Transporting your bicycle on a vehicle is a sensitive affair because of several considerations. Space, convenience, and security are all important, which makes choosing the right rack incredibly important. But what if you can’t put bikes on a bike rack normally?
We’ll take a look at how to mount women’s bike on bike rack in three different ways. The problem involves working around non-standard frames, so these solutions will work with other types as well.
Keep reading to learn more.
Table of Contents
3 Methods for Mounting Women’s Bicycles
What to prepare:
- Bicycle rack (installed on vehicle)
- Women’s bike
A bicycle rack supports the frame with its cradle, and the problem with bike racks for girls bikes is that the frame is incompatible with the standard design. The absence of a horizontal crossbar leaves the cradle without something to catch and support.
This issue can be addressed by using an adjustable cradle with an alterable angle of support to match the sloping crossbar that some women’s bikes have. The cradle on Allen bike rack can swivel to accommodate a broader range of bicycles.
All you need to do is turn the bicycle rack’s cradles whichever way so that it can hook up the bike.
What to prepare:
- Bicycle rack (installed on vehicle)
- Women’s bike
- Crossbar adapter
If you still want to use your rack with non-adjustable cradles, instead of making a DIY bike rack cradle or buying a new one, you can use a frame adapter instead.
By using the crossbar adapter, you can mount women’s bicycles on a car bike rack even with a non-standard frame.
- Lock the top end of the frame adapter to the handlebar stem and clip on the safety release pin.
- Adjust the length until the bottom end reaches the seat post
- Lock the other end into place
- Check to see if the tool is secure before mounting
- Load the bicycle onto the rack.
Compared to a commercially available product, bike frame adapter bar DIY options could be cheaper. However, it’s a good idea to think about whether you have enough confidence and skills to risk hanging your bike for transport this way.
What to prepare
- Bicycle rack (installed on vehicle)
- Women’s bike
- Wheel strap
Another way to mount female bike on bike rack without adapter is by securing it somewhere other than the frame bar. The hitch or platform-style rack holds the bicycle in place at the wheels, so it would not matter if the bike has a frame bar or not.
Some models strap bikes on bike rack, while others use a clamping mechanism to secure them in place. There are also choices on how and where these are mounted; some are attached to the rear of the vehicle, while some are roof-mounted.
Wheel-locking racks are the most secure among the methods we have here, but they are also the more expensive option, costing even more than most standard racks.
Other Tips
- Protect bikes on bike rack by securing the wheel with a strap or similar tool to keep it from hitting the car, rack, or other bikes.
- Bikes are easier to mount and more stable when positioned horizontally.
- If the bike is not secured properly on a hitch-style rack, you can use a locking cable as an additional way to fasten it.
- Consider the height when using a roof rack since the necessary vertical clearance will increase. Also, mounting a bike onto a roof rack can be difficult for shorter people to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do women’s bikes not have a crossbar?
The dropped crossbar found on women’s bikes is something that came about in old models made in the 1800s and 1900s. These were necessary to comply with societal norms of the time that dictated how women should present themselves.
These days, however, some women’s bikes now have horizontal crossbars, while some bicycles for men also have dropped or sloping crossbars as well for safety.
Do all bicycles fit on a bike rack?
No, not all bicycles fit on a rack. Women’s bikes, along with those for children, can be troublesome to mount and may need specialized racks or tools.
It can be difficult to put a townie on a bike rack due to its non-standard crossbar and frame geometry; the same can be said for step-through bicycles. If your bike does not have a standard horizontal crossbar, racks that secure the wheel instead would be the better option.
Is there a risk of damage when using a wheel-locking rack?
There should not be any risk of damage to the wheel when it is secured in this manner for transport; the only exception is if you are using hydraulic brakes. The only possible cause of damage is if you don’t secure the bicycle properly and it falls off the rack.
Conclusion
Now you know how to mount women’s bike on bike rack in three different ways. These are useful things to keep in mind if you ever find yourself needing to load bikes on bike rack when there are no standard frame bars to work with.
Have you experienced trouble using a bike rack for women’s bike? How were you able to address the problem? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section below.
Always ride safely.
“I ride my bike to work for years, but is that enough? Our carelessness towards our surroundings has taken a toll on the environment. And now, everyone is responsible for changes; even the most minor contribution is counted. With this hope and spirit, I started with my partner to establish Biketoworkday to help more individuals commute to their work sites on their bikes.”