What Bike Rack do You Recommend for My Cannondale Quick 3 and Treadwell EQ Remixte Bikes?

Question:

Hello, I have a Cannondale Quick 3 with fenders and my wife has the Treadwell EQ Remixte this is a walk-through model with Full Fenders, so I think we need a frame-mounted design? It looks like Swagman has two options in the E-Spec 2-bike 2inch or the Current 2/1.25, and possibly the adapter bar unsure if the Treadwell Remixte versions low cross bar is too low. Or, the Thule Easy Fold seems to be the other viable option. I would be using this lightly monthly regional park visits and an occasional 500-700 mile trip with a 4Runner and Rav. I would probably like the 2inch and 1.25inch option given my vehicles, which would exclude the first Swagman. First, can you confirm compatibility with my set-up for each option. Second, any obvious pros/cons b/w the models for my use. I have attached two photos of the bikes. Any thoughts as to whether the lower of the two modelsfoot hooks go low enough to preclude an adapter or not from what you can see in the picture? Thank you.

asked by: Reese

Expert Reply:

Yes, a frame-mounted design is the best way to go when you have bikes with fenders. This will allow you to avoid the unnecessary risk of damage to the fenders during transport.

From the look of the specs I found for your Cannondale Quick 3 and Treadwell EQ Remixte, I discovered that these are pretty lightweight bikes. For that reason, the ramp feature on the EasyFold XT # TH903202 is not a critical aspect if you are not worried about lifting your bikes onto the platform of the rack. However, with the EasyFold XT, you will not need a bike frame adapter bar like the Swagman Deluxe Adapter Bar # 64005. This is because the clamps on the EasyFold XT independently adjust at any point along the mast to fit your frames. You will also need to purchase additional Fat Tire Straps # TH985101 if your tires measure larger than 3 inches wide. If you want to consider a rack with similar independently-adjusting clamps that does not have a ramp feature, I recommend the Saris Freedom Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches # SA4412B. You will not need bike frame adaptor for the Freedom.

As far as the Swagman E-Spec for 2" Hitches # S94FR and the Swagman Current Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches # S64678, both of these racks would require a bike frame adapter bar # 64005 for your wife's Treadwell EQ Remixte, but you will be fine with your Quick 3. That is one of the cons of going this route (apart from the fact that the Swagman E-Spec will only fit 2" hitches). The Swagman Current does have an advantage in that it will fit bike tires up to 5 inches wide while the E-Spec only fits tires up to 3 inches wide.

Another thing to consider is shank length. This is important to consider for bumper clearance reasons when connected to your hitch. Here are the shank lengths of all racks mentioned to the closest part of the rack from the center of the shank's pinhole:

- EasyFold XT: 8 inches
- Saris Freedom: 12 inches
- E-Spec: 10-1/2 inches
- Swagman Current: 5-1/2 inches

The measurement you need to determine if you have enough bumper clearance is the distance from the center of your shank's pinhole to the outside face of your rear bumper (or spare tire if you have one). If you need a hitch receiver on your 4Runner or RAV4, feel free to respond to this answer with the year of those vehicle's, and I will be happy to recommend our best ones.

With all said and done, if you do not care about a ramp feature, I would go with the Saris Freedom # SA4412B. If you have tires that are larger than 2.25 inches wide, you will need the fat tire cradles # SA4419. For theft deterrence of the bikes and the rack itself, I recommend the hitch lock # SA3022 and the etrailer cable lock # e98891.