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CyclingNews – Best roof bike racks for cars 2022 – Comparing the best of the integrated bike rack choice – Yakima HighSpeed

From CyclingNews.com By Josh Ross

The best roof bike rack for you and your car will feel like an extension of your car that you never have to think about

The best roof bike racks are one of the three options in the wider spectrum of mounting your bike on the outside of your car, alongside trunk-mounted and hitch-mounted racks. 

Here at Cyclingnews, we already have an overarching list covering the best bike racks for cars but we also wanted to dive a little deeper into the specific sub-types. We’ve previously covered the best trunk bike racks, and now it’s the turn of rooftop bike racks. As cars have grown in size, the popularity of rooftop bike racks has dropped a bit but they continue to be a quality option for some. With that in mind, we’ve taken the time to understand which systems work best in which situations. 

In our opinion, rooftop bike racks for cars have some specific advantages over their counterparts. One of those is just how integrated they feel. Some cars have front-to-back luggage rails and require only cross bars, some have channels that work in the same way, some have a slick roof, and some come with everything you need to add a rack. In all those situations, once you have everything installed, it will never be in your way. The bars and racks sit out of your line of sight and don’t interfere with opening the hatch or trunk. If you want to remove the rooftop bike rack, they are light and easy to store. 

There are a few downsides to rooftop bike racks too though. The first is that they are comparatively more difficult to mount your bike onto, especially if it’s heavy, as you’ll need to lift it above your head. The second is the risk of entering multistorey car parks – we’ve all heard of someone getting that wrong and totalling their pride and joy. Another downside is that there are some initial setup hurdles to get the parts you need on top of your car. Don’t despair though, Thule and Yakima make it an easy affair and you don’t need to have anything installed from the factory. It does add to the initial expense but both brands have expansive options and they make it easy to get started. Adding the base bars will also add value to your car and it also opens up the whole system to whatever brand of rack, or other accessories, you decide you want in the years to follow. 

Yakima HighSpeed

The best rooftop bike rack for bikes with fenders

SPECIFICATIONS

  • Rack weight: 4.4 kg / 9.6lbs
  • Max tyre size: 5in
  • Max wheelbase: 1219mm / 48in
  • Integrated lock: Needs an extra purchase of lock cores
  • Bike mount style: Wheel off quick release (9mm) and thru axle (12mm, 15mm, 20mm)

REASONS TO BUY

  • TorqueRight knob ensures proper tightening
  • Compatible with fenders
  • Easy mounting and lightweight makes adding/removing the rack no big deal

REASONS TO AVOID

  • Rear strap lacks much in the way of padding
  • Front thru-axle needs to be a consistent size and stay with the frame

Yakima is one of two options for adding crossbars to your car’s roof. The brand will walk you through getting what you need for your car and make it ready to accept a rack. From there it has a wide range of products and multiple options that could just as easily be on this list of the best rooftop bike racks. 

If you are purchasing Yakima base bar pieces then the HighRoad is a great wheel-on option and if you plan to unmount your rack regularly, Yakima is by far the easiest. There is one specific challenge that racks of all kinds experience though, and that is fenders/mudguards. If you ride in rainy climates then you know that fenders are a necessity, but it can be hard to find a rack solution. Kuat has an accessory to make the Piston SR work but it feels a little bit like a band-aid. If you transport a bike with fenders often, then something different might be the best choice. Like myself, Yakima calls the Pacific Northwest home, and much like our British friends across the pond, anyone from around here knows what it means to ride in the rain. When Yakima’s employees need a solution for transporting a bike with fenders, they turn to the HighSpeed. 

The Yakima HighSpeed is a fork-mounted rooftop bike rack. That means you’ll need to remove the front wheel. With the wheel removed, there is a clamp that grabs the front axle and tightens down until it clicks. It works with thru-axles and there’s an adapter for quick-release bikes that essentially turns the quick release into a thru-axle. One detail about that is you will need a thru-axle with a consistent width from side to side that easily stays with the frame. Some systems, such as those from Mavic might have you buying an extra thru-axle. With that sorted, the rear wheel stays on and there’s a strap that holds it tight to the rack. That strap could use a bit of extra padding for fancy carbon wheels but it keeps things secure and while removing the front wheel is extra work, it keeps the bike lower when installed and means fenders aren’t an issue. 

For CyclingNews other Best Bike Racks of 2022 CLICK HERE

Keep reading for more on roof rack basics

Continue reading “CyclingNews – Best roof bike racks for cars 2022 – Comparing the best of the integrated bike rack choice – Yakima HighSpeed”
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Gear Patrol – The New CamelBak ChillBak Pack 30 Is a Mobile Party Station That’ll Demolish All Your FOMO

By Gear Patrol

CamelBak ChillBak™ Pack 30

CamelBak, undisputed champ of hydration-on-the-go gear, has done it again, and the brand’s latest innovation is literally a crowd-pleaser. This is the ChillBak™ Pack 30 Soft Cooler & Hydration Center. And if you’re thinking, “man, that’s a really big product name,” your head’s in the right place because its name matches the goods: ChillBak™ Pack 30 can hold enough beverages (adult or not) that its official motto should be “no party left behind.” Read on for more details, but first, try and wrap your head around this: properly equipped, this insulated pack can tote 24 cans, 15lbs of ice, six extra liters of water and any small essentials you’ll need for your trip. Moreover, it’ll keep drinks cold for 72 hours and retain frozen ice for 72+ Hours. But that’s not even half the story.

ChillBak™ Pack 30 Soft Cooler & Hydration Center

See, this is exactly the kind of gear that instantly makes you the Most Popular Friend in any situation: on a hike, at a picnic or tailgate party, in the backyard and beyond. Coincidentally, you’re probably also the strongest guy in the group (or soon to be) if you can handle traveling by foot with the pack fully loaded. We did the math for you: all-in with 24 cans (~20 pounds), all that ice (15 pounds) and the extra six liters of water (~13 pounds), you’re responsible for roughly 50 pounds of pure party potential . What can we say? You’re a beast.

Thankfully, if you and your friends do your jobs right the trek back will be far lighter, but should the prospect of toting that many bevvies has you worried, fear not. CamelBak engineered the ChillBak™ Pack 30 for fun and comfort: its back panel and shoulder straps are comfortably padded, and a waist belt helps distribute weight. Still, upon arrival, you’ll deserve the first beer after doing what is essentially a basic training Ruck March.

Toting your favorite, perfectly chilled brews is an outdoorsman’s dream, especially when you’ve got easy, one-handed access via the cooler compartment’s roll-top closure, which CamelBak says provides “superior thermal efficiency.” And, of course, no CamelBak gear would be complete without the brand’s signature feature. The ChillBak™ Pack 30 includes a Fusion™ Group Reservoir that stores an extra six liters of water and stows behind the pack’s back panel. (After all, the key to having fun is staying hydrated. Remember that.) Better yet, you’ll have easy access to that H2O via an exterior spigot.

That’s right, you can roam around the campsite playing bartender and topping off everyone’s water bottles. Which we’d guess would feel kind of like using a Ghostbuster Proton Pack, only instead of a dangerous “unlicensed nuclear accelerator,” your new Camelbak is an unimpeachable License to Chill. (Especially if you did something absolutely CRAZY and filled that six-liter reservoir with a boozy punch, or… just booze. Not that we’d ever recommend something so reckless enjoyable, OF COURSE. (By the way – and this is totally unrelated – you guys ever fill a watermelon with vodka?)

So pick up a pack, pack your pack and enjoy th– wait, sorry, what’s that? You want to haul even more stuff to your destination, like a water bottle, EDC and other essentials? Well, friend, along with being extremely confident in your load-bearing ability, you’re in luck: there’s more storage in the rolltop area and a stretchy side pocket to boot. 

If earning the Most Popular & Strongest Friend merit badge isn’t enough to make you proud, also know that the ChillBak™ Pack 30 is constructed with safer chemicals, earning it the Repurpose Silver Sustainability Badge. (Hold your end of the bargain and bring all your empties back from camp for proper disposal.)

Gear connoisseur, your adventures just got a ton more fun and your legs just got much more muscular. CamelBak’s ChillBak™ Pack 30 Soft Cooler & Hydration Center is the one-man band of the cooler world, and it’s gonna boost your adventures to a whole new level.

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Outside Inside Games

Whether you are gearing up for your end of summer hurrah or pairing down for your move back to school, check out the backcountry and cabin games from Outside Inside.

The Outside Inside Story

Outside Inside was born on backcountry family camping trips. Once the site was picked, the tent was up and the fire was stoked, we would inevitably find ourselves searching for fun activities that allowed our family to enjoy the natural beauty surrounding us. We started reimagining how classic “inside” games could be played outside on the campsite, and began making our own versions that were lighter, more compact, durable, and easy to set up.

Decades later, we’ve helped people of all ages and abilities celebrate the outdoors with games and gifts that inspire connection: with one another, with nature and with the spirit of adventure.

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Barbecue Around The Globe

From Snow Peak by: Savanna Frimoth

Nearly every culture has its own method and approach to grilled or barbecued meat. It’s the perfect season to ditch your indoor kitchen in favor of some open-air cooking, so take a read to learn a little about three barbecue origins for some inspiration!  

KOREAN BULGOGI  

Korean bulgogi dates back to 37 BCE. The word bulgogi comes from the words “bul” meaning fire and “gogi” meaning meat. Bulgogi is typically the highest quality meat, often marinated for hours in a sweet and savory sauce before grilled on a barbecue or stovetop griddle. It’s commonly served with banchan or a variety of fermented side dishes. If you’re trying it yourself, we recommend using the Grill Burner in an IGT Four Unit Frame for a communal experience shared with friends.  

JAPANESE YAKITORI  

Originating in the Meiji period (1880s-90s) of Japan, yakitori translates to roasted bird. Fowl had become popular but was often expensive, so street vendors would use offcuts from restaurants. The skewers would then be barbecued and basted with a tare sauce. Yakitori is often grilled over binchotan charcoal, which can reach exceptionally high temperatures, quickly sealing the flavors. Try making yakitori for yourself using the Takibi Fire & Grill.  

AMERICAN-STYLE  

Barbecue in the United States varies by region. For instance, in Memphis, you might enjoy a barbecue sandwich with a sweet tomato-based sauce, while in Kansas City, you might have dry-rubbed ribs. North Carolina favors vinegar-based sauce, and Texas offers mesquite-grilled brisket. The origins of barbecue in the United States date back to colonial times, with roots in the Caribbean, where the indigenous peoples slow-cooked meat over an indirect flame. The Spanish colonizers referred to this method as barbacoa. Eventually, their methods were brought to the US, where they continued to evolve regionally for many decades. Whatever your preferred style, the Kojin Grill is the way to go!

Explore Snow Peak’s catalog of recipes for more outdoor cooking inspiration!  

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Yakima OpenRange – Shipping Now!

Feed Your Appetite for Adventure

The Yakima EXO OpenRange is the ultimate outdoor kitchen organizer. Set it on your back seat, slide it into your truck bed, or secure it to your hitch as part of the revolutionary EXO System.

The OpenRange is available now! Ask your local Yakima dealer.

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The Manual | E-Bike Gear Roundup: Everything You Need to Enjoy for Safety and Peace of Mind | Yakima OnRamp

By Nick Hilden from The Manual

E-bikes are the latest, coolest thing in the cycling world, and while they’re certainly just as awesome as they’re hyped up to be, they do come with some unique considerations. As far as safety goes, they can be significantly faster and sometimes even flat-out difficult to control compared to non-powered bikes. They also stand out on a bike rack in terms of steal appeal. Luckily, some great e-bike gear has been developed over the past couple of years to address these issues.

With this in mind, let’s take a look at some of the best e-bike gear out there. These items have been selected specifically to address concerns relating to safety and security. Each has been tested extensively by our reviewer, so you can ride assured that this e-bike gear is truly unrivaled.

Yakima OnRamp E-Bike Hitch Bike Rack

Best All-Around E-Bike Rack

One issue some people have with e-bikes is that they can be difficult to transport due to their large size and weight, which makes most vehicle racks unsuitable for the task. That’s not the case with the OnRamp from Yakima, which was specifically designed for e-bikes. Capable of carrying two 66-pound bikes, it offers the capacity necessary for pretty much any bike on the market. It also has a unique ramp to assist with loading, which is a huge help.

OnRamp Product Details
  • Engineered to carry 2 bikes up to 66-lbs each
  • Integrated ramp for easy, roll-on loading, and stows away neatly
  • Adjustable frame attachments means you can carry E-Bikes, mountain, road, hybrid, women’s specific, BMX, kids bikes and bikes with fenders with ease.
  • Accommodates tires up to 29×3.25″ and up to 27.5x 4.5” wide tires with the FatStrap Kit (sold separately)
  • Accommodates bike wheelbases up to 50” 
  • Integrated SKS (Same Key System) locks included to secure bikes to rack and rack to vehicle receiver
  • Tilts forward with bikes loaded for trunk access
  • Adjustable bike trays minimize bike to bike interference
  • Off-Road Rated at 40lbs per bike
  • RV Rated at 40lbs per bike
  • Compatible with the Yakima BackSwing and StraightShot
  • Weight: 42.60 lbs.
  • Limited Lifetime Warranty
  • Price: $729

For the rest of the list from The Manual CLICK HERE

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Sunset – Behold the Campuccino, the Ultimate Campsite Coffee with Snow Peak and CamelBak

From Sunset

Let’s be honest: If you’re making and enjoying our camp cocktails during a long night by lantern light, you’re going to need a serious cup of coffee in the morning. So, we challenged Sunset assistant editor Magdalena O’Neal, who spent three years working as a barista across California (and “yelling at people about the power of a proper pour-over,” as she says), to create a caffeinated beverage easily made at any campground. 

The equipment? Snow Peak’s Field Barista Set plus a Camelbak bottle and camp mug.

The result? A frothy, creamy, iced coffee that you’ll be craving long after you leave.

Campuccino

2 oz. coffee beans
1/4 cup heavy cream (or coconut cream)
1 tsp. brown sugar
Makes 1 drink

  1. Grind: Place coffee beans into a grinder and turn handle to grind.
  2. Heat: Heat 1 cup of water in Snow Peak’s kettle.
  3. Pour: While the water is heating, set up a filter in a coffee drip. Once water is hot, wet the filter with 1⁄4 cup of water and dispose of the water that drips through. Add ground coffee to the moistened filter and slowly pour remaining water over it, making sure to dampen all grounds. Let drip for a minute or two.
  4. Shake: Fill a bottle with ice and pour coffee over ice. Add cream and brown sugar to the bottle and screw on the lid. Shake for 1 minute or until the bottle feels cold to the touch.
  5. Serve: Pour the contents of the bottle into a mug and enjoy!

Get the Gear

We only recommend things we love. If you buy something through our site, we might earn a commission.

Snow Peak’s Field Barista Set comes with a grinder, kettle, and collapsible coffee drip. $260

Grab Camelbak’s MultiBev 22 oz. Bottle and Horizon 12 oz. Camp Mug, made with insulated stainless steel for easy transport. $50; $25

San Diego-based Canteen Coffee Roasters’ ethically-sourced beans brew up balanced and sweet in the wild. $18.95

Click here for more from Sunset

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Gear Junkie – The Best Rooftop Tents of 2022 – Yakima SkyRise HD

From GearJunkie.com By Berne Broudy

For overland adventures, life on the road, or just an elevated and more comfortable campout experience, here are our picks for the best rooftop tents.

If you’ve never slept in a rooftop tent, it’s hard to imagine how different it is from sleeping in a traditional tent. In general, we’ve found that rooftop tent (RTT) sleeping feels safer and more secure than sleeping in a tent on the ground.

Plus, RTTs offer a bird’s-eye view of your surroundings, airflow that’s unheard of in a ground tent, protection (and peace of mind), and generally superior comfort for sleeping.

The drawbacks: Unlike a ground tent or a tow-behind camper, when your tent is on your roof, you have to break camp before you drive away. And, for those who make nighttime visits to the loo, there’s a ladder to negotiate between you and relief (unless you’re willing to get creative).

Also, if your dog gets to share the human bed, practice your one-handed ladder climb before you attempt to hoist them up. Multiply that effort if you have more than one dog.

Not every rooftop tent fits every vehicle or every budget. But some tents work for almost every car or truck. Rooftop tents are all pricier than even the plushest backpacking tent, but if you’re able to invest, you won’t regret it.

Best 3-Person Rooftop Tent: Yakima SkyRise HD

Two of the biggest barriers to entry for campers considering a rooftop tent are weight and price. Yakima’s SkyRise HD ($2,399) is not only relatively light, but it’s also competitively priced for a three-person tent. And it’s the most similar to backpacking and car camping tents that many backcountry enthusiasts are already familiar with.

The SkyRise is made from the same stuff as most tents you’d pitch on the ground. The 600D nylon tent body is light and breathable, with mesh ventilation panels that double as windows into the Milky Way. All the windows and the two skylights have solid and mesh panels that zip open for ventilation and views.

Much like a standard ground tent, the SkyRise’s waterproof fly is polyurethane-coated, and the tent can be set up with the fly on or off. Aluminum poles give the tent structure. They’re strong, pre-set, and easy to engage once you manually flip this tent open.

Consider a three-person tent if you’ll be sleeping with a child. This is also a good option if you’re a dog owner whose dog climbs ladders, or if you’re willing to shuttle your pooch into your rooftop nest. Everyone will appreciate the plush, 2.5-inch-thick, wall-to-wall mattress.

And after this tent gets some use, you’ll also appreciate that the mattress has a removable cover for easy cleaning. The SkyRise M is one of the easiest tents to mount on a roof rack. It goes on and comes off tool-free. It also locks to your roof with the same system used in all Yakima bars and mounts, SKS lock cores, which are included with the tent.

Specs:
  • Dimensions open: 58″ x 96″ x 48″
  • Dimensions closed: 58″ x 48″ x 17″
  • Sleeping footprint: 58″ x 96″
  • Peak internal height: 48″
  • Weight: 115 lbs.
  • Static weight capacity: 600 lbs
  • Minimum bar spread: 26″
Pros:
  • Super easy to mount
  • Locks to your roof
Cons:
  • Lighter fabrics flap more on windy nights

For the rest of the GearJunkie’s top RTTs of 2022 CLICK HERE

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Snow Peak Origin Story: Titanium Heritage

Written By Savanna Frimoth From Snowpeak.com

Yukio Yamai founded Snow Peak as a climbing equipment company and established deep connections with the metalworkers in his hometown of Tsubame-Sanjo. When the Snow Peak expanded into the camping industry, it maintained its commitment to craft.  

No product line better embodies the spirit of metalworking craftsmanship than Snow Peak’s titanium line. The simple and elegant pots, mugs, tableware and utensils exemplify our design ethos and dedication to quality manufacturing processes.  

Titanium is a notoriously difficult metal to work with. It does not easily flatten and requires a highly technical process. Fortunately, Snow Peak’s titanium collection was born in Tsubame-Sanjo, known locally in Japan as the metalworking capital for its storied history of finely craftsmanship.  

The skilled metalworkers in Tsubame-Sanjo have generations of experiences and have perfected their practice. They not only understand the extremely finicky manufacturing process, but they also have the experience, intuition, and eye to detect even the smallest defect during production. Their expertise ensures machines are finely tuned for any adjustments that may be needed along the way. Snow Peak titanium products are unique in their enduring quality, beautiful finish and seamless construction.

Snow Peak’s titanium collection is known for longtime staples like the Titanium Spork, Ti-Double 450 Mug and Trek 900 Cookset. However recent additions to the line have proved to be just as popular as the originals. The Titanium Chopsticks, the Titanium Aurora Bottle and Round Titanium Flask offer the same enduring quality in new shapes and varieties.  

Titanium pieces are often favored by backpackers for their ultralight qualities. However, Snow Peak designs each titanium item to be beautifully minimalist, so they easily integrate into day-to-day life. Titanium is corrosion-resistant and flavor neutral, making it a convenient and reliable choice for wherever adventure takes you.

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CleverHiker.com – Exciting New Products from Outdoor Retailer 2022 – CamelBak

From CleverHiker.com

The CleverHiker team spent last week walking the halls of Outdoor Retailer in Denver, drooling over all the awesome new outdoor gear coming out in 2022/23. OR is one of the largest gear conferences in the world, and we were fortunate enough to meet up with some of our favorite companies to get a sneak peek at their upcoming innovations. We put together this article to share the inside scoop on the new products we’re most stoked to get out on a trail!

CamelBak Octane

The updates on the CamelBak Octane Hydration Pack for Spring 2023 are looking very enticing! Like the original Octane, this pack combines the convenience of a pocketed harness (like a running vest) for quick access to small items with the gear and liquid capacity of a daypack for longer outings. The new model will have a little more structure in the back panel while still being super lightweight and comfortable. It will also include the 2L version of CamelBak’s latest premium Fusion Hydration Reservoir, which has a unique waterproof zipper and a backer plate for less bulge. We can’t wait to test the Octane 22L, which has great potential to become a top pick on our Best Hydration Packs list.

CamelBak ChillBak Pack 30

We have several backpack coolers on our Best Coolers list, but we haven’t seen anything quite like the CamelBak Chillbak Pack 30 that’s launching next month. What’s really unique about it is that it comes equipped with a large 6L Group Fusion Hydration Reservoir with a spigot to refill cups and reusable water bottles. There’s no doubt that this beast will be heavy to carry when full, but we think it’s a brilliant solution for toting ice-cold water on road trips or a large batch cocktail to the river for your crew. You can also get a Filter Kit that’s compatible with this setup, so you can filter water from natural sources for your group while camping in primitive sites.

Camelbak Leakproof Tumblers & Cocktail Shakers

We were immediately drawn into the Camelbak booth by the rows of enticing color stories on their water bottle walls, and we were even more intrigued once we got the full scoop on their soon-to-be-released drinkware lines. Highlights include a leakproof insulated tumbler for commuting with hot coffee or keeping a fresh juice cold, and the leakproof cocktail shaker for making perfect mixed drinks while you’re out and about at the beach or a park gathering with friends.

For the rest of the CleverHiker list check it out here.