Recommended Trunk Bike Rack for a 2021 Subaru Crosstrek with a Women's Mountain Bike

Question:

The adoptive extra part is only for a woman's bike right? So if mine is a guys bike, I only need the rack, correct?

asked by: DIANE I

Expert Reply:

I have a solution for you.

It's the Yakima HangOut 2 Bike Rack, part # Y02637. It can hold two bikes and works on 2021 Subaru Crosstreks without spoilers (if you have a spoiler, let me know and I will change this answer). It keeps your bike secure by use of the StableCradle anti-sway cradles with ChainStraps.

To use a rack like this with your women's bike, you will also need to use the Yakima Tube Top Bike Adapter Bar, part # Y02531. It will allow you to hang your bike on the rack.

I've linked to video reviews of both of these parts below.

expert reply by: Kef G

Diane F.

5/4/2021

The adoptive extra part is only for a woman's bike right? So if mine is a guys bike, I only need the rack, correct?

Kef G.

5/4/2021

The adapter bar is to create a top tube for hanging your bike on the rack. Most men's bikes have a horizontal top tube that these kinds of racks hook under to support. Women's bikes and other alternative frame bikes (some kids, step-thru, etc.) have a top tube that slants downward diagonally. With tubes like that, if you try to hang the bike, it will slant the entire bike and cause problems (not distributing weight correctly, cause the setup to be less secure, etc.). So, if you have a bike with a horizontal top tube (usually referred to as men's bikes), then you don't need the adapter. If you have an alternative frame with a slanted tube (which "women's" bikes typically fall under), then you will need the adapter.