Unlike skis, snowshoes, and hiking boots, mountain bikes can be an especially cumbersome thing to travel with. Their shape, size, and weight make them difficult to bring along on road trips and plane rides. But with plenty of transportation apparatuses on the market, and more technology being invented all the time, bringing your bike along is becoming increasingly manageable.
If you love your bike as much as we love ours, odds are you won’t want to leave it behind on your next mountain retreat. So we compiled a list of products and ideas to help transform your bike into your new travel companion.
The most popular way to transport your bike with your car is by using a bike rack. Whether you’re crossing state lines, or just heading to the local trailhead, a bike rack can make transportation easy and convenient. Two common types of racks are roof-mounted and hitch-mounted.
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Roof-mounted racks secure bikes to the top of your car, and many can be paired with theft prevention systems, so your bikes will be safe even when you’re not watching over them. Roof racks can be installed on almost any car model, with larger cars able to accommodate up to three or four bikes. Older racks typically required the removal of the bike’s front wheel for the bike to be mounted, but many modern racks feature an arm that fits easily over the front wheel to hold it in place. While roof racks offer great security and convenience, they do have one drawback—they place your bike in a vulnerable position for low-clearance parking structures and garage doors. So if you do mount a roof rack on your car, stay well aware of what you drive under while carrying bikes.
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Hitch-mounted racks are less universal than roof racks, as they’re only compatible with vehicles that feature a trailer hitch. But what they lack in compatibility, they more than make up for in practicality and ease of use. Hitch racks can easily accommodate up to four bikes, and with the same structural integrity and security of a roof rack. Hitch racks also don’t change the clearance height of the car, so you never have to worry about bashing your bike when you pull into the garage.
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If you own a pickup truck, tailgate pads are a great option for transport. They offer optimal convenience, as they quickly convert any truck bed into a bike rack. Once installed, the bike is simply placed in the bed with the front wheel hanging over the tailgate. A Velcro strap loops around the downtube to keep the bike from moving or falling out.
Tailgate pads consist of a durable polyester (or similar material) exterior and foam padding, to prevent damage to the bikes or the truck. Pads for full-size trucks can safely carry five or more bikes, while mid-size pads can typically accommodate at least four bikes. Before purchasing a tailgate pad, it is important to first measure the dimensions of your tailgate, so you can choose a pad that is compatible, with proper coverage.
The rise in tailgate pad popularity in recent years can be attributed to their convenience, large bike-carrying capacity, and relatively affordable price point. Few drawbacks exist, but there are a few that should be noted. For one, only those with pickup trucks can consider them, which eliminates the option for many riders. Security is also something to consider. Many roof and hitch racks include integrated locks, but with a tailgate pad, you’ll need to find a way to lock the bikes into the bed of your truck if you plan on leaving them unattended. Also worth mentioning is the potential for damage to the downtube. Many bikes—especially ones with carbon fiber frames—were not designed to absorb impact to the downtube. While the tailgate pad will help cushion impacts from driving over potholes and speed bumps, anyone using a tailgate pad should still be aware of the potential for damage to the frame. That said, many riders have taken carbon fiber bikes shuttling or on extended road trips and not received so much as a blemish to their bike.
If you’re traveling long distances, you may have to fly with or ship your bike. This requires the partial disassembly of your bike, as well as the use of a bike bag.
Bike bags have become more popular in recent years, as more people have decided to take their bikes on flights. Though most bags require the bikes to be partially disassembled to fit, the unpacking and rebuilding process is not especially intensive. In most cases, only the wheels, pedals, seat, and handlebars need to be removed or adjusted, while the rest of the bike can stay intact. Modern bike bags feature ingenious organization and integrated padding, which keeps your bike safe in transit.
If checking oversized bags full of bike tools and gear isn’t your idea of a vacation, but you still want to ride on your upcoming trip, you can take advantage of a bike shipping service. These are companies that ship boxed bikes to their destinations, and typically offer packing and assembly tips for riders who are new to the process. Aside from optimising convenience, this option also eliminates the chance of pricey oversized baggage fees.