In addition, Kuat included extras like integrated cable and receiver locks and a unique bike stand for quick repairs at the trailhead (note: this piece is not locked to the rest of the rack, so we often stored the stand inside our vehicle). The good news is that the majority of road and mountain bikers wont have a problem at allevery platform rack on our list can fit 26- to 29-inch wheels and 3-inch and under tires. If you want a do-everything rack, we recommend the brands T2 Pro XTR above. And with rapidly changing technology and an ever-growing Not long ago, mountain bikers didnt have a choice when it came to wheel sizes26 inches was the only option. Type: PlatformWeight: 52 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Sleek design and sturdy ratcheting arms.What we dont: Pricier than the Thule T2 above without enough to show for it. The tubing and trays have a durable metal construction, though there is a fair amount of plastic on this rack. Racks that include a separate cable lock that you need to store in your vehicle are less appealing, and in those cases, we prefer to purchase our own metal U-lock. Type: PlatformWeight: 52 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Loaded with features, well-built, and easy to use.What we dont: Expensive and a bit heavy. There are two main receiver hitch sizes1.25-inch and 2-inchand it goes without saying that you should verify which one you have on your vehicle prior to purchasing a rack. while Yakima claims the Dr. Tray comes in at just 34 lb. The T2 Pro XT takes up a lot of space when stored, and moving it around on a regular basis is not all that enjoyable since it weighs 51 lbs. Saris may not be as popular as Yakima and Thule, but theyve carved out a nice segment of the market with their competitive prices and creative designs. Wheel size and tire width arent major considerations when choosing a hanging rack, but those that opt for the platform style will want to verify their bikes will fit in the included trays. Comparing common bike-carrying alternatives, there isnt a style that offers as much convenience, capacity, or compatibility with such a wide range of vehicles (provided you have a receiver hitch). It also takes a fair amount of effort to get the bikes into a place (a downside of the tall design). Hitch-mounted bike rack weights vary widely, from the 14-pound Kuat Beta to the burly 63-pound RockyMounts BackStage. Moreover, theres no option to add an extension to the XT 2, which means that two bikes are your hard ceiling and youll need to buy another rack if you want to carry more. The second accessory lock is for the receiver hitch, which typically is found on the hitch pin or integrated into the bottom of the rack. Assembly. To check, you can look your bike up online and search for a geometry chart, as bike manufacturers almost always call out the wheelbase. Taking the place of the top-selling XT, the XTR adds a set of wheels at the base for easier shuttling to and from a garage, but the rest of the design remains exactly the same (which is a good thing). Another quibble we have is that the lock is not integrated into the rack, which is a handy feature that we appreciate on the Thule T2 Pro above and Yakima Dr.Tray below. (inner); 35 lbs. . Thule. This handle is located on the bottom of the main arm of the rack and is incredibly easy to access with the rack in either the up or down position. Thules latest addition to their platform hitch collection is the high-end Helium. If youre searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted racks are the way to go. Note: The Helium is discounted at the time of publishing, as an updated Helium Platform XT has been released. As with any product, there are bound to be compromises. As an example, heres a link to a technical drawing for Kuat's NV 2.0 hitch rack. With generous spacing between the bikes on the . The mounting brackets for the trays are snug, so once you position the trays it holds them securely while you insert and tighten down the hardware. Type: HangingWeight: 14 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Smart mix of weight, strength, and features.What we dont: Only offered in a two-bike capacity. The premium vertical hanging rack market has seen a major uptick recently, and Yakima has thrown their hat into the ring with a couple models. Tilting racks allow you to open the cargo door on most SUVs, hatchbacks, and trucks, but swing-away designs take access to the next level. I paid $225 for my 2 bike monorail from BC but I don't think that deal will happen again. Transfer V2 3 Bike Hitch Rack. You also miss out on niceties like a padded strap to limit scuffs on the rear wheel, plus the simplistic design doesnt allow as much side-to-side adjustability to minimize potential contact between bikes. Otherwise, we feel good about the overall durability of the MonoRail but it can't match the bombproof all-metal construction of the 1Up USA, or the sturdy design of the Kuat NV 2.0. What are the downsides of the Recon R6? Bike racks in general have very similar feature sets, and one common upgrade that you see on mid-range and premium designs are locks. Hanging racks are a popular way to transport bikes without needing to lift them overhead onto the roof of your vehicle, and they typically also offer more capacity out of the box than platform designs. But were willing to deal with the added weight because of the benefits of a sturdier construction that carries bikes more securely and lasts longer. Its worth noting that these add-ons are usually only compatible with the 2-inch receiver version of the racks due to the low maximum tongue weight of 1.25-inch receivers. It wont impact most folks, but larger mountain bikers on big, modern downhill-oriented models will want to verify this piece of information. Further, as we touched on above, there are limitations with the arm design if youll be hauling bikes with different wheelbases (for example, a long-travel adult mountain bike and a kids bike). I'll second the Saris Superclamp EX2, I've been using one all year and it's great! One of the main reasons to get a hanging-style rack is for occasional family outings, and a four- or five-bike model is often ideal for those trips. In getting the Dr.Trays weight down to an impressive 34 pounds, Yakima did unfortunately have to compromise the stout feeling typically associated with platform racks. Order the RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack here with FREE delivery: https://www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-racks/rockymounts-monorail-2-inch/The MonoRail is . Kuat figured the problem was too much tire sticking out side of my small car and sent me extra wheel straps. Overall, we prefer the platform style for its ease of loading and superior all-around stability, but high-capacity hanging models are the clear leaders in terms of value. That said, the Transfer packs in a surprising number of features for the price, including a solid weight capacity (60 lbs. In addition, the bikes are closer together than on a platform rack and are more prone to swaying and coming into contact with one another while driving. This unique hitch-mounted rack takes a different approach to carrying bikes: its baskets hold the front wheel high while the rest of the bike hangs below. Securing your precious cargo is a concern for many cyclists and RockyMounts has a made a solid effort to provide the user with security features on the MonoRail. $648.95 Rating: Color: Black . One of the reasons that the Thule T2 Pro XTR took the top spot on our list is its ability to fit so many bike styles straight out of the box. For group rides, shuttling, tour companies, or if you simply want to maximize your carrying capacity, 1UP's Recon Rack 6 is worth a serious look. This is an excellent reasonably priced option. As stated above, these wheel size and tire width issues wont be a problem for a lot of ridersits often easier to store a small kids bike inside the vehicle, for examplebut its a good thing to have in mind as youre narrowing your rack search. Type: PlatformWeight: 32 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 35 lbs.What we like: An inexpensive yet surprisingly reliable way to carry two bikes.What we dont: Not the most user-friendly design and the ratcheting arms scuff bike frames. What the Helium is lacking, however, is versatility. Quick View. Platform-style hitch racks also are among the most expensive options on the market, with prices of leading designs like the Thule T2 Pro XTR and 1Up Heavy Duty Double clearing $600. Like the RockyMounts BackStage above, the racks calling card is its swing-away feature that provides easy access to the vehicle. It's similar to many of the other racks in this test in terms of its width of 56", but it's compact in comparison for its height of only 26.5". This cable isn't permanently attached to the rack in any way so it's quite easy to loop it through your bike frames. Simply pull the blue handle up to release the rack and move it into whatever position you like, up, down, or tilted down. Further, you get included bike locks, a receiver lock, and its secure strap system is one of the best in the business. While not necessarily inexpensive, a quality hanging rack like the Yakima RidgeBack 2 comes in at about half the price of a platform model with the same capacity. The RockyMounts MonoRail 1.25 Inch Bike Rack is one of the few racks which provides full vehicle rear-access with all your bikes locked and loaded! Out of the box the MonoRail family has the widest carrying capacity of our line up, due to their ability to fit up to a 5" fat bike tire. In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikesthe lever is hidden away under the rack. Type: PlatformWeight: 32 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Lighter than most other platform-style racks.What we dont: Long-term durability concerns. This rack costs less and outperforms than many racks that cost more. 1 color. The rack secures the bike by the front tire, so there's no contact with the frame. With a weight capacity of only 37.5 pounds per bike, you wont be able to haul electric models or some heavier cruisers. The Superclamp 2 is very easy to use. Kuat Transfer Universal 2 Bike Hitch Mount, CURT Manufacturing 13316 Class 3 Trailer Hitch. Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with trends like 29-inch wheelsand more recently, 27.5-inch wheelsblazing the trail for bikes that are better and more Sweden-based Thule is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of car racks and bike accessories, and the T2 Pro XTR is their core hitch-mounted offering. It's the 2.0. Rocky Mounts MonoRail 2-Bike Hitch Rack 4.4 30 Reviews Item #116550 Black $499.95 Color: Black Size: 2 IN Quantity Ship to address $30 oversize shipping Pick up in store or curbsideFREE Find this item in store Members get an estimated $50.00 back on this item. It's highly adaptable, with well-designed wheel trays and included ladder strap extenders that can accommodate everything from narrow road tires to 5-inch fat bike behemoths. Plus, the optional 2-Bike Add-On (for another $550) doubles its capacity. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. In testing, weve found that weight-saving models like the Yakima Dr.Tray and Kuat Sherpa 2.0 have their fair share of compromises in carrying ability and longevity. Code: RKY10002 113 reviews Retail: $813.76 Our Price: $769.95 Quantity: Product Specs: Hitch Bike Racks Platform Rack Fold-Up Rack Swing-Away Rack Tilt-Away Rack Our favorite lever style on a platform rack is found on Thules T2 Pro XTR, which has a large handle conveniently located at the end of the rack. Our favorite bike locks are those that are integrated into the rack, which makes it very convenient to quickly deploy them when needed. That said, if you wont be using your rack all that often or will need to remove it by yourself with some regularity, a lightweight design like the Beta is a perfectly reasonable choice. Others, like the RockyMounts WestSlope 3, are almost unreachable when bikes are loaded, because the handle is tucked away too close to the receiver hitch. A friend had the Yakima 2-Timer and I wanted to carry up to 4 bikes. It takes a few minutes but it certainly isn't difficult to put together. Once you have this number you can compare it against the max wheelbase spec for the rack you're interested in purchasing. Compare RockyMounts MonoRail vs Yakima HoldUp Bike | etrailer.com Select Make RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount Mouseover to zoom. Hitch racks is a competitive space, but what really sets the T2 Pro XTR apart from the field is material quality and the sheer number of features it offers. My bikes would shake all over the place at highway speed on my Transfer. Placing the main body of the rack into the receiver on your vehicle is a good way to approach attaching the wheel trays, it's like having an extra set of hands to hold it steady for you. RockyMounts MonoRail Review A versatile hitch-mount rack that provides a high price to performance ratio $500 at REI Price: $540 List Manufacturer: RockyMounts By Jeremy Benson Apr 29, 2019 78 OVERALL SCORE RANKED #3 of 17 Ease of EveryDay Use - 20% 8.0 Ease of Removal and Storage - 20% 7.0 Versatility - 20% 9.0 Security - 20% 8.0 In this photo, you can see both hitch pin locks. But its hard to ignore the RidgeBacks track record of reliable performance, which makes it our top hanging hitch rack.See the Yakima RidgeBack 4. The trays come mostly assembled, putting the pieces together is relatively intuitive, and the included instructions are simple to follow. What sets the design apart is its versatility and ease of use: Unlike the North Shore Racks below, the HangTight is compatible with drop bar bikes, which is a great feature for those that mix disciplines (note: a max of three drop bar bikes can be loaded at a time on the HangTight 4). As the name indicates, tilting racks can be leaned over by pulling a lever that moves the rack far enough down to allow you to open the rear hatch or tailgate of your vehicle. super easy to use, fairly compact and lightweight, no frame contact, has security cables (although probably not that secure). When the RockyMounts BackStage was released, the rack created quite a stir in the industry. Choosing a Hitch Rack for Carbon Fiber Bikes, Back to Our Hitch Bike Rack Comparison Table. Its the only one that can both accommodate 20- to 29-inch wheels and tires up to 5 inches wide (the only incompatible size is a 27.5-inch fat bike). That said, for serious riders, the added weight and cost are well worth the security and ease of use of this style. This means youll want to avoid the standard hanging rack category, as models like the Yakima Ridgeback secure the bike with straps directly over the top tube. The rack comes with ladder strap extensions to secure fat bike tires in the rear wheel trays. In short, releasing a pin allows them to open like an arm, pivoting the entire rack to the side of the vehicle. As a result, we experienced scuffing and wear after some drives on rough forest service roads (the good news is that we were able to resolve the issue by adding foam spacers). Hanging hitch racks are a popular way to transport road or lightweight bikes without the need to lift them overhead and onto the roof of your vehicle. To help with bike-to-bike interference, RockyMounts utilized a tiered design, which means each bike sits at a different height (the one closest to the vehicle is lowest and they step up higher as they move away). RockyMounts. The SuperClamp EX 4 is one of their leading platform-style racks that differs from our top picks above with its ability to carry four bikes on a set of two platforms (rather than having only one bike on a platform). RockyMounts makes a full line of bike racks and accessories. Weve found the arm that locks over the front tire is prone to sticking, and our rack has developed a fair amount of squeaking over time (granted, we keep it on our vehicle year-round). During testing we found the MonoRail to be a highly versatile rack. 1 color. Type: PlatformWeight: 43 lbs.Number of bikes: 2What we like: High-end look and feel, reasonably light, and user-friendly.What we dont: Low max weight capacity (especially for the price). Weve also been impressed with the Heliums build: even loaded down with two 30+ pound mountain bikes on very bumpy forest service roads, the rack and bikes stayed in place with only minimal movement. Further, the Recons burly build is extremely heavy (the two boxes that ship to you exceed 100 pounds total), which makes it difficult to set up and remove. In particular, the thin arms that secure the front wheels feel flimsy and cheap and dont lock the bikes as solidly into place as others. All that said, it's hard to overlook the beauty and level of craftsmanship of the 1Up. All told, we think its worth the extra investment to get the more versatile and durable 1UP Recon Rack above.See the North Shore Racks NSR 4-Bike. In addition, the EasyFold is among the simplest to store: the platforms sides fold upwards in half and an integrated handle allows you to carry the rack short distances with one hand. I had a 700c city bike on there last week and it works well with the 2" 26'er, plus bikes or fat, it's hauled them all. The Yakima HoldUp EVO is exceptionally easy to load and will hold just about any 24+ bike you have in your arsenal. Read our full review below for all the details! There arent major differences between styles in terms of functionality, although weve found the integrated type is a little easier to use. 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