Teravail Cycling

What size do you need?

• Check the sidewall of your current tire; the numbers indicate tire size (rim size and width)
• A tire size of 29 x 2.3 has a 29 in. rim size and a 2.3 in. width
• While the tire diameter must be an exact match with your rim size, you can opt for variations in tire widths though you should consider the min/max widths of the rim

Tire Type 

• Tubeless ready: These tires seal directly on rim of a bike and don’t require a separate inner tube
• Tubeless clincher: This common tire setup includes a tire and a separate inner tube
• Tubular: Less common, the inner tube is sewn inside the casing and glued or taped onto the rim

Bead type

• Wired: The bead—or the edge of the tire that fits into a rim—is made of steel wire so can’t be folded; generally cheaper and heavier
• Folding: These have a flexible Kevlar bead; they can be folded up, making storing and carrying easy

Choose a category

Base roof racks

• A roof rack system includes three components: cross bars that run horizontally across a vehicle's roof, towers and fit kits or clips
• Cross bars serve as the base for attaching other racks, such as cargo roof boxes, roof bike racks or kayak racks

Bike racks

Options include:

• Bike hitch racks attach to a vehicle trailer hitch
• Roof bike racks secure your bike to cross bars by attaching the bike's fork, frame or wheels
• Trunk car racks attach to trunks or rear hatches with straps

Watercraft racks

Options like J-cradles are designed to carry kayaks, paddle boards or canoes

Ski and snowboard racks

Roof-mounted options require crossbars while hitch-mounted options secure skis and snowboards on the back of the vehicle

Cargo roof boxes

These hard-sided containers mount to a roof rack and keep gear secure. They're versatile for storing long, loose or odd-size gear in an enclosed system.

Where on your car do you want to haul gear?

• Roof carriers leave your trunk free but require lifting gear overhead
• Trailer hitch racks secure gear on the back of your vehicle

Which rack fits your vehicle?

Use brand guides find car racks that fit your vehicle.

Consider your activity

• Hiking: Often compatible with hydration reservoirs, have external gear straps/loops
• Running: Designed to limit bounce, hydration compatible
• Climbing: Slim profile, abrasion-resistant reinforcements
• Cycling: Road cycling packs compact with lower profile; MTB packs hold more gear

How much gear will you carry?

• 10L or less: Short runs, quick outings, casual use, essentials only
• 11–20L: Day hikes, cycling, can carry an extra layer
• 21–35L: Sweet spot for multi-hour or full-day hikes, travel
• 36–50L: Gear-heavy outings l(all-day hikes, climbing), winter hiking, ultralight backpacking

Internal frame or frameless?

• Internal frame: More support for heavier loads, but bulkier
• Frameless: Lighter weight and more compact, but less support

Find the right fit

• Use torso length (not overall height) to find your pack size

• Measure your hip circumference (slightly higher than your pant-waist size) and check that against the hipbelt size