First of all, think about where you plan to take your bikes: that will tell you what kind of rack you need. But there is more to choosing a bike rack this year than that.

A lot also depends on how many bikes you want to carry, how you want the rack to attach and, perhaps most importantly, how quickly you want to be able to fit the rack to your car or take it off again.

It helps to know from the outset that there are several types of bike rack. The differences between them really come down to how they attach and how many bikes they can carry.

How many types of bike rack are there?

Bike racks fall into three groups: roof-mounted racks (on roof bars), tailgate racks and towbar racks. Each type attaches to the car in a different way, and each has its own maximum capacity, measured in bikes.

Racks also differ in how complicated they are to fit and how many steps it takes to get the rack itself onto the car. On top of that, they differ in how easy they are to store when you are not using them.

The easiest racks to put away are roof-mounted and tailgate racks. Towbar racks are a little harder to store in a small space: they are bulkier and, even when folded, still take up more room.

Which bike rack is right for me?

No doubt that question has been on your mind since the start of this article. It is time to choose a bike rack, and you need to think about how useful it will really be to you. Above all, consider how many bikes you want to carry and how you want the rack to attach, and then, perhaps less importantly, how quickly you want to be able to fit it to your car.

If you already have roof bars on your car, a roof-mounted bike rack is also worth considering. People generally choose this type because it is easy to fit and can be stored almost anywhere.

If, on the other hand, you only need a bike rack now and then, a rear bike rack that fits on the tailgate or boot lid is a good choice.

These racks are easy to fit and just as easy to store. Menabo tailgate racks are made from light but strong materials and take up very little space in a garage or a storage cupboard at home.

Towbar bike racks, meanwhile, are usually the choice of people who have more storage space in the garage, or who simply want to carry more bikes.

How useful is a bike rack?

The truth is, any bike rack makes a great travel companion when you set off on your next cycling adventure. No more struggling to squeeze the bikes into the boot or, worse still, in among your passengers.

Avoid this, because carrying bikes inside the car with your passengers is very risky. Even a minor bump or an unexpected situation would put your own life, your passengers' lives and other road users at risk. A certified bike rack also looks after your bikes, because these racks are designed and built to keep your two-wheeled companion safe.

If you have any questions or would like advice on which bike rack to choose, please get in touch by phone or email. Our showroom is at Drumul Lunca Corbului 2, Sector 3, Bucharest, Romania.