Best Bike Rack to Carry 3 Womens Step-Thru Cruiser Bikes with Fenders on 2017 Infiniti QX60

Question:

My wife and daughters have 3 cruiser-style bikes, each with fenders. One is an Electra Cruiser Lux 7D, the other is an Electra Townie Commute 8D, and the third is a sixthreezero Womens 26foot EVRYjourney hybrid cruiser. All have fenders. I am having a Draw-Tite Class IV Max Frame hitch installed on her 2017 Infiniti QX60. What would be the best hitch carrier for these bikes? I assume a platform-type carrier, but I would need one that will accommodate the fenders. Thanks!

asked by: Kenneth H

Expert Reply:

I looked up some photos of all the bikes you mentioned and based on what I saw, the Saris Freedom 4 Bike Platform Rack part # SA4414B is your best option. The 2 inch shank with 2 inch rise will provide extra ground clearance on your 2017 Infiniti QX60 with the DrawTite # 76031 hitch.

Since your wife's and daughter's bikes have fenders, a bike rack that holds the bikes by the tires/wheels is not the way to go, and since these also have alternative frames with the step-thru design, a hanging style rack is not going to work unless you also use a bike adapter bar for each one. Even then, a platform rack is what I recommend because it provides extra security and really limits bike to bike and bike to vehicle contact.

The Saris Freedom features unique cradles that slide up and down and also rotate so you can always adjust them to accommodate various styles of frames without having to worry about interfering with your fenders. It does come with an anti rattle threaded hitch pin, but I recommend getting the hitch lock # SA3022 for extra security. You can thread a cable lock # SA981 through the hole in the base of the rack and through your bike frames to secure your bikes to the rack.

The maximum bike wheelbase that the # SA4414B can accommodate is 48 inches, so it will work for the EVRYjourney, but I wasn't able to confirm the wheelbases on your two Electra bikes, so you'll want to confirm the wheelbase on those does not exceed 48 inches.

I have attached a product demonstration and review video on a similar year Pathfinder, which is essentially the same as your QX60 so you can get an idea of how the Saris Freedom will fit.