The next generation Thule Tour rack
(2016) MMK820 20161Innovation
- Abstract
- This report describes the development of a concept which aim was to improve one of Thule’s bike accessories known as the Thule Pack´n Pedal Tour Rack. The Tour Rack is a bicycle carrier rack which has a patented attachment system that virtually fits any type of bike. The Tour Rack can be used either as a front or rear rack and it includes rails for mounting panniers and baskets. Even though the Tour Rack is a popular product among Thule’s bike accessories it has received a couple of customer complaints. Based on these complaints and other identified weaknesses the aim was to create a concept that makes the Tour Rack safer to use, easier to install and remove, while also fitting an even greater range of bikes.
During the project it was... (More) - This report describes the development of a concept which aim was to improve one of Thule’s bike accessories known as the Thule Pack´n Pedal Tour Rack. The Tour Rack is a bicycle carrier rack which has a patented attachment system that virtually fits any type of bike. The Tour Rack can be used either as a front or rear rack and it includes rails for mounting panniers and baskets. Even though the Tour Rack is a popular product among Thule’s bike accessories it has received a couple of customer complaints. Based on these complaints and other identified weaknesses the aim was to create a concept that makes the Tour Rack safer to use, easier to install and remove, while also fitting an even greater range of bikes.
During the project it was discovered that the main issue people seemed to have with the Tour Rack was installing it in the correct way to prevent it from sliding down the frame as well as removing it easily.
To ensure that the new concept would focus on user needs both observations and user statements were gathered through user testing as well as by studying reviews. The identified user needs were translated into product requirements to act as a guidance when developing the concepts.
Through discussions and recommendations by Thule it was then decided which of the primary concepts to refine and evaluate further. This was done by creating and testing prototypes as well as CAD models.
The final concept contains solutions that makes the attachment hardware more user friendly as well as improving its ability to remain in place during the ride. To make the rack easier and more intuitive to remove, the original locking mechanism was improved together with its key. The final concept also contains solutions that allows the rack to be adjusted both in height and width to improve its compatibility with different types of bikes.
The final concept together with recommendations and observations during the project was considered to be a valuable input when designing the next generation Tour Rack at Thule. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/8884470
- author
- Bergman, Annika LU
- supervisor
-
- Damien Motte LU
- organization
- course
- MMK820 20161
- year
- 2016
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- language
- English
- id
- 8884470
- date added to LUP
- 2016-06-23 09:56:36
- date last changed
- 2016-06-23 09:57:24
@misc{8884470,
abstract = {{This report describes the development of a concept which aim was to improve one of Thule’s bike accessories known as the Thule Pack´n Pedal Tour Rack. The Tour Rack is a bicycle carrier rack which has a patented attachment system that virtually fits any type of bike. The Tour Rack can be used either as a front or rear rack and it includes rails for mounting panniers and baskets. Even though the Tour Rack is a popular product among Thule’s bike accessories it has received a couple of customer complaints. Based on these complaints and other identified weaknesses the aim was to create a concept that makes the Tour Rack safer to use, easier to install and remove, while also fitting an even greater range of bikes.
During the project it was discovered that the main issue people seemed to have with the Tour Rack was installing it in the correct way to prevent it from sliding down the frame as well as removing it easily.
To ensure that the new concept would focus on user needs both observations and user statements were gathered through user testing as well as by studying reviews. The identified user needs were translated into product requirements to act as a guidance when developing the concepts.
Through discussions and recommendations by Thule it was then decided which of the primary concepts to refine and evaluate further. This was done by creating and testing prototypes as well as CAD models.
The final concept contains solutions that makes the attachment hardware more user friendly as well as improving its ability to remain in place during the ride. To make the rack easier and more intuitive to remove, the original locking mechanism was improved together with its key. The final concept also contains solutions that allows the rack to be adjusted both in height and width to improve its compatibility with different types of bikes.
The final concept together with recommendations and observations during the project was considered to be a valuable input when designing the next generation Tour Rack at Thule.}},
author = {{Bergman, Annika}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{The next generation Thule Tour rack}},
year = {{2016}},
}