Tag: Bike Rack

Dirtbag is Dirt Cheap Bike Rack

Need a cheap bike rack? How about the Dirtbag from Küat Racks, a simple solution for those who don’t want to spend more than $13 for a bike rack! It is billed as the most affordable rack on the market, which is surely true – but using it could cost you.

This is because it “mounts anywhere” and it isn’t really a rack, as much as a simple piece of metal that clamps down the front fork with the help of the bike’s skewer. In fact it is probably a good idea to have an extra skewer to use the Dirtbag. Continue reading Dirtbag is Dirt Cheap Bike Rack

Bamboo Racks It Up

We’ve seen bamboo used for bicycle frames, and we’ve seen bamboo used for water bottles and even clothing. But the quick growing grass offers the strength of wood and has a nice look as well. This is why it is used for cabinets and even floors. So it is no surprise that Quarterre would create a bike rack made of bamboo as well.

The Branchline bike race is designed and made in England from FSC certified bamboo and hand-finished in leather. It offers a striking design with adjustable arms that can hold two bikes off the floor. About the only downsides of going with bamboo is that this isn’t the most affordable bike rack – and it will cost about $1500 – plus it will take about eight to 10 weeks to get it. But if you have the money and some patience, the Quarterre Branchline will be an ideal bike rack to show off those spiffy high-end road bikes.

Quarterre Official Website

Opel Mokka Features Built-in Bike Carrier

We don’t often post about automobiles at KineticShift but we heard about the Opel Mokka SUV, which features the second generation FlexFix bicycle carrier. This allows drivers to carry up to three bikes on the rack, which is exclusive to Opel. Integrated in the rear bumper of the vehicle, this carrier is always on board when needed and can be tucked away when it is not! Video after the jump

New Bike Racks Ready to Park on the Streets

Sportworks Tofino No Scratch Bike Rack

An increase in biking calls for an increase in places to park your bikes. We don’t see to many of those multi-bike parking structures anymore, they take up too much space. But there are lots of new options coming out that take up little space, and are kinder to bikes. Continue reading New Bike Racks Ready to Park on the Streets

Recall: Yakima FlipSide Bicycle Carriers

Yakima Products, Inc. of Beaverton, OR, in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act has recently announced the recall of their FlipSide rear bicycle racks that mount to the receiver hitch of vehicles. Apparently a small number of units shipped from April 2008 through June 2011 have malfunctioned while transporting bikes.

It seems that the pin that holds the rack upright might be slightly too short in the affected units and can not hold the loaded rack upright.

Only those racks with a red knob in the photo are being recalled. Yakima will send the owners of those racks a new, longer pin along with instructions on how to replace the current red pin. The fix is reported to only take 15 minutes.

Yakima recommends the removal of this product from your vehicle and the owner fill out the online registration form, or call 1-888-925-4621 to speak with customer service.

Along with the FlipSide being recalled, Yakima also recalled the FrontLoader roof rack bicycle mount earlier this year due to the mount becoming loose or actually ejecting the bike while driving.

Yakima Flipside Recall Official Website

Tired Old Tires Turned in Bike Stands

If you have a high-end bike, then you probably have that sense of dread when having to use the typical a bike rack. There is the worry of scratching the frame’s paint or decal, and the fact that the wheel-in-first racks are designed for bikes from decades ago. Even the general “metal” loops are poorly designed to allow for adequate positioning, as there just isn’t enough space to lean the bike.

A Wellington, New Zealand firm may have the answer, and it is one that solves another problem in the process. Duncan Forbes and Matt Hammond of Bikerakk have created a cycle stand that has a solid steel core frame but has a softer outer layer made of recycled car tires. And to encourage businesses to adopt these stands, the rack is in the shape of a bicycle, allowing the rear wheel to be a glass disc that can light up at night for advertising and signage.

So far the Bikerakk is only available in central Wellington, but the company hopes to eventually get the stands throughout the island nation. Maybe it will catch on, as it is a great use of recycled tires and provides a bit of padding. Plus it could be just the thing to remind people that two wheels make a good way to get around.