Carbon fiber has revolutionized the bike frame designs by enabling engineers to build bicycle frames that are 3 times stronger and 4 times lighter than steel. They can also be designed in such complex shapes that weren’t as easy when done with materials like aluminum and steel. With that said, you must have spent your hard-earned money getting the lightest but sturdiest bike. Therefore, it is only righteous that you get yourself the best bike rack for carbon frames.
What are Carbon Frames?
The most common material that has been traditionally used for the tubes of a bike frame was steel. Over time, engineers aimed to design a bike that is light as a feather to stride well with the wind, but strong enough to withstand damages from the crash, toss, and turns.
Carbon frames are quite tough. They can withstand a momentous amount of force more than a steel can. The strength is unbelievable coming from a lightweight material. So light that you can lift a whole carbon frame with just a couple of fingers.
The cost of buying a carbon framed bike can be technical. The materials are manufactured by its tensile strength or tensile modulus. That’s rocket science, so we’re not going deep with that. The simplest way to explain it – the stronger and lighter they are, the more expensive they can be. And, you sure wouldn’t want to carry your expensive bike just like that, would you?
Bike Racks for Carbon Frames
Bike racks are just as essential for carbon frames as they are for normal bikes. They are your space-saving option. They free up your car for other things to carry or passengers to load. With the huge popularity of carbon bikes, there came a wide array of bike racks for them. The ones you are going to read are, in our opinion, the best out there.
- Swagman Semi 2.0 2-Bike Platform Rack
- Saris SuperClamp EX 2 Bike Platform Rack
- Kuat Sherpa 2.0 2-Bike Platform Rack
- Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
- Inno Tire Hold II Roof Bike Rack
#1. Swagman Semi 2.0 2-Bike Platform Rack – Best for carrying up to two bikes
Swagman was one of the first global companies that designed and marketed a hitch style bike rack. They started as a small bike rack company from Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. Over time, they grew to include other radical designs that outfit not just bikes but RVs and other vehicles too.
Design, Fabrication, and Materials
Swagman Semi 2.0 uses your hitch to carry up to two bikes. It is designed with ratcheting hooks and large wheel cradles that support your carbon frames with zero frame contact. No contact with frame shouldn’t sound unsafe especially with its padded cradles that ensure a snug fit to the wheels.
Intended for bikers that don’t like the idea of the rack touching the bike, it has pivoting upright arms that have ratcheting hooks. These grab your 2-wheelers securely by the front wheels without a single scratch or scuff.
Worried when you need to leave them for a while without anyone keeping an eye on them? Don’t be. Each of the pivoting upright arms has a built-in cable lock that secures them to the rack while shooing off muggers.
Swagman Semi 2.0 is made to last a long time. It is manufactured with solid steel construction, finished with silver powder coating making it durable and rust-resistant.
Features
- Absolutely no frame contact
- Fits 20” to 29” wheels
- Built-in locking cable included
- Lever at the base lets you tilt the rack down or fold it up
Specifications
- Application: fits 1-1/4-inch x 1-1/4 inch (Class I and II) and 2 x 2 inches trailer hitch receivers
- Carrying capacity: Can hold up to 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 45 pounds per bike
- Comes with limited lifetime warranty
