When you select features for your car bike rack, there are several factors to consider. First, you need to determine the load carrying capacity of the load bars and mounting gear that you plan to use to support your bikes. Read the manufacturer's instructions carefully and decide how many bikes you can safely carry. Mountain bikes weigh more than road bikes, so be certain to weigh each bike and then add the total to the weight of the bicycle racks you have selected.

When picking from the selection of car bike rack types in the Racks for All store, you will notice that some racks allow for bikes to be carried fully assembled, and other require the removal of the front tire and attachment at the wheel fork. If you plan to remove the front tire on the bike(s) you plan to carry, be sure you have room in the back of your car to carry them. Removing the wheel and mounting to a fork is more time consuming and difficult than simply loading an entire fully assembled bicycle.

Front fork bike racks grasp a bike more tightly, provide greater security, and are more aerodynamic in high winds and at high speeds. Car bike racks that seat the bike tires in rails make loading and unloading simpler. Some designs from manufacturers such as Thule and Yakima provide an adjustable grabber that slides up the bike frame and grasps the tubing tightly. Look at each design carefully before selecting the right bicycle rack for your car or SUV.

Hitch bike racks provide a useful alternative to roof racks for most types of cars and SUVs. Using the hitch receiver to mount a bike rack, you can easily load and unload your bicycles without using a stepladder or lifting heavy weights over your head. Manufacturers such as Swagman, Thule, and Yakima offer excellent hitch mount racks that will swing up and down to provide easier access to your gear.

To select a hitch bike rack, simply determine what size of trailer hitch receiver you have (1.25 inch or 2 inch). If you have a non-standard hitch receiver, you can also by a bicycle rack or cargo rack that will mount on the ball. Once you have determined how to mount the rack, pick the type of rack you need by the number of bikes you want to carry. Racks for All carries hitch mounted bicycle racks that will carry 2 to 5 bikes, and can be used on any vehicle that has a hitch receiver or trailer ball for mounting, including cars, SUVs, trucks, vans, and RVs.