{"id":17010,"date":"2026-04-02T21:28:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/demo4.dedicatedhost247.com\/newstime\/this-bike-rack-pioneer-is-selling-bluetooth-suction-cups-to-stick-bikes-to-your-car\/"},"modified":"2026-04-02T21:28:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T21:28:00","slug":"this-bike-rack-pioneer-is-selling-bluetooth-suction-cups-to-stick-bikes-to-your-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/demo4.dedicatedhost247.com\/newstime\/this-bike-rack-pioneer-is-selling-bluetooth-suction-cups-to-stick-bikes-to-your-car\/","title":{"rendered":"This bike rack pioneer is selling Bluetooth suction cups to stick bikes to your car"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Richard Allen didn\u2019t invent the automobile bike rack \u2014 his 1967 patent application<\/a> makes it clear that others came before. But after nearly sixty years selling popular and simple mechanical bike carriers, his company Allen Bikes now offers a line of \u2014 yes \u2014 Bluetooth-monitored suction cups<\/a> to stick bikes to your car.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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If you feel stressed just looking <\/em>at these pictures of the new $299 Smart Suction Go<\/a>, you\u2019re not alone! It\u2019s the first thing my colleague Andrew Liszewski said, and I wholeheartedly agree. But apparently some people already swear by the ease and portability of suction-cup bike mounts \u2014 SeaSucker is the big name in that space<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Now, Allen is trying to reduce the anxiety with smart pressure sensors, so you\u2019ll (hopefully) know if the suction\u2019s failing long before your precious bike hits the asphalt. It pairs over Bluetooth with a smartphone app. And, the company\u2019s using the same tech in a mount to stick your DSLR or mirrorless camera to vehicles, too.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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We had many questions<\/em>. Here are some of the answers:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Has anyone independently tested this? <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Technically, Allen Bike introduced a pricier $599 version<\/a> last year, but I\u2019m not seeing many reviews. Here\u2019s BikeRumor<\/em><\/a>. Here\u2019s Canadian Cycling Magazine<\/em><\/a>. Sounds like neither really stress-tested it, so we don\u2019t know how well it works during a suction failure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How long do you have to pull over<\/strong> once suction starts failing?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cBecause of the redundant design, users have several minutes to pull over and address any issues. Suction is actively checked every 5 seconds,\u201d Alex Allen, the founder\u2019s son and new owner, tells The Verge<\/em> by email.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How do you know you\u2019ve got enough suction to begin with?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Each cup has a little push-button pump on the side, with a color-changing indicator once there\u2019s enough vacuum as well as detection in the app. But also, the company only advertises it for bikes weighing 35 pounds or less, mounted facing straight forward.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How many suction cups are monitored? <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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With the new $299 version, \u201cThe front three cups are actively monitored. The cups are actually strong enough that only one will keep the bike in place, but it is designed for redundancy and optimal stability.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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How do you know when it\u2019s failing? <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Smartphone notification, an alert in the app, and you can hook it up to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to monitor on your dash, too. It doesn\u2019t look like you can monitor exact pressure, images we\u2019ve seen either show \u201cgood suction\u201d or a warning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The app supports both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so you can monitor on your vehicle\u2019s dash if you want.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: Allen Bike<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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How about in about hot and cold weather? Suction cups can fail in each.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cExtremely reliable due to the real rubber blend material used for these cups,\u201d claims Allen. \u201cThis material is specifically chose to withstand a wide range of temperatures and has UV-resistant additives to extend life even in harsh conditions. Smart Suction Go has been real-world tested in Dubai, where temperatures frequently exceed 40C.\u201d He writes that the tested operating range is \u201c-15C to +60C.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Doesn\u2019t rubber break down over time?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cIn terms of lifespan, with typical consumer use the cups would generally be expected to provide about 7\u201310 years of service. Also, the cups themselves are fully replaceable if needed over time e.g., due to damage.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What prevents a bike from being rapidly stolen?<\/strong> I see the original version comes with a security strap\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\u201cThe Smart Suction Go SB05 does not include the security tether of the first version. It is primarily designed to only be used for transporting the bike, not for storing the bike on the vehicle,\u201d writes Allen. He also says disengaging the suction cups will trigger a notification in the app.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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A picture of the app.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: Allen Bike<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Both of the company\u2019s mounts take four standard AA batteries with \u201c6-8 hrs total active usage,\u201d according to Allen. \u201cProbably could drive from SF to LA \u2014 but if you get stuck in traffic on the way back, you might need to put some fresh batteries in. (If you don\u2019t have spares, most gas stations still carry AAs, no need for special CR2032 or anything,\u201d he adds.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Did Allen cut any other corners with the $299 version compared to the $599 original? <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The back suction cup isn\u2019t monitored, for one, and the company says some users might like how the original\u2019s aluminum bar can keep the cups the same distance from each other every time. Also, Allen says the company simply has remaining inventory of the original that still needs to be sold.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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I love the space-age meets hippy vibe of Allen\u2019s original patent drawings, featuring a Volkswagen Beetle.<\/em><\/figcaption>Image: USPTO<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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You said something about a camera mount?<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Yep. $70 for a single six-inch suction cup<\/a> with Bluetooth monitoring, standard threaded screw mount, double ball-head for angling, rated for up to 6.6 pounds of camera, lens, and accessories. Might take away a little anxiety when you\u2019re getting a fancy shot for your next film?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Image: Allen Bike<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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