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How to mount (carry) up to 5 bicycles (bikes) on any car

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  • OVERALL DIFFICULTY INDEX: 2/10
  • IF YOU HAVE NO TOOLS YOU SPEND $ 10 TO GET THEM FOR THIS JOB.
  • IF YOU HAVE NO EXPERIENCE YOU SPEND 60 MINUTES TO CARRY OUT THIS JOB
  • NO SAFETY ISSUES​
BEFORE YOU START
  • Don't buy the small and cheap bike racks. These will result in your bicycles denting your car and scratching your paint. 
  • The below suggests to install 3 bikes on the rear rack and 2 on the roof which requires the vehicle to have a reasonable height. SUV's won't be the ideal cars in this case.
DISCLAIMER:
Our pictorials are of informative nature and do illustrate works carried out by ourselves at our own premises for our own use and satisfaction.
Readers who envisage to carry out similar works inspired by the below method shall do this at their own risks and liability.

How to buy and mount rear bike racks that fit your vehicle

Follow the simple method pictured on the bike carrier packing:
  1. Install a 2D scan App on your mobile phone
  2. Scan the bar code on the rack you intend to purchase
  3. It will send you straight to the vehicle list
  4. Check if your vehicle is listed in the compatibility chart
Why is it important to have the vehicle listed?

Because the carrier''s instructions will include a chart that tells you how to adjust the arms angles and the length of the holding straps to the exact match of your car. It's as simple and easy!
Arms adjustment and tightening, no tools required:
The carrier includes teethed adjustments with alphabetical or numerical indexes.
You first loosen the handle and rotate the drum to the index mentioned for your car and then tighten by hand.

​The carrier gets shaped for matching the rear of your vehicle.
Once done, you need to adjust the various straps to the approximate length given within the same instructions.
Now proceed as per the below pictorial to fix the bike carrier to the car:
1- Have the lower arm stand on your bumper. This is why you need to buy a carrier that matches your vehicle as it has to sit on the bumper.
2- Insert the top straps into the gap between the back door and the roof. 

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3- Press firmly. You will feel it getting stuck in the gap. Do not worry however. Removing it is as easy.
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4- Now insert the side straps. You may need to open the door by a few centimeters.
5- Make sure your carrier is centered to your vehicle and insert the other side.
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6- At last, fix the lower straps to the bumper. Chose a place where it is strong enough.
7- This picture from beneath the vehicle shows how the strap holder has been fixed near the bumper reinforcement.
Tighten well all the straps by pulling them out while holding the latch with your finger.
The bike carrier is now ready to receive 3 adult bicycles.
Alternate the bicycles when hanging them i.e. have the front of the first be on the same side than the rear of the second, etc.
Close the rubber bands and finish the installation by having the red strap tie them all to the bike carrier.
Note well how a good and purpose made bike carrier holds the bicycles away from your door preventing any denting or scratches to the paint.

How to add more bikes to the roof of your car

You can add 2 more bicycles on roof carriers.
No need to buy specific equipment to your vehicle, better to buy side bars if yours is not already fitted with these and then a set of universal cross bars that fit on any side bars. 
A specific roof bike holder will be then fitted to the transverse bars. 

Start by buying and installing widely available universal roof bars. 
You also need to purchase specific roof bike holders.
These are easy to install and are supplied with the necessary instructions. 
Inflate the tires of the bikes prior to fixing them, then hold the bike firmly with one hand on the fork that holds the front wheel and the other on the back fork. Lift it and let it go inside the roof track. Raise the holder and have it grip on to the lower tube, secure each wheel to the track with the supplied straps and you're done!
And here you go...with up to 5 bikes which you can carry easily and safely!

See also...