Preparing Your Bike Rack for the Riding Season
As the riding season approaches and spring starts to break, ensuring all of your equipment is in peak condition is a matter of both performance and safety. A bike rack is a significant mechanical extension of your vehicle; after months of storage or exposure to winter elements, it requires a thorough inspection to prevent equipment failure or damage to your bicycles.
Follow thisĀ checklist to ensure your bike rack is road-ready.
- Thorough Cleaning and Corrosion inspection:Remove any accumulated road salt, grim and dirt. Use a mild detergent like dish soap and water to clean off the rack.Ā
- Check your hardware!Vibration during transport can cause bolts and mounting hardware to loosen over time. Check every bolt and nut to make sure they are fully tightened. If you are missing any hardware, you can order hardware for bike racks from us hereĀ
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Straps, Cradles & MoreThe non-metallic components of your rackāspecifically rubber straps, plastic cradles, and foam paddingāare susceptible to UV degradation and temperature-induced fatigue. Examine all straps for "checking" (small cracks), brittleness, or discoloration. If any strap shows signs of reduced elasticity or structural compromise, it should be replaced immediately. These components are vital for securing the load and are often the first points of failure. We have a full selection of straps for all of our bike racks available for order here
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Security Systems and Lock MaintenanceLocking mechanisms can seize to work over time due to internal corrosion or debris.Ā Test all integrated locks and keys. If a lock is sticking, apply a small amount of graphite lubricant or a dedicated lock cleaner into the keyways to ensure smooth operation. This prevents the risk of a key snapping or a lock becoming stuck during transit.
After reinstalling the rack and loading your bicycles, conduct a short test drive. After several miles, stop to perform a final physical inspection. Re-check the tension of the straps and the security of the hitch connection.
If you have any questions about your bike rack, please send us some photos of your current Hollywood Rack, and we can see if you need to replace any of the hardware or parts. Email the those photos to info@hollywoodracks.comĀ
