IB15: Seasucker Hoggs your skewer to hold the front wheel…next to a dragon

I’ll be in if it’s cheaper than a rack mounted wheel holder.

Veganpotter: A lot of drivers of exotics use these, so keeping a wheel inside their car isn’t always an option.

I live in a bike-centric environment where every other car has a bike transport system. Never seen one of these though, that tells me something.

Fabricio, you can get the suction system here:
http://www.allvacindustries.com/pages/pump_style_suction_cup_lifters/66.php

Or McMaster-Carr

I think Allvac may have spares.

YMMV. 🙂

Or you can get better vacuum pumps from Wood’s Powr-Grip, the company Seasucker stole their vacuum part designs from in the first place.

http://www.wpg.com/catalog/parts/vacuum-cup-parts/lj45-and-lj6-handi-grip-vacuum-cups/90111

What bike is that and who makes those wheels?

No rear brake?

Thanks for some interesting feedback; we take the quality and safety of our products seriously. DrT and Chader, we do sell replacement pumps on our website (https://www.seasucker.com/shop/replacement-vacuum-pump-blac/), but if the pump is actually broken in some way, please let us know so we can cover it under warranty.

i have broken valves before and SeaSucker has covered them all under warranty no questions asked. Thanks Greg for the excellent support. I have had mine for about 4 years.

Practical answers here,

#1: Any car will have a trunk that should fit a single front wheel.

#2: Wood’s Powr-Grip actually created the original vacuum lifting product designs (vacuum pump, vacuum pad, etc.) that Seasucker stole for their products.

#3: ANY product can fail. Sources vary from poor design, manufacturer defect, operator error.

#4: Data source requested (I am sure you aren’t just making up stats.)

#5: Agreed that they have unique products. They solve some rack problems, but yield their own distinct problems too. (Locking bike and/or rack to the vehicle for security)

Also, “…that cares most people”. What exactly is that supposed mean?

#1: I clearly said “should”. I know some cars won’t fit a wheel.

#2: Howard Wood created and patented the first vacuum power devices for lifting and mounting purposes. Look them up if you doubt it. He simply employed the use of vacuum force to do a job that had not been done before. Therefore, it was the original use of the concept that was documented, marketed and sold.

On the other hand; Seasucker bought Wood’s parts, reverse engineered them and made their own versions. There is a reason that all of their vacuum pads and pumps are all interchangeable with the Wood’s versions. They copied the original Wood’s designs, just like many other copy-cat companies that offer vacuum lifting and mounting products. It’s nothing new unforunately. However, Seasucker’s use of these parts for a bike rack is original as far as I know, but the vacuum parts used are not their original design.

#3: Vacuum is generally reliable. But like any product, there are points of possible failure. The pump parts and seals, the vacuum pad sealing edge, and the surface of attachment can all be damaged or contaminated. The source can be a manufacturing defect, user error or environmental.

#4: You still didn’t provide a source for your “98% of rack failure is due to operator error” claim. I will continue to assume that you pulled that from some dark place rather than a real source of information based on fact.
(Note: you put your lock answer under the wrong number.)

#5: Yes, I know about their locking option. I find it a bit of a cobbled design to be honest. It is just a different solution compared to a hard mounted rack. That is fine for some people, but not my preference.

Their design still has some unique issues:
A) They require more care and maintenance (to protect the vacuum pads and pumps) than a typical rack design. You likely need to remove the rack and store it between usage unless you want to leave it on the car with their lock option.
B) You need a clean surface each time or you risk a leak at the pad/surface interface.
C) You need to keep an eye on the pumps vacuum level during usage. As mentioned, the system can develop leaks. The pump allows function without removing it, but it’s something that could lead to vacuum loss during a longer road trip. This is a step that is not needed for traditional racks.

None of these are deal breakers, but they do require a different approach when compared to hard mounted rack design. Not good or bad, just different.

I think they are a great option for plenty of people and uses. They just don’t work for my needs.