Best Hitch Mounted Bike Rack to Carry Low Step Through Women's Bike

Question:

I have a 2014 RAV4. Currently I have a hitch mount with arms and since the arms are close together I have to mount my ladys style bike with its rear end way up in the air. Was wondering how the XC S64650 or 65670 would work with a very low step lady frame. Would the arms slide down low enough to hit the slanted crossbar? Since its not a straight across bar would this work? I would love something lower to the ground like these mounts since hiking my bike up right now is pretty hard.

asked by: Cheryl H

Expert Reply:

For very low step through frames like your women's bike, an adapter bar is the best option to use, even for platform bike racks with the center frame post, like the Swagman XC 2- bike rack # S64650 or the Swagman XRC-2 bike rack # S64670.

If you are only interested in leveling your bike I would recommend the Swagman Easy-Out Women's and Alternative Frame Bike Adapter for Hitch Bike Racks # 64005. This bar will connect between the handlebar gooseneck and the seat post, providing a bar that the center frame hook will secure around. This will keep you from pinching the chain guard. It is easily removable, and will only be needed during transport, leaving your the step through frame functional.

However, if you want a platform bike rack that is lower to the ground than a hanging rack, then the Swagman racks you reference will work great for you. If you need a longer wheel base you will want the XTC-2, which can handle up to a 66 inch wheelbase. The rise of the shank of the XTC-2 is 3 inches as opposed to the XC's rise of 4 inches, so the XTC-2 will sit lower.

I have included a video review of these two racks for you to check out.

expert reply by: Chris O