Scorpion Bike Rack - First Look

Jan 24, 2017 at 7:14
by Ross Bell  
Core Bike Show 2017

The Scorpion Bike Rack is one rider's answer to the problem with most conventional bike racks on offer in Europe. Having seen first hand the potential damage caused to carbon frames by clamps during driving, fed up with cleaning the mud off his car roof, and the added negative of the decreased fuel efficiency of roof racks, the creator of the Scorpion Bike Rack took the matters into his own hands.

Scorpion Bike Rack

Scorpion Bike Rack
The adapter has been tested for loads up to 600kg, meaning you don't have to worry about overloading the rack.
Scorpion Bike Rack
Changing the position of the rack is efficient thanks to the hinge and lock pin system.


The design of the Scorpion Rack may look familiar to riders that have spent time shredding in Canada. Sam, the rack's designer, spent time in Whistler coaching and couldn't help but feel frustrated at the lack of quality options back home in the UK, so he set about designing his own. At first it started out as a personal pursuit to satisfy his own thirst, but once other riders spotted and started showing interest he decided to take it a step further and introduce it to the market.

Secured to the car via a tow bar or flange plate, the adapter used has been thoroughly tested for loads up to 600kg giving the rack a super sturdy feel. A sprung loaded clasp attaches to the ball of the tow bar with the adapter then sitting atop, while multiple grub screws and a 19mm bolt secure it in place. We played around with the assembly and it's pretty simple and flexible in design; it also folds up relatively compact and is under a meter in length once packed away. The designer has looked at suiting the rack to a wide gamut of bikes, adaptable via the two hinges and securing pins - also being sure to avoid bike to bike contact that could cause damage.


Scorpion Bike Rack
The bikes rest on a cradle system that hugs the fork crown.
Scorpion Bike Rack
They are then secured by a ratchet strap around the wheel.

Scorpion Bike Rack
Accessing the boot with bikes on the rack isn't a problem.
Scorpion Bike Rack
It can also double up as a bike stand, making bike tweaks before hitting the trails simple.


The bikes rest on their fork crowns in a set of cradles and are secured to the rack by a sturdy ratchet strap, sitting vertically also keeps the bikes from extruding out past the width of the car and potentially into harm's way. At the moment there's only the option for 2 bikes but depending on demand the designer is looking into expanding the carrying capabilities, light boards and a base which also doubles as a bike stand or storage can also be purchased as add-ons. The first production run is expected at the tail end of February coming in at a price of £349.99.

www.scorpionracks.com

Author Info:
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Member since Apr 25, 2010
145 articles

86 Comments
  • 25 2
 Nice rack!!! (It had to be said!)
One main issue I can see as it stands is the fact that it obscures the number plate (illegal) and potentially some lights. The article says he is looking at expanding to offer a lighting board but this is a necessity, especially at £349.99!
  • 9 1
 I know Sam (Scorpion Racks) well so I'll try and help answer any questions as I know he's got a lot on today!

The bikes don't obscure the rear lights unlike most conventional designs, so that's not an issue. As far as a numberplate board, they sell them here www.scorpionracks.com/collections/accessories/products/number-plate-board
  • 4 3
 @jezzah: I'm sorry but I have to disagree- that number plate board is not lit, therefore not legal. It would be easy enough to add a light as if you have a towbar you also have the electric socket.
Don't get me wrong, I like the idea (hell, I even sketched up something similar myself!)
  • 4 6
 @TrueScotsman: A small price to pay for an actually functioning rack on a small car. Throw a small led on it and be done with it if you're worried.
  • 2 1
 @TrueScotsman: the final design will indeed have an LED to light up the number plate. It's still being finalised at the moment hence the lack of product photo on that page.

Problem solved! Smile
  • 2 1
 @jezzah: cool!- I actually work in the towing industry so if they ever need anything just ask.
  • 16 1
 @TrueScotsman: I wouldn't worry about the number plate being hidden. The dirt's already made it illegal. ; )
  • 2 3
 If this Golf ios a deisel, this thing is totally breakin' the LAW!
  • 2 0
 Just received our scorpion. To give an opinion on a few things people have said, the rack is extremely well built -it's chunky in design and therefore looks strong and I trust it with the thousands of pounds worth of bike that hang off of it. It is also very adjustable which is mentioned in the article, this is thanks to the pivot points on the rack which allow it to fit any car we have tried it on, therefore this rack is certainly worth the money and is better than any racks we've ever tried in the past.
  • 2 0
 Love it! Been using the Canadian rack for 8 years now the one thing I am looking especially close to is the ratcheting strap at the bottom! I thought we would see something like this when arbutus racks was bought but that was basically killed off it seems. The middle position is a cool little addition for the repair stand maybe I'll have to call a laser cutting shop...
  • 2 0
 I hate to sound pessimisitic but for £350 thats about the price of my Thule towball mounted rack, its great, really great however I do agree with the wheelbase issue, my enduro bike just fits.
However a friend bought a Buzz rack BC3 which is £195 and it is brilliant, considering selling mine and getting one. Does all the Thule one can do, is more secure as the mounting upright is between bikes 1 and 2 plus is fits bigger wheelbase bikes, it fits his XL enduro bike with ease - definitely has more chance of fitting a DH rig than the Thule.
  • 2 0
 You may be able to fit an XL Enduro bike or Downhill bike on the back of a rack that holds the bikes sideways but i think you will find that the wheels stick out the side of the car on both sides. This can be a real issue on narrow country lanes which is usually where most most mountain bike trails are. Ive witnessed someones bike being smashed by passing traffic and the driver didn't even stop!
  • 3 1
 Finally! Been looking at these setups in Canada and trying to figure out how to get one here, even looked at bringing a Canadian tow bar over so I could mount the Canadian rack to it... definitely in line for one of these!
  • 2 1
 I was looking this option to buy this...but the company is from canada and the shippment cost a lot...finally a european option. The design is simillar with the canadian one...https://www.northshoreracks.com/
  • 1 1
 In case someone rear ends you, the bike is going to be an unwelcome "bonus" in my opinion. It also makes backing up more difficult and even if it sort of moves out of the way to access the trunk, it still is in the way.
Also, for the same price you can get Thule aero roof bars plus a bike rack, which will always be out of the way, except when washing the car. It's also more versatile if you practice other sports as well, like skiing, snowboarding, cayaking....Fuel economy might be more affected though with the roof rack than with the trailer hitch one.
  • 2 0
 That all depends how keen you are on getting mud and grime all over the roof of your car!
  • 1 0
 there are gates to the many forest parking here in UK. pain in the ass to take bikes out of the roof before you parked an put them back again after you have left parking Frown god forbid you forget to do it... Smile
  • 3 0
 Surely this 'big ole rack' would be illegal in most of Europe for a couple of reasons?
  • 1 0
 It might be just the pictures, but is the bike secured into that top mount? Is there a potential there to have your bike pop off the top of the rack? Really like the design mind you. Looks great and very practical
  • 3 0
 No chance at all, the bike is securely held down with by the lower ratchet. It's not going anywhere!
  • 2 0
 @jezzah: cool, will most likely purchase when i kill my Thule
  • 1 1
 my answer has and always will be to drive a vehicle that my bikes fit inside of , used a rack few times when i was younger and golfs were mk2 gti,s ..had one bad experience and never used one again.. just like my bike safe on the inside its so much easier,, and less worry when you stop at service stations as its all locked up out of reach,
  • 1 1
 Way to pricey for some welded box section and a bit of rubber tubing.

Because Thule were so bad and (lol) overpriced NOT

Just another kickstarter who thinks his 1% amendment to an existing product is enough to get rich. Another answer to a question I hadn't ever asked.
  • 4 1
 Looks like I was beaten to the "nice rack" comment!
  • 5 1
 Your GTI needs a bath!
  • 2 0
 You are so not wrong there!
  • 2 1
 Don't scratch your frame, scratch your forks instead? The stand idea is cool, but no matter what bike rack ive used it always causes some sort of scuff..
  • 3 0
 There's actually rubber hosing around where your top crown goes, last for ages.
  • 3 1
 @paulhaysom: you could pad that rubber hosing with cotton and it would still scratch the paint, unless your bike is completely clean and abrasive particles free
  • 4 0
 @juretunic: your best bet is to put a small amount of clear bike tape (or similar) on your crown, that's a guaranteed way to stop any wear!
  • 1 0
 clear as much mud off the bike before you hang it on the bracket would be my idea
  • 1 0
 @jezzah: jep thats the only way
  • 1 0
 I've also had problem with scuffing the bike using a variety of roof and boot racks until recently. About a year ago I got hold of a Yakima Frontloader roof carrier that fits around the front tyre with a strap around over back rim. Put a patch of 3m tape on the rim to prevent scuffing from the rear strap and there's no other contact with the bike. Best I used to date and no scuffing after a year and hundreds of miles plus it quick and easy to load.
  • 1 0
 Could this be used / adapted / have an add-one, to make it into a bike work stand?, so if you are at races or after a ride you can hang it up and work on it?
  • 2 0
 As far as I'm aware there will be an adapter soon to allow a Park Tools head to be fitted, turning it into a proper work stand.
  • 3 0
 Maybe different people have different needs and views Smile
  • 3 0
 "Damn it bike, stop dry humping the car."
  • 2 3
 If riding bikes is your passion, and you take care of it, clean it, insure it and its your pride and joy etc etc, why not get a suitable vehicle to transport it as well, rather than just hanging on the outside of the unsuitable vehicle you own?
Yes I do own a van, for that very reason.
  • 5 1
 Many people enjoy driving so don't want a van, along with not being able to afford a second vehicle purely for bike transportation.
  • 1 0
 @jezzah: For one or two bikes is not necessary to own a van. Two bikes, two riders and all stuff fits in normal wagon/estate/kombi (whatever you call it). I fitted sometimes 3 bikes and three riders in normal size estate car (old volvo v40). But I love the look of estate cars too Big Grin
  • 1 0
 @szymonfrpl: You need to try harder! I think 3 DH bikes and 4 people in a hatchback was our record. Though it wasn't exactly comfortable!
  • 1 0
 @jezzah: We put this 3 bikes only unscrewing a front wheels Big Grin This is really short trip and we won't to disassemble all the bikes but I think that when we go to the longest trip we put bikes in parts Smile
  • 1 0
 @szymonfrpl: This is getting competitive!
  • 2 0
 Any idea on what the fuel efficiency is compared to standard hitch racks where the bikes are standing on both wheels?
  • 1 0
 Probably zero, but you will not be allowed to use this one in Czech... like many others.
  • 1 0
 @kusa: I was hoping that since it's from the UK it would be certified for the entire Europe? I have no idea how certifications work though.
  • 1 0
 @Pedro404: For each country, as there are different rules.
  • 1 0
 Lucky US, CAN and UK guys. Most of the best bike racks are not possible to be used in Europe as they are not officially approved Frown
  • 1 3
 Am I supposed to believe that this is more fuel efficient than roof rack? Been carring 3 20kg DH bikes on Thule Proride 591 on the roof of Volvo V70 with 2.5l diesel. Fuel consumption with vs without bikes - 8l/100km vs 7l/100km. For me that's the best solution
  • 5 0
 Of course! The immediate space behind a car will be an area of low pressure - ever wondered why cars 'draft' each other when racing?

Sticking them on the roof will of course increase the fuel consumption - as you have noted yourself. Sticking them on your roof increased your consumption by 13%. In other words, on a normal full tank of fuel (let's say 500 km) you'd lose a whole 65km off your total range when using your roof mounted rack.
  • 4 1
 nice bike!
  • 1 0
 Is it approved for the use on German roads? The German TÜV you know.... :-(
  • 3 6
 I think its a good idea but Im just going to say it, It's to expensive! I paid £120 for my aero roof rack and £89 each for 2 thule 598 with the new rubber cell grips to protect carbon frames so £300.

Now if I wanted this which does look like a neat idea, I would have to purchase a tow bar for my car, this would have to be a removable one (no-body wants a fixed tow bar) that's approx £200 for a decent one plus fitting with electrics another £30-50, then £350 for the rack. So all in your looking at nearly £600 just to make putting bike on your car a little bit easier.
  • 1 0
 I think for a tow bar mounted rack the price is pretty good. Yes, you can get the ones that the bike hang off for less, but they're not great in my experience. The ones where the bikes sit on a platform are better, but they struggle with DH bikes because of the weight and width of the bikes. This system which keeps the bikes apart looks like it'll work better with DH bikes - I just need to wait for the 4 bike model!
  • 2 0
 The pricing is inline with other high end towbar mounted racks on the market. For small production run (currently) products from a startup I can promise you the price is as good as it gets!
  • 1 0
 @jezzah: What does "soon" mean? (ballpark)
  • 1 0
 @recipher: what are you referring to?
  • 2 0
 Dave2183- you're not right about the towbars. We fit over 300 towbars a year and only around 20% of them are detachable.
Also, the wiring generally costs a lot more than £30-£50. Most new cars need a vehicle specific wiring kit that integrates with the Can-Bus systems. You cannot just hard-wire or even bypass them nowadays.
  • 1 0
 @jezzah: Ah, weird, the comment I was referring to, I can't find now. I was referring to a reply to Thor44 who said he was waiting for the 4 bike model. Was wondering when it might appear.
  • 3 0
 @recipher: I'll have to check that for you though I believe it's for the Flange mounted rack only due to weight.

@TrueScotsman the lightboard will feature a long life rechargeable battery that you can charge up via USB in the car when you're riding. So no need for more money invested in wiring. That's the current plan at least!
  • 2 0
 @Thor44: Pendle do a tow bar mounted rack with lots of options, including one for wide tyred bikes. My DH goes on it no problem. £250 or thereabouts. Mine is 12 years old and still going strong, albeit rusty!
  • 1 0
 @john260164: cheers - will have a look at that. Problem I've always found is that they're limited to 15kg per bike. Stick 4 DH bikes on and you're overloaded by 20kg, unless you're all riding dogs bollox full on carbon rigs. And they never seem to make enough space between each bike to cope with 800mm bars and the general extra width of a DH bike. I spend forever sticking extra bits of padding in between the frames and forks. The design of this Scorpion rack looks to fix that as it seems similar to the NorthShoreRacks in Canada. And they've been able to build a 6 bike version, so I'm hoping Scorpion will be able to come with a 4 bike one...
  • 3 0
 @Thor44: Pendle is the best option (up till now in the UK?) for DH bikes, because you can adjust the spacing between the bikes, so no rubbing, if you had a Thule 3 bike rack, you can only get two big bikes on them without rubbing. We ran 4 aluminium DH bikes out to Morzine in 2015 on a Pendle 4 bike rack, it was overloaded on the recommended weight numbers, kept the lightest bikes furthest out, and pulled the pedals and seatpost/saddles for the long journey, total bike mass was ~68kg. http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/14352450/ We also have a three bike Pendle but have never bothered to pull the pedals/saddle when running three 16.5-19kg DH bikes.

I agree the Scorpion rack looks a decent strong design, and would have bought a similar NorthShore rack had they been available, keeps the mass more forward over the towbar.
  • 2 0
 @Thor44: I agree, I have a volvo xc60 and do most of my riding in Germany with long stretches of autobahn to get there, my DH bike is too wide for a normal platform and sticks out well beyond the car on both sides, roof mounted catches too much wind to feel comfortable at autobahn speeds... been looking for this style of setup as I feel it will keep it low and in the slipstream of the vehicle the best out of the current rack options on the market.
  • 1 0
 @john260164: I think you will find that with any rack that holds a bike sideways across the back of a car (especially XL bikes, 29ers and downhill bikes) the wheels stick out on both sides making them vulnerable. This can be a real issue on narrow country lanes which is usually where most most mountain bike trails are. Ive witnessed someones bike being smashed by passing traffic and the driver didn't even stop!
  • 1 0
 @ScorpionRacks: My DH bike doesn't stick out any further than the wing mirrors so I've never had an issue with any of the cars its been on (Honda Jazz, VW Polo, Audi A4, Audi A3). Couple of those are pretty narrow cars, Haven't ever had an XL bike or a 29er but I guess it could be an issue with those
  • 1 0
 @ScorpionRacks: I have a Fabia, which is one of the narrowest cars on the market that can take a towbar and I've yet to find a bike that extends further than my wing mirrors. Even a Mojo Geomotron only hung out 1-2" either side and if you're cutting gaps that close you deserve to have your wheels clipped!

Another thing you may have overlooked is that anything mounted to a towbar in the UK should have lights to indicate the car is longer than standard. This doesn't apply to boot-mounted racks but will apply to yours, it needs full lights and a number plate. It's an old piece of legislation but I've known someone have an insurance claim rejected after they were rear-ended with a homemade bike rack without lights. It's why those teentytiny trailers you see have to have lights despite them not obscuring the car's lights or even the number plate sometimes.
  • 1 0
 @jezzah: so you've priced your brand new product with no history of performance against leading bike carriers, which have a light bar and brake lights and stuff....

Good luck.
  • 1 0
 @Bustacrimes: It's not my product, nor company. Just to clear up any confusion!

Not needing brake lights is a bonus. Price relating to history of performance is irrelevant for the most part. Every company has to start somewhere - prices of course come down when produced on the scale of a company like Thule.

Not everyone wants the regular mass produced product, there's always a market for a slightly niche yet improved design.
  • 1 0
 will there be a 4 bike rack?
  • 1 0
 Coming soon!
  • 1 2
 www.northshoreracks.com
they have for 4 bikes rat racks also if you dont want to wait for scorpion
  • 4 0
 @radovin: indeed, however they aren't compatible with European towbars
  • 1 0
 exactly
  • 3 3
 This is a shameless rip off of the NSR racks from North Vancouver. Thumbs down to pinkbike for not mentioning this.
  • 7 1
 Except they don't sell their racks in Europe nor do they provide a euro style hitch mount so this entrepreneur took the idea that he saw in Canada (NSR isn't the only one making vertical racks like this and the article does say he got the idea from his time in BC) and brought it back to Europe so that those of us here can buy it... I for one say good on him, I'm glad someone took the initiative because the North American companies weren't supporting the market and now I can benefit from his efforts and get the rack I want which I otherwise couldn't.
  • 3 0
 @CONomad: Appreciate your comments!
  • 3 2
 ITS AN EYESORE CMON LETS BE HONEST
  • 1 0
 status on the 4 bike version?
  • 4 2
 Wow what a nice rack
  • 2 0
 Miss my GTI...
  • 1 1
 may as well tow a caravan and put your bikes in that lol
  • 3 4
 why bother? Take a normlal Thule bike carrier
  • 3 1
 There are plenty of advantages to the Scorpion, have a read through the site Smile
  • 4 0
 @jezzah: i agree also...scorpion is lighter and stronger...can hold up to 60 kilos...2 bikes per 30 kilos and lighter for 5 kilos
  • 2 0
 i would only use it for shuttle days...fiddling around with my normal thule sucks for that







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