It’s not accidentally that we’re beginning to see loads of riffs on the unique bike rack design from 1up. As RockyMounts tells us, their patent expired about 4 years in the past, which suggests there are loads of firms attempting to create their very own racks that mimic the twin-upright, tire-only contact fashion.
A method that also has loads of room for enchancment over the unique as proven by the first pattern of the new GuideRail on show at Sea Otter.
On the floor, the RockyMounts GuideRail appears to be like lots like a 1up rack, and it features in the similar manner – vertical uprights press towards every tire, holding the bike in place on the tray with none body contact. Those trays can maintain bikes with tires as much as 3″ extensive, and with wheelbases as much as 55″. Weight per bike is capped at 60lbs for the two-bike rack, or 45lbs every in case you add the 1-bike add-on equipment for a 3-bike most arrange.
The particulars are the place issues begin to get attention-grabbing. For starters, all the pivot factors have brass bushings to forestall any aluminum-on-aluminum contact. That will preserve the rack functioning easily over the future, no matter situations.
Along those self same strains, whereas most of the rack is produced from steel, the ratcheting mechanism is definitely produced from plastic. While that sounds counterintuitive, RockyMounts discovered that the strengthened plastic was truly stronger and lasts longer whereas sustaining correct perform of the ratchet system.
The ratchet mechanism works in two methods – you’ll be able to maintain down the lever at the ratchet and open the uprights, or you’ll be able to flip the lever open which lets you transfer the uprights with out holding it down. So you’ll be able to open the lever, simply swing open the uprights, then flip the lever again down to have interaction the mechanism and squeeze the uprights shut on the bike.
All of the touchpoints have been anodized blue to make the course of so simple as potential. Each upright has an adjustable wheel cradle for various sizes, however they do require the use of instruments.
The tilt mechanism is straightforward to achieve and function with one hand, and permits the rack to be saved up, horizontal, or down 30º for loading/entry to the tailgate.
My favourite function of the rack is the integrated lock which is much extra sturdy than many integrated locking techniques. Instead of an easily-cut cable, the RockyMounts racks will use an included 10mm sq. hyperlink chain that’s included with the rack. That chain is a lasso fashion that’s lengthy sufficient to suit round each bikes, and the finish locks into the rack with a hidden lock core that makes it more durable to interrupt free. Like all locks, there’s in all probability a solution to defeat it, however this could supply extra peace of thoughts than the typical bike rack lock, and appears simpler to make use of than including your individual chain lock and attempting to determine methods to connect it to the rack.
The GuideRail is proven above, and there may even be a rack with the similar tray-style however with an integrated swing-away function known as the AfterParty coming later. Expected to be accessible early Summer, the GuideRail will begin at $849 for the two-bike rack with a 2″ hitch, with an 1 1/4″ model, 1-bike add-on, and AfterParty coming later.
Fork Mounts for Vans, Trucks, and Vehicles
RockyMounts has additionally been updating their fork mount adapters which have elevated in recognition because of extra folks utilizing them to retailer bikes inside autos. Products like the 24″ VanTrack can be utilized on the flooring with the mounts upright, or on the wall of a van utilizing the different mounting level on the adapter to tilt the handlebar of every bike to retailer a number of bikes in a decent house.
The latest replace to the line is the DropTop which makes use of a TPU overmolded shim which eliminates the want to modify out any components to suit 12mm or 15mm thru-axles. The locking clamp additionally prevents the axle from turning, so you’ll be able to’t merely take away the entrance axle to steal the bike. The DropTop sells for $89.95 with lock core, keys, and mounting {hardware} included.
