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Thule
Thule might have set a new record in terms of taking up pages in our notebooks, with catalogue additions including new cases, backpacks, panniers, strollers and car racking. As a result we’re dedicating this post just to the latest gear from the Swedish brand and its ever-diverse catalogue.
Starting with the luggage line, (though some samples didn’t arrive in time for our camera) Thule has introduced the Legend GoPro specific collection. There’s four new items under this banner, two of which are hardcase pouches that’ll house one (£35) or two GoPros (£50) and all the accompanying mounts and accessories. Throughout the range there’s removable and washable die-cut foam.
It’s the backpack and sling that’ll have many excited, however. The £65 sling is designed to accommodate two GoPros, extra batteries, SD cards and all the kit.
For £130 the professional user should look at the backpack, which has three integrated mounts to capture several angles. Oversized, glove friendly zippers complement a very robust looking bag that is re-inforced in all the crucial areas.
Stock for the Legend line lands in the UK in May.
On the commuter front, there’s a new £120 24-litre backpack that, like all of the others, is built with tough 420 DWR nylon fabrics and carries a lifetime warranty. Plenty of thought has gone into practicality, with holders for D-locks, lights, detachable raincovers, safe zones for glasses and phones and much more all considered in the design.
The Paramount range is also new and offers 24, 27 and 29 litre options at £100, £115 and £125, respectively. Each of these has a heavy duty base, slots for laptops and tablets and plenty more functionality built in for the cyclist.
One final note on the backpacks range – Thule now manufactures mountaineering packs capable of journeys up the side of Mount Everest, just incase you were making holiday plans.
Moving on to the stroller catalogue, we were dazzled with some speedy demos, including a full fold down in seconds, on two new models designed around the parent on the move.
The Glide and Urban Glide weigh in at a stunningly low 9.9 and 10.5kg, respectively. Both are simple to pack down, with the ‘Thule Blue’ components being indicative of a grip or button to activate a fold. Both have built in weatherproof canopies, with the main difference being the addition of a grocery style bag and coffee cup holder on the Urban Glide. On the Urban Glide runners can fix the wheel in a straight line with a button, whereas the Glide is permanently fixed as is preferred by experienced runners who take the kids out too.
A Sapling product for carrying children on your back is now also part of the range. These are adjustable speedily with just buttons, no awkward pull straps or velcro.
The Pack and Pedal pannier line is still growing, with the addition of three weatherproofed pannier bags, the largest offering a pair of 24-litre packs (£99.99) and the smallest two 14-litre units (£85). Again carrying the lifetime warranty, the packs will fit all racks, but suit Thule’s racks best thanks to the ‘Earth magnet’ connection designed to keep packs from moving while cornering.
Finally and sat within Thule’s ‘traditional’ catalogue of car racking accessories, the Velo towball range has made some solid improvements on prior systems.
Available in two (£320) or three (£425) bike versions, the Velo sports moveable brake lighting and wheel trays to allow for largely wheelbases. The three bike model can have a fourth added via an add on sale tray, costing £115. Uniquely and thanks to the new Hercules coupling mechanism, the Velo racks won’t just drop on you once you release the tow ball lever, meaning it’s a bit more manageable for all users – you’ll find that new coupling mechanism on the 3 bike 927 version of VeloCompact. It also allows for on the fly angle adjustments. The racks tilt almost horizontal, even with four bikes loaded, to allow boot access.
Last of all, Thule has introduced the Sprint roof mount. This £175 T-track product won’t allow for overtightening and as such won’t crush any dropouts. Extra dampers absorb the shock from the road.
The Raceway boot rack also now has an improved locking mechanism.
The firm also told BikeBiz that they’ve recently successfully floated on the Stockholm Nasdaq.
