Kuat will be offering its flagship NV hitch rack in a black and silver finish as well as the standard silver and orange - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Kuat NV comes in two and four bike versions - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Softride has two new vertical bike racks called the Hang 5 and Hang 2. The Hang 5 retails for US$650 while the two bike version retails for US$329 (UK pricing TBD) - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Unlike the handful of other vertical hitch racks on the market, Softride's design holds the bikes by the handlebar, rather than by the front wheels - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The rear wheels are held in place with rubberized straps, long enough to carry a fat bike - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Hang 5 and Hang 2 fold down when not in use - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Swagman has a different take on the vertical hitch rack. The new Jackknife comes in two and four bikes versions; it cradles the front wheel and positions the bikes opposite each other - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The cradles are adjustable and to fit 26in, 650b (27.5in) and 700c (29in) wheels. - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The rear wheels are held in place with ratcheting straps - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Swagman Jackknife folds down when not in use. The Jackknife 4 will retail for US$650 while the Jackknife 2 will retail for US$500 (UK pricing TBA). Both versions are expected to be available this November - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Yakima's high-end Whisbar brand has a new upright bike tray named the WB201 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
The Whisbar WB201 uses one lock to lock the bike to the tray and the tray to crossbar. The WB201 will retail for US$299 and will be available this November - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Yakima's popular Fullswing 4 gets updated for 2014 with a new adjustable cradle design. The Fullswing 4 will retail for US$499 (UK pricing TBA) and will be available in January 2014 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Ratching straps replace the rubberized straps of previous versions on Yakima's Fullswing 4 - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
There were a number of new and updated bike racks on display at Interbike 2013. Kuat added a new color scheme to its NV hitch rack and Yakima gave the Fullswing 4 a makeover.
Some of the more notable standouts from this year’s show are the small but growing number of hitch racks that hold bikes in a vertical orientation, rather than in trays.
The benefit of this arrangement is that the bikes take up less room behind the vehicle, though the rack itself is taller and a better match for SUVs and hatchbacks than sedans.
Softride and Swagman both had vertical hitch racks on display. Softride’s new Hang 5 and Hang 2 racks hold bicycles by the handlebars, rather than by the wheels, as is common with vertical racks such as North Shore Racks' design.
Swagman’s Jackknife design uses cradles to hold the front wheels. Unlike the Softride Hang series or North Shore Rack’s design, the Jackknife 2 and 4 position the bikes opposite each other, with the tires facing inwards.
Swagman has a different take on the vertical hitch rack. the new jackknife comes in two and four bikes versions; it cradles the front wheel and positions the bikes opposite each other : swagman has a different take on the vertical hitch rack. the new jackknife comes in two and four bikes versions; it cradles the front wheel and positions the bikes opposite each other - Josh Patterson/Future Publishing
Swagman's Jackknife series comes in two and four bike versions
It’s an interesting layout. We look forward to testing the Swagman Jackknife 4 in the near future.
Josh Patterson is a BikeRadar contributor and former technical editor. He has spent most of his career working in the cycling industry as an athlete, mechanic and journalist. He holds a master's degree in journalism and has more than 20 years of experience as a cyclist and 12 years of experience riding and writing for BikeRadar, Cyclingnews, Cycling Weekly, Dirt Rag, RoadBikeReview and Outside Magazine. A native of the Flint Hills of Kansas, Josh was a pioneer in the gravel cycling movement, having raced the first Unbound 200 and many other gravel events around the globe. He considers himself a cycling generalist and enjoys road, gravel and mountain biking in equal measure. When not traveling for work, he can be found exploring the singletrack and lonely gravel roads that surround his home in Fort Collins, Colorado. In addition to his love of cycling, Josh is an enthusiastic supporter of brunch, voting rights and the right to repair movement.
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