The clamp itself is easy to tighten down onto your wheel and just as easy to release with the large blue lever on the handle. For those who tend to keep a bike rack on their vehicle at most (or all) times, the Yakima HoldUp Evo folds up and out of the way. And as mentioned above, all of the components on the Thule are extremely well-made, which makes the investment worth it over time. The vertical orientation also means you have to reach up to load them, and their tall profiles take up a lot of real estate on the back of your vehicle. And as with the RidgeBack above, a top tube adapter is necessary if youll be hauling bikes with irregularly shaped top tubes (which unfortunately is most full-suspension bikes nowadays). In addition, there are no add-ons available, so two bikes are the max you can carry (a Helium Platform 1-Bike is also offered for $500). In the end, this feature can have a huge impact on overall convenience, and we call it out whenever possible in the write-ups above. The rack secures the bike by the front tire, so there's no contact with the frame. The well-sorted design is compatible with both 1.25- and 2-inch receivers (a big plus for swapping between vehicles), very secure with arms that quickly lock over the tires, and light enough to move in and out of a garage without too much effort. 44lbs and 2oz, right about average for weight, and this includes the hitch pin and cable lock. That may work for city, hybrid and road bikes but for lots of newer mtbs that have curved top tubes it will not hold well, this is why you see most dedicated mtb holders clamp at the wheel! Among the options on the market, Yakimas RidgeBack is a long-time favorite: it features a durable build, reasonable price, and anti-sway design that limits bike movement while on the road. super easy to use, fairly compact and lightweight, no frame contact, has security cables (although probably not that secure). *Editor's Note: "Capacity" refers to weight capacity per bike. What the Helium is lacking, however, is versatility. Moreover, there is very little space between the bikes when theyre loaded, which can lead to rubbing and damage to the paint. That's because RockyMounts isn't trying to reinvent the wheel with its Monorail lineup. 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. 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. Featuring moveable tray platforms, an easy-to-use tilt-down lever that resembles the one on Thules T2 Pro above, and a total weight that undercuts our top picks by 10 to 15 pounds, the rack has a lot going for it. RockyMounts GuideRail FROM: $849.95 Pick a Style Compare 4 Options By Kuat Kuat NV 2 Bike Rack FROM: $849.00 Pick a Style Compare By Yakima Yakima FullSwing Bike Rack $698.95 $699.00 Add To Cart Compare 2 Options By Thule Thule Helium Pro Bike Rack (Member Deal Available) FROM: $424.96 $499.95 Pick a Style Compare By Thule 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. The listings for each design will specify the maximum carrying capability per bike. The Rockymounts bike rack comes with a braided steel cable that you use to secure your bike. There are notable outliers, however, including the innovative 1UP Recon Rack 6, which can accommodate six bikes in a vertical hanging position. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. Further, we think Yakima has the best cradle system, which includes ratchet-style straps to securely hold the bikes top tube to 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. and can even accommodate a fat bike with an adapter (sold separately). I didn't expect to like it this much. 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. British Columbia-based North Shore Racks is known for being one of the original companies to offer high-capacity hanging models that are worthy of shuttle days and rough roads. GearLab is reader-supported. During testing we found the MonoRail to be a highly versatile rack. Rockymounts Monorail Solo can be adjusted to fit various bike sizes. If you have any interest in carrying a fat bike, the primary selling point for me was that it carries everything from fat to road bikes with no modification. If you want a do-everything rack, we recommend the brands T2 Pro XTR above. Reflecting the growing popularity of heavy e-bikes and large fat bikes, Thule released the EasyFold XT 2. Code: RKY10004-10005 230 reviews Our Price: $739.90 Quantity: Product Specs: Hitch Bike Racks Platform Rack Tilt-Away Rack Fold-Up Rack Carbon Fiber Bikes Adding the swing-away functionality to a hitch-mounted rack does come with compromises. The trays are also designed to have about 2 inches of side to side adjustment, so be sure to take the time to position them so your bikes don't conflict in transit. Type: PlatformWeight: 43 lbs.Number of bikes: 3 (available in a 2-bike version)Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Great price for a solid three-bike tray design.What we dont: Low on features. Lightweight and looks good. Their top-end option is the HangTight, which is offered in four- and six-bike capacities (we tested the former). After shopping others that secured bikes in a similar way, I just went by price at the time and got the 4-timer at 20% off. Not surprisingly, the Thule comes with a steep $800 price tag. And with the exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike racks have this functionality. We experienced zero issues, however, with any of this rack's moving parts despite a fair amount of wet spring drives and leaving it on the back of one tester's truck for several weeks on end. Compare RockyMounts BackStage vs Yakima FullSwing | etrailer.com Select Year Select Make RockyMounts BackStage Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount Mouseover to zoom. RockyMounts makes a full line of bike racks and accessories. It also takes a fair amount of effort to get the bikes into a place (a downside of the tall design). Platform Rack Add-Ons Got feedback? 1 color. This is a similarly user-friendly design to the tilt handle found on the Thule T2 Pro. The T2 Pros user-friendly tilt feature is best-in-class, providing quick and easy access to the rear of the vehicle, and its versatile carrying system accommodates everything from fat bikes to 20-inch kids models (no adapters needed). JavaScript is disabled. For each bike, arms secure over the tires (no concerns about frame contact), and wheel straps serve as backup for hauling heavier e-bikes, models with fenders, or if you have bikes with very different wheelbases. In short, if you plan to use your rack a lot or keep it on your vehicle even in the rainy seasons, its well worth paying for a premium design. It wont impact most folks, but larger mountain bikers on big, modern downhill-oriented models will want to verify this piece of information. While traversing bumpy roads and uphill inclines, our RockyMounts bike racks will keep your two-wheeled friend secure all the way to your final destination. On the other hand, racks like the $145 Swagman XC2 that use a lot of plastic or cheap, thin metal, will be prone to rusting out or breaking down over time. 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). If you can score a coupon, it makes these more reasonable. 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. Thule recently updated their popular T2 Pro, but the latest model retains its title as our favorite hitch-mounted rack thanks to its complete feature set and premium build. Plus, a 1-Bike Add-On is available for a reasonable $159 to provide even more carrying abilities. MonoRail Platform Hitch Rack. It takes a few minutes but it certainly isn't difficult to put together. Carries 1 bike, up to 60 lbs. The only boat-rocking standouts are the single-bike version and the aftermarket one-bike add-on. 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. Kuat. My bikes would shake all over the place at highway speed on my Transfer. Well start with the positives: the NSR 4 is a proven product that securely holds bikes in place, the highly adjustable design ensures the rack will work with a wide variety of vehicle types, and its one of the few models out there that minimally affects ground clearance by keeping the bikes close to the back of your car. Hanging-style racks are known for their simplicity and affordable price tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend. Theres no getting around the fact that quality platform-style racks are expensive, but those looking to save should check out Kuats Transfer v2. 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. Once you've got the cable configured how you want it, the metal fitting on the end of the cable slides onto the pin at the main pivot of the platform and gets locked on with the 2nd hitch pin lock. Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on) Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs. Equally impressive is that this ultralight rack is still rated to carry 80 pounds total (40 pounds per bike). The ramps are quick to deploy, do a nice job guiding the bikes up and down, and store easily on the rack while driving. At 32 pounds, its a whopping 20 pounds less than the Kuat NV 2.0 above, which makes it a whole lot easier to install and remove from your vehicle. Since there is no frame contact to secure the bikes in the rack it can hold any style of bike and won't damage your frame's paint in any way. As with any product, there are bound to be compromises. But once 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market, the debate amongst bikers took off and has continued ever since. 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. For riders who want a premium design and typically carry traditional road and mountain bikes, 1Up's Heavy Duty Double is a great choice. $549.00. And, to assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. It was one of the first platform racks to incorporate a side-swinging mechanism into the design (think of an arm that swings away from your vehicle to allow for total access to the rear of your car). 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 We much prefer the lighter weight racks anytime we have to move them by hand as they are far less cumbersome than heavier models like the Thule T2 Pro at 51 lbs, or the Kuat NV 2.0 which weighs a whopping 57 lbs 10 oz. 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. That being said, the two-bike version is among the most expensive on the market at a hefty $805.See the 1Up USA Heavy Duty Double. 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. Further, you get included bike locks, a receiver lock, and its secure strap system is one of the best in the business. $10.21 shipping. The locking hitch pins that are included with the rack are probably the least durable feeling part of the whole package. $598.00 (1) RockyMounts. The rear wheel cradle is attached on a hinge so it does have some adjustment, the RockyMounts website claims it can fit wheelbases from 34" to 49". Type: PlatformWeight: 45 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 65 lbs.What we like: Integrated ramps for loading and unloading e-bikes.What we dont: Very expensive. From road bikes to fat tire bikes (up to 4.8 tires) to mountain bikes, the HoldUp EVO was designed to carry a wide range of bike styles - without the need for any adapters. If you have a traditional road bike or hardtail mountain bike, youre probably safethe triangular frame with a fairly level top tube will fit great on a hanging rack. $648.95 Rating: Color: Black . The tire cradles themselves are well designed with a curved shape and a narrow groove down the center that holds skinny road bike tires all the way up to 5" wide fat bike treads. 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. Unfortunately, these straps often can lead to scuffing and scraping over timefor those that love their bikes, this is a deal breaker. A final scenario is where a specific rack simply cant fit a certain wheel or tire size. Type: HangingWeight: 35 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in 2- and 5-bike versions)Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Proven, affordable way to haul 4 bikes.What we dont: Bikes are very close together when loaded; needs an adapter to carry step-through bikes. The big news here is the included ramps that allow you to push your bikes onto the platforms rather than having to lift them off the ground. I paid $225 for my 2 bike monorail from BC but I don't think that deal will happen again. 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. Along with sturdy materials and a very intuitive instruction manual (a rarity on the market), theres a lot to like with the mid-range WestSlope. As expected, 2-inch receivers can handle more weight, which is a consideration if youre planning on hauling a heavy platform rack with some 50+ pound e-bikes aboard. Note: The Helium is discounted at the time of publishing, as an updated Helium Platform XT has been released. If youre able to spend up, we recommend the $449 Kuat Transfer v2 2 above, which addresses most of these issues.See the Swagman XC2. Platform racks dominate this round-up, and in our opinion, are the best way to transport your bikes. Our biggest complaint with the Beta is that Kuat doesnt offer a higher-capacity version. The finish seems to be improved with almost no surface rust at this point (wish we could say the same for the hardware), it carries most of your every day bikes super fast and easy, and is capable of holding 4 bikes with the HoldUp 2+ (2 inch . VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. One of these hitch pin locks is for the hitch pin itself, the other is for the cable lock system (more on that below). 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. RockyMounts Splitrail LS Review RATING: Exceptional MSRP : $599 BEST FOR: Garage with minimal floor space. If youre searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted racks are the way to go. Its when you get to the extreme ends of the spectrum with 12- to 24-inch kids bikes or fat bikes with 4- to 5-inch tires that problems can crop up. It is solid and well built. (outer)What we like: Compact and lightweight for the capacity.What we dont: Concerns with bike-to-bike clearance and has a tendency to wobble. 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. As proof, our original T2 Pro XT is still in fantastic shape after four years of extensive use. Perhaps best of all, the low 32-pound weight is easy to remove and install, and the small footprint takes up minimal space when off your vehicle. To keep the material protected, the most important thing to do is select a style that doesnt allow for any frame contact. First, the upper cradles that hold bikes in place are not compatible with road or cyclocross-style bikes, which limits its appeal. For a bargain-basement $145 (on Amazon at the time of publishing), the Swagman XC2 features a highly adjustable tray system, sturdy and secure ratcheting arms, and a threaded hitch pin that keeps rack movement to a minimum. In short, it can't match the sheer number of useful features included with the Thule T2 Pro above. This design shares a number of basic features with the Thule T2 above, including an attachment system that avoids frame contact and a tilting function that allows for access to the back of your vehicle. Kuat Sherpa 2.0 - Pearl/Silver - 2 Hitch $ 599.00. Kuat is a leader in the platform rack market, and their signature product is the NV 2.0. The ladder straps that secure the rear wheels are also easy to use by simply pulling tension on them, they don't have a ratcheting feature like some racks. It comes in both 2" and 1.25" receiver sizes, so you can be sure to get the appropriate size for your vehicle. In this photo, you can see both hitch pin locks. Read more about us. You first loop the cable through the frame and then use the hitch lock to lock the bike onto the rack. The MonoRail doesn't weigh nearly as much as those competitors but it's far from the lightest platform rack in the test. Considering even a budget-friendly design is often $200 or more, this is a sensible addition. I can't wrap my head around spending $600 for rack (I'm cheap!). And compared with traditional hanging models, you dont have to worry about issues with a bikes top tube. Tack on a considerable $49 difference in cost, and despite the NVs smooth styling and extras like the aforementioned repair stand, the T2 Pro gets the slight edge Read in-depth reviewSee the Kuat NV 2.0 Rack. If you don't want to spend a small fortune on a well-designed, user-friendly, versatile, and secure bike rack, we think this an excellent option to consider. Attractively priced at $449 and weighing a reasonable 37 pounds, theres a whole lot to like about the Transfer v2. The locks are a joke but I haven't seen any that were much better. The main advantage to the Recons design is that you can carry up to six bikes at once, and the vertical hanging position keeps them relatively stable and close to the back of the vehicle. Was planning on waiting for the Quik-Rack Mach 2 but he has had some material delay issues and just haven't gotten around to spending the money on the 1Up QuikRack (OG version). If your mountain biking gear budget has been stretched thin and youre tempted to skimp on the helmet, dont. Simply pull the blue handle up to release the rack and move it into whatever position you like, up, down, or tilted down. 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 For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! The design is fairly simple: clamps on either end attach to your seat post and bike stem, and the rounded piece in the middle lays on top of the racks cradles. NV Base 2.0 2 Bike Add On. I need to buy a hitch platform rack in the next 2 weeks. For reference, most standard mountain bikes and road bikes are under 35 pounds, but e-bikes can easily exceed 50 pounds. 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. Further, while theyre fairly easy to use, putting them on and taking them off every time you go biking will inevitably become annoying. This cable isn't permanently attached to the rack in any way so it's quite easy to loop it through your bike frames. Due to the fact that the wheel cradles on the rack are fixed in place, however, we did notice that there is a limited wheelbase range. And that amount can vary widely: burly platform racks have the highest ratings, including Thules e-bike-ready EasyFold XT 2 that can haul up to 65-pound bikes. Solid! Finally, weight is an issue, and youll typically want two people for set up or removal. The locks themselves don't feel especially robust, however, and can be broken off with a hammer in just seconds. The reason is simple: theyre unable to accommodate irregularly-shaped bike framesincluding many full-suspension mountain bikes, kids bikes, and step-through bikeswithout purchasing a top tube adapter. $598.95 By Yakima Yakima HoldUp EVO 2-Inch Bike Rack. One thing the MonoRail has going for it is its moderate weight. The bike nearest the vehicle is quite challenging to load compared to other racks on this list, the release mechanism on the ratcheting arm is difficult to engage, and there are no locks included with your purchase. A cable lock is also included to secure the bikes to the rack. By Yakima Yakima HoldUp 2-inch Black Bike Rack. Hanging Racks 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. What are the shortcomings of the NSR 4-Bike? In addition to the 2 bike version of the Monorail we tested, they also make a one bike version called the MonoRail Solo which retails for $280. The Dr.Tray's $599 price tag puts it among the more expensive in this grouping, but its full feature set and low weight make it an intriguing option for dedicated riders. A friend had the Yakima 2-Timer and I wanted to carry up to 4 bikes. Further, the rack rusted out quickly (this was in the rainy Pacific Northwest, however). The tubing and trays have a durable metal construction, though there is a fair amount of plastic on this rack. But if these complaints arent deal-breakers, the WestSlope is a desirable option for families and group rides.See the RockyMounts WestSlope 3. In addition, these racks are the most gentle on bikes because they typically only come in contact with the tire or wheel (and not the painted frame). This rack is solid, user-friendly, fits a large range of tire sizes, and comes with a cable lock and a locking hitch pin. Vertical Hanging Racks While not a perfect deterrenta solid set of bolt cutters will make quick work of themthey do provide a degree of security while parking your car (we like to back them up with a sturdier U-lock as well). Our editor described it as "a work of art much like a high-end bike," and there is a lot of truth to that statement. I have and love the Thule T2 Pro XT. With a weight capacity of only 37.5 pounds per bike, you wont be able to haul electric models or some heavier cruisers. Type: PlatformWeight: 34 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (3 with EZ+1 add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: Pretty light and the ability to carry three bikes with the add-on.What we dont: Doesnt feel as durable or stout as other racks. 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. 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. Compared to hanging racks, platform designs are compatible with a much wider range of bike styles, sit lower to the ground for easier access, and are excellent in terms of stability. The final potential bike compatibility pitfall is related to the shape and style of your bikes frame. Kuat figured the problem was too much tire sticking out side of my small car and sent me extra wheel straps. The plastic parts used on the Monorail do appear to be highly durable, though plastic tends to break down over time. This limitation is what pushes the Beta down our list, but among two-bike hanging racks, we think the Beta has a best-in-class mix of weight, build quality, and functionality.See the Kuat Beta 2.0. With generous spacing between the bikes on the . 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. 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. A quick check of our list above will show that most of the hanging-style racks have ended up at or near the bottom of our rankings. Carbon fiber bikes are dream machines for many riders and come with premium price tags, so its no surprise that a common question is how to transport them safely. One final note: Thule recently released the T2 Pro X ($650), which features a similar construction as the XTR but lacks the built-in wheels, has a lower max bike capacity (50 lbs. Choosing the Right Bike Rack for Your Car, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Reasonably priced, highly versatile, solid construction, user-friendly tilt release, comes with locks, Very secure hold, no frame or fork contact, Secure hold, easy rack installation/removal, no bike frame contact, More security features than other trunk racks, comes in 2 and 3 bike versions, lightweight, folds small for transport or storage, more stable than other trunk racks, Very inexpensive, no assembly required, lightweight, folds small for storage, Sits slightly closer to vehicle than some, some assembly required, Design seems a little over-complicated, limited to vehicles with low roof height, you have to lift bike to height of roof to load, Works best on lower vehicles, harder to load bike, lock cores not included for integrated lock, Some assembly required, 33 lbs per bike weight limit, may not be compatible with all frames styles and shapes, Not adjustable, support arms may not work with all frame shapes/styles, no security features, A roof-mount rack with an exceptionally sturdy and secure hold of your bicycle with no frame contact, A quality roof-mount bike rack that is particularly easy to install and remove and works best with lower vehicles and lighter-weight bikes, A quality trunk mount rack that stands out for its security features, stability, and adjustability, A very affordable, bare-bones trunk rack for the infrequent rack user on a tight budget, Yes, 1.25" reciever, single bike add-on sold separately, T-slot compatibility with additional SmarT-Slot Kit.

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