Yakima Racks Announces Free Car Rack Locks in 'Steal the Locks' Promotion

A spokesman for Yakima Racks recently announced the company is offering a new promotional program, titled 'Steal the Locks', throughout the end of June and the beginning of July. The spokesman stated that, for a limited time through any participating Yakima Rack dealers, customers will receive free car rack locks to be used with a purchase of any Yakima roof rack multi-purpose system as well as any roof mount gear attachments that use the Yakima Same Key System (SKS) locks such as Yakima bike racks and ski racks.

The Yakima spokesman further explained that the SKS locks promotion does not apply towards Yakima bike hitch racks, trunk racks or vehicle roof mount gear attachments that are non-lockable such as kayak racks and canoe racks. For further information, Yakima is asking consumers to visit a participating car rack dealer.

BVG Back Road II Hitch Bike Rack Earns Outdoor Magazine Gear of the Year Award

Outdoor Magazine recently awarded the BVG Back Road II Pro Hitch Mount Bike Rack a "Gear of the Year" Award for the vehicle sport rack category. Features of the Bauer Vehicle Gear (BVG) manufactured bicycle carrier that were highlighted by Outdoor Magazine include the hitch mounted bike racks superb ease-of use, with simple load and go features; a gas assisted swing away bar that allows users to quickly access the rear of their car even with the bikes attached; two horizontal bike arms have soft rubber cradles and locking tabs on either side, conveniently accommodating all types of bicycles like womens' bike frames, bmx, kids and downhill mountain bikes; anti-wobble device that prevents bikes from swaying and making contact with each other and the car while in transport; integrated bike cable lock system.

DIY Bike Parking Rack Released By LEDA Security Products

LEDA Security Products recently announced the company has reengineered the Compact Security bike rack, converting it into a do-it-yourself shippable kit form. The company reports significant distribution and freight savings will result. The storage bike rack has security rails which offer vertical support while allowing the bicycle’s frame and both wheels to be secured. Each heavy duty security rail incorporates an EPDM cushion that protects bicycles from accidental damage. The bicycle storage rack is manufactured from powder coated steel components.

LEDA Security Products also announced it has released The Bicycle Parking & Security Handbook, a technical guide for designers and builders when selecting a bike parking rack for various needs and applications.

Rocky Mounts Lariat SL Bike Rack Reviewed in Bike Magazine

The Rocky Mounts Lariat SL bike rack was recently reviewed in the latest issue of Bike Magazine. Intoducing the Rocky Mounts Lariat Sl as an alternative to major car rack manufacturers, Yakima Racks and Thule Racks, the article focused on the small Boulder-based company's ability to specialize in roof mount bike trays instead of complete roof rack systems. The Rocky Mounts Lariat SL bike carriers are designed as fork mounts that can be bolted to existing Yakima and Thule cross bars.

Features include a sturdy, cast-metal head, optional locking, quick release skewer and lever, as well as a full-length tray that is compatible with tires as wide as 2.3-inches. The Rocky Mounts Lariat SLX is available for wider tires and longer bikes such as freeride and downhill mountain bikes.

Bike Magazine highlighted the RockyMount Lariat SL spectrum of available color choices, including the new Rocky Mount urban camouflage color. Other bike tray colors include red, black, yellow, silver, orange, baby blue, gold and green. According to reviewers, installation of the bike carrier requires only a crescent wrench and hex bolt wrench

Rocky Mounts also offers an optional disc brake adapter for bicycles that run front wheel disc brakes, avoiding complications when mounting a bicycle to the bike rack where the disc brake has the potential to interfere with fork mount attachment.

Yakima Racks Announces Sponsorship of 2005 Pro Cycling Tour

Yakima Racks, manufacturer of innovative car and truck racks for ski, snowboard, bike, canoe, kayak, surfboard and luggage gear and equipment, recently announced it has entered into a sponsorship arrangement for the 2005 Pro Cycling Tour, which includes many of the United State’s largest and most prestigious bike racing events.

Many of the world's top professional cyclists including Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and members of the U.S. Olympic Cycling Team compete at the events. Among the races featured are the Wachovia Cycling Series ( Lancaster, Pa., Trenton, N.J., and Wachovia USPRO Championships in Philadelphia, Pa.) and the San Francisco Grand Prix in San Francisco, California.

Mike Steck, director of marketing for Yakima Racks, stated “Supporting the cycling community continues to be a top priority for Yakima. Through the US Pro Cycling Tour, we will reaffirm Yakima’s commitment to the expansion of the road cycling community. Additionally, we plan to use this opportunity to conduct an open dialogue with cyclists about auto rack design and performance and will bring their comments back to our research and design team. We appreciate having the opportunity to be part of this respected event.”

Yakima Racks will be featured on top of over 20 official race vehicles, made up of team cars and vehicles driven by race officials throughout the Pro Cycling Tour series and will travel over 550 miles, delivering over $300,000 in winning prize money. Bike races will be televised on Outdoor Life Network and local network affiliates.

Joan Hanscom, marketing director at the Pro Cycling Tour, said “Yakima is an established name with extensive roots in the cycling community. We need a quality bike roof rack that can efficiently transport performance equipment without a worry. Yakima fits the bill and will be an excellent long-term partner. We are happy to have them on board.”

Yakima Car Racks is a world leader in the manufacture and engineering of vehicle racks for bikes, kayaks, canoes, snowboards, skis and surfboards as well as cargo boxes, and roof baskets and bags for various luggage, camping and cargo needs. Yakima is headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon.

Thule Racks Senior VP of Finance Speaks at International Buyer Symposium

Ola Burmark, Senior VP of Finance for Thule Racks, one of the world's largest manufacturers of car racks, recently spoke at the fifth annual International Buyer Symposium in Stockholm, which was hosted by global investment bank RSM EquiCo. The symposium was attended by several senior executives representing many of the Scandanavian region's top private equity groups and corporations.

The event featured panel discussions on an array of issues associated with cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Prior events were held in London (two times), Frankfurt and Madrid. Specializing in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and capital raising for companies with annual revenue up to $500 million, RSM EquiCo actively markets North American companies to prospective buyers throughout Europe. With international headquarters in London, the firm is hosting the Symposium to give European business leaders a better understanding of the current acquisition climate in North America, simultaneously addressing several relevant strategic, legal, financial and tax issues.