Do you ride a bike? What do you think of bike racks?

Question

Hi all

There's a bike rack design thing going on in my uni, so I think I should ask fellow Mac Rumours readers about parking your bikes in public places.

So... I'd like to know what elements will make a good rack design, such as the reach height (you don't want to bend over), easy access, security, placement/locations and aesthetics and so on.

I think most of you would be glad if there's a space available, so I'm also thinking on optimising the space to pack bikes efficiently. As an engineering student I'll be worrying about the manufacturing procedures, durability and cost, and some other required specifications and make sure the user gets what he/she wants in the end.

Also, are there any particular bike rack designs that you HATE? Please shout out.

Thanks a lot

RaleighBob · Accepted Answer

I'm guessing you're speaking of bike racks that one can lock up a bike on or against, not the rear carrier rack for hauling things on a bike.  

Any bike, to be locked up properly, needs both a U-Bolt lock & a cable lock passed through the front & rear wheels.  Therefore, the rider must always bend over somewhat to accomplish this.

I hate the type of racks where the front wheel only can slide into.  You have to hope either the left or right side is wide open to use both the U-Bolt lock & cable lock. (1st link below) The kind I do like, one can place the bike better to utilize both U-Bolt lock & cable lock. (2nd link below)

Third link below is the locking system I like best for any bike.  The ultimate protection, short of Smith & Wesson.

OldHippie · Answer

Personally, I'll take ANY place I can find.  Take a look on the link below.  This bike has a U-Bolt lock around it's frame & onto the bike rack.  The problem is, if the bike has quick disconnect wheels, the rider doesn't have a cable lock thru the wheels.  Those can be stolen easily.

A good bike rack is one where both types of locks can be used.

aurie · Answer

Your 2 ultimate ideas are the two a trunk rack or a receiver rack. Of the two, a trunk rack would be the main economical. A truck rack will affix on your vehicle with fabric straps and hooks that grip your trunk. the large draw back of a trunk rack is each and each of the racket the straps make whilst driving at street speeds. besides, no remember how intently you affix the hooks on your trunk, they'll scratch up your paint. besides, because of the way the bike affixes to the rack, it is going to consume up your bicycle's paint interest. A receiver mount will require you to have a receiver fastened on your vehicle. this is genuine common to attach and detach the rack from the receiver. maximum do a effective interest of keeping a bike with out chewing up the paint. via the time you have a receiver fastened and via the rack, you will spend a tremendously sturdy little bit of money. desire this permits.

Anonymous · Answer

anything
stair rail
pole
sign
tree

nice not to have to bend over

maybe a flock of parking meters could be your 'rack'

for efficiency, bikes should go in from alternate directions - 

-------R
bbbbR
-------Rbbbb
bbbbR
-------Rbbbb
       R
[seen from the top]


i don;t like the kind where you have to lift the front wheel over a bar to lock the frame

ideally you just roll the bike into the rack

those S shaped ones are ok


etc

       

wle

Mtrlpqbiker · Answer

The best type of rack for security has provision to lock both wheels, and the advantage that you only need a decent padlock to secure your bike, much smaller and easier to carry than a heavy, bulky u-lock
http://www.bikeracks.com/html/press_dwg..html

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Do you ride a bike? What do you think of bike racks?

5 Answers