? Great! Click here for more information about selecting a hitch bike rack!
If you are ready to sort through our entire hitch bike rack catalogue by brand, price, style and capacity, check out our brand-new Bike Rack Finder.
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