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TiltShift Slots in with a new Premium Roof Rack with the Rail

Written by Zach Overholt
25 Comments
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Tiltshift Kickstarter bike rack rail (1)

If you think along the same lines as the founders of Tiltshift, then you’re tired of boring bike racks. To Tiltshift, a bike rack shouldn’t be just something you pick up out of need, but something you are excited to put on top of your car. Wanting to create exactly that, the team from Sheffield, UK has been working on the Rail – a premium fork mount bike carrier…

Tiltshift Kickstarter bike rack rail (3)

Tiltshift Kickstarter bike rack rail (2) Tiltshift Kickstarter bike rack rail (1)

Starting with a 316 stainless steel tube, the Rail will be manufactured in Sheffield, aka Steel City. The tubular racks will be fitted to existing roof racks with the included clamps. Due to the nature of the design, your vehicle must have t-slots in the roof rack cross beams for the rack to be compatible. Mounting with two security bolts, the clamps will fit flat or curved cross bars.

Using a standard fork mount, the Rail will fit quick release, 15mm, or 20mm thru axles using different end caps. Held in place with the fork’s own quick release or skewer, the bike can then be locked to the rack with a locking mechanism that prevents the skewer from opening.

Tiltshift Kickstarter bike rack rail (4)a

Each Rail is slotted on the bottom to interface with a keyway built into the clamps that will keep the rack from rotating in the clamp.

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Rear wheels will sit in two suspended cradles and held in place with a ratcheting buckle. Of course, positioning of the rack on the roof and wheel cradles are adjustable to accommodate different bikes.

Just launched on Kickstarter, Tiltshift Rails start at £169 ($268) for a raw model, or £289 ($458) for a Rail in any color you want.

tiltshiftltd.com

 
Zach Overholt
5,727 articles

Zach Overholt is the Editor in Chief of Bikerumor. He has been writing about what’s new in the bicycle world for 12+ years. Prior to that, Zach spent many years in the back of a bicycle shop building and repairing nearly every type of bike, while figuring out how to (occasionally) ride them.

Based in Ohio, Zach is now slowly introducing a new generation to cycling and still trying to figure out how to fit the most rides into a busy schedule as a new dad.

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sascetti
sascetti
9 years ago

haha….That’s how much a complete rack costs!

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Dan
Dan
9 years ago

“Rook Rack” – nice…. I like the simple design… but the price might be a little hard to justify for the masses

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endurobob
endurobob
9 years ago

A single custom color rack is the same price as a 3 bike hitch carrier from Kuat. I don’t understand.

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Sam
Sam
9 years ago

“ratcheting buckle” probably the most expensive toe strap you’ll ever purchase.

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get rad
get rad
9 years ago

I like it, but needing to remove the front wheel is a deal breaker.

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OlyOop
OlyOop
9 years ago

That design looks wonderfully adaptable to carrying a bicycle on an adventure motorcycle, but like everyone I can’t get past the entry price.

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Ben Kitcher
Ben Kitcher
9 years ago

Hi Guys, Ben from TiltShift here. Thanks for the feedback – we understand that the price pitches the product right at the top end of the market, but our objective is to make a top end product. We could never compete with Thule, Yakima Mont Blanc etc, but we do offer a few things they can’t.

Firstly, highly corrosion resistant materials everywhere, including top grade 316 stainless steel fixings. We spend a large portion of the cost of Rail on the raw materials, and that’s the backbone of our quality. Also, because we’re small we can be flexible; give us a call with your new or non-standard axle spacing, and we’ll make you some adaptors. Want a longer version for a tandem? That can be arranged.

I’ve you’ve got any questions let me know – I’m happy to answer!

Cheers,

Ben

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AlanM
AlanM
9 years ago

So if you have a QR you have to remove the QR from the wheel to then use with the rack?

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Jami
Jami
9 years ago

^^^Now that’s service.

Get into fatbike specific models that work well in snow/salt and you’ll be laughing to the bank.

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Andy
Andy
9 years ago

These look great, though I imagine it simply won’t work for a number of cyclists who are not keen on removing wheels, esp since there are other alternatives out there. I’d take an ugly roof rack any day if it means not getting my hands dirty, finding a place for a muddy front wheel inside, and causing wear and tear on the front axle.

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Ben Kitcher
Ben Kitcher
9 years ago

Alan – not at all, your QR adapters will ship with a quick release skewer.

Jami – Thanks for the idea, you’re spot on. The combination of flexibility with corrosion resistance works really well. I’m not a fat biker (yet!) therefore I hadn’t thought of that aspect.

Andy – Agreed, taking the front wheel out is not perfect, but I’d always rather that than clamping on the frame. Whilst not a fat biker I do ride a fragile carbon road bike more frequently than anything else, hence have naturally steered our first product to cater for the scenario that I understand best (clean wheels and a paper-thin down tube). In time we hope to develop a range of products that suit all types of rider and their bikes.

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Yetiman
Yetiman
9 years ago

I like the minimalist look but the Yakima high roller is the best! IMO

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Brodirt
Brodirt
9 years ago

I’ve got 4 Thule Big Mouths that I have been using for about 15 years with lots of trips to the beach on the USA Atlantic coast. I can’t imagine that stainless steel is required in this application.

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Veganpotter
Veganpotter
9 years ago

I’m pretty sick of looking at normal bike racks too. No matter how long I stare at them, I just can’t enjoy it. Hopefully these racks will fill that emptiness inside of me

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Gravelrash
Gravelrash
9 years ago

Some people buy Hyundai’s and like em, and some people are more than happy to pay for a Pagani. If you don’t have the money, nor the interest in buying a interesting designed and great looking bit of kit then I’m not sure why all the butthurt.

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Bill
Bill
9 years ago

I don’t understand how this is any better than your average low end roof rack. In fact, it’s got a few things going for it that put it beneath the entry level options.

1 – where is the key lock compatibility?
2 – T-slots only? So, like.. nothing on the market that isn’t a factory cross bar?
3 – The cylindrical clamp is far too prone to rotation. Even the best systems with flat bars and square bars, etc move somewhat over time, drive into any kind of windy gusts for a while and that bike is going to be at an angle. At the same time it’s wearing out the clamp and the clamped area.

This is a case of aesthetic design skills being out of sync with the real world. May as well start working on that hubless rear wheel rack while you’re at it.

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Bill
Bill
9 years ago

Also, the drag coefficient of a flat round end into the wind? I wonder how this thing will sound at speed for 3-4 hours.

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Cheese
Cheese
9 years ago

Why so angry, Bill? You’d see that these racks accept a padlock for the axle clamp if you had clicked the link. And Thule, Yakima, and Saris aluminum cross-bars all accept T-nuts. The article includes a picture of the keyway which prevents rotation. As Gravel said, if you don’t want to buy a UK made rack then don’t, but there’s no reason to call their baby ugly.

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JimmyG
JimmyG
9 years ago

Bill – Take a moment to read the article. You will see that most of your concerns are addressed and the at the rack is just lovely and beautifully designed. My only problem is my financial situation – I simply can’t afford it. To those who can, I applaud you and enjoy the most unique, eye-catching rack I’ve ever seen.

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James
James
9 years ago

What is the point of this? My Thule Paceline 527 does everything this does, requires no tools for installation, and costs less. It’s aerodynamic, can be loaded in about 2 seconds, and is so easy, my 14 year old can load our bikes.

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Dave
Dave
9 years ago

“… but the price might be a little hard to justify for the masses.”

Actually the price is hard to justify for the sensible. Yes it uses “premium materials” but 316 stainless steel is vast overkill for this application. There is no need for it’s extreme corrosion resistance or cost. Why not fabricate it out of 6/4 Al/V Titanium, save some weight, provide even better corrosion resistance and really brag about “premium materials”?

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sascetti
sascetti
9 years ago

I appreciate dude from the company coming on here, but I really don’t see the appeal. I’ve had nothing but exceptional support from Yakima and Saris in the past, so I have no reason to veer from them (thinking about a Kuat, though). Regardless, this is a good effort, but comes off as something I’d only want if I drove a Porsche or something. My Subaru doesn’t care what’s on her just so it’s muddy and rides trails!

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Ajax
Ajax
9 years ago

I like it, but I wish they made one for hitch mounts. I also agree with the others. It is too expensive.

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Erik
Erik
9 years ago

the front wheel storage, or lack there of, is a huge over-site. For this price, it really needs to have a place to put the front wheel. Imagine paying this money, and then putting your muddy front wheel inside the car? The design is clean, but there are some things that are needed to make it a proper product before it is released. IMO

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Eric.NM
Eric.NM
9 years ago

1) Totally a premium product. Absolutely gorgeous. I love it. And, I would most definitely sacrifice to get one…
2) …except, I will never, ever buy a fork mount rack again. Agree w/ @getrad above, that’s the deal breaker, not the price.
3) Ben: what do you say? Any possibility of a complete bike tray? Please? : )

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