The Apex 3 transit bike rack sets a new standard for safety and performance in transit bike racks. The frame, wheel trays, and support arms have been completely redesigned to reduce bounce, and minimize the rack's footprint for better vehicle turn radius, headlight/turn signal visibility and improved safety.

The Apex 3 is the first 3-position rack recommended for use on cutaways (excluding Chevrolet 4500 and 5500) and other small vehicles measuring 96" or greater in width (excluding mirrors), and is compatible with existing Sportworks mounting brackets. Other benefits include:

  • Accommodate the largest range of bikes:

    • Compatible with bicycle wheelbases up to 48”; 51" (fat tire wheel trays)

    • Wheel size 16” to 29” (standard wheel trays); 24” to 29” (fat tire wheel trays)

    • Bikes up to 75 lbs

  • New support arm handles provide improved ergonomics and ease of use

  • Modular design reduces maintenance costs by allowing damaged parts to be easily replaced

  • Rugged stainless steel construction with anti-glare finish provides maximum corrosion resistance

  • Right-hand drive configuration available

  • Optional fat tire trays and support arms accommodate tires up to 5.5" in width

For information about safety, vehicle requirements, or California State Law and bus length regulations please refer to our FAQs.

Hardware

All Sportworks bumper-mounted bike racks require a Pivot Plate, Brackets and Bolt Kit for proper installation.


Apex Pivot Plate

The Apex Pivot Plate measures 20” wide, and provides the mounting and pivot point exclusively for Sportworks Apex Series bike racks. The pivot plate is connected to bumper brackets, and enables the bike rack to move between the stowed and deployed positions.The Apex 2 Pivot Plate does not come with a torsion spring. However, An optional torsion spring available upon request. The Pivot Plate is powdercoated black.

Hardware

Sportworks offers two primary types of Brackets that secure the Pivot Plate and Bike Rack to a vehicle bumper.


Stand-Off

The Stand-Off is the most common bracket type, and attaches through holes drilled into the front of the vehicle bumper. Stand-Off brackets are available in a variety of lengths, and do not require removal of the bumper for installation. The following information may be required to determine the proper fit for your vehicle: vehicle make and model, vehicle year, bumper manufacturer and type.

C-Bracket

The C-Bracket fits around the bumper by attaching to the frame, and alleviates the need to drill holes through the front of the vehicle bumper. C-Brackets come in a variety of sizes, and require removal of the bumper for installation. The following information may be required to determine the proper fit for your vehicle: vehicle make and model, vehicle year, bumper manufacturer and type.

Accessories


Apex 3 Pivot Plate With Deployment

  • Dashboard mounted light notifies driver when rack is deployed

  • Safety enhancement feature

  • Required in California

Apex 3 Pivot Plate With Torsion Spring Kit

  • Reduces the lifting weight when stowing and deploying the rack

  • Corrosion resistant design with stainless steel spring

  • Easily attaches to most Sportworks pivot plates

Apex 3 On A Demonstration Stand

  • Easily demonstrate bike rack loading/unloading without a vehicle present, for education or training purposes

  • Heavy-duty construction can support a rack fully loaded with 3 bikes

  • Fast and easy to assemble, disassemble, and transport

  • More information here: Demonstration Stand

Apex 3 With Ad Panel

  • Maximize advertising space and create a new stream of revenue

  • Heavy-duty construction is bus washer safe

  • Quickly and easily attaches to most Sportworks racks

  • Will require Torsion Spring Kit

How to Use

Sportworks Transit Racks - Quick, Easy and Intuitive!


Lower Rack

Approaching from the curbside, the rider lowers the rack with one hand while supporting the bike with the other hand. This durable rack is as easy to raise as it is to lower.

Load Bike

After lowering the rack, the rider places the bike into one of the rack’s open wheel trays. All bike positions are completely independent of each other, making it easy to load or unload bikes with others already loaded in the rack.

Secure Wheel

To secure the bike, simply pull the unique self-storing support arm out and over the front tire. The handle should be placed as close to the front brake and head tube as possible to ensure safety and security of the bike, and in all cases the handle must be closer to the head tube than the highest point of the tire.

Related Products

Apex Fat Tire Option

Accommodate bikes with extra wide tires (up to 5.5" wide), commonly known as fat tire bikes. These modular wheel trays are available for Apex 3, Apex 2 and Apex 1 transit bike racks.

Bike Counter Harness

The first and only way to automatically count bikes on your buses.

Ad Panel

Increase revenue with our integrated ad panel designed to fit our transit racks..

Apex Pivot Plate

The Apex Pivot Plate is an essential component of the bicycle rack system for all Apex bicycle racks by providing the mounting and pivot point for all of our Apex bicycle racks.

Apex Ten Second Bracket™

The Apex Ten Second Bracket (TSB) is an integrated pivot plate and bracket assembly that allows fast and easy removal of Sportworks front bumper-mounted bike racks for towing and maintenance.