Investing in a high-quality bike rack, cargo ramp, and cargo mat can make transporting your bike easier.
With your bike stowed in the backseat or trunk, cargo space can be hard to come by. Getting a cargo bag can solve this issue by providing you with extra space to carry all your cycling essentials.
Some car accessories that you can also use for your bike include cargo straps, car shampoo, and microfiber cleaning cloths.
Transporting your bike in your vehicle can be a challenge, but it isn’t something you can take lightly. You can probably get away with chucking your bike in the backseat for a while, but you’ll likely damage your bike and car in the process. Luckily, there are plenty of car accessories that can help make bike transport safe and easy.
Bike Rack
Hauling a big bicycle in the backseat can block your view, making it hard to see behind you. It can also move around and scratch your seat covers. This is why a high-quality bike rack is a must-have for transporting your bicycle.
You can find different types of bike racks at CarParts.com, which makes your search easy and hassle-free. You can buy a lightweight spare-tire bike rack if your vehicle comes with an exterior spare tire rack, or you can opt for a hitch-mounted bike rack for minivans.
A high-quality bike rack is a must-have for transporting your bicycle.
If you have a truck, hauling your bicycle on your truck bed can be hard, especially if you own a heavy bike. Luckily, you don’t have to strong-arm your bike every time. You can get a cargo ramp to help make the whole ordeal easier.
Most cargo ramps are usually made of steel or other durable materials, so they can withstand the weight of even the heaviest bicycles. You can also use them to load other heavy equipment onto your truck, making them a worthy investment.
Bike carriers and hitch racks aren’t the only options out there. If you own a sport utility vehicle (SUV) with fold-flat seats, you can haul your bicycle in the back. All you have to do is fold down your back seats, lay out your cargo mat, and then load your bicycle.
A cargo mat covers the seats or floorboard of your vehicle, protecting the interior from all the dirt stuck to your bike’s wheels. It’s usually made from durable rubber or thermoplastic, so it’s much easier to clean than your backseat’s fabric cover.
With your bike stowed in the backseat or trunk, cargo space can be hard to come by. But don’t worry. Cargo bags are a great solution to this dilemma. Typically strapped to your car roof, cargo bags provide you with extra space to carry all of your cycling essentials.
They’re usually made from dirt, water, and weather-resistant material, so you can use them even if it rains. They also help maximize interior space, so you and your cycling buddies can carpool on the way to the bike trail.
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Tire Inflator
Instead of bringing a separate bike pump, why not invest in a high-quality tire inflator instead? You can kill two birds with one stone (or rather, inflate two different tires with one inflator) and make your luggage lighter.
Inflating your bicycle tires with an inflator meant for car tires can be tricky, but it’s not impossible. In fact, Schrader tire valves are the most common valve stems on the tires of both bicycles and cars. As long as your tire valves are the same, you should be able to use the same tire inflator for both your bicycle and your vehicle. Just make sure to set the pump to a low pounds per square inch (PSI) when using it on your bike.
If bicycles and cars have one shared enemy, it’s punctured tires. Luckily, they also have a shared solution in the form of tire repair kits. You never know what you’ll encounter during your ride, so it’s always best to come prepared with repair plugs and tire sealants.
If you’re hauling a lot of cycling gear in your car, you might want to invest in some high-quality cargo straps. They’re great at securing a wide array of cargo to roof racks, truck beds, and other storage platforms. You can also use smaller cargo straps to fasten baskets and bags to your bicycle’s front and rear racks.
Keep your phone, bike computers, and bicycle lights charged and ready to go by investing in a car charger. Most modern vehicles now come with universal serial bus (USB) ports that you can use to charge phones, laptops, and powerbanks. If your vehicle doesn’t have one, you can get a car charger that connects to your car’s direct current port, allowing you to charge multiple devices in one go.
Hauling a bike fresh from a muddy trail can be messy, but you can give it a quick wash with some car shampoo. As long as you steer clear of products with harsh chemicals, you can use car shampoo to clean your bicycle frame, wheels, and pedals. Dilute the shampoo in water and scrub it into your bicycle with a soft brush to help get rid of all that dirt before it starts caking.
Car cleaning cloths are typically made of microfiber fabric, the same material most cyclists recommend using for bikes. Microfiber cloths help absorb dirt, grime, and other debris without spreading them over your bike frame. It’s also great for drying and polishing your bike. The best part is that microfiber cloths are machine washable, so they’re much more sustainable than disposable towels. You can use them to clean your car, load them in the washer, and then use them again for your bike.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
