Full Suspension Rack??
 

I just ordered a Trek Rumblefish, and then went looking for a spare tire mounted rack. I noticed that they all support the bike right where the rear suspension is located. Would that be harmful to the rear suspension? Is there a bike rack that is meant for full suspension bikes?

Here is the bike I ordered:
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes...rumblefish_pro

Here are the racks I was looking at:
http://yakima.com/shop/bike/spare-tire/sparetime#

http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Produc...3XTR-Spare-Me#

Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Two ideas I've got (and I need to be quick, gotta go in five minutes) --

1) Get a rack that has adjustable width for the arms. I had to do this to get one that'll carry my wife's Electra Townie, and it'll carry my Cannondale Rush at the same time. Just barely, though -- and I don't know if it'll work with your RumbleFish the same way.

2) Get a "top tube adapter" or whatever they want to call it. It's a bar that attaches to the head tube/stem and seatpost to make a ladies' frame bike fit on a carrier. They will work with mountain bikes, too.
http://www.prolineracks.com/bike-bar-adapters.html

Ah, Yakima has one:
http://yakima.com/shop/bike/bike-accessories/tubetop

And Thule, too:
http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Produc...-Frame-Adapter

That'll work perfectly. Thank you very much!

Cool. :thumb:

Shortest thread ever? ;)

Possibly. But that's okay. As long as a good answer gets posted, that's all that matters! Now if I can find a spare tire mounted rack that fits my FJ Cruiser. The website for Thule and Yakima say they don't fit. Some people in FJ Cruiser forums say they will fit despite what the websites say, but other's said that it wouldn't fit theirs... guess I'll just have to put install one and hope for the best. You have a preferred brand of rack? I have heard good things about Thule, but the Yakima rack looks more sturdy.

No, I don't have a preferred brand, even though I switched from a decade-old Yakima to a new Saris. Both of mine are trunk racks, though, and Saris doesn't sell spare tire racks. They have hitch racks, though.

Keep in mind how low your bike hangs. If you've got a 29er with a high seatpost and a high stem, the bike beam may leave your tires pretty close to the ground when you get people into the car.

I can help with this part, hopefully continue the awesomeness that BSi started.

I have a Suzuki suv which has a rear door/hatch-mounted spare like the FJ cruiser. I looked into the spare mounted and do not like them. I have a hitch mount and it works well with a Kuat Sherpa rack (which also wouldn't need the frame adapter, because it's a 'tray' style). I needed a 6" hitch extension to clear the spare tire.

Never thought about that Grimlock. The FJ sits up pretty high though. So, I shouldn't have to worry about that.

ColinL - I want a rack that I can just keep on at all times. I live in an apt with no garage or storage space. I don't want to have to take a hitch mount on and off all the time. That's why I really want to go with the spare tire rack.

I can't decide if I want to try the Yakima or the Thule. Anyone have an preferences on brands? Who makes a more sturdy rack? Which racks best protect the bikes from banging around? Any information that will be helpful in making my decision :)