Thule’s Echelon bike mount, which ships this month, is an addition and an upgrade to the company’s fine line of bike-carrying rack mounts. I’ve had a Thule (www.thuleracks.com) bike mount on my car going on five years, wear-testing it alongside a RockyMounts rack that is riding adjacent, and the Thule has weathered better. Paint has flecked off the RockyMounts model, and part of the clamp assembly is rusted. But the Thule, which I even use more often, shows little sign of wear.
As for the new mount, the Echelon has a new and improved clamping system, an easier-turning adjustment knob, and compatibility with all disc-brake/suspension combinations with standard 9mm axles, meaning most every bike will fit on this mount.
It costs $139 and is in stores now.
There’s a new dual-lock design that locks your bike to the carrier and also locks the carrier to the rack. I like that concept.
The Echelon’s wheel tray fits tire widths up to 2.6 inches fat, and it can carry bicycles with a wheelbase up to 48 inches.
It fits Thule and Yakima load bars.
Snap it on and go!
More info: https://www.thuleracks.com/product.asp?dept_id=8&sku=518
