You should therefore carefully consider the selection of the right bike frame holder
If you want to travel with your bike or go on a bike tour, you often have to transport it by car first. Different types of bike carriers can be used for this. The options range from roof racks and tailgate carriers to trailers. A suitable Bike frame holder ensures the necessary stability on the beam.
To ensure that the holder can do its job safely, it is important to select a suitable model when purchasing. Our bike frame holders are very flexible thanks to the practical ratchet fastener and are therefore a good choice in any case. The robust clamp mounts of the Gudo frame holder securely hold both narrow racing velor frames and the wider frame tubes of e-bikes.
The following article explains what else you should look out for when choosing a frame holder.
What functions does the bike frame holder have?
To understand what is important when buying a frame holder, it is useful to first visualize its most important functions.
- Fixation: The bike should be as stable and immobile as possible during the ride.
- Protection against damage: The holder protects the bikes and the car from damage such as scratches.
- Theft protection: If a lock is integrated into the frame holder, it also protects the bikes against theft.
First and foremost, frame mounts are used to secure the bike on a bike rack and thus secure it for transportation. In particular, this prevents a bike from coming loose and falling off the car. However, frame holders can also be used for transportation in the car. This is because a frame holder also ensures that the bike does not wobble during transportation.
On the one hand, this protects bicycles when they are transported individually. Even small movements in the rail can cause damage to the rims in the worst case. Above all, however, the holder is also useful when several bikes are loaded together. Especially when they are transported close together on a rear carrier, for example, they can damage each other.
Good bike frame holders ensure that the bikes are held firmly in place. They can also act as spacers to minimize friction between the bikes.
Good frame holders often also have their own lock. This protects the bikes secured with the holder against theft. This is particularly useful for bikes that are mounted on an easily accessible trailer. Nevertheless, in such cases it is advisable to additionally protect the trailer coupling with a lock.
What should you pay particular attention to when buying a bike frame holder?
When buying a frame holder for the car rack, you need to keep a whole range of points in mind. The following checklist will help you make the right decision:
- Compatibility: Is the holder compatible with both the frame of the bike to be transported and the luggage rack? Does it safely accommodate different frame geometries?
- Load capacity and stability: Can the holder withstand the weight of the bike? Straight E-bikes often weigh a little more.
- Handling: Is the frame holder sufficiently easy to install and use?
- Protection of the bike: Are the contact points of the holder rubberized or otherwise padded to prevent damage to the bike?
- Theft protection: Does the frame holder have a lockable locking mechanism?
Compatibility and load capacity
Of course, the most important thing is to ensure general compatibility with the bike rack and the bike(s) to be transported. Modern pedelecs in particular, where parts of the technology are often built into the frame, often have wider frames. While frames of slim racing bikes often measure only 30 millimetres, they can be more than twice as wide on pedelecs.
Good bicycle frame holders are therefore variably adjustable on the actual fastener. This means that different bikes can be transported with the same holder.
With the Gudo AG frame support system, this is achieved with the aid of a Ratchet fastener which guarantees maximum stability during use. The load-bearing capacity of the holder is primarily determined by the quality of the materials used.
During the design phase, we also paid attention to compatibility with a wide variety of bike types and frame geometries. The durable toothed belt and rubber support system is flexibly adjustable. This allows you to securely attach bikes ranging from narrow racing bikes to wide e-bikes to the bike rack.
Protective functions
The main function of the frame holder is to protect your bikes during transportation and when the car and bikes are parked. During the journey, this is primarily a question of the stability and durability of the holder.
Made from high-quality, durable plastics, these devices can also withstand heavy loads while driving. Sudden braking and sharp bends are then no problem.
In addition, the contact points (i.e. especially the holder itself) should be padded or rubberized if possible. This gives the locking mechanism additional flexibility. The bike frame can then be strapped more tightly. The padding also prevents the bike from being scratched when it is loaded and unloaded onto the carrier.
An additional lock on the bracket protects your bikes from thieves. Locked with a key, it ensures that the bracket cannot be removed by unauthorized persons. This makes it much more difficult to steal the bike from the rack.
We paid attention to these points in the design phase of our bicycle frame holder. It was clear to us from the outset that safety and flexibility need not be mutually exclusive. The Gudo frame holder therefore offers maximum protection for bikes with a wide variety of frame geometries.
Handling
Last but not least, the question of how easy the rack is to use should also play a role in your purchase decision. Remember that you not only have to secure the bike on the bike rack at home, but also before the return journey. If the locking mechanism is too complex, this can become a problem in the worst case.
We use particularly simple technology for our bicycle frame holder. The holder is attached to the carrier with a so-called bayonet lock. This consists of a sturdy plastic sleeve that is placed around one of the tubes of the carrier. The mounting tube is then inserted into the sleeve and fixed in place with a rotating mechanism. The weight of the bikes ensures that the fastening cannot come loose.
For its part, the bike is secured with a ratchet system. The shape of the holder resembles a hand, so that you can rest the bike on the holder while attaching it. It then supports the weight of the bike so that you only need one hand to stabilize it.
You can then simply tighten the fastener with the other hand. The support surface of the holder is made of rubber and the toothed belt is made of durable plastic. This combination makes it possible to fix any frame securely and with millimeter precision. The fastener presses the frame into the rubber support. This prevents it from moving, even if the ride is a little bumpy.
This not only ensures a secure hold, but also protects the bike from scratches and other minor damage. Frames with a tube width between 30 and 80 millimetres are compatible with the system in the standard configuration.
Individual solutions from Gudo AG
When designing and developing our products, we focus on the requirements of our customers. This also applies to the development of our bicycle frame holder. Our simple, robust system helps you to transport your bikes safely on different bike racks.
The heart of the frame holder is the flexible ratchet system, which allows you to attach the holder securely and stably to the bike frame. Thanks to its soft rubber padding, you don't have to worry about damaging the frame paintwork. On the opposite side, the robust aluminum fastening tube is fixed to the bike rack using a bayonet lock.
The ratchet lock is very flexible and compatible with bike frames with a diameter of 30 to 80 millimetres. The toothed belt of the fastener is finely adjustable so that it provides a secure hold for bikes with a wide variety of frame geometries and tube widths. The rubber support system that holds the bike is flexible and also gives way when the lock is tightened. This ensures that every frame is held with millimeter precision.
This means that our bike frame holder can also be used with pedelecs with a slightly wider frame. It is equipped with a 26-millimetre spigot as standard and is compatible with 30×2-millimetre tubes.
Our frame holders are also available with a lock on request. It is used to secure the ratchet lock with which the holder is attached to the bike. This protects your bike not only during the ride, but also during breaks.
As a company specializing in individual solutions, we can also offer you custom adaptations. Are you interested in our customized solutions or do you have further questions about us and our Automotive products? Then please get in touch with us.
You can reach our well-trained team at any time via our Contact form. Alternatively, you can of course also contact us by phone or e-mail.