Robert11

Hello,

I'm not, of course, a bike rack engineer or designer, but was wondering about the following.
For you experts. I'm certainly not.

I'm sure I'm missing something, and am just trying to learn more.

Will be purchasing my first bike rack.
Looks like it will be a Thule Raceway Pro.

Nicely made unit.

But, the arms that hold the bike, hold them just so, so far off of the ground, that
the window (2015 Outback) will be very obscured by the bikes.
Would sure like to be able to see out the back, as much as possible.

Seems to me that if they, the support arms, were bent downward, such that they hold the bikes much closer to the ground, the view thru the
rear window would be so much better. There would/could still be adequate ground clearance.

Bikes on the rack seem to be held way off of the ground; much higher than need be.

What am I missing (as usual) ?
Is this geometry typical ?

Any thoughts on ?

BTW: Would a Hitch mounted Rack hold them closer to the ground and leave the window
less obscured ?

Thanks,
Bob

Camilo

So you're saying that the horizontal arms that the bike rests on should be bent down so they're not horizontal, but angling toward the ground? How would that work? Maybe I'm misunderstanding.

If you're concerned with vision out your back window, maybe consider a hitch mounted platform type rack?

Myself, I'm comfortable with the rear window obscured - use the side mirrors.

rgver

The engineer in me says if you put something on the back of a car, proceed to hang things off said car back thing, the view backwards may be obscured, as you have things in the way, namely bikes and rack. Don't want your view obscured, don't put stuff in your view and get a roof carrier

BlazingPedals

If the bike hangs lower, and if you go up a small incline, such as a driveway apron, won't the bike's wheels drag? If having the bikes there bothers you so much, get a roof rack.