Aftermarket action
Your bikes hitch a ride
Some of the easiest bicycle racks to install are the ones that take advantage of your vehicle’s trailerhitch receiver. The Curt tray-style racks are compatible with 1.25- or 2.0-inch receivers and can handle two bicycles with a total weight of up to 90 pounds (double that amount for the four-bike model). The tilting feature gives you access to your trunk or liftgate with bikes securely attached to the tray. When not in use, the rack folds out of the way against your vehicle. Pricing starts at about $250 for the dualbike rack and $465 for the four-bike version. You can also purchase a set of wheel cradles for fat-tire bikes for $50. Go to www.curtmfg.com for full details.
Old-style radio, new sound
RetroSound sells old-look radios that are filled to the gills with modern electronics. Keeping up with times, the Long Beach series’ 25-watt units also come with Bluetooth connectivity, which allows for hands-free phone use and wireless audio streaming. There are also two USB ports for plugging in your music, plus two additional auxiliary inputs. The Long Beach is SiriusXM-ready for U.S. residents (subscription required). Select from a variety of styles for $400 from www. retromanufacturing.com.
Try getting out of this jam
The Rush Hour Shift Logic Game from ThinkFun was voted one of the best 25 toys of the past 25 years by the nonprofit Parents’ Choice Foundation. The idea behind the twoplayer strategy game is to slide the blocking vehicles in such a way so that the path is clear for your vehicles to exit the game board. That sounds simple enough, but you’ll be giving your brain a workout trying to free the vehicles from their gridlocked positions. Get one of these games for just $25 and then challenge your friends and family members to solve a multitude of configurations. Check with your local toy outlet or order online at www.thinkfun.com.
A cloaking device for your car
If you have ever had to wrestle a bulky car cover for your vehicle, then you’ll be interested in the batterypowered Car Cloak. When activated through the remote control or smartphone app, the cover automatically releases from its shell that you place on your car’s roof. From that point, it’s a simple (and quick) matter of positioning the cover over all four fenders. When not needed, the weatherproof cover will automatically retract into its shell. Check out the descriptive video and purchase online for $600 at www. shops.carcloak.net.