The ‘vertical bike rack’ market has been booming in popularity during recent times, unfortunately that also seen a wave of ‘crap quality’ cheap racks popping up trying to grab a slice of the action. One brand continues to lead the way though, Australia’s original and most trusted vertical bike rack manufactures, Shingleback Off Road, are in a league all of their own we reckon when it comes to the functionality and quality of their racks.
They craft each of their racks out of premium Aussie made steel providing superior strength and internal rust resistance. The racks are also sandblasted and finished with black powder coating for added durability. We also love that every one of their racks are made right here in Australia, down in the Victorian Ride High Country region.
Fresh for 2025 the brand has streamlined their range into 2 new core models; the Shingleback (standard) and the Shingleback Pro. Understanding that customers have different needs and uses for their bike racks, Shingleback offer their new ‘standard’ rack in multiple configurations to carry 3, 4, 5 or 6 bikes. On the other hand the new Pro model starts with a 4 bike option and then goes up to 5 or 6 bike options dependant on how many bikes (or riding mates) you want to cart around.
Whilst the Shingleback ‘standard’ and Pro model share a similar appearance and a lot of their unique features and functions cross over between the models, the all-new Pro model really sets the bar in the vertical bike rack market with its massive 140kg load rating. That means the Pro model is perfectly suited to heavy duty usage and its even aimed at commercial operations such as bike tourers, etc.
Some of the other features that you’ll find on the Pro model include:
Some of the other features that you’ll find on the Pro model include:- A super tough reinforced tow bar tube and to ensure the rack doesn’t wobble about the Pro model comes as standard with a magnetic anti-rattle bolt and trusty anti-rattle clamp for a rock solid vice like fit into your vehicles standard 50mm square hitch.
- One of the most noticeable differences between a Shingleback rack to any other vertical rack on the market is the design and shape of their patented wheel cradles. These cleverly designed cradles provide precise wheel support to hold each bike securely in place whilst not placing any unnecessary force or stress to the bikes front wheel (ever seen a carbon MTB wheel snap in half whilst being transported in a vertical rack due to the bikes weight placing so much force through the front wheel? We have. And more than once!) Their cradles design also allows the rack to be compatible with a wide range of wheel sizes, from 24” though to 29” with tyres as wide as up to a massive 4”.Shingle back offer a range of optional accessories which clip onto their racks to make them compatible with 20” wheeled BMX’s / kids bikes, as well as road and gravel bikes.
- The Pro models also features an impressive 280mm of vertical height adjustment to significantly increase the vehicles departure angle to prevent bike wheel contact when going up steep driveways.
One of the standout features that both models share is a tilt forward function which is actuated via an easy to use foot latch/pedal. To activate the mechanism all you have to do is reach up and grab the wheel cradles with your hands whilst pushing down on the foot pedal mechanism and the entire rack tilts down towards you which makes loading and unloading the bikes is an absolute breeze. When the rack is returned to it’s upright position a cleverly designed auto-latching pivot secures the top portion on the rack to ensure that it can’t slip or ‘drop down’ whilst transporting. Adding even more reassurance that the rack won’t tilt or move when you don’t want it to is the addition of something Shingleback call their ‘Speed Lock Pin’ which slides through the middle auto-latching pivot providing seamless lock-in during transport.
We’ve found that loading and unloading bikes onto the rack is really fast and easy. Simply pop the bike up onto its rear wheel and then lift the bike up onto the rack. And because the rack has that handy tilt down function there’s no need to strain or to lift bikes up over your head. The bike’s front wheel simply sits in the cleverly designed wheel cradles and the rear wheel is then fastened to the lower mounting bar. High quality (also Aussie made) orange bungees then secure each of the bike’s wheels in place. The racks tilting design also provides access to the rear of the vehicle when the rack is loaded with bikes.
Shingleback sell their racks and accessories directly through their website and they offer free shipping Australia wide. Browse the range at www.shinglebackoffroad.com.au