We’ve all been there, about to head out on an adventure and you need to carry a bit more than you can fit in the car. A roof rack with two trays works great to carry your bikes, but is not useful for much else. Why not add some utility to your roof rack by putting on a Kuat Vagabond X Roof Basket.
The Vagabond X is the newest roof basket model from Kuat and it is perfect for the multi-sport/outdoorsy person. It is one of the only baskets to feature built in bike mounts (2x fork mounts).
If you have a bike with a thru-axle hub you can mount it using any one of the many “fork up” adapters on the market. This would even allow you to mount fat bikes with their 150mm spacing!
If you have a rear rack from Kuat you know they include everything you need, in this case it is locks for the basket and a strap for securing the rear wheel to the rack that are included.
There is more than enough room for two bikes, wheels and gear. For example I went down and rode some single track then hit the river after. I had a bunch of muddy and wet gear I didn’t want to put in the car, with the Vagabond X I strapped them to roof. The basket has plenty of places to tie things down and keep your gear where you want it. The Vagabond X can carry up to 160 pounds and is a roomy 41″ x 52″.
One of the things I like most is the ability to throw your wheel on the roof rack.
Which I attach with some Voile straps. You can have two bikes on the roof with two wheels in between without issue.
The fairing is included and for me eliminated any noise that might be caused by a basket.
And lets be honest, it looks awesome. Where most other racks are a clunky-square-deal the Kuat Vagabond X just looks great.
The installation is a snap. I spent maybe 1 hour putting on the cross bars , towers and assembling the rack. It can be installed by one person. It would take even less time with an existing rack.
It uses a ingenious adaptable mount that can fit almost any crossbar, and the Vagabond X includes locks to prevent someone from ganking your roof basket.
If you are looking for a roof basket or even thinking of getting some new trays to carry your bikes, I would get the Vagabond X to add more utility and style than you’d get otherwise. This is a great basket/bike carrier, look no further if you are carrying gear on the top of your ride.
I have a Kuat NV 2.0 hitch rack and a Kuat NV original hitch mount rack. These racks have been on the cars in all season carting bikes around in the summer and fat bikes in the salt and snow. They still work perfectly and look great. I am sure the Vagabond X will last just as long.
Kuat Says: http://kuatracks.com/products/roof/vagabond-x/
Includes all the functionality of the Vagabond to get your bikes and gear on the road with ease, and we dare you to find a better-looking roof basket on the market. A bit showier than the original, the Vagabond X™ features locking mounts.
- Locking mounts provided
- 2 integrated 9mm front skewer mounts
- 160lb Load capacity
- 2 Bike – 50 lb max for each
- Silver decals on front and side
- Ability to add extension (Xtender) making the rack 73″ long
- 41″W x 52″L x 7″H
- Mounts to most factory and aftermarket roof bars
A bunch of my friends have and love their Vagabond racks; thinking about one for myself. And that's a great looking dirt Bug!
Thanks Doug! The Vagabond is pretty great, I say go for it!
-Joe