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Hornit Clug Pro

9
£25.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Beautifully simple but very effective storage solution
Simple to install
Minimal, low-profile design
Durable
Suits all wall types
Price
Minor issues at either end of fit range
Weight: 
34g
Contact: 

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

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The Hornit Clug Pro is an updated version of the lightweight, simple bike storage solution we reviewed back in 2018, now with added Fidlock magnetic winch for additional security. It is simple to install and easy to use, though the nature of the design does limit it to certain tyre widths.

There are five different sizes of the Clug Pro available, in the same ranges as the standard Clug, which should cover the majority of bike tyre sizes.

These are:

  • Roadie 23mm to 32mm (1 to 1.25in)
  • Hybrid 33mm to 43mm (1.3 to 1.7in)
  • MTB 44mm to 57mm (1.75 to 2.25in)
  • MTB XL 58mm to 69mm (2.3 to 2.7in)
  • Plus 70mm to 81mm (2.7 to 3.2in)
  • I've been testing both the Roadie and the MTB XL.

One thing to note: the size of the Clug refers to actual tyre size, not simply stated tyre size, so it's important to actually measure yours as this can vary greatly depending on the width of the rim and the brand of the tyre.

The Clug Pro is very minimal, even claiming a drop in weight over the standard version, though even as an ardent weight weenie I cannot think why lighter would be an important factor here.

Easy to fit

It fits to the wall in exactly the same way as the standard version, with the packaging acting as a very neat guide for marking the wall to drill and attach the Clug; the base secures to the wall, and the smooth gripper section clicks into it.

Screws and plastic wall plugs are included, suitable for a stone wall, or the Clug Pro can be attached directly to a wooden stud wall, as I did.

2022 Hornit Clug Pro MTB XL Mounted.JPG

When deciding where to put the Clug – up high, with the bike sitting on its rear wheel, or lower down, with both wheels on the floor – just be aware that the Clug isn't designed to take the full weight of a bike. Hornit says the Clug Pro is able to hold 30kg, but this is referring to the magnetic strength of the Fidlock, not the Clug's ability to hold that weight off the ground.

2022 Hornit Clug Pro Roadie Fitted.JPG

It took me less than five minutes to fit; it's a very simple process, with the guide on the packaging helping to reduce the chances of making a mistake when drilling. Hornit also has a very informative video on its website for anyone at all unsure.

2021 Hornit Clug Pro Roadie 4.jpg

One very minor gripe is the provision of Phillips screws rather than Pozidriv, although this is perhaps intentional, to prevent over-torquing the screws when installing.

In use

I've used the Roadie version with multiple different bikes and tyres, all above 30mm actual width and close to but below the upper limit of 32mm. When pushing the tyres into place they don't simply slot in – a little force or twisting is required to get past the bulge in the gripper.

2022 Hornit Clug Pro Roadie Mounted 2.JPG

The original Clug does a great job of holding a tyre, but it's not foolproof – if a bike gets knocked the wheel could be pulled out, or if a tubeless tyre or latex tube loses air the wheel could end up falling out of the Clug...

The Pro essentially ties the wheel in place, using a fabric cord held in place by Fidlock's magnetic winch. It works incredibly well, with the magnet that feels like a ratchet in use being strong enough to hold fast (up to 30kg, according to Hornit, as I mentioned earlier), but very easy to pull open to release when you want to remove your bike.

2022 Hornit Clug Pro Roadie Fitted 3.JPG

I used the Clug Pro with a deep-section rim and a 30mm tyre, and there is sufficient length in the cord to be able to do this. If you have shallower rims, you can shorten it so less winching is required, but be aware that once you cut the cord there is no going back. (There is no requirement to do this, it'll just mean more winching.)

2021 Hornit Clug Pro Roadie 3.jpg

For tyres that are close to the upper limit, you might not feel you need the lock – I found it very stable and secure without – but for tyres towards the smaller end of the range, the Fidlock is certainly useful. When testing the MTB XL version with a tyre that measured up at the lowest recommended size of 2.3in, without employing the Fidlock there was lots of movement within the gripper, allowing the bike to move slightly both fore/back and sideways. Using the Fidlock, it squeezed the edges of the gripper in and gave a much more secure hold on the wheel.

2022 Hornit Clug Pro MTB XL Fitted2.JPG

And for any bike with tyres that might lose pressure over time, including latex tubes, or those being held in place for a long time without use, the cord and Fidlock will hold the wheel even if the tyre goes completely flat.

One thing to bear in mind, you’ll need to be able to get hold of the Fidlock winch to feed it through the wheel, and if space is tight it can be tricky (even more so if your wheels have high spoke counts).

Value

At £25.99 for the Roadie, Hybrid and MTB sizes, increasing to £27.99 for the MTB XL and Plus, the Clug Pro is quite expensive for such a small item, especially when compared to more basic bike storage options.

2021 Hornit Clug Pro MTB XL 1.jpg

If appearance or space aren't considerations then a simple hook will likely function fine for less money, but where the Clug Pro works brilliantly is areas where space is a factor, or where a minimal design is more welcome, such as within a home or office space, taking up almost no space when a bike is not in place.

> Buyer’s Guide: 12 of the best bike storage systems

Whether the Pro is worth the extra £11 over the standard version without a Fidlock is more difficult, but it does add extra security, especially useful if you are at the lower end of the tyre width range and also in the event of a tyre deflation.

Overall

If simplicity and looks aren't important, there are much cheaper options for storing your bike, but where space is at a premium, or looks matter, the Clug Pro is a brilliant solution, with little to fault. The Fidlock function adds cost on top of the standard Clug, but for many, the extra security and reassurance this provides will be worth it.

Verdict

Beautifully simple but very effective storage solution

road.cc test report

Make and model: Hornit Clug Pro Roadie

Size tested: suitable for road and touring bikes with tyres between 23-32mm

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Hornit says: 'Designed in collaboration with FIDLOCK, the CLUG PRO utilises an innovative magnetic winch handle and ratchet system to ensure your bike always stays secure. Working with your floor to store your bike either vertically or horizontally, the CLUG roadie is suitable for road and touring bikes with tyres between 23-32mm. Mounting in minutes using the screws and wall plugs provided, the roadie can be fixed on brick wall, drywall or stud.'

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Hornit gives this extra info:

5 SIZES TO CHOOSE FROM

We designed the CLUG PRO to be a great fit with just about every bike tyre out there. With five sizes to choose from (identical to the original CLUG), the CLUG PRO range is compatible with tyres between 23-81mm (1-3.2').

2 YEAR WARRANTY

CLUG PRO is made from a durable ABS polymer, tested for 10,000 insertions and comes with a 2-year warranty as standard.

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
7/10

No problems to date.

Rate the product for value:
 
5/10

£10 more than the standard Clug for the Fidlock system.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It works very well, holding the bike in place securely, and while the Fidlock mechanism might not be required for all tyre sizes within the range supported, it helps for the smaller end of the range and adds a little extra security.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Simple to install and very minimal profile on the wall when not in use.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Tyres at the lower end of the size range can wobble a little within the mount, but the Fidlock here is a big help. At the wider end, initial fit is a little trickier and needs more persuasion to get the tyre into the Clug.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

It's over a tenner more than the standard Clug at £14.99, and it's £1 more than the Delta hinged bike hook, which is more versatile with bike fit but not as small or low profile.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes, I will be buying more.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

The Clug Pro is excellent, simple to install, super-secure, with the only very slight downside being the extra price over the standard version.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 35  Height: 168  Weight: 62

I usually ride:   My best bike is: Cannondale SystemSix

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Every day  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, cyclo cross, sportives, mtb, Lots of gravel style riding

Matt is an endurance nut who loves big rides and big events. He's a former full-time racer and 24hr event specialist, but now is also happy riding off-road on gravel bikes or XC mountain bikes and exploring the mountains and hills of Mid Wales.

Add new comment

5 comments

Avatar
Mybike | 2 years ago
0 likes

From my 5 $ garage sale bike to my 1000$ commuter all the way up to my 5000 +$ Cervelo  A little red hook from the dollar store does the job. Works with mudgards too 

Avatar
vthejk | 2 years ago
4 likes

Worth pointing out that, if this mount necessitates you to rest your back wheel on the floor (or is less secure with both wheels off the floor) then it's no longer suitable for bikes with full mudguards, just like most bike hangers in British trains.

Avatar
wycombewheeler replied to vthejk | 2 years ago
1 like

vthejk wrote:

Worth pointing out that, if this mount necessitates you to rest your back wheel on the floor (or is less secure with both wheels off the floor) then it's no longer suitable for bikes with full mudguards, just like most bike hangers in British trains.

bike hangers on british train which also do not fit bikes with wide tyres, or bikes with deep section rims, leaving a small subset of bikes which can actually be stored as intended

Avatar
mdavidford replied to wycombewheeler | 2 years ago
4 likes

You misunderstand - all bikes can be stored as intended - which is not on the train.

Avatar
Matt Page replied to vthejk | 2 years ago
0 likes

vthejk wrote:

Worth pointing out that, if this mount necessitates you to rest your back wheel on the floor (or is less secure with both wheels off the floor) then it's no longer suitable for bikes with full mudguards, just like most bike hangers in British trains.

While it might be true to have it completely vertical, you would be able to have the bike at an angle. The exact angle depends on the mudguard and how long they are.

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