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North Shore Racks helped to popularize the vertical hitch bike rack with its original NSR design. After many years, the brand just released the new NSR4 Gradus, an updated version that builds off the legacy of the original. The new version isn’t a wild departure from its predecessors, but it has several meaningful updates that aim to make it more user-friendly and compatible with modern mountain bikes. Let’s check out what’s new.
The word “Gradus” is apparently a Latin word meaning step, degree, or rank, and North Shore Racks says the new rack “isn’t a step forward, it’s a step up.” North Shore has kept its proven 3-axis fork cradle and the same general design as the original, but packed the Gradus rack with a range of updates and new features. So, while it might not look all that different from its predecessor, there are several noteworthy improvements, including:
New pedal-actuated base for lightning-fast angle adjustment
Updated 3-Axis Cradle Design for modern mountain bike geometry (DH and E-mountain bikes, Ohhh yea)
New Voile fast straps to secure bikes
Available in Summit Silver or Double Black, the choice is yours
Sandblasted, primed, and powder-coated for durability and corrosion resistance
Heavy-duty design with space-saving form
Quickest loading rack on the market = more adventure time
At the rear wheel, the Gradus racks now come with a Voile Fast Strap system that replaces the old-school ropes on the original. This should make it much easier and faster to secure the rear wheels, compared to searching for the right knot in the rope. They should also be quick, easy, and affordable to replace, if/when needed.
Perhaps the standout feature of the new Gradus racks is the new Pedal-Actuated Base, making it much easier to tilt the rack away from the vehicle with or without bikes loaded. It has a total of four angle settings: fully upright, 15 degrees, 25 degrees, and full layback at 65 degrees.
Like the previous version, the Gradus can still fold in half when not in use, making it the most compact vertical rack on the market. Additionally, it is adjustable in height, setback, and U-bar position, so it should be compatible with most vehicle and bike combinations.
Specs and Features
Rack weight: 65 lbs.
Maximum bicycle weight: 60 lbs. per cradle
Max carrying capacity: 200 lb. (payload)
For mountain bikes (works with rigid forks with aftermarket adapter)
Includes a heavy-duty lockable anti-rattle hitch pin (compatible with most ¼” shackle padlocks)
Requires a 2” hitch receiver
Available in Summit Silver or Double Black powder coating
New mechanical foot pedal to easily adjust the angle on the fly
Increased spacing between bikes for easier loading and e-bike compatibility
Updated Voile Fast Straps for quicker, more secure attachment
Improved cradle design for bikes with oversized frames (DH and E-mountain bikes)
Quick loading
Folds in half when not in use
100% locally made using North American steel
Adjustable in height, setback, angle, and U-bar position (fits almost any vehicle, including those with rear-mounted spares)
The 4-bike NSR4 is the first to receive the Gradus update, but we’d expect that racks with other capacities are in the works, too. Regardless, its steel construction looks built to last and ready to rattle down rough shuttle roads for years to come. At $900, it’s no drop in the bucket, but it’s a heck of a lot cheaper than most 2-bike hitch racks plus add-ons to carry four bikes. You can learn more or pick one up on the North Shore Racks website.
northshoreracks.com
