While many vertical racks use baskets to hold the front tire, we intentionally engineered our racks for Stem and Handlebar loading for several critical technical reasons:

Zero Frame & Fork Contact: Wheel baskets often allow the bike to "wiggle," leading to the basket rubbing against the fork lowers or the front tire rubbing against the rack frame. Our system suspends the bike by the strongest components (stem/bars), ensuring the rest of the bike never touches the rack.

Carbon Fiber Safety: By avoiding tire-pressure-based mounting, we eliminate lateral stress on front wheels and spokes. In our opinion this is the safest way to transport high-end carbon fiber mountain and road bikes.

True Universal Fit: Wheel baskets are often limited by tire size (e.g., they might struggle with very skinny road tires or 5-inch fat tires). Because every bike has a stem, our rack works natively with everything from 23mm road bikes to 5" fat bikes without needing different basket sizes or adapters.

Reduced Leverage & Sway: Hanging the bike by the stem keeps the center of gravity closer to the rack's mast. This reduces the "pendulum effect" on bumpy roads, protecting your vehicle's hitch and providing a more stable ride.

Extreme Solidity: Unlike thin metal baskets that can bend or flex under heavy e-bike loads, our "paperclip" brackets and hooks are bolted directly to a 3/16" thick steel plate. This provides an incredibly rigid, robust mounting point with zero moving parts to fail.

Most racks use square tubing and external paint only. Panache uses high-strength round tubes for superior resistance to twisting and flexion. We also apply a specialized internal anti-corrosion coating to prevent rust from the inside out—a must for Canadian winters. Finally, we use Anti-Crush Steel Sleeves at all bolt points to ensure a rock-solid connection that never deforms the frame.

Yes. We use a Zero-Contact Stem Suspension. The rack only touches the stem and handlebars. There is zero contact with the frame or fork, protecting your paint and the structural integrity of your carbon fiber.

Hydraulic shocks can leak, seize in the cold, and make it harder to tilt the rack when it’s empty. Our Manual Pin-and-Pivot system is maintenance-free and works effortlessly from -30°C to +30°C. It’s simpler, lighter, and more reliable.

Yes, security is built into every model with an integrated padlock anchor point.

To lock the rack: Use a short Abus Cobra 10/140 cable to secure the rack directly to your vehicle's trailer hitch chain anchors.

To lock your bikes: For 2 to 3 bikes, a single Abus Cobra 10/220 cable is sufficient.

For 4 to 6 bikes, we recommend using two Abus Cobra 10/220 cables for maximum coverage.
You can find all these recommended cables and high-security Abus padlocks in our Locks & Cables section.

Every Panache rack has two built-in parking spots at the base. This allows you to stand two bikes upright at the trailhead while you gear up, so your bikes never have to touch the dirt or lean against your vehicle's paint.

The T-Series carries almost everything: MTB (Trail/Enduro/XC), Road, Gravel, Fat Bikes, and Kids' bikes (16" and up). It also carries BMX bikes when paired with our specialized rubber-coated BMX hook.

Note: It is NOT compatible with Downhill (DH) bikes or bikes with fenders/racks.

No. Our lower tire rest and and diagonal traction straps are natively designed to secure tires from 23mm (road) up to 5 inches (Fat Bike). Because the bike is suspended by the stem, the tires simply rest against our high-strength round-tube supports—eliminating the need for expensive "Fat Bike Kits" or plastic tray adapters.

Yes. While standard hooks fit MTB/Road stems, we offer a specialized rubber-coated BMX hook designed specifically for BMX handlebar geometry.

Yes, up to 55 lb per bike. The total weight limit is 110 lb (T2), 220 lb (T4), and 240 lb (T6). Ensure your handlebar area is clear of computers or mounts where the hook sits.

Electric city commuter bikes over 55 lb, those equipped with fenders and rear racks, as well as bikes with curved comfort-style handlebars, are generally not compatible with our rack.

No. We do not recommend installing our racks on trailers, campers, fifth wheels, or motorhomes where the overhang exceeds 72 inches (measured from the center of the rear axle to the end of the hitch receiver).

Why is this restriction in place?

The Lever Effect: A long overhang acts as a massive lever. Every bump in the road generates significantly higher mechanical stress on the rack than it would on a standard SUV or truck.

The Whiplash Effect: Large trailers and campers experience violent, unpredictable vertical movements and jolts. This "whiplash" can cause irreversible structural damage to the rack and your bikes.

Warranty Protection: To ensure the longevity of your equipment and maintain your warranty, these guidelines must be followed. If you need to transport bikes on a long-overhang vehicle, we recommend exploring racks specifically rated for RV/Trailer use.

Yes. The Panache Rack is an ideal solution for camper van builds. Thanks to our multi-position tilting mechanism, you can tilt the rack away from the vehicle to allow the rear doors of most Sprinter, ProMaster, and Transit vans to open.

Note: For safety and ease of operation, bikes must be removed from the rack before lowering it to access your rear doors.

Unlike universal racks that offer a "one-size-fits-all" compromise, Panache Rack™ is tailored to your specific vehicle. By providing a few simple measurements, you ensure a perfect fit that optimizes hitch height, trunk clearance, and safety. This eliminates installation headaches and ensures the rack works seamlessly with your vehicle’s unique geometry. The measurements are only required after your order is placed. You will receive a specific link and clear instructions in your order confirmation email.

Not at all! We provide a clear, intuitive form with detailed instructions to guide you. The entire process takes less than 5 minutes. These few minutes of effort guarantee a superior user experience and a rack that is perfectly adjusted from day one.

Universal racks are dictated by the height of your hitch; they might sit too high on a pickup or too low on a minivan. We use custom adapters to position the rack at the ergonomic "sweet spot." This ensures optimal ground clearance and makes loading much easier and more comfortable, especially for shorter individuals.

Yes. Our custom adjustments ensure the rack is positioned to allow easy access to your rear cargo area. Because the rack is tailored to your vehicle, we can use a shorter, more rigid mount than universal racks. This provides maximum stability while maintaining full functionality of your trunk or tailgate.

A poorly adjusted universal rack often requires a longer hitch arm, which leads to excessive vibrations and sway. Our custom-fit approach ensures a shorter, stronger attachment and even weight distribution. This results in a stable, stress-free ride with significantly reduced movement.

Your rack is a long-term investment. Thanks to our interchangeable adapter system, you don’t need to buy a whole new rack when you change vehicles. You can simply order a new custom adapter to fit your new vehicle’s measurements, allowing your Panache Rack™ to evolve with you for years to come.

Every Panache rack features a hitch adapter that can be adjusted in height and depth. This "custom-fit" capability ensures the rack sits at the ideal distance from your vehicle, maximizing stability while maintaining full functionality of your hatch or tailgate. Furthermore, this adjustability allows you to set the rack at the perfect height for easy loading and unloading, making it accessible and ergonomic for both tall and small riders.

Yes. Our hitch system includes a specialized anti-vibration mechanism to ensure a silent, stable ride. Once properly tightened, the rack feels as though it is welded to the car's hitch, providing a rock-solid connection you can trust on any road.

Yes, but only the T2 (2-bike) rack is available with a foot compatible with a 1.25-inch trailer hitch. However, always check that your trailer hitch has the required capacity before using the rack.

Yes! If you are near Sherbrooke, Quebec, you can select "Local Pickup" at checkout to save on shipping costs. We will contact you as soon as your rack is ready.

Shipping is calculated at checkout based on your location. We ship across Canada using reliable freight partners.

90-Day Satisfaction Guarantee: If you aren’t completely satisfied within the first 90 days of purchase, we’ve got you covered.

Lifetime Warranty on Welds: We guarantee the structural integrity of every weld for the life of the product.

1-Year Manufacturing Warranty: We cover all components against manufacturing defects under normal use for one year.