Try saying that product name quickly. Front Runner (FR) continues to be a market leader when it comes to overlanding accessories. Legend has it that the company was conceived between a 1988 Land Cruiser 70 and a 1992 Mercedes G-Wagen in Botswana. A handful of friends with backgrounds in engineering, design, manufacturing, and off-road racing decided they were sick of equipment failures and should combine forces to create gear “stronger than the elephants at the watering hole one klick over.” The best products are most often manufactured by companies who genuinely love what they do, and FR is a prime example. Their ethos, “Travel. Dream. Design. Build. Test. Evolve. Repeat,” says all you need to know about their motivations, and today we’re putting the emphasis on “Evolve.”
FR racks have been around some time, but the company continues to innovate the design and introduce exciting new accessories that further the functionality. Their latest accessory, the tongue-teasing load bed rack side mount for bike carrier, does just that. I’m forever reorganising equipment on my rack, and I’m often annoyed when I see FR customers with their purposeful racks, perfectly organised, with various ingenious mounting accessories. Oh, look at me, I made the right choice, and now cargo control is so seamless. Ugh. Well, FR seems to be on a mission to annoy me and has now released a bicycle-specific accessory (like I haven’t suffered enough). As usual, it’s another thoughtfully designed product that allows customers to secure one of the company’s bike mounts (compatible with their Fork Mount Bike Carrier/Power Edition and Thru Axle Bike Carrier/Power Edition) without using any rack space. It’s simple, effective, functional, and yet another example of the company enhancing its existing products. The brackets can be installed on either side of the rack and provide a secure ledge to mount your bike carrier. Additionally, they’re adjustable to fit all bicycle sizes, thanks to the included extension plate.
In modestly sized vehicles, storage is often at a premium, and most overlanders I know want to optimise every inch of space. These side brackets are a great way for FR customers to maximise rack capacity whilst additionally making loading/unloading bikes even more convenient. If you’re passionate about cycling and already own an FR rack, then this product’s a no-brainer.
$98 | frontrunneroutfitters.com
