Need a Fixie? Subaru Has the Perfect Bike For You

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Some things in life just fit too well together; like pancakes and syrup, chicken and waffles, or an outdoor bike and a Subaru. If we didn’t make you hungry with the first two pairs, maybe that last pairing sounds more enticing for you. If it does, then you’ll be happy to know that Subaru recently released a new single-speed bike that pairs well with any its SUV offerings.

The Subaru Duke II is a two-wheeled complement to a four-wheeled companion

Subaru Duke II Bicycle | Subaru

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Whether or not you can consider it a stereotype or just truth, many Subaru owners love to take part in the great outdoors. Whether it’s camping, skiing, kayaking, or biking, Subaru owners use their four-wheeled companions to go just about anywhere and do just about anything. But with the new Duke II bicycle, those owners can go even farther.

Of course, you would probably think that Subaru would offer buyers a mountain bike, but the Duke II is still a great two-wheeled transporter on paved roads. The Subaru Duke II is a single-speed bike that features front and rear hand brakes, bottle cage eyelets, and a “flip flop hub” for cruising as a single speed or on a Fixed Gear. The bike is made by Sole Bicycles and also offers the brand’s signature construction and only weighs 26 pounds.

According to Torque News, the Duke II is priced at $699 Canadian and around $569 in U.S. dollars, however, it’s not clear yet if Subaru of America is going to offer it to U.S. customers. For now, it can only be ordered on the Subaru Canada website.

A green 2021 Subaru Outback driving on a dirt road with bikes on the roof
2021 Subaru Outback | Subaru

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You’ll need something to carry the bike on your Subaru

Subaru Trailer Hitch Bike Rack
Subaru Trailer Hitch Bike Rack | Subaru

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In case you do end up buying a Subaru Duke II, then you’ll be happy to know that the automaker sells a couple of different racks in which to transport it. If you currently own or are planning to buy a Subaru SUV like a Forester, Crosstrek, or an Outback, then you can opt for either a roof-mounted carrier or hitch-mounted bike carrier.

The rooftop bike carrier is great if you want to access the rear cargo area without having the bikes in the way, however, it can be tougher to mount and dismount the bicycle. For an easier time, you can get a hitch-mounted bike rack that can store up to two bicycles. And while a hitch-mounted rack does hinder access to the rear cargo area, it’s also more user-friendly when it comes to mounting the bicycles.

Both mounts are manufactured by Thule and are priced at $199 for the roof-mounted rack and $399 for the hitch-mounted option.

Subaru Roof-Mounted Bike Rack
Subaru Roof-Mounted Bike Rack | Subaru

The Duke II and any Subaru SUV go together well

Just like biscuits and gravy or peanut butter and jelly, it’s easy to see that the Duke II bicycle pairs well with any Subaru SUV. If you currently own or planning to buy a Crosstrek, Outback, or Forester, then you’ll likely need one of the aforementioned racks to carry the bike in.

However, if you would rather buy the three-row Ascent, then you might just be able to fold the seats down and throw the bike in it. Either way, buying a bike and one of the most capable all-wheel-drive vehicles on the market sounds like a pretty enticing combination.

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How Many Miles Will a Kia Sportage Last?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Once a brand gets a bad reputation, it can be hard to convince people otherwise. That’s what Kia had to overcome as it improved its vehicles over the years. Rolling off production lines since the mid-’90s, the Kia Sportage compact SUV has benefited from the automaker’s improvements over the years. But how good is it? Let’s see how many miles you can expect one to last.

The Kia Sportage has become more reliable over the years

Kia used to be known for its bad vehicles. The first cars it sold in the United States in the 1990s were cheap and poorly built. So the company soon decided to invest billions in research, development, and manufacturing, The Drive reports.

Much has changed, and for more than 10 years, Kia vehicles have been well-made and dependable. The brand even rivals Toyota and Honda in reliability. Kia vehicles are also priced just slightly lower than Toyota, Honda, and sibling manufacturer Hyundai. But despite Kia vehicles’ higher quality, not all consumers are convinced of the brand’s improved reputation.

How long can a Kia Sportage last?

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The Sportage, like most current Kia models, can travel more than 200,000 miles if its well-maintained. In fact, the Sportage is among the brand’s most reliable models today. But it wasn’t always that way. The Sportage debuted for the 1995 model year, and it’s the “longest continuously used model name from Kia,” Carfax reports. In its early years, the Sportage, like other Kia vehicles, had issues with quality and assembly. It also experienced some mechanical problems.

Now in its fourth generation, Sportage models from the most recent three generations don’t have the old problems. That means it’s best to skip the first generation, produced from 1995 through 2002. The second generation appeared in 2005. The third generation arrived in 2011, and the fourth generation came out in 2017.

Kia backs up the Sportage’s reliability with its five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty and its 10-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty. Owners posting on CarGurus attest to high-mileage Sportage SUVs that still perform well. One owner boasts about a 2008 model with 215,000 miles. Another has a 2007 Sportage with 215,232 miles. A third owns a 2006 model with 240,000 miles.

Tips for making your Sportage last as long as possible

If you want your Kia Sportage to last 200,000 miles or more, you’ll need to schedule regular maintenance. Check the owner’s manual to see which services should be performed and when. Also, make sure to follow the oil change schedule to keep the engine in good shape.

And you should change various fluids and parts every 60,000 miles or 60 months. They include fuel filters, coolant, spark plugs, and brake fluid, Wilson Kia suggests. Change the air filter every 30,000 miles. And change the engine oil and oil filter every 6,000 miles or six months. But again, check your owner’s manual to be sure.

You should also take your Sportage to a service technician as soon as possible if you hear unusual noises or notice dents. Those sounds can turn into mechanical issues, and the dents can develop rust. Regular trips to the car wash can also help prevent rust by removing salt.

Your Kia Sportage will also last longer if you drive gently. That means not flooring it or braking hard. If you’re thinking of buying a used Sportage, have it checked out to confirm the previous owner took good care of it.

There’s no longer any concern with buying a new Kia vehicle. The Sportage is one of the brand’s most reliable models, and you can expect one to last for 200,000 miles or more. Owners who give their SUVs lots of love and care can expect it to live a long life.

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Tesla Cybertruck RV Add-on Pre-orders Hit $50 Million

by Gabrielle DeSantis

CyberLandr, the Tesla Cybertruck RV Add-on, is creating a stir. The founders of CyberLandr have more in mind than simply giving Tesla owners camping solutions. They want to shake up the RV industry completely. Moreover, it appears that buyers are ready for the change as pre-orders took off, exceeding the company’s expectations.

Tesla Cybertruck RV Add-on creates a futuristic RV

Both the Tesla Cybertruck and the CyberLandr appeal to the futurist in everyone. There’s nothing subtle about the sci-fi influence in every detail of Tesla’s pickup. Similarly, the CyberLandr perfectly compliments both the look and lifestyle of the Cybertruck. This is an RV unlike anything seen before, and that’s what it’s meant to be.

This RV brings an unprecedented level of technology to camping. A voice-activated and controlled kitchen sink sets the tone. Owners will be able to ask for exact measurements and temperatures with their natural speaking voice. Its closed refiltering water system means campers can pour freshwater directly down their sink and fill their holding tank.

CyberLandr fits in the bed of the Tesla Cybertruck and folds down flat, level with the pickup. It can easily be removed or installed to take full advantage of the Tela’s truck bed. This versatile accessory turns the Cybertruck into one of the most unique RVs on the market today.

CyberLandr creators say orders exceeded expectations

Tesla Cybertruck | Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

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2021 Ford Explorer Timberline announced the Tesla Cybertruck RV Add-on in early April. Subsequently, within the first 15 days of pre-orders opening, over 1,000 customers put down their deposit. This exceeded the designers’ expectations fivefold. This warm reception confirms what CyberLandr’s development team learned through focus groups: people are ready for high-tech ultra-compact RVs.

Based on projected pre-order sales and current numbers, Stream It, Inc. expects to have 10,000 units spoken for by 2022. The company has stated that it intends to manufacture the CyberLandr in Texas alongside the Cybertruck. Both the Cybertruck and CyberLandr have the same projected release timeline.

Stream It created a CGI marketing video depicting its features and function. Watching in real-time as the CyberLandr is reconfigured is essential to convey just how unique this concept is. CyberLandr solves many problems that conventional camper owners face.

An interesting parallel between Tesla and CyberLandr Creators

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Co-founders Lance King and Bill French have spoken publicly about their product and purpose. Some interesting parallels between the new RV maker and Tesla abound. The most superficial is that both have created cutting-edge consumer products that make incredible technology accessible to many.

Below the surface, a similar spirit binds the two companies. For example, both Tesla and Stream It began as software companies. Lance King commented that the best products are a marriage of software and hardware. In short, Tesla and CyberLandr combine experience in hardware and software design with customer experience in mind.

Tesla’s customer base is loyal and enthusiastic. Similarly, the Cyberlandr is already stirring up excitement. If pre-orders are any indicator, Stream It may enjoy similar devotion. Pre-orders are not the same as hard sales figures, but it’s safe to say the future looks bright for the futuristic travel solution. The Tesla Cybertruck RV Add-on is just the beginning.

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Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro Worth the Upgrade Cost?

by Gabrielle DeSantis

the Tacoma has tons of variants to offer, but it’s no secret that one of the fastest ways to make your Toyota Tacoma the biggest and baddest truck on the block is by going for the TRD Pro trim. But is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro worth the costs of upgrading? 

How much is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro? 

2021 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

You can get started in a 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro for about $44,075. The Toyota Tacoma SR, which is the base model, begins at about $26,150. So, paying an extra $17,925 could feel like a lot, but you do get tons of durable equipment to enhance the Tacoma’s performance and off-roading abilities. 

For 2021, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro didn’t change much. According to CarIndigo, the TRD Pro gained 18-inch black TRD alloy wheels that are wrapped in Nitti Terra Grappler tires. Also, the new 2021 TRD Pro color is Lunar Rock, which replaced the Army Green color. 

What comes with the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro package? 

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If you opt for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, then you get 2.5-inch Fox Internal Bypass Shock Absorbers that have been uniquely tuned for high-speed conditions and improved off-roading performance. The TRD-tuned springs provide an extra inch of lift in the front to match the Jeep Gladiator. 

You also get LED headlights, fog lights, and high beams, as well as a lockable rear differential. In the front, you’ll notice the TRD Pro skid plate, and in the rear, you’ll see a TRD Pro cat-back exhaust.

Interior features include leather upholstery with TRD badging, a sliding rear window with privacy glass, a 4.2-inch driver information display, multi-terrain panoramic view mirror, and more. 

The Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine that pumps out 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. It can be paired with a six-speed manual transmission and includes standard 4WD. 

Can you save with the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road? 

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma with a camper
2021 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

If you don’t want to spring for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro, you can save with the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road trim instead. The Off-Road trim begins at about $34,000, making it almost $10,000 cheaper than the TRD Pro. 

The TRD Off-Road variant comes with the same 3.5-liter V6 engine and can be equipped with the optional manual transmission. It’s also available in RWD or 4WD and can be purchased with the Double or Access cab. The TRD Pro is only available with the Double cab. 

With the TRD Off-Road model, you don’t get the hood scoop or the air dam, but you do get the lockable rear differential. Instead of the Fox shocks, you get Bilstein monotube shocks. Plus, the selectable off-road traction control system and crawl control mode are included. 

The TRD Off-Road is an inch shorter than the TRD Pro. However, you can add the TRD Lift Kit for about $1,450. This is the price of the equipment alone. You will also need to pay for it to be installed at a dealership. This process could take about five hours and add about $800 to $1,000 to the final price.

The Toyota Tacoma TRD is affordable, but the Off-Road trim can provide savings. Also, there are tons of after market mods to consider if you get a used option.

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