IS MAC RIDE COMPATIBLE WITH YOUR BIKE?
Almost certainly, your bike is compatible with Mac Ride. But there are a few tricks to be aware of so you can order the right adapters if needed. And there are a few exceptions too. We also have a Mac Ride gallery so you can see just a few of the bikes from around the world in action with Mac Ride here! Any further questions, please reach out--- info@mac-ride.com.
On this page:
1. Will Mac Ride fit your bike?
2. Choosing the right front mount spacer
4. Mac Ride measurements and dimensions
5. Bike makes and models- will they fit?
1. WILL MAC RIDE FIT YOUR BIKE?
This guide explains how to check your steerer tube, your frame and your seat post for Mac Ride compatibility.
CAN I USE MAC RIDE WITH A CARBON FRAME?
Absolutely! Mac Ride mounts to the steerer tube and seat post and does not touch your frame:)
CAN I USE MAC RIDE WITH A DROPPER POST?
Absolutely! When mounting the rear clamp, be sure to go on to the base of the post, and not the part that drops.
CAN I USE MAC RIDE WITH A "NORMAL" SEAT POST (NO DROPPER)?
YES! Mac Ride simply clamps to the seat post itself. You can choose where to place the rear clamp to establish the right level of slope for the Mac Ride saddle for your child.
2. CHOOSING THE RIGHT FRONT MOUNT SPACER FOR YOUR BIKE
The size and type of your steerer tube will determine whether you can use the standard Mac Ride mounts or whether you need an adapter. Mac Ride comes with two front mount standard spacers, size 1 1/8". If you do not have a common bike, you will need to purchase different mounting spacers on our shop:Standard Front Mounts | Giant Front Mounts | Quill Adapters | Knock Block Extra
Check out the information below to help you determine what you need:
(Looking for a TREK lockring spacer closer to home? The part number is: #545523)
Picture of a Quill Adapter mounted on a Quill Stem:

WHAT IS A STEERER TUBE?
Great question! It's the silver part of your bike, below, that goes down and connects to your forks.
You are looking to measure the diameter of the steerer tube at the portion that sticks out from your frame (where it says 1 1/8", below). This is the part where the Mac Ride front mount fits, so it is the part that counts!
Sometimes the spec on your bike will say 1 1/8" with a "tapered" steerer tube, and then give additional dimensions, which can be confusing. As long as it's 1 1/8" at the part above your frame, the rest doesn't matter for fitting Mac Ride. So don't be worried about "tapered".
For bikes with quill stems, they go inside a threaded steerer tube. These bikes, some commuters and older bikes - will need a quill stem adapter, either 7/8" or 1". For North America, there is a sneaky way to check what size you need, with either a Canadian or US quarter:
ORDERING FRONT MOUNTS FROM MAC-RIDE.COM
The below mounts and adapters are available on our shop. If you have a standard steerer tube, and two 1 1/8" spacers are not enough, you can always order more!
Standard Front Mounts | Giant Front Mounts | Quill Adapters | Knock Block Extra
DIFFERENT SHAPED SPACERS
Cone Shaped Spacers
Some bikes, like Rad Power models, have a cone shaped spacer under the stem. For Mac Ride to be compatible, you need to swap this spacer for a shorter cone shaped spacer to make room for the Mac Ride front mount. So far our customers have been able to find these shorter spacers at their local bike shop. Unfortunately, we do not sell them at Mac Ride. Read more about this solution here.
Cube Bikes - Hexagon Shaped Spacers
Some Cube bikes use hexagonal spacers. Because the inside of the spacers are still round and 1 1/8", these still work well with Mac Ride. The only trouble is the aesthetics...Mac Ride spacers are round, so they might not look pretty and tidy when stacked in a deck together. Functionally, everything is great. Read more about this solution and Cube bikes here.
WHAT STEERER TUBES ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH MAC RIDE?
- 1.5" - Threadless steerer tube - less common and being phased out - not compatible with Mac Ride (some Cannondale Leftys have this tube).
- Some spacers that are not round with flat edges
3. E-BIKE COMPATIBILITY
Mac Ride is brilliant for e-bikes! Unless your e-bike frame is very narrow, or your battery pack is at the back, you will need one of our two e-bike adapters to go with your Mac Ride.
As e-bikes are so varied, we have two different sizes. Check out this compatibility information before you make a purchase.
Which E-Bike Adapter do you need? |
Top Tube & Down Tube Width |
Standard Width (no E-Bike Adapter) | 68mm or less |
Wide E-Bike Adapter | 68-97mm |
Extra Wide E-Bike Adapter | 97-117mm |
Decided you need an e-bike adapter to go with your Mac Ride? Perhaps you'd like some mini grips too! E-Bike Adapter | Mini Grips
4. MAC RIDE MEASUREMENTS AND DIMENSIONS
Top Tube Length
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Minimum: 480 mm Maximum: 660 mm |
Down Tube Width
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Maximum: 68mm (expandable with e-bike adapter to 117mm) |
Seat Post Diameter
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Minimum: 27.2 mm Maximum: 31.6 mm (see below if your bike is outside of this range) |
Rear Clamp
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Depth: 20 mm Thickness: 7.5 mm |
Stirrup Length
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Minimum: 230 mm Maximum: 320 mm |
Foot Strap Size |
XS, S, M, L |
SEAT POST DIAMETER FIXES
For thinner seat posts - You can DIY a rubber patch to thicken the post and make Mac Ride compatible with your bike's seat post.
For thicker seat posts (up to 34.9 mm) - Remove the domed nut from the end of the Mac Ride rear clamp hand screw. This will allow the clamp to open up to 34.9mm. The domed nut is only there to protect the rider's inner thigh from the potential sharp edge of the screw when clamped to very small diameter (27.2mm) seat posts. It serves no other purpose. As long as you don't need to go larger than 34.9mm, by removing the domed nut, there are no changes to the function of the clamp. A heads up-- the nut may be stiff to unscrew as there is a small amount of threadlock on the inside.
This fix is not suitable for seat posts that are larger than 34.9mm (although we do not know of any... at this time!)
5. BIKE MAKES AND MODELS - WILL THEY FIT?
MAC RIDE COMPATIBLE:
Giant (special spacer available for bikes from 2011-2014) |
Giant E-bikes** Haibike E-bikes** |
Specialized E-bikes (Levo)** |
SPECIAL SITUATIONS:
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6. UNIQUE SITUATIONS
