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ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and may work as a mobile base camp

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Thanks to the huge variation of bikes out there, we ask a lot from our bike racks. They need to fit everything from 20mm to 5″ wide tires, frames of vastly different shape, and all without interference between multiple bikes. Because of that, most racks top out at four bikes maximum, though vertical racks have started to get more popular because of this very reason.

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp

Vertical racks, like the ALTA SIX work by supporting the front wheel with a basket, and then a lower tie down strap secures the rear wheel. By tilting the front wheel slightly, the handlebars don’t smash into each other, allowing in this case to carry up to six bikes. It does all of this without frame contact, and offers three adjustments to fit different wheel bases and 24″ – 29+ wheels.

ALTA is a pretty unique company that started as a passion project by engineers that previously spent years designing and building products for the military and offroad industry. Seeing a chance to create a better rack system that helped people to get outside and enjoy the outdoors, ALTA started selling the SIX earlier this year.

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp

The SIX gets its name from the six bike capacity, and is sold with your choice of basket size. There are three different sizes – Standard which fits road tires to 3″ wide tires, Mid-Fat which fits 3-4″ tires, and Fat which fits 4-6″ wide tires. When you order the rack, you can mix and match the baskets if you want, and rack owners can purchase additional baskets which are easily swapped out.

The rack also works with adapters that let you run roof mounts so you can mount things like horizontal ski racks for use in the winter.

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp

There’s also a repair stand accessory for $75 that allows you to fix bikes right off the rack, or when the rack is stored in your garage if you purchase the rolling Floor Stand shown above for $349. Note that if you purchase the floor stand, you can also store your bikes on the rack when it’s in the garage and not on your vehicle.

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp

Equally important to the SIX’s design is the fact that it clears most tail gates from trucks, mini vans, etc. The hitch mount has a 15° rise with 25″ of clearance to offer better angles for off road driving, and there’s a safety pin and release which allows the rack to pivot backwards.

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp
The rack sticks out from the vehicle far enough to open a truck tailgate, without tilting the rack.

ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp ALTA Racks carry up to 6 bikes, accessories, and work as a mobile base camp

Future options may include a hammock stand and a lift gate table which is held in place by ratchet straps secured to the rear end plates of the rack. These also function as a strap down system for off road driving to further support the rack.

Weighing in at 82lbs for the six bike carrier, all ALTA racks are designed and made in Utah, offer a lifetime warranty, and the ALTA SIX sells for $1,185 with your choice of baskets.

altaracks.com

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Frank Stein
Frank Stein
5 years ago

Happy Halloween

luddite
luddite
5 years ago

we used to joke that the bikes on the rack were worth more than the car, soon the rack will be worth more than the car!

Bob
Bob
5 years ago

instant fail if you have to buy or change anything to fit fat or regular bike. so now an already expensive rack get even more expensive because you have to buy extra parts. Plus you have to store all the extra baskets when not in use.

Plus if your buddy buys a new bike that you dont have the appropriate basket for, who pays for the new part?

Bryan
Bryan
5 years ago

Any chance on doing a review of the Tantrum in the rack?

ALTA RACKS
5 years ago
Reply to  Bryan

The most amazing bike I have ever ridden.

ALTA RACKS
5 years ago

Thanks so much for the article, We decided not to go with general baskets for all because of better fit and carry for specific sizes. Consider the amount of money one spends on a bike and the feeling that we all got one time or another of having your rack damage that bike. Therefore, reducing the resale value and pissing you off for years to come. having specific size baskets creates a better fitment for bikes.
Considering the price we wanted to provide a long term solution and not a consumable solution like most racks out there. That is why we back our product with a life time warranty and life time support. Bringing joy is the business we are in and look forward to being part of your fun times for many many years to come.
We use all generic hardware as well, something that other rack companies refuse to do. Replace our hardware at your local hardware store. No specialty nuts, bolts, or straps.

_smith_ (@knownothingitok)

Love seeing more and more alta racks on the road! Once I have a few kids this will be a must have!

Michael
Michael
5 years ago

This is a design people have wanted for a long time. Few moving parts to break are fail due to salty roads. Road bikes to DH bikes on one rack. Super easy loading, great for shuttling. The fact I can open my tailgate! I just don’t understand the price. I hope to purchase only the wheel trays

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