Bicycle carrier

A bike carrier, bike carrier in Switzerland, is a device which with another vehicle allows the driving of a bicycle ( for example, car or van). The carrier creates many vehicles in the first place the possibility carry the relatively bulky bicycles in one piece and also ensures a customized bikes on mounting option.

We distinguish between the following types:

• Roof rack (design of the roof rack for bike transport )
• Coupling beams are clamped onto the ball of the towbar by closing force by friction.
• Rear carrier be attached to the vehicle rear / tailgate.
• Towbar carriers are attached, for example on the drawbar of trailers.
• Support or attachment system for transporting inside vehicles (eg campers or vans )

Development

In Germany a long time was only transport allowed on the roof of the car. Roof racks are therefore widely used. Coming from Holland and France, rear carriers have increasingly enforced. The bike is fastened transversely to the direction of travel at the rear of the car.

In some countries, bicycles are transported on buses outside. For this purpose, a bike rack on the Busfront or the rear mounted where the passenger can accommodate his wheel. Even for motorcycles bike carrier systems have been developed.

Variants

Roof rack

Roof Racks utilize the often present on the vehicle mounting points for roof rack or mounted on their backbone. The transport is generally done with upstanding in or against the direction of travel bikes. There are also variants for the underlying transport. The disadvantage there, the significant increased air resistance. In addition, the bike has to be lifted to the roof. But also carrier with lifting aids are offered. When the roof rack base of the vehicle remains unchanged, which makes maneuvering easier and the rear view is not obstructed, as is the case for example with bike racks. However, (eg car parks ) with caution at low headroom.

Clutch and rear carrier

In rear -side mounting, there are solutions that use the trailer hitch. For them, the support is clamped to the previously defatted coupling head. This can be done by clamping screws must be tightened with a torque wrench or tool-free -to-use clamping systems with a clamping lever. The support is so not like other systems on the vehicle type dependent, but can be used on virtually all vehicles with the appropriate trailer hitch. For aluminum couplings separate releases of the manufacturer must be observed. There are clutch carrier usual for 2-4 wheels. The permissible loading is dependent upon the allowable load of the clutch and the weight of bicycles. Many two-or three -carrier can be extended with an extra rail to another place. For very large loading ( 4 bikes ) some carriers have to be additionally secured with straps to the vehicle, but not including the trailer hitch is used in the normal case. Coupling support together with the wheels, are often folded down to the rear in order to provide access to the luggage compartment. This design, as compared to the other systems is relatively expensive. In addition, under certain circumstances, it should be also retrofitting a trailer hitch.

In Germany clutch carrier must have a license and also be equipped with taillights. If the third brake light is obscured, another stop lamp must be fitted additionally. The bikes may laterally not more than 400 mm beyond the lights. Furthermore, an additional label must be attached to the carrier, but the official plaques do not have to be stuck there.

Other carriers are mounted on the tailgate. For mobile homes, they are also often fixed to the rear side wall of the structure. Many of these tubes sit so high that they do not obscure the rear lights and the license plate. Otherwise, the same rules apply as for coupling beams. The holders of the bikes are often folded to reduce the length of the vehicle in the unladen condition. In a test of the ÖAMTC caused carrier with tailgate attachment to a car an even higher increase in fuel consumption as a roof or clutch carrier. Rear carrier can restrict rearward vision. On some models, the tailgate can not be opened.

Some manufacturers can also express the transport of other objects or to provide appropriate conversion kits, such as luggage container on.

For some campers and cars rear-end bicycle rack can also be accommodated in a schubladenartigem extract the rear bumper, mounted on the license plate and tail lights. When Opel Corsa D, Opel Antara, Opel Zafira Tourer, Opel Adam Opel Astra J and the Optional Equipment, " Flex-Fix" offered, in a rear- sided bike rack is housed in the form of a drawer behind the license plate.

Internal support systems

In recent years, the bicycle transport, or securing cargo in the interior of vehicles has gained weight. Reasons for this are in addition to ever increasing vehicles with appropriate storage space ( station wagons and SUV) the same aerodynamic efficiency of the car and thus no increase in fuel consumption and better protection against moisture, dirt, theft and vandalism. The influencing the driving behavior due to the changed center of gravity compared to externally applied loads is also lower. Some campers have their own " bicycle garages ". On the market there are different systems, with the wheel can be safely stowed in the interior.

In public transport, such as trains and buses, bicycles inside is often possible. The existing facilities for having the character of simple " holds " on bicycle parking facilities with simple straps or rods to lean to bike carriers, also take over the function of the load securing depending on the configuration.

Attachment of the bicycle

In most embodiments, the wheel is held by jaws or the belt to the frame and fastened by the belt on the wheels in a U- rail. However, there are variants in which the bike with straps that comprise the frame or the wheels, or on the cranks ( Twinny Load) is fixed. In cycling systems are widespread, in which the front wheel is housed in a separate bracket and the fork is fastened to the hub receiving. Some quality bikes ( CFRP and very light aluminum frame ) are not suitable for mounting with simple universal jaws, as there, the frame may be damaged.

Security

Lost cargo endangers not only the carrier vehicle, but most of all other road users. Basically, the manufacturers recommend a maximum speed of less than 120 km / h when a bicycle rack is carried. The air resistance leads to high loads on the bike mount and the mounting of the support. Therefore, special care should be taken during installation. Packaging such as tarpaulins or sheets should not be used to keep the air resistance, at least for passenger cars. The same is true for large attachments, such as packing bags, or child seats. Furthermore, all objects that can be solved to remove ( geklipste lights, air pumps, etc.) before departure.

With the proliferation of electric bicycles and their higher weight of 20-30 kg are often the point of sustainability of delivery systems and support load wins the hitch important. Frequently there is a limit on the order of 50 kg, which is quickly reached already at two electric bikes. There is then the risk of overcharging.

Particularly high loads occur during sudden evasive maneuver and heavy braking. Adapted speed and a forward-looking style of driving help to avoid such situations. A stop will be recommended shortly after starting the car and more regular inspections of the cargo during the voyage.

Various organizations such as the ADAC, bike carrier to test, among other things the so-called City crash, a collision with about 30 km / h and at an abrupt maneuver. Not all carriers pass these tests. For roof carriers often shows the attachment of the base support on the vehicle as a weak point, clutch carriers can twist on the clutch, causing damage to the rear carrier rear.

Security also includes the topic of theft and vandalism. In most vehicles, the fasteners to the vehicle and the bicycle are provided with simple locks or just to assemble with tools. They thus offer only a very limited protection against theft.

Bicycle transportation on a bus in Canada

Carrier for motorcycles