Listen up. If you are a rim or disc brake rider and roof rack user who prefers the sleeker, lower profile of a wheel-off front mount, the SwitchHitter Thru-Axle Fork Mount from Rocky Mounts just moved to the top of your list for bike-related purchases. With so many mountain, road, cyclocross, gravel and recreational disc brake bikes now opting for the stiffness and security of thru-axle systems, the SwitchHitter, which includes inserts for true 9mm dropout QR, 12/100mm, 15/100mm, forks, as well as a 15/110mm Boost spacing, covers all the bases with flexibility for new standards down the road. And unlike tray head systems that struggle to create a secure locking point for the fork, the SwitchHitter's bar and lever assembly use a single lock, and a cable lock is is integrated into the back of the tray, so you can secure your rear wheel and frame as well.

Have round bars? Square? Aero? Euro-slotted? No worries there either. The Boulder, CO company includes all the hardware you need. This offers you supreme flexibility if you change vehicles or rack systems, or need to through your SwitchHitter on a friend's rack when you carpool to a race or the trailhead. Specifically, Rocky Mounts lists Yakima round, Thule square, factory/aero, and slotted bars (with T-Track hardware) like RockyMounts Ouray, Thule AeroBlade, Yakima Whispbar, Yakima StreamLine, and Rhino Rack crossbars as compatible. Many non-branded auto manufacturer supplied bars up to 4" width will fit as well, but keep in mind that bars should sit parallel to the ground, not curved, for the most stable and proper usage

Some notes otherwise. With the interchangeable axle adapters, two Allen-head set screws hold the one being used in place, so it will not spin or simply fall out. The tray and rear ratchet strap accommodate tires up 3", and maximum bike weight is 35lbs. To secure your SwitchHitter, you will need two Rocky Mounts Lock Cores. If you buy one carrier, you can buy the Two Pack. If you plan to buy several carriers, do the math using 2 per tray. For those of you with Rocky Mounts equipment, and want your cores keyed alike, contact Rocky Mounts directly and their excellent customer service staff can assist you. Last, the tray-integrated cable lock is coated to protect your valuable equipment. If you wipe it down before re-inserting it into the tray during or after a road trip, it keeps the whole assembly cleaner and reduces the likelihood of scratching finishes as well.

The SwitchHitter has just become our favorite fork mount roof rack system. It gives us the security we require, the functionality and flexibility we crave, and the durability we value. Rocky Mounts uses anodization for the aluminum Black and Silver trays, while the other colors are powdercoat. Embrace the versatility, insert the SwitchHitter into your rack line-up.