It’s either this or one of those bars that goes from the seatpost to the stem, but I spent all my money on the bike so if this is acceptable, I’m fine with it. Definitely can’t afford a platform rack at the moment. Looks goofy as hell, but I’m a goofy kind of guy anyways 🌝
I figured if the strap isn’t on the shock body, and the weight is on the linkage, then no stress will really be too much for the bearings/linkage. I mean, if skateboard bearing can take a load going that same relative direction, the pivot bearings must be good, right?
But yeah, either this goofy rack position, or the seat to stem bar. Thoughts?
by suckitifly
26 Comments
You don’t want to use that type of bike rack on a bike you care about. Tray or north shore style mounts only.
Would definitely NOT recommend. At a minimum, remove the front tire so you don’t have clearance issues, and then make sure it is otherwise well secured.
PS keep an eye out on your local marketplaces. Can be good source for used racks
I’m not trusting thousands of dollars to a rubber strap. 1UP platform rack is my choice for single, plus a bike or two, transport.
I wouldn’t use that for any bike I cared about. A swagman xtc2 is < 200, and will hold the bike much better than this.
Mans got an FJ Cruiser if not two of em and can’t afford a proper bike rack lol. You can find solid racks like the og Kuat NV for like $200.
Truthfully that car rack is not designed for full squish bikes – I would advise just taking the bike off and put the seat down in your car and putting your bike in your car! Removing the front wheel is super easy – don’t wanna risk your 3000$ bike you know!
That’s so sketchy – I wouldn’t drive round the corner with my bike on that
Oh no, you already voided the warranty 😀
There are cross bars you can get that spread between the seat and handlebars. I would get one of those if you keep that rack. You might also be able to adjust the height of the rack bars to level the bike.
Absolutely not. Remove the front tire, fold your seats down and put this in the back seat/trunk.
Buy a half decent rack for Christ’s sake
With driving up and down driveways, speed bumps/humps and general road hazards, that front wheel will likely smash into the ground at some point. Since funds are tight, although kind of a pain, you can make that rack work.
I’d put the support that is under your top tube (just in front of the rear shock) and position it under the down tube which will move the front of your bike much higher off of the ground. I think the other one placed near the rear of the shock is ok as long as the straps prevent the bike from sliding and putting direct weight on the shock itself (not good).
Otherwise place that rear rack support between the seat tube and rear tire, under the seat stays. Some extra straps anchored lower on the bike are needed to keep the bike from swinging back and forth. Also, removing the front wheel will reduce the weight on the rack and frame contact points. Finally, if you are on the highway, those rags used as cushions may get ripped out by the wind. You’ll have to really get those anchored down.
Bro you have 2 FJ’s and a nice full sus bike. The bar is like 25 bucks on Amazon, just get one.
My eyes!!!!!
But seriously, don’t do that. As some have suggested, there are affordable racks that will give you a lot more peace of mind.
If buying another rack isn’t an option, there are cross bars you can buy and attach to the bike to make this type of rack work better for a FS MTB. I’ll see if I can find one and edit this post after.
editted :
[Here is a name brand option from REI](https://www.rei.com/product/670346/yakima-tubetop-bike-frame-adapter?sku=6703460011&store=&CAWELAID=120217890000794651&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=136582210794&CATCI=aud-1396942687435:pla-459168022036&cm_mmc=PLA_Google%7C21700000001700551_6703460011%7C92700069543296085%7CTOF%7C71700000066692684&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1OmoBhDXARIsAAAYGSEkb45L5IuNE1oGP-2Ev-aWLEGdlcp9eeSjhz0xAnUldHntUeyBGZ8aAtfHEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
[Here is a cheaper knock off version from amazon](https://www.amazon.com/KAC-Adjustable-Telescopic-Bicycle-Suspension/dp/B07D94CM3R/ref=asc_df_B07D94CM3R/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312142019401&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14240911389052813592&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9001958&hvtargid=pla-624340663607&th=1&psc=1)
Get a 1up?
get rid of that rack.
I guess if destroying the bike a few years earlier is worth the cash savings of avoiding a platform hitch rack, then this makes sense. That’s a $500 or less bike right?
I think I have that same rack, though I don’t have the vehicle it was compatible with anymore. It works fine, though not how you have your bike setup in the picture. Definitely go get that full suspension adapter bar for it. Another tip, keep spare rubber bands on hand and store the unused ones out of the sunlight. They degrade pretty quickly and you don’t want to use them once they start cracking.
Fuck it, looks good to me. As long as you don’t have that left bar strapped to the rear shock it seems totally fine. You don’t need to go buy a new rack just because it looks a little funny. Dont forget to pack an extra microfiber cloth!
Love this bike so much! Definitely get a different rack
You could get one of these to level it out.
https://www.thule.com/en-us/bike-rack/accessories/thule-frame-adapter-_-982xt999
But personally I’d just go with a different rack
Make sure the wheels are nowhere near the exhaust pipe. I’ve melted a carbon wheel on a bike that I was demoing a while back. 😬
At a minimum, but an adapter bar that goes from the seat to the handlebar.
It looks like you have plastic ratchet straps to hold it down so it should be fairly secure. A buddy of mine had his bike on his rack like this just the other day and his bike popped off and started swinging and he almost lost it on the freeway. But he was attached with rubber straps not the plastic ratchets like you.
If you are on a budget, there is a bar that hangs from your handlebars and seat post. This allows regular racks to carry mountain bikes.
If not on a budget, get a better rack.
No, get a hitch mounted tray rack. You say there is clearance but it sticks so far off the back I bet you hit it on a steep driveway apron.
Get something like a Kuat NV.