Here’s a short little excerpt about what we do here at Cracks & Racks. Enjoy.
Posts Tagged ‘cool racks’
Welcome to Cracks & Racks
Friday, February 11th, 2011Toyota Prius Roof Rack
Monday, December 13th, 2010We’ve had a bunch of requests for rack photos of the Thule Traverse Rack System on the 2010 Toyota Prius. So when this Prius came in this morning, we snapped a few photos to show the Thule Traverse Rack installation.
This install includes the Thule Rapid Aero Traverse Foot Pack, with the Traverse Fit Kit 1566 and RB53 Rapid Aero Bar.
This rack system can be purchased as a complete Thule Traverse Rack for the Toyota Prius.
The Thule Traverse Rack System pictured on a 2010 Toyota Prius without a glass roof
The Traverse Towers clamp inside the front and rear doors creating a 27 1/2" bar spread - optimal for many rack accessories
The Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Tower, coupled with the Traverse Fit Kit 1566 creates a precise and solid foundation
The Traverse Rack System is easy to install and creates an eye pleasing and functional rack system for any 2010 Toyota Prius
The 10 Best Gifts for Skiers & Snowboarders – Staff Pick
Tuesday, November 23rd, 20101. Helmet
The Smith Variant Helmet
Helmets aren’t just the coolest accessory to have on the mountain, they make sense for lots of reasons, besides safety. Helmets are a great way to keep your temperature well-regulated and because they won’t fly off in the event of a wipeout, your goggles won’t end up full of snow. Step it up a notch and get a helmet with audio headphones integrated into the earpiece, either by plugging in your mp3 player or streaming the audio wirelessly through a Bluetooth connection.
Check out the Smith Variant Audio Helmet MSRP $170.00 – Lots of ventilation, secure fit, and cool styling.
2. Goggles
Smith I/O Goggles
To go along with a helmet is a good pair of goggles. Skiing or riding in sunglasses may look cool in the spring time, but they’re pretty impractical when its snowing or the light is flat.
A good pair of goggles will have interchangeable lenses too, so you can go adjust according to the day’s conditions. Buy goggles at the same time you buy your helmet, to make sure they fit properly and don’t leave a big gap in between the helmet and the top of the goggles.
Cover your eyes with Smith IO goggles to work with your helmet. MSRP $165.00 – Easy, interchangeable lenses and fighter pilot good looks
3. Neck Gaiter
The Buff®
Scrunching your face into your jacket works well on the chairlift (barely) but just doesn’t work when skiing or riding. When you scrunch your shoulders up and tuck your chin in your jacket, you’re affecting your posture enough so that your neck and spine will be out of whack for proper skiing or riding technique. Besides, being cold just plain sucks! This is why you need a gaiter or a mask to wear under your helmet or around your neck. Be warned, big fluffy fleece gaiters will make you sweat and fog up your goggles, so buy something lightweight and breathable, like the Buff®. You won’t overheat, and you’ll be surprised at how much warmer you’ll be, especially on those crisp, cold powder day mornings.
Pick up the Original Buff MSRP $22.00 – $30.00 - It’s super versatile, and long enough to go over your nose and keep your neck warm too.
4. Socks
Let’s face it, the wrong socks can quickly turn a good day on the mountain into a bad one. Spend some dough and get a couple of pairs of sport-specific socks.
Bridgedale Ski Socks
A common misconception is that a thicker sock is going to be warmer. On the contrary, thicker socks will take up more volume in your boot, preventing adequate blood flow to your little piggies, making your feet achy and cold. Try a thinner pair of socks, almost dress socks, and marvel at the warmth and precision you get.
Slip on a pair of Bridgedale Ski Socks MSRP $20.00 – Select from a variety of styles and warmth factors. Take care of your feet and they’ll take care of you.
5. Base Layers
You’ve heard it before, but dressing in layers is the best way to stay temperature regulated, which means wear your reindeer sweater grandma knitted for you around the fireplace, not on the mountain.
Ice Breaker Base Layers
There are lots of synthetic materials out there that wick moisture from the body, but none of them work as well as good old-fashioned wool and I’m not talking about the scratchy stuff you wore as a kid. Merino wool is soft, comfortable, insulates when it’s wet and won’t leave you stinking after a day of skiing like you just finished a week-long backpacking trip.
Suit up in the morning with the Icebreaker Legless Base Layer. MSRP $64.95 – Soft merino wool makes a perfect choice for reducing bulk during serious boot wearing activities.
6. Gloves
Like cold feet, cold hands will make you feel like a 4 year old learning to write cursive when you sign your credit card receipt in the lunch line. Good gloves should fit comfortably, and not bind when articulating your fingers.
Hestra Heli Ski Glove
Even better, gloves that come up over the cuff of your jacket will keep pesky clumps of snow off of your hands, especially if you regularly find yourself playing in deep snow. Leather palms are also good for wiping the outside of your goggles in a pinch. But no matter how good or warm your gloves are, if your body is cold, it will steal blood from your extremities to keep your core warm, so dress warmly to keep your hands warm. If you’ve dressed too lightly, keep a pair of hand warmers with you to bust out when you want to stay on the hill rather than sip hot chocolate inside.
Glove up with the Hestra Heli Ski De Cuir Glove MSRP $135.00 – A long cuff, leather palm and removable wool liner combine all the necessities for mountain supremacy.
7. 50 Classic Ski Descents of North America
50 Classic Ski Descents of North America
Get your adventure seeker the latest offering from ski mountaineer Chris Davenport, Art Burrows and Penn Newhard and let your buddies drool over 208 pages of gorgeous photos of big lines, steep couloirs and soft snow brought to life by some of skiing’s most iconic figures. More than a coffee table reader, this book will make any skier feel like they’re laying down perfect turns on the way back to the kitchen for a 2nd helping of turkey dinner.
Available at Wolverine Publishing MSRP $55.00 – The book is timeless and truly inspirational for any aspiring ski mountaineer
8. Flip Video
Pictures are great, but when it comes to skiing and snowboarding, capturing the sweet spot of a skier mid-turn or at the precise moment of the powder face-shot is best left to a professional photo shoot. Enter the Flip Video. Enjoy HD video in a package about the size of your iPhone that is easy to use even with cold fingers.
Flip Ultra HD
It interfaces with a built-in USB plug for any computer and simple, easy-to-use software allows you to edit clips, create movies, lay down audio and best of all, capture an individual frame and save it as a .jpg file to show off to your coworkers or impress the ladies. TIP: Capturing video while skiing with the camera is a surefire way to induce vomiting, so shoot from a stationary position to capture the footage.
Become the next Greg Stump with the Flip Ultra HD MSRP – $149.95 – $199.95. Available anywhere electronics are sold. Relive the glory days for years to come.
9. Hydration Pack
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you’re not losing water and beginning to dehydrate. Add the hot tub you took yesterday and the cocktails you sipped last night with dinner, and the reason your legs feel so heavy in the morning is because you need water.
CamelBak Zoid Hydration Pack
Stay ahead of the game with a hydration pack and enjoy better performance on the mountain all day long.
Winter hydration packs, like those offered from CamelBak, can be slim hydration bladders or full-on day packs that allow you to carry an extra layer, energy bars and even your skis on your back when you decide to go for an extended hike on the resort’s hike-to terrain.
Take a drink with Camelbak Winter Hydration Packs MSRP $55.00 – $100.00. Give your kidneys a break and stay hydrated.
10. Ski/Snowboard Rack
In all sincerity, it’s not safe to haul your skis or snowboards inside the car. Stop short on an icy road….you get the picture.
Yakima Fat Cat 6 Ski & Snowboard Rack
You can throw them in your car and you’ll surely ruin the interior of the car either with the metal edges of your boards, or the binding brakes will snag on the upholstery. Give yourself some peace of mind and save yourself from buying a You-Saw-It-On-TV upholstery repair kit and rack those boards!
Check out a complete selection of Ski & Snowboard Roof Racks and Cargo Boxes at Cracks & Racks! MSRP $89.00 – $209.00 for Roof Ski Racks
Happy Holidays!!!
Kuat NV Bike Rack Review
Wednesday, October 13th, 2010The top-of-the-line rack from Kuat Innovations is the Kuat NV Bike rack. The NV is available for 2″ and 1 ¼” receiver hitch models. This platform-style rack is made of heat treated aluminum and weighs in at a modest 47 lbs, which is about 10 – 12 pounds lighter than the competing Thule T2 and the Yakima Holdup racks. The NV is packed with premium features including the Trail Doc, which is a built-in bike repair stand. Among the most striking features of the NV are the black chrome and orange anodized aluminum finishes. Without a doubt, the NV is easy on the eyes.
A cursory look over the rack shows attention to detail at every level. So enough gawking, let’s get down to using the NV and start by looking at loading and unloading bikes. The NV, like other platform-style racks, uses a hook arm that ratchets over the front wheel to secure the bike. The rear wheel is held in place with a single strap. Unlike other racks, there is no plastic rear wheel tray. Instead, the rear wheel sits in a “dished” section of the aluminum tray. This is a big benefit as other competing racks sometimes interfere with bumpers when folded into storage mode. The rear wheel strap goes over the rim of the wheel and secures into a ratchet connection – simple and easy.
The NV uses a dished section of the wheel tray and a sliding, adjustable ratchet strap to secure the rear wheel to the rack
The hook arm actuates easily with one hand. When loading the bike, the ratchet arm stays flat, and out of the way while you load the front wheel into the wheel tray. Once your front wheel is loaded, the rack;s hook arm effortlessly moves up and over the front wheel and ratchets down in place. What is noticeable are the relatively short intervals that the hook arm engages, making micro adjusting to your tire easy and secure – a nice feature that helps prevent over tightening. Big wheeled riders on 29ers will be glad to know that the hook arm leaves plenty of room to get up and over their big wheels without a struggle.
The front wheel rests neatly in the tray as you prepare to bring the ratchet arm over the top
The ratchet arm will easily fit over 29er wheels (26" wheel pictured)
When secured, the ratchet arm holds the front wheel securely
Bike removal is just as easy and could be done really quickly. Release the wheel strap and move to the hook arm and depress the release button at the top of the arm. We found that giving a slight downward on the hook arm helped release the button easier. Move the hook arm out of the way and your bike is ready for use.
The NV also stores really neatly when not in use. The oversized, aluminum lever at the base of the rack tilts the rack perpendicular to the road and an audible “click” lets you know the rack is secured in its storage mode.
The NV folds perpendicular to the ground for storage mode
The NV in its storage mode has a very small footprint
The Orange Oversized lever is spring loaded to allow you to raise the rack into storage mode, lower it for use, or tilt it away for rear-of-vehicle-access
Most impressive is the angle that the rack tilts away when bikes are loaded in order to gain access to the rear of the vehicle. Another pull on the oversized lever tilts the rack away from the car – with bikes loaded- for users to lift a hatchback or liftgate. No unloading the bikes and no interference with rear bumpers. On the Honda Element, for example, we’re able to completely fold down the tailgate with the bikes loaded.
The NV pictured here on a Honda Element
The NV tilts further than competing racks for easy rear-of-car access
The NV, when tilted down, allows total access to the clamshell opening of the Honda Element
Security is always an issue with bike racks, so the NV comes equipped with an integrated cable lock that stows inside of each of the bike trays. Kuat recommends wrapping the cable through the rear triangle of the bikes to securely lock them. We found, as others have noted, that the cables could be a little bit longer and we could foresee trouble trying to lock 2 bikes through the rear triangle.
The male end of the bike lock stores neatly inside one of the bike trays
The female end of the bike lock stores in the other bike tray, on the opposite side of the rack
The bike lock of the NV is designed to pass through the rear triangle of the bike
The integrated bike lock is great for 1 bike, but we found it a little bit tight for trying to lock 2 bikes
EDIT 10/14/2010: After speaking with Kuat about the length of the cable, Bill from Kuat points out, “If you moved it to the inside of the bike that will free up a few more inches and make locking two bikes easier. It will create the shortest route from point a to point b. You should be able to lock two bikes 99% of the time if you use the two short routes.”
Assembly of the rack, while not difficult, can be slightly time consuming for a first timer. The payoff is big, though, so don’t let this be a deterrant. Installation into the hitch, however, is really easy. Simply insert the rack into the hitch, line up the holes, insert the pin through the rack and secure the included lock on the other end. Next, tighten the installation knob on the front by hand until it’s as tight as you can get it, and then use the 8mm hex wrench that is included to finish off the installation, taking the wobble out of the rack. It’s a nice install, where most of the tightening isn’t done underneath the bumper, which we appreciated.
The NV includes a locking hitch pin which is used to secure the rack to the vehicle hitch
The tightening knob pushes a wedge against the hitch to remove the wobble from the rack
The inlcuded 8mm Hex wrench tightens the locking knob as well
For users who want to take the rack on and off every time they use it, we find it to be easier than other competing racks. One thing that left us scratching our heads over was the locking hitch pin was keyed differently than the integrated cable lock for the bikes. While it did include a handy bottle opener and 3 keys for each lock, we couldn’t really figure out why these weren’t keyed alike.
Lastly, is the Trail Doc bike repair stand. We find this to be a well-constructed tool that makes bike cleaning and lubing really easy for most applications, and a perfect solution for cabling and derailleur adjustments that need to be done in the field.
The Kuat NV comes equipped with the Trail Doc - A built in bike repair stand
The Trail Doc raises and lowers using a quick release located at the base
One quirk we found is that you can lift the Trail Doc right out of it’s sleeve if you pull up too high. While not a big deal, it can lead to theft, and the users we have talked with pull the trail doc out of the slot and store it in their vehicle when worried about this. Overall, though, the Trail Doc is a top-shelf accessory for any bike rack, and is sold separately to adapt to the Thule T2, Kuat Sherpa, and the Yakima Holdup.
The Trail Doc can be removed from the sleeve if desired to prevent theft
The Trail-Doc has an easy-to-use lever to clamp down to a seatpost or a frame
The Trail Doc is designed to attaches securely to a bike seatpost
The Trail Doc is adjustable, so you can bring the rear of the bike up or down for derailleur adjustments
Unlike it’s cousin, the Kuat Sherpa, the Kuat NV is capable of carrying 4 bikes, with the Kuat NV 2 bike add-on, which was launched in the late summer of 2010. Turning the NV into a 4 bike rack is especially nice for growing families, since the NV works on all types of bikes, including kids bikes with the included 20” wheel adapters.
Overall, the NV from Kuat gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from the crew at Cracks & Racks. We feel it is a refreshing design with premium features and really nice, solid construction. Simplicity is better in our book, and this rack excels at making complicated features perform easily. A slightly longer cable lock would probably have given it 5 stars, though this was only a minor detail. The Kuat NV bike rack – List Price $499.00, Sold for $475.00
2010 Ford Flex – Thule 480R Traverse Rack Install
Monday, November 30th, 2009i gotta admit, i wasn’t a fan when i first saw it, but now, i’m a believer…the ford flex is a really cool car – and that is coming from someone who drives a honda element – arguably the ugliest car on the road….
i’m also going to add in, this was one of the most satisfying sales we’ve made in awhile. the first contact with the client came by way of email, and a screenshot of a product review that was on amazon.com…it turned out, this lost-in-cyberspace product review resonated enough with this customer to earn his business, which we were proud to accept.
as usual, we offer a personalized consultation for the purchase of a rack system. there are just too many configurations and products out there to be a one-size-fits-all solution. every car is different, every car owner’s needs are different too. that’s how we ended up with the Thule 480R Rapid Aero Complete Rack System.
Here are the pictures to show:
The Thule Rapid Traverse Foot Pack installed on the 2010 Ford Flex
The 2010 Ford Flex with dual-sunroofs, equipped with the Thule 480R Rapid Aero Load Bars
The Rapid Aero Load Bars, used with the 480R, create a solid and eye-pleasing foundation
The 480R Traverse Rack is a very precise fit that works great on the 2010 Ford Flex
The parts shown on this car are the following:
1 x Thule 480R Rapid Traverse Foot Pack
1 x Thule Traverse Fit Kit 1518
1 x Thule RB60 Rapid Aero Load Bars
1 x Thule 544 Lock Cylinders – 4 Pack
Audi Q7 Roof Rack and Cargo Box
Monday, November 23rd, 2009let’s face it, the q7 is a pretty nice looking SUV. smooth body lines, and a luxurious interior have caught my eye over the past couple of years everytime we install a rack or replace a windshield on them.
this time, it was a rack install. previously, we had installed the roof rack, but today, the customer was getting ready for winter by adding in a thule cargo box.
the rack system is a 460 podium complete rack system. as you can see from the photo, the 460 foot and the fit kit 4002 really clamp down nicely to the flush mounted side rail on the audi.
The Thule 460 Podium Foot Pack with Fit Kit 4002 for Audi Q7
with the rack in place already, we needed a cargo box that wouldn’t break the bank, would carry a bunch of skis, and look good on the champagne colored car.
with those criteria in mind, we decided to go with the thule ascent 1600. this box is 76″ long, fits a ski up to 185cm, and doesn’t end up hanging over the windshield when it’s mounted, even when it’s set back on the car so it doesn’t interfere with the back hatch when it’s mounted.
the ascent 1600, like the atlantis boxes, comes equipped with thule’s premium quick grip mounting hardware and dual-sided opening capability.
The Thule 604 Ascent 1600 is a nice fit on the roof of the Audi
The Ascent 1600's width enables easy access to the dual-sided opening feature when mounted in the center
Even with the rear door open, the Ascent 1600 doesn't interfere or hang over the windshield
Thule 916 T2 vs. Yakima 2433 Holdup Hitch Bike Racks
Friday, November 13th, 2009lately we’ve been having lots of discussion about the differences between the thule t2 bike rack and the yakima 2433 holdup bike rack. both of these racks are tray-style, hitch-mounted bike racks that carry the bikes by hooking around the front wheel.
in the past year or two, we’ve really noticed a growing trend in the popularity of these types of bike racks. with more and more people riding full-suspension mountain bikes, “standard” hitch mounted bike racks, like the thule 914 roadway, or the yakima 2424 doubledown 4 racks don’t work very well without the use of a frame adapter.
additionally, there has been a resurgence of popularity with upright bike carriers for the roof – the kind where you keep both wheels on the bike. this is largely due to mountain bike forks being equipped with thru axles and the cannondale lefty forks. with both of these styles, you have to use an adapter to make your fork fit into a fork-mounted bike rack.
back to the hotly debated topic of which bike rack is better. there is no short answer to this question, it depends on what is most important to you…so let’s break down some of the design and functionality of both so you can make an educated decision.
first, both racks come in a 2″ receiver hitch option and a 1 1/4″ receiver option. only the 2″ receiver option can utilize the 2 bike addon. if you have a 1 1/4″ receiver hitch, and want a 4 bike rack, you may need to rethink the rack you purchase, because your capacity with these 2 racks is 2 bikes. the yakima holdup retails for $415.00 and the thule t2 retails for $399.85, but is sold on our website for an everyday low price of $359.95. The yakima 2435 2 bike addon retails for $285, and the thule 918 t2 add on retails for $289.95 and is sold on our website for an everyday low price of $260.95
both racks have many of the same features that, in the end, work exactly the same. for example, both racks will fold up vertically when not in use, minimizing their footprint behind the vehicle. yakima intentionally uses red butons at the touchpoints and on the holdup this is done by pulling out a small, spring-loaded knob to release the rack. the thule t2 achieves this foldup by pulling down on a gray lever and folding the rack up. from experience, the yakima rack pivots a little easier, while the thule has some resistance. folding the rack up in storage mode is easier on the yakima, but the weight of the rack could get away from you easier on the way down. you would also find that each of the racks folds down, about 20 degrees, away from the vehicle, so that you can access the rear liftback of your suv, truck or car.
that brings up the next point - both of the racks are heavy. not including the 2 bike-addon’s that are available for both racks, the yakima holdup weighs 49lbs, and the thule t2 weighs in at 56lbs. you won’t find those numbers on the manufacturer’s sites because they’re kind of daunting. when you put on the 2 bike add-on, each of these racks weighs upwards of 80 lbs. so if taking the rack on and off the car regularly is important, we might suggest a different rack.
from our experience , we haven’t noticed any instability carrying bikes, or any instability of the rack itself. they are both well-made, solid racks and we would be comfortable mounting a $4000.00 mountain bike on either rack.
so what’s the difference? surely it’s gotta be more than just a coke vs pepsi dilemma…and it is. the biggest differences -from a functional standpoint- are the adjustability and security.
the yakima holdup, while easier to assemble and install, does not offer the same adjustability as the t2. the bike trays that are assembled to the horizontal mast on the holdup are pre drilled and threaded, making the spacing between the bikes, and the front-to-back adjustability fixed. on the t2, the installer has some flexibility to adjust the “recommended” spacing between the bikes, as well as the front-to-back distance of the bike tray. why is this important? as an example, one of our customers who loves his t2 came in to have us adjust the spacing of the bike trays because some of his bikes (he has 4 downhill racing bikes) are larger than others and the handlebars and seats would interfere without moving them slightly farther apart and forward.
from a security standpoint, we feel that yakima has identified the fact that locking the hookarm over the front wheel alone won’t prevent some dirtbag from stealing your bike by just removing the front wheel and taking off with your bike. that’s why the yakima holdup comes with a cable lock that can go through the frames and attach all the way at the hitch bolt. we feel this is a really smart design. and i reiterate that this is included in the cost.
the t2 does not come with any locking mechanism, but can accept thule lock cores to lock down the hookarm and a stl2 to lock the rack to the hitch. so after you tack on $35 for the 2 pack of locks, and $49 for the stl2 lock, you’ve got a $485 rack that isn’t really any more secure than it was without those items. Granted the cable lock included with the yakima rack isn’t made of kevlar and impenetrable, but it is an effective theft deterrent and will help keep honest people honest.
another feature that should be noted is the rear wheel strap on the t2 has a tendency – a strong tendency – to detach itself when not engaged by the ratcheting buckle. in fact, we have replaced this strap for more people than any other strap on any other bike rack, cause it’s so easily lost. the yakima holdup, on the other hand, has a really nice ratcheting strap that is consistent with the rear wheel strap we’ve seen on the sprocket rocket, and the forklift.
so at the end of the day, others might point out other differences or even other racks that work the same way. take this information and use it however you see fit.
The Yakima Hodup shown with bikes loaded is a pretty sweet tray-style bike rack
The Thule T2 is a premium hitch mount bike rack
Cracks & Racks New Blog!
Friday, October 23rd, 2009Check out our new blog, where we’ll be discussing yakima and thule news, cool rack builds, local events and other general fun stuff in and around the Aspen area!
