Transform Your Mountain Bike Into An All-Terrain Terror With Ktrak Kit -
True mountain bikers usually do not want to change their bikes for a more genteel attack on the slopes- enter a new rear-track system mod from Ktrak that might give them a rad new option.
Released about a month ago after being in the works for five years, and just in time for the 07/08 Winter Season, the Ktrak rear-track provides about 25 times the traction and flotation of the average mountain bike wheel. Ktrak also gives you the option to attach a ski to the front of a bike for last-minute cross-country trips through the snow.
According to Ktrak, it’s supposed to be super easy to add the kit to any bike if you have a quick release on the ankle. If you don’t, a simple wrench action will be enough, or you can take it to the nearest shop for the tire removal. The only other requirements: a rear wheel and a seat post in your bike (duh).
It comes with a six-bolt pattern that matches 6” or 8” disk brakes, and the current 26” version is now available for $419, with 20” and 24” models due in the next year. The 20” will be priced for the kid’s market. The separate front ski kit costs $119. Overall, the price is steep when you think about the fact that you're only paying for the kit (you provide the bike). The rig price should come down not long after its release; if not, it might risk staying as a plaything for rich dudes, and since there are plenty of those, it might not matter.
According to Ktrak, it’s supposed to be super easy to add the kit to any bike if you have a quick release on the ankle. If you don’t, a simple wrench action will be enough, or you can take it to the nearest shop for the tire removal. The only other requirements: a rear wheel and a seat post in your bike (duh).
It comes with a six-bolt pattern that matches 6” or 8” disk brakes, and the current 26” version is now available for $419, with 20” and 24” models due in the next year. The 20” will be priced for the kid’s market. The separate front ski kit costs $119. Overall, the price is steep when you think about the fact that you're only paying for the kit (you provide the bike). The rig price should come down not long after its release; if not, it might risk staying as a plaything for rich dudes, and since there are plenty of those, it might not matter.
The kit is designed for use in soft terrain that will give way, including fresh/groomed/packed snow, sand, and even mud. Since it needs to skid the grid to turn, it could also run on other very flat, clean surfaces, like say, a basketball court, though it would likely cause damage to both the court and the kit. In addition, the weight change between an old wheel and the kit is only about 5 lbs., which isn’t substantial.
In order to buy the Ktrack kit, go their website and click on the Dealers’ section of the site. It’s currently available in Australia, Poland, Russia, Switzerland, the U.S., Canada, and Germany.
Ktrack’s kit was first introduced about a year ago, but was finally completed for the Eurobike show in Germany a couple of months ago – we’ll try to get one in to the Gadget Lab for some real world testing.
