Interbike 2011: Car rack round-up

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Thule has gotten into the aero crossbar game as well with the introduction of its new Aeroblade system. Like Yakima, AeroBlade is an extruded aluminum system built with an aerodynamic cross-section for lower drag, less noise, and more bending strength than traditional round or rectangular bars.

While Yakima's Whispbar crossbars sport a small 'trip' at the top of the leading edge to help oncoming air stick to the surface, Thule instead uses a pronounced texture on the sliding T-slot cover for the same effect. Thule's AeroBlade does require users to cut that T-slot cover as needed to fit various accessories, though, in contrast to Yakima's no-cut system.

Suggested retail price for the AeroBlade crossbars themselves is US$149.95 per pair.

Thule also launched four new hitch-mounted rear carriers at Interbike, all using conventional twin arms supporting the top tubes but in slightly arched curves that are designed to provide better spacing between up to five bikes.

The upscale Apex uses Thule's new RDT cradles with softer, ribbed materials to prevent frame damage and no-sway lower extensions to keep bikes from constantly clanking into each other. An integrated cable lock in tucked into the top of the main mast and quick-release levers allow the arms to fold when not in use and the whole rack to tilt down to access the rear hatch. There's also a new Snug-Tight receiver design with a built-in wedge to eliminate play and an integrated locking mechanism for security.

The new Thule Apex Swing is a stout-looking hitch-mounted carrier designed for up to four bikes

The lower-priced Vertex range instead uses slightly harder cradle materials, eliminates the cable lock and Snug-Tight receiver design.

Both Apex and Vertex are offered in 'Swing' versions with segmented bases that pivot, rather than tile, outward for tailgate access. Prices range from US$239.95 to US$499.95 depending on model and bike capacity.

Finally, there's the new Thule Gate Mate – a simple padded nylon cover designed for pickup truck tailgates. As compared to just simple blankets and similar pads, the Gate Mate adds nylon webbing across the top to provide bungee cord strapping points plus 'Knock Blocks' at either end to keep bikes from sliding straight into the sides of the bed. A cutout on the exterior allows access to the tailgate handle, too.

Thule will offer the Gate Mate in 54" and 62" widths, both for US$99.95. /JH

The new Thule Gate Mate is a more elegant solution than moving blankets to carrying a lot of bikes in the bed of your truck

Quiet time in the house of Yakima

Yakima's biggest news is its recent acquisition of New Zealand rack company Whispbar and its trick aero-profile base bar system. Unlike the company's standard plastic-coated round steel crossbars, the new Whispbar aluminum crossbars are extruded in an airfoil profile that's much quieter at both high and low speeds.

Yakima recently purchased New Zealand rack company Whispbar, gaining their clever aerodynamic crossbar and tower design in the process

Yakima says the modular Whispbar system is also simpler overall, requiring just two boxes to outfit virtually any vehicle in multiple configurations. The ends of the Whispbar extrusions adjust in ratcheting steps to the sleek-looking towers, and then single bolts accessible behind a hinged cover tighten everything down as needed from there. Kits are available with flush or extended rails or to fit factory roof rails. There's even a 'heavy duty' package for higher-load demands.

In either case, loading accessories is as simple as popping open the end and sliding things into the prescribed track. With the exception of the HD kit, all of the Whispbar crossbars are fitted with a compressible molded foam rubber insert in the accessory channel so there's no cutting required when adding, subtracting or moving mounts.

Yakima says most of its rack accessories will already fit the new Whispbar crossbars but dedicated mounts won't be coming until next year for a truly integrated package. Suggested retail price for the new premium system is pegged at around US$400 for a set of bars and locks.

Yakima also introduced its new Rocketbox Pro Series cargo boxes, designed with new top and bottom shapes that nest within each other for shipping. This unfortunately doesn't reduce freight costs since the things are still so big but it does allow Yakima to use standard UPS and FedEx carriers for more consistent tracking.

Yakima's redesigned Rocketbox Pro Series cargo boxes feature tops and bottoms that nest inside themselves for shipping. This doesn't reduce shipping costs but it does mean they can now ship via standard UPS and FedEx carriers

The new boxes can be opened from either side, too, with new push-button latches that are easier to use. Yakima will offer the Rocketbox Pro Series cargo boxes in 11 (US$359), 12 (US$379), and 14 cubic foot (US$439) sizes with the largest one sporting additional steel reinforcements on the underside to allow for greater front overhangs and less rear hatch interference. /JH

Küat: budget hitch rack, new roof baskets, and a darn cool bike lock

For 2012 Küat focused on the range of their rack line, and offer a new budget based NV Core hitch rack. Additional new 2012 products include two roof baskets—Vagabond and Vagabond X—the Dirt Bag skewer mount and a new Bottle Lock bike lock.

Take the NV to its core—strip away the bike stand, integrated locks (hitch and bike) and four bike capacity—and you're left with a solid, 'core' two bike hitch-mount rack that promises to do one job well: carry two of your bikes. The new US$439 rack is called NV Core; it fits both 1.25in and 2in hitches, and holds two bikes with a 120lb capacity using Küat's NV front wheel mount and mainframe. It's meant to provide the look and function of the NV without the bells and whistles. A lock package, which includes both hitch and bike locks, will sell for an additional $39.

The NV Core uses a similar frame, but without the bells and whistles of the original NV

Küat will offer two rooftop baskets for 2012 that each include two simple skewer type bike mounts. The top-of-the-line Vagabond X comes in two colors, black chrome ($429) and flat black ($399). The basket is said to have an aerodynamic shape and 160lb capacity. It mounts to all factory and aftermarket roof bars without the need for adaptors. The basket is finished with real copper badges. The Vagabond is simply a toned down version of the X, it has a boxier shape, but the same bike and weight capacity for $299.

The Dirt Bag is a $13 front quick release skewer mount. Küat says they made it as inexpensive as possible. It's meant for the old 2x4 in the pickup truck bed or building out the inside of a team trailer or workshop.

The $34 Bottle Lock is a 8mm cable lock that winds its 5ft long cable onto the inner spool of the bottle shaped case by twisting the bottle's top; the base has a small compartment to store the key when traveling. The whole package conveniently fits into any conventional bottle cage for that quick trip to the store or coffee shop. The Bottle Lock will be available in white, black, and pink bottles. /MP

The 5ft of 8mm cable unwinds with a pull and is rewound by turning the top of the bottle

This article originally appeared on BikeRadar