Recommended 5 Bike Carrier and Bike Frame Adapter Bars

Question:

Hello. I have a 2009 Chevy suburban. With 5 kids I need a bike carrier to hold five bikes most of them adult like bikes. I have a hitch currently. What all do I need? I like the Thule XT for 5 that folds down when not in use and has the locking knob. I would love for it to move out of the way to access the rear but I think stability for driving is more important for me and i think the video said that it is better for that with this edition. I would like to have a few “bars” to hold the bikes if needed for kids or women’s bikes since I plan to really use this but am on a strict budget as a divorcing mom of 5. Please advise me to be sure I have everything I need thank you!

asked by: Tara G

Expert Reply:

The Thule Apex XT # TH9026XT 5 bike carrier you'd looked at would indeed be an excellent choice and is what I'd recommend. The US made Thule rack is extremely durable and well constructed and will last for years. Thule covers this rack with a limited lifetime warranty.

For women's bikes or bikes with angled top tubes, it's best to use an adapter bar such as you described in order to carry the bikes so they're level for maximum ground clearance. You don't necessarily need to use a Thule adapter bar, you can use a less expensive one like the # MPG2165 from Malone which is considerably less expensive than the Thule model. The Malone adapter bar adjusts from 23-30 inches in length, so you'll want to measure the distance from the bike's seat post to the handlebar gooseneck stem to see if that's sufficient. The Thule # TH982XT does offer greater adjustability, from 16-31-1/2 inches, so it would be a better choice for a toddler's bike, for instance.

expert reply by: Mike L