Carrying Two 16 Inch Kids Bikes on a Hitch Mount Bike Rack

Updated 04/06/2015 | Published 04/04/2015

Products Featured in This Question

Swagman Upright Bike Rack for 1 Bike - Roof Rack Crossbars - Frame Mount

(150)

$84.17

Swagman Bike Frame Adapter Bar - Small - 22-1/2" - 30" - 35 lbs

(827)

$36.12

Question:

My boys bikes are too small for a hitch rack as there is not enough space to hang them. What roof rack system would work for carrying those 2 small bikes on a roof rack where to I take measurement on the bike to confirm, or, is there an adapter bar that I can run from tire to tire so I can hang the bikes upside down on a hitch rack?

asked by: Jason S

Expert Reply:

I am not sure how well an adapter bar such as # 64005 would work if the bike was hanging from the rack upside down from the tires. You might have better luck attaching one end of an adapter to a raised seat post and the other higher up on the handle bars.

The 16 inch bikes would likely be too small for a frame or wheel mount roof mounted bike carrier to work. You would have to go with a fork mount. You would have to take the front wheels off of the bikes but it would not be all that difficult to handle to the small kids bikes (loading and unloading from the roof). I can make some recommendations but I would need to know the year, make, and model of the vehicle.

It is possible that a single arm bike rack, # S64960, could work. The bikes would need to have 7-3/16 inches or more free space on the top frame tubes to fit without an adapter.

expert reply by: Michael H