My kids have started to really get into biking recently so I've decided it would be nice to actually take their bikes to different places to ride. So a Bike Rack for my Trailblazer looks like the solution.

But here is the problem: Most bike racks seem to only work for bikes with a center support rod. My three girls bikes don't have that support. They are also quite small, 16". Yakima has a rack called "Big Horn4" that they claim works for smaller bikes, but I'm not sure about smaller girls bike. This seems like it would be a common problem for families, but I've failed to find much information as to how others have dealt with this issue. So, any suggestions on hitch mounted bike racks that will support both adult bikes and 16" kids bikes?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

KentV

Kent,

Your answer is that you will need a "top tube bike frame adapter" for any hitch or trunk rack you use. Ever manufacturer makes one. I've included a website that has one by Yakima for $27.00. This site is the cheapest I have found on racks.

I know the answer to your question because I have been researching the same issue. This fix works great.

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/yakima-8002531.html

Kent,

I forgot to mention that this frame adapter can mount between a child's bike stem and seat post, the same way it would function for a lady's bike.

I've always put a step through frame bike on a rack with one arm under the seat tube/ seat stay junction and the top tube.

Just as a follow up: I purchased a Yakima Big Horn 4, 2" adaptor. It has worked out great for both my mountain bike and the kids smaller bikes. Good quality, and I think a good deal for the money. You could by a "tube adaptor", but at 25-30 per bike, that is going to get expensive fast. So I personally think the big horn series is an excellent solution for odd shaped bikes.

The only compliant anyone could have would be the arguement that it is slightly more difficult to get bikes on the 2 arm racks than the single arm racks.

Kent

The least expensive top tube frame adapter that I have found is at J.C. Whitney, the "everything Automotive" folks.

I bought two.

Take a look at a Saris BAT receiver hitch rack. I think that they're the best.

They come with "Bat Wings" or little cradles that hold each individual bike. The Bat Wings can be configured in several different ways to hold ladies bikes, kids bikes, full suspension bikes etc. without using any add-on gizmos. When properly loaded, all of the bikes are parallel with the ground so you don't look like the "Grapes of Wrath."

You may also want to look at the Hollywood Teamrider (http://www.hollywoodracks.com/2&3.htm#teamrider2) which supports the bikes via wheel trays and an adjustable arm with a clamp for the seatpost. Also look at the Sportworks Mod and TranSport racks (http://www.sportworks.com/stcat.asp) and Delta Bikehaul (http://www.deltacycle.com/transporter/bikehaul.php). These types of racks tend to hold bikes more securely than simple beam-arm style racks and they accomodate a greater variety of frame designs.