A Guide to Boot Rack Bike Carriers for Hatchbacks
Cycling with family or friends is by far one of the most enjoyable outdoor activities that you can engage in. It’s healthy and it’s invigorating, and Australia also happens to have some of the most remarkable road, cyclocross, and mountain biking routes to be found anywhere in the world. The beauty of cycling is that neither you nor your riding partners have to be pros, or own professional bikes to enjoy it. You do, however, need to have a safe way of transporting your bikes if you plan on bringing them with you on holiday, or setting off on a road trip or cycling tours.
Unless your vehicle has an abundance of cargo space, you’re going to need a bike rack; so the real question is: does buying a bike rack make more sense than renting one? The truth is, there are a lot of benefits that go with owning your own bike rack, so let’s take a look at how this small investment in equipment can yield such a great cycling dividend.
Boot Bike Rack Carriers
First and foremost, the most compelling advantage of bike rack ownership is that it’s cost-effective. If you plan on transporting your bikes more than just a few times, you’ll quickly realize after the first couple of rentals that purchasing a boot-mounted 3 bike rack for a hatchback or sedan is going to save you money. They’re affordable, they’re compact, and quite simply, there’s no substitute for owning your own rack. It’s yours; and you can mount it on your vehicle any time you’re ready to explore a new trail without worrying about nearby rental locations, reserving the right type of rack, and then returning it at a certain time.
Renting a bike rack also means that you’re more than likely going to be limited to either a hitch- or roof-mounted unit; and if you don’t have a tow hitch or aren’t fond of wrestling bikes on and off your vehicle’s roof, neither of which are going to be very convenient. 3 bike racks are regarded as the best bicycle racks because they have the right combination of qualities, without being unnecessarily inconvenient.
Unlike a lot of larger, more technical bike rack solutions with numerous legs and straps that are prime for scratching paint surfaces, a dog-legged 3 bike rack is designed to fit over, not in direct contact with a vehicle’s spoilers and rear fairings. They also have features like:
- Anti-sway adjustments that’ll let you load your bikes easily;
- Arc-styled positioning that allows your bikes to secured at different levels;
- High-grade hold-downs and steel reinforced ratchet straps to hold your bikes firmly without damaging them;
- Integrated locking that secures your bikes to the rack, as well as the rack to the vehicle; and,
- Articulated rubber feet that won’t damage your vehicle’s finish.
Ultimately, having your own 3-bike boot rack not only proves its value against a rental, but against other styles of racks as well. And even though most of their advantages come from practical design, you can count on them to also be the leaders when it comes to construction.
Boot Rack Carrier Construction
Although construction is going to play a big part in how well any bike rack performs, it’s especially true with boot racks. The best-built boot racks have to be strong enough to carry a 45kg load like bulkier and heavier racks, without forcing you to pay a weight or aerodynamic penalty every time you pass a petrol station. A well-constructed 3 boot carrier shouldn’t weigh more than 5kg – 8kg, but still boast solid construction traits like:
- Durable, UV-resistant construction;
- Sturdy, injection moulded arms and legs; and,
- Long-lasting, no-rust hooks, straps, and fittings.
Flexibility is another understated attribute of successful boot rack construction. Even though boot racks are ordinarily associated with only hatchbacks and sedans, their ability to safely accommodate irregularly shaped bumpers and rear glasses make them equally well suited for SUVs and combis too.
In short, boot racks are tough enough to set up and load in minutes, spent a full day travelling, and then stow away invisibly in a corner of the boot when it’s over. That’s a level of ease and experience that you won’t get with a rental or any other type of carrier, and it’s of particular value when it comes to safety.
Boot Rack Bike Safety
No matter which type of bike rack you have, it’s important to remember that a rack is more than just an accessory for holding bikes. It’s an extension of your vehicle, and that means it has to conform to the rules of the road. There are 3 points to remember whenever you’re using a rear-mounted bike carrier:
- A carrier can’t be mounted when it isn’t carrying a bike;
- No part of your bike or the carrier should obscure your license plate; and,
- No part of your bike or the carrier should obscure your tail lamps or turn signals.
Because they’re designed for convenience, removing a boot rack when it’s not in use isn’t a problem. When it’s in use, however, you’ll need to exercise caution over the remaining points.
You may have to purchase and display an auxiliary license plate behind your bikes if your vehicle-mounted plate isn’t completely visible. Likewise, you may also need to position your bikes so that none of your lamps is impaired, or purchase portable rear lights to supplement the ones on your vehicle.
These are simple but necessary safety considerations, though. Fortunately, they’re easier to address with a boot rack than with any other type, and once you’ve addressed them, you’ll be ready to take a trio of bikes anywhere you want.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, the advantage clearly favours bike rack ownership over renting; but it’s the type of rack you buy that’s really going to set the tone for your biking adventures. Before you set off with family or friends on your next cycling excursion, give your current bike rack situation some serious thought. If you’re tired of spending more time loading bikes than you’d like to, a boot-mounted 3 bike rack for hatchback or sedan may be the capable, cost-effective transport solution that you’re looking for. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference it’ll make.
