There’s no denying that it can be a right pain having to transport your bike by car. As we’re partial to fast bikes and even faster cars here at GRAN FONDO, we’re been on a long-term hunt for the ultimate transport solution. Could the TreeFrog Model Pro 2 be the hassle-free rack that answers our call? We called up Porsche to partake in a nail-biting launch control test.
It’s an issue that we’re all well versed in: you want to move your bike from A to B without getting dirt and chain grease all over your seats or have to take out seatposts and bars and the like. These days most people don’t have towbars, and having a permanent bike rack mounted onto your car isn’t ideal either; they tend to be heavy and time-consuming, and that’s without mentioning what they’ll do to your car’s street cred.
This is where TreeFrog’s Model Pro 2 enters the scene. Up until now the American brand SeaSucker virtually owned the market with a fairly ostentatiously priced bike rack with vacuum cups to attach it to your car’s roof or rear end. Now that the Shanghaian brand TreeFrog are muscling in, their roofrack offerings appear to be not only cheaper, but also better and come with certification from the technical association TÜV. This particular roof rack promises to transport two bikes with a total weight of 45 kg, safely up to speeds of 130 km/h.
Relying on six vacuum cups, the roof rack has a simple construction that makes it very easy to mount: four suction cups hold the front rack in place, where you can then mount the forks of two bikes with quick-release levers or thru-axles; there’s another vacuum cup for each rear wheel, which is then fixed more securely with a velcro fastening on both sides. It should only take five minutes, tops, to mount the rack and the bikes. Note: It’s vital that the spots where the vacuum cups are going to be placed are clean. The angle of the axle dropouts on the front carrier can be adjusted so that bikes with wider handlebars can still fit comfortably.
Each delivery of the Model Pro 2 comes with adaptors for thru-axles, quick-releases and even compatibility for Lefty forks. Clearly this bike rack is intended for the rider that likes to mix up their ride every now and again. But while it’s totally au fait with road and gravel bikes, it gets a little tricker when it comes to the question of mountain bikes: there’s insufficient space on the rear wheel mount for wide tires. Front wheels have to be carried inside your car anyway. There will be an optional front wheel holder available soon.
What’s it like to drive with the TreeFrog Model Pro 2 on your roof? When getting the car into gear and putting the foot on your gas, the lightweight rack resisted all temptation to wobble and showed bomb-proof defiance – even under the duress of going from 0 to 100 in 4.6 seconds in launch control mode. There was a similar show of proficiency when it came to cornering and rapid braking, with a distinct absence of concern for the bikes thanks to the confidence-inspiring display of the Model Pro 2.
With its sports car credentials no longer up for debate after such a stellar show, it’s worth mentioning that the TreeFrog Model Pro 2 also looks worthy of its space on a sports car. Sleek and lean, it doesn’t impede on the car’s aesthetic – and nor that of the bikes. However, the one disadvantage here is the incessant worry while parking the car; unfortunately it can’t be locked into place.
When the TreeFrog encounters substantial lumps in the road and poor road surfaces, there’s a tendency for the bikes to wobble. However, we put faith in the fact that the rack is certified by TÜV and weren’t once letdown by the performance. Note: check and double-check the attachments for the quick-release levers and thru-axles before setting off anywhere.
Before the question arises, the roof rack was simple to mount even with that fancy panoramic sunroof on the Panamera, (and we even got a really cool perspective on the bikes while driving). Above 50 km/h, the TreeFrog Model Pro 2 was susceptible to wind noise, and it was definitely audible above 120 km/h. Rest assured, this sort of noise creation is standard with all roof racks.
Unfortunately we were faced with two truths after demounting the TreeFrog Model Pro 2: those vacuum cups left visible traces on the rooftop, although these were easy to remove with a regular bike cleaner. Then there’s the question of fork dimensions: our test bike with quick-release levers was marred by scratches from the angular mount; and the other test bike with a thru-axle didn’t fit perfectly into the mount, which meant there was a small gap. Note: when mounting your bikes, always check the correct positioning of the dropouts.
Conclusion
Simple, minimal and effective, the TreeFrog Model Pro 2 is a first-rate option for those on the market for a roof rack. TÜV certified, this rack demonstrates proficiency in its production quality, ease of use and aesthetic. The mount for your forks are still too angular for our liking, and could cause minor surface damage to your bike. Across Europe the rack is thankfully permitted up to 130 km/h–a speed that is only really an issue if you had planned on tearing down a German Autobahn. If you can accept that there’s no way to lock your bikes onto the rack and deal with the potential of a few scuffs on your fork, then the TreeFrog Model Pro 2 bike rack is a superb, hipster-worthy option.
For more information head to treefrogracks.eu
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