1999 Media Releases Nov 99 - Bike Carrier Pedals Ahead Of Trends New designs in mountain bikes have led a New Zealand company to create a vehicle-mounted cycle carrier that is ahead of the latest trends. The new generation Ezi Grip II bike rack, made in New Zealand by Best Bars Limited, is designed to carry the latest mountain bikes sporting avant garde-styled frames, as well as conventional bikes. It’s an innovation that could help the Kiwi company to pedal into lucrative export markets. The Ezi Grip II features a tilting head that can be secured at any angle, thus accommodating mountain bikes with different styles of frames. It’s the only one of its type made in New Zealand. Like the popular first generation Ezi Grip, the new model can carry up to four bikes and also has a facility to attach a number plate on the end of the rack, where it can be seen by following traffic. For extra security, the Ezi Grip II now has lockable clamps to protect the bikes. When placed in the vertical position the clamps are ideal for carrying fishing rods and there is a separate bat-wing clamp model that can take snow skis. The Ezi Grip II bike rack is already on sale in New Zealand in bike and sports shops and Best Bars is hoping it will be appearing in retail stores overseas soon. Ezi Grip II was displayed at the recent giant Interbike exhibition in Las Vegas, where it drew keen interest from buyers and distributors attending from around the world. Best Bars Managing Director Michael Parker is upbeat about the chances of export success for the second generation Ezi Grip. He says: "The new Ezi Grip received many favourable comments from people at the show and we are currently holding talks about overseas rights with interested distributors. We are very pleased with the way Ezi Grip II has turned out. It looks good with its new yellow colour scheme, which is an important factor in attracting buyers in the first place, but it is also a very ingenious product. The new Ezi Grip is very versatile, being able to carry up to four bikes of conventional or latest fashion design and numerous fishing rods – we call it the ultimate lifestyle accessory. Ezi Grip II attaches to the tow bar of any vehicle and can be quickly installed or detached when not in use.