Is it Necessary to use a Bike Rack Adapter Bar for Mountain Bikes

Updated 07/30/2010 | Published 07/29/2010

Question:

do I neeed to get a bike adaptor for all of our mountain bikes that do not have a level bar from seat to handles?

asked by: Judi

Expert Reply:

It is not always necessary to use an adapter bar. The adapter bar has two main tasks:

1. Provide a good attachment point for the cradles on the rack
2. Level the bikes so that one of side of the rack is not bearing much more weight than the other.

If you can keep the weight balanced without it and have room to get the bike on the rack, an adapter may not be necessary. It is always a good idea to use an adapter to keep the bikes level, but may not always be necessary.

expert reply by: Patrick B