Using MPG2165 Bike Frame Adapter Bar to Carry Blix Sol Electric Bike on Bike Rack  

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Expert Reply:

Which bike rack are you planning on using? By the way your question is phrased, it would seem that you're planning to use a hanging style bike rack, and that the bike would be suspended from the # MPG2165 adapter bar.

My research indicated that the Blix Sol electric bike weighs around 50 lbs, which is too heavy for every hanging type bike rack we offer which typically have a 30-40 lb per bike capacity. The adapter bar you'd looked at has a 35 lb weight capacity which is pretty typical, so either way this wouldn't be a good option.

A platform-type rack would have several advantages. The bike would be supported by the wheels, which would allow the bikes to be carried in a much more secure manner, without worry of the bikes swaying back and forth and possibly colliding with each other or the rear of the vehicle. Platorm racks are much easier to load, you'd put the front tire in the front carrier, lift the rear tire into the rear carrier and secure the frame or tire hooks and bada bing, you're done. You would never need to lift the entire weight of the rack at once. Platform racks also have a higher weight capacity and are able to better handle the weight of an electric bike.

We have several platform type racks available that could handle your bike. The most reasonably priced option is the Trail Rider # HR200Z from Hollywood Racks would be a great choice if you could remove the bike's battery to reduce its weight to 45lbs or less. The rack can handle two bikes, and the necessary adapter bar for the step-through frame wouldn't be used to suspend the bike, only to provide an attachment point for the upper hook.

If the battery pack isn't removable, you'd need something with a higher weight capacity like the # S64678 Swagman Current, with a 60 lb per bike capacity. Due to the frame design of the Sol, you'll also need the # MPG2165 frame adapter with this rack.

If you're only needing to carry a single bike, the RockyMounts # RKY10007 MonoRail would work perfectly. This rack holds the top of the bike by the front tire at the fork, so no adapter bar is needed. This rack would work great as long as the bike doesn't have fenders, which I didn't see in the online photos of the Sol bicycle.

All three racks are comaptible with a 1-1/4 or a 2 inch hitch. I've linked you to product demonstration videos for the bike racks mentioned above.

expert reply by: Mike L

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