SeaSucker Mini Bomber

@BestBikeKit
Sep 15, 2017
3 min read

SeaSucker Mini Bomber keeping my DeRosa securely in place on the roof of my car

When you need to travel with your bike how do you bring it? Well, whenever I was heading to a Cycle I used to drop the back seats of my car and load the bike inside, which if you have ever done it you will know it's awkward and you are taking up valuable space. I progressed onto the standard boot mount bike rack but that meant straps needed adjusting, hooks that had to fit in place, and not to mention I was partially covering my cars rear lights and number plate. Then I seen a SeaSucker in a monthly cycling magazine and thought that is a great idea, being able to carry my bike on the roof without the need to buy a roof rack.

SeaSucker is based in Florida and they started out making accessories for boats based around vacuum-technology, they then progressed onto making bike racks. In there current line up they have racks that can carry anywhere from 1 to 3 bikes. The version I have is the Mini Bomber and this is able to carry two bikes.

In the box you get the following:

* Main part of the rack with 4 vacuum cups already attached

* 2 x vacuum cups for securing the rear wheels

* 1 x spare vacuum cup

* 2 x 9mm QR fork mounts

* Nuts, bolts and tools to assemble it

* Instruction manual and brochure

* Lube and two pieces of velcro for holding your cranks

What you get in the box

To start off you secure the 9mm QR fork mounts onto the main part of the rack (make sure you read the instructions first) and that is it assembled...

Nuts, Bolts, Tools & Lube included

Each vacuum cup has a white protective cover, remove this cover and make sure the surface that you are mounting it to is clean. Moisten either the cups or the surface that they are going onto - this will ensure a solid fit and a airtight seal.

On each vacuum cup there is a pump with a visible orange gauge on it, place the rack where you want it and start pumping. It doesn't take many pumps to secure it, but do make sure you keep pumping till the orange gauge disappears. This visual aid lets you know that the airtight seal is made.

Rear vacuum cup with Velcro strap, pump and orange pressure gauge

Next remove your front wheel and place your bikes forks into the 9mm QR fork mounts and tighten the skewer. Next move onto the back wheel, place the single vacuum cup (the one with the Velcro strap) under the back wheel. Repeat the steps from the front cups - pumping until the gauge shows you have an airtight seal. Place the Velcro strap over your wheel and that is it all done, you are ready to drive. Make sure you check the gauges frequently to make sure that the airtight seal is still made.

Bottom of the vacuum cup

9mm Quick Release Skewer to hold your bikes forks

Showing the rear wheel secured - note how the orange pressure gauge disappears when an air tight seal is achieved

It really is amazing how strong these vacuum cups are. There is no fear of them slipping, but do make sure you prepare them as per the instructions in the box. The whole process is effortless, and from start to finish it only takes a few minutes. Also, because it's not car specific like other options out there you can swap it from car to car easily.