Why drag through the wind when you can cut right through it? Introducing Thule’s new AeroBlade crossbar!

In the fall of 2011 Thule released a revolutionary new crossbar to replace their previous generation ‘Rapid Aero’ bar.  This new high-end Thule crossbar, called the ‘AeroBlade’, offers the all the same benefits of the Rapid Aero bar including some innovative technological advances that make it cut through the air like a samurai sword!

The most striking difference with the AeroBlade crossbar is its updated airfoil shape. This newly designed cross-section profile is reminiscent of an airplane wing and offers a much more streamlined aerodynamic performance. Thule’s WindDiffuser^TM technology trips the airflow as it passes around the bar to significantly reduce wind noise compared to a smooth surface. A primary concern amongst rack users today is noise produced by crossbars mounted to the roof of a vehicle. According to Thule’s R&D testing facilities, the AeroBlade produces 90% less sound energy and up to 55% less drag force compared to the previous crossbar model. This makes the Aero Blade arguably the quietest roof rack on the market.

The AeroBlade significantly reduces wind noise and drag!

 

At the same time, the reduction in drag force that these bars produce efficiently reduces fuel consumption. How much fuel would you save exactly? Consider that in about one year of driving with the AeroBlade crossbars, one would save the equivalent of the upgrade cost from the basic Thule square bar (that’s over $115). Their efficient performance makes the new Aero Blade bars much more environmentally friendly, and friendlier on your wallet in the long term.

 

As previously mentioned, the new AeroBlade includes the same great features of the Rapid Aero bar like the integrated T – slot channel for easy mounting of accessories. Also like the previous generation crossbar, the AeroBlade is made of a solid, lightweight aluminium material that fully prevents rust. This means your rack will look like new even after years of consistent use.

AeroBlade load bars looking sleek and sporty

 

 

 

Though the AeroBlade is quiet and sleek, it also boasts one of the strongest constructions available. Thule’s new BoxBeam^TM extruded aluminium profile is structurally engineered to support over 800lbf of downward force.

Sleek AeroBlade crossbars supporting a beautiful Thule Boxter cargo box

 

 

 

Thule’s new AeroBlade is a premium quality load bar that is strong, silent, weather-resistant, aerodynamic, fuel efficient, and stylish. These sleek and versatile crossbars are designed to be compatible with almost all rack accessories, including bike, ski, snowboard, canoe, kayak, and cargo carriers.

 

 

 

Come visit one of Rack Attack’s many locations to see the new AeroBlade on display today! Rack Attack’s friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you with any of your rack needs.

2012 Acura RDX

Here are a few pictures of the new 2012 Acura RDX with the Atlantis 1600 utilizing the factory rack that came with the vehicle.  The Atlantis 1600 will hold up to 178cm skis and it good for smaller vehicles to allow the rear hatch to open up all the way.  Thule’s Atlantis Cargo Boxes will all open from both sides for access regardless of where or how your parked and with their reinforced lids, opening and closing is fluid and easy.  Plus when closed, the reinforced lid minimizes rattling, cutting down on wind noise while driving.  The Thule Atlantis series comes in 4 sizes 1200, 1600, 1800 & 2100.

 

Check out this video to learn more about the Atlantis cargo boxes:

Call us for more information, as one of our rack experts will be happy to help you choose the best fit for you.  If you would like to see more pictures of our work, give us a call at 905-828-7225, come into our store, or check out our Facebook Page!

2012 Mercedes Benz ML 350

This 2012 Mercedes Benz ML 350 is equipped with Thule 450R,  53″ Aeroblade Bars, 4-Pack locks & the new 92726 Pull Top.

The Thule 92726 Pull Top is a new design for this year,  it uses a strap that starts in the mount and runs down around your cross bar. The strap is made of rubber coated steel strips the protects you from having some one trying to slash your ski rack off your vehicle.   The Thule Pull Top is unique in that the entire carrier is on a sliding track that allows the product to be pulled out from over the roof to the side of the vehicle. This makes for much easier loading of your equipment, especially on larger vehicles.  Once loaded, the rack is slid back into position over the vehicle and locked in place for transportation.  Also, the Pull Top is wide enough to carry 6 pairs of modern downhill skis.

Check out this video on how quick and easy the 91726 Pull top is to use

 

Call us for more information, as one of our rack experts will be happy to help you choose the best fit for you.  If you would like to see more pictures of our work, give us a call at 905-828-7225, come into our store, or check out our Facebook Page!

2012 Audi A3 TDI

This 2012 Audi A3 TDI is equipped with the new Thule Aeroblade system, this includes the Thule 480R Traverse, ARB53 Load Bars, 4-Pack locks & 1417 Fit Kit.  Once you have this base rack system, you can pick your accessories from bike racks, kayak racks, cargo boxes…

Thule 655c Transport Combi

This customer came in wanting extra storage for their SUV, however they lived in a condo building with under ground parking so a cargo box would not be convenient for them, not to worry Thule has a hitch mounted cargo carrier, the Thule 665c Transport Combi.

The Transport Combi tilts down to access your rear hitch within seconds, its pre wired (4-Pin) with a license plate accessory included.  It requires a 2-inch or 1.25 receiver class 2 or greater.  The box has 13 cubic feet of storage capacity, and carries up to 150lbs of weight.

Call us for more information, as one of our rack experts will be happy to help you choose the best fit for you.  If you would like to see more pictures of our work, give us a call at 905-828-7225, come into our store, or check out our Facebook Page!

2011 Toyota Prius

This Prius owner wanted a functional, strong, stable, and easy on/off rack for her car.  Easy on/off is an important feature for hybrid owners, as the vehicles are aerodynamically designed to be as smooth as possible.  Obvioulsy, a rack up top will diminish the stellar gas mileage, so running without the racks is quite common.  Thankfully, Yakima’s Control Towers, 48″ Cross Bars, Landing Pad 1 kit, 54″ tracks with Plusnuts, & 4 pack of locks for added security allow a quick change from gear hauling machine to slick gas sipper in less than a minute.

The good news is that this is a great looking fit on the Prius that allows the owner to carry just about any accessory available.  The bad news is that it will not work on the 2010 Toyota Prius with a solar roof (yes, they come with solar panels that run a fan to keep the car cool, as well as a sunroof).  That version of the car is virtually all glass up top, and the only fit will probably involve clips in the door jamb.  But for now, how about more sweet pictures of this tracked Prius!

Thule, Yakima and ProRack have a number of tracks and racks available to choose from.  All will provide a multi-purpose and strong roof rack for your vehicle.  Call us for more information, as one of our rack experts will be happy to help you choose the best fit for you.  If you would like to see more pictures of our work, give us a call at 905-828-7225, come into ourstore, or check out our Facebook Page!

Yakima HighLite Aluminum Bike Hitch rack is finally here!

After a couple of delays to get everything perfect, Yakima has recently released the all new HighLite super-light hitch bike carrier!  Here’s the proof…

Some may call it the Champagne of Racks, as it is the sleekest design out there, and comes in silver and white–the first white hitch rack ever!  Available in both 2 and 3 bike capacity, and capable of fitting a 2″ or 1.25″ receiver hitch makes the HighLite a super-versatile option for those of you who like your bikes on the rear.  Don’t forget, the HighLite includes a cable lock for your bikes, as well as a receiver lock to keep it attached to your car…both locks use the Yakima SKS locking system.

The four options can be found here:

2 bike silver

3 bike silver

2 bike white

3 bike white

Look Ma – No Tools!   Easy on Easy off is a Yakima tradition and that rings true once again with the up and coming HighLite (due out this spring).

Besides it’s sexy good looks (comes in white also) it’s an easy <20lbs of aluminum goodness.  Who would have ever thought the rack that carries your bike(s) would weigh less than your bike.

It’s difficult to see the reflective logo in the light – but it is a nice feature for night safety.

Yakima 2 bicycle HighLite rack installed onto white Toyota Prius

Visit us at one of our two stores in the Greater Toronto Area!  For people located in the east end of the city, please visit our sister store Rack Attack Toronto located at 127 Laird Drive, M4G 3V4 in Toronto.  They can be reached at 416-424-1201 and are conveniently located just east of Bayview and Eglington.

ProRack? The WhispBar Flush Bar System – 2008 VW Rabbit 3Dr Hatch Back

One of the newest contenders in the world of automotive roof racks is the Whispbar System from Pro Rack.  Originally from New Zealend, ProRack is now available at Rack Attack.  The Whispbar system’s claim to fame is offering the “quietest roof racks on the planet“.  And while that statement is quite a bold one, through all of the real world testing we have done it seems to ring true. 

Great looking sleek option, with it's flush rails and low profile aluminum crossbars!

Pro Rack offers a multitude of fits including Rail, Flush, and Through Bar systems.  Both the Flush, and Through Bar systems can be secured to roof tops in a number of different ways to accommodate many different vehicle configurations.  These attachment options include, Track Mount, Fixed Point Mount, Gutter Mount, Flush Rail Mount, and Permanent Mount kits.

The Whispbar install on this customers 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit uses the S6 Whispbar base rack and the Fit Kit K334.  This ProRack Whispbar system attaches at the front door and the rear window frame of the Rabbit.   Most accessories from Thule and Yakima will attach to the Whispbar, in some cases with the addition of an X-adapt kit from Thule or the Universal MightyMount  from Yakima.  

As an added bonus, every ProRack Whispbar system also comes equipped with locks as standard equipment.  Keep your investment safely locked onto your vehicle until you want to take it off. 

Rear mounting points for 2008 3 door VW Rabbit; no stretch kit needed!

Visit us at one of our two stores in the Greater Toronto Area!  For people located in the east end of the city, please visit our sister store Rack Attack Toronto located at 127 Laird Drive, M4G 3V4 in Toronto.  They can be reached at 416-424-1201 and are conveniently located just east of Bayview and Eglington.

 

2010 Ford Flex

One of our customers recently brought their 2010 Ford Flex into Rack Attack needing a way to keep his wet skis and snowboards from dripping all over the inside of his new vehicle.  Together we decided the best option for his needs would be the Boxter 611 roof top cargo box supported by the Thule Rapid Aero system. 

The two-tone black and silver finish on the Boxter combined with the silver Thule Rapid Aero bars tied in nicely with the chrome silver accents on this 2010 Ford Flex.  Add to that the sleek aerodynamics of both the Boxter box and the Rapid Aero bars and the customer’s gear is riding quietly in style.

This system includes the Thule 480r Traverse foot pack, Thule RB60 rapid load bars, Thule Fit Kit 1518, Thule 544 4-pack locks.   

Unparalleled aerodynamics with the Thule Rapid Aero bar system and the Boxter 611 cargo box

It is quite deceiving how much gear you can fit into 18 cubic feet of storage!

The perfect fit! It’s as if they were made for each other.

Visit us at one of our two stores in the Greater Toronto Area!  For people located in the east end of the city, please visit our sister store Rack Attack Toronto located at 127 Laird Drive, M4G 3V4 in Toronto.  They can be reached at 416-424-1201 and are conveniently located just east of Bayview and Eglington.

2010 Mazda 3 5dr

 

One of our customers recently brought his 2010 Mazda 3 5 door into Rack Attack because he needed a good way to transport his two bikes.  Since the Mazda 3 has “fix point” mounting locations on it’s roof, he decided  to go with the Yakima Control Tower system. 

This system allows the owner to remove his rack easily from the vehicle – the Yakima Control Towers allow the rack to click on and off the landing pads (which are securely bolted into the fix points of the vehicle’s roof) by means of opening the lock cover or door on the Control Tower.

He chose the Yakima Sprocket Rocket bicycle racks because they are a top of the line fork mount, giving a solid fit, great looks and the ability to key their locks the same for both the base rack and the bike mounts.

This system includes Yakima 48″ cross bar’s, Yakima Landing Pad 11′s,  Yakima Control Towers, Yakima 44″ Fairing, 6 Pack of SKS locks cores  (4 for the Control Towers & 2 for the bike carriers) & Yakima SprocketRocket bike carriers. 

 Check out the pictures below to see the setup!

Yakima Control Tower system with two Sprocket Rocket fork mount bicycle racks and a Yakima fairing

The Yakima Fairing diverts wind away from the Control Towers to keep your ride nice and quiet while you’re on the road.

Beautifully integrated fit with the “fix point” Yakima Control Tower system

Looks great, and very functional!

Ready to hit the road! Thanks Rack Attack!

Visit us at one of our two stores in the Greater Toronto Area!  For people located in the east end of the city, please visit our sister store Rack Attack Toronto located at 127 Laird Drive, M4G 3V4 in Toronto.  They can be reached at 416-424-1201 and are conveniently located just east of Bayview and Eglington.