Our biggest complaint with the Beta is that Kuat doesnt offer a higher-capacity version. 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. If you want a do-everything rack, we recommend the brands T2 Pro XTR above. 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. item 2 8002446 Yakima HoldUp Plus 2 Bike add-on for 2" Receiver Hitch 8002446 Yakima HoldUp Plus 2 Bike add-on for 2" Receiver Hitch . All standard wheel sizes are no problem. 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. 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. Expandable to 2 bikes up to 45 lbs per tray, with Add-On. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for RockyMounts Monorail 1 Bike Add-on for 2 Receiver Only at the best online prices at eBay! 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 What do you give up by saving with the Kuat? It's long enough to feed it through 2 frames and two wheels, though you can't feed through all 4 wheels if you have 2 bikes on the rack. Another method is to contact the manufacturer directly, and weve had good luck in getting reliable recommendations as to whether or not the rack were looking at will fit our vehicle. The rack features a sweet hand lever on the top and also a foot lever that's easy to access when you want to tilt the loaded rack down to access the rear vehicle hatch. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. And as mentioned above, all of the components on the Thule are extremely well-made, which makes the investment worth it over time. If you plan on removing your hitch rack with any regularity, youll want to pay attention to weight, and many leading options tip the scales at 50 pounds or more. We understand that sacrifices are necessary to trim weight, but it feels like Yakima took it a little too far in this case Read in-depth reviewSee the Yakima Dr.Tray. $599.00 (2 . Forgot the price but it was reasonable after all the comparisons with good rated carriers. One design that does a great job of balancing metal construction and strategic use of tough plastic is our top-rated Thule T2 Pro XTR. Type: HangingWeight: 56 lbs.Number of bikes: 4Weight capacity per bike: 40 lbs.What we like: The convenience of a swing-away design.What we dont: Heavy and pricey for a hanging rack. 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 stark contrast to the feature-rich and pricey Kuat NV 2.0 above is the brands simple and budget-friendly Beta. But despite a growing number of competitors in this categoryincluding Yakimas HangTight, Lolo Racks, and North Shore Racks' NSRthe 1UP's combination of build quality, ease of use, and compatibility with a wide range of bike styles makes it our favorite vertical hanging rack.See the 1UP Recon Rack 6. That said, just because a rack is made up of a lot of plastic doesnt necessarily mean that its not durable. 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. $379.95. Solid! Youll mostly find swing-away racks in the hanging category, including Yakimas FullSwing 4 above, but the aforementioned RockyMounts BackStage platform rack is one notable exception. 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. 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). 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). Like 1Ups Heavy Duty above, the Kuat goes head-to-head with our top-rated Thule T2 Pro XTR. The locks are a joke but I haven't seen any that were much better. 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. NV Base 2.0 2 Bike Add On. But for e-bike owners who want an integrated and deployable rampand others who dont want to lift heavy bikes on and off their rackthe Thule EasyFold XT 2 is the best option available. Most have two attachment points: a ratcheting arm that secures the front wheel, and a strap that holds the rear wheel in place. 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 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. 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! $5.00. *Editor's Note: "Capacity" refers to weight capacity per bike. 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 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. 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 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! In cutting weight, however, you lose out on the long-term durability found on other racks. ROCKY MOUNTS Fork Mount Tray Bike Rack w/ Lock & Hdw - Fit Yakima & Thule Bars. 15-20 minutes later and you're ready to go. RockyMounts Splitrail LS Review RATING: Exceptional MSRP : $599 BEST FOR: Garage with minimal floor space. The trays come mostly assembled, putting the pieces together is relatively intuitive, and the included instructions are simple to follow. No cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers. 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 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. 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). And with the exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike racks have this functionality. 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. It's quite user-friendly and loading bikes is simple and easy thanks to its low loading height and intuitive design. RockyMounts LoBall Track Bike Locking Truck Pick up Quick Release. 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). Most notably is price: At $650, the NSR above is one of the cheapest options out there (Recon Racks premium designs start at $1,200, while the Yakima HangTight 4 is $899). There arent major differences between styles in terms of functionality, although weve found the integrated type is a little easier to use. I need to buy a hitch platform rack in the next 2 weeks. Quick View. RockyMounts makes a full line of bike racks and accessories. 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). The final potential bike compatibility pitfall is related to the shape and style of your bikes frame. Kuat Sherpa 2.0 - Pearl/Silver - 2 Hitch $ 599.00. If neither of those options work, youll need to do some digging. If your bike will not fit on your hanging rack due to a heavily angled or swooping top tube, purchasing a separate top tube adapter is your best bet. 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. Weve made it clear throughout this piece that a hitch-mounted rack is our favorite design, and platform models in particular. Let us know! Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. 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. Thule. 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). That makes it a solid choice for fat bikers and fans of e-bikes. But step-through frames (common on cruiser bikes), full-suspension mountain bikes, and kids bikes can be problematic. They typically double the racks carrying capacityfrom two to four bikesand are available for many popular designs (including Thules T2 Pro XT Add-On and Kuats NV 2.0 Add-On). Quick View. 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. 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. One of these hitch pin locks is for the hitch pin itself, the other is for the cable lock system (more on that below). Needless to say, its worth the time to verify you have proper clearance. Why isn't the 1Up ranked higher? Carries 1 bike, up to 60 lbs. And compared with traditional hanging models, you dont have to worry about issues with a bikes top tube. Hanging Racks If, however, youre considering a hanging rack, take a close look at the shape of the top tube of your bikes frame. Wisconsin-based 1Up may not be a household name like Thule or Yakima, but the company has a dedicated following among hardcore cyclists. All that said, it's hard to overlook the beauty and level of craftsmanship of the 1Up. 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. Assembly. 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. That said, for serious riders, the added weight and cost are well worth the security and ease of use of this style. 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). Reflecting the growing popularity of heavy e-bikes and large fat bikes, Thule released the EasyFold XT 2. This rack costs less and outperforms than many racks that cost more. Other competitors are much taller. Manufacturers oftentimes have a technical drawing available of the rack in question, and you can use the measurements for assessing whether or not youll run into any fitment issues. And while hanging racks often resemble one another in how they workunload the bikes, fold the arms down, and then pull a lever to lower the rackplatform models can vary widely. The mounting brackets for the trays are on the top of the main arm of the rack. Its expanding wedge attachment system makes for a wobble-free connection, the 60-pound weight capacity means you can haul nearly all bike styles (including many electric models), and you get ample clearance from your vehicle and between bikes. This straightforward and effective system makes it easy to rapidly load and unload your bike, and it minimizes any wobble or side-to-side movement while driving. It's well made, easy to use, and can fit just about any bike in your stable. The aim is to keep thieves from removing the entire rack from your car. That's because RockyMounts isn't trying to reinvent the wheel with its Monorail lineup. Haven't even picket it up yet! You first loop the cable through the frame and then use the hitch lock to lock the bike onto the rack. Either way, the MonoRail is still a fairly awkward shape to deal with when it comes to storage. Their top-end option is the HangTight, which is offered in four- and six-bike capacities (we tested the former). In terms of design, think of the Sherpa 2.0 as a pared-down version of Kuats other racks, while still retaining a good number of the design features that make this brand so popular. Thules latest addition to their platform hitch collection is the high-end Helium. 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. For those planning on hauling heavier downhill mountain bikes, e-bikes, fat bikes, or cruiser models, its a good idea to verify the bike weight capacity of a given rack. If youre searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted racks are the way to go. Our favorite bike locks are those that are integrated into the rack, which makes it very convenient to quickly deploy them when needed. It loses a little ground in this metric due to its standard threaded hitch pin which must be tightened with a wrench. The good news is that Kuat provided a replacement with their excellent warranty, but this experience leads us to think its worth upgrading to the burlier NV 2.0 if youll be leaving the rack on the back of your car most of the year.See the Kuat Sherpa 2.0. and can even accommodate a fat bike with an adapter (sold separately). To start, platform racks like the Kuat NV 2.0, Thule T2, Yakima Dr.Tray, and 1Up are not impacted by this because they only come in contact with the bikes tires or wheels. Both the T2 and NV 2.0 are very user-friendly and have long-lasting builds, although we have found the Thule is a little more versatile. 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. In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikesthe lever is hidden away under the rack. Moreover, there is very little space between the bikes when theyre loaded, which can lead to rubbing and damage to the paint. 1 color. 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. 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. Our biggest gripe is that no locks are included with the rackat minimum, wed want a hitch lock to secure the WestSlope to our vehicles receiver (the Lock Kit costs an extra $35). 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 standard baskets are able to carry 24- to 29-inch-wheeled bikes (including road and gravel models), and the rack can accommodate 20-inch kids bikes and fat bikes with different attachments. 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. All that said, for those who will utilize their high carrying capacity, a vertical hanging rack can be a worthwhile investment. It takes a few minutes but it certainly isn't difficult to put together. Our third category is one thats only recently gained serious popularity. Adding the swing-away functionality to a hitch-mounted rack does come with compromises. My bikes would shake all over the place at highway speed on my Transfer. This is only really an issue for really small BMX or kids bikes, and most riders shouldn't have any issue getting their bikes to fit. Type: PlatformWeight: 46 lbs.Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on)Weight capacity per bike: 50 lbs.What we like: Premium all-metal build; ratcheting arms only make contact with your bikes tires.What we dont: Hard-to-reach tilt lever and no bike locks included. 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. The MonoRail is a quality platform hitch rack from RockyMounts. Once you have this number you can compare it against the max wheelbase spec for the rack you're interested in purchasing. 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. 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". 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. 1Ups Heavy Duty Double and Recon Rack 6 are among the most expensive racks in our round-up, and both feature high-quality, all-metal constructions that have excellent lifespans. The two-bike SplitRail base weighs in at 45 lb. Platform Rack Add-Ons 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. Light and affordable hanging racks like the Yakima RidgeBack 4 are on the lower end at 35 pounds per bike. One of our favorite things about the MonoRail is the tilt release handle. It does have padded arms, but those only help so much, and frame scuffs are inevitable. 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 latest version of the Transfer also is adjustable enough to fit a wide range of bike types and wheel sizes (from 18-29 in.) Order the RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack here with FREE delivery: https://www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-racks/rockymounts-monorail-2-inch/The MonoRail is . 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. The included cable has ample length to feed through two frames and two wheels. The common denominator among these compatible racks is a high price tag, but its well worth it to avoid any unnecessary damage to your carbon rig. The standout feature of this hanging rack is its weight, or lack thereof, with the 2-inch receiver version coming in at a scant 14 pounds. 1 color . 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. Vertical Hanging Racks The MonoRail also comes with two small hitch pin locks, keyed the same, that attach to the end of the hitch pin to prevent anyone from simply unscrewing it and making away with your entire bike rack. Finally, the focus on trimming weight means the rack has more of a tendency to wobble on bumpy roads, although the bike attachment system is reliable in general. Read our full review below for all the details! It should be noted, however, that this cable lock system is far from theft-proof and is more of a theft deterrent than anything else. The locks themselves don't feel especially robust, however, and can be broken off with a hammer in just seconds. But if these complaints arent deal-breakers, the WestSlope is a desirable option for families and group rides.See the RockyMounts WestSlope 3. A final scenario is where a specific rack simply cant fit a certain wheel or tire size. 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. His seemed solid and he's been very happy with it. The Monorail is well suited for transporting bikes of course. The appeal is clear: By hanging the bikes from their handlebars verticallyand securing them below at the rear wheelyoure able to carry more bikes closer to your vehicle. In general, platform-style racks can carry anywhere from one to four bikes (if you invest in an extension), while hanging-style racks range from two to five total bikes. 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. What are the compromises with the EasyFold's design? But if youll only be carrying standard mountain or road bikes, a 1.25-inch receiver will work great. What are the downsides of the Recon R6? In the past, vertical hanging racks were mostly found on the back of guide service vehicles and/or shuttle rigs, but their high-capacity setups have found a larger audience of late. And on the road, weve noticed theyre more prone to wobbling while driving than more solidly built competitors like the Kuat NV 2.0. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, its yet another reason we prefer the platform rack style. If, like most cyclists, you plan to keep your rack on your vehicle for extended periods of time or just want to retain access to your rear cargo area, youll want to get a hitch rack with a tilt feature. Been looking at the Monorail as well, I am cheap and that seems like the best option plus it has the capability of adding more bikes. This rack is solid, user-friendly, fits a large range of tire sizes, and comes with a cable lock and a locking hitch pin. HighNoon FC Solo 1.25/2in Hitch Rack. The Kuat Sherpa and the Yakima Dr. Tray are both lighter and easier to carry to and from the garage. 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. The rear wheel cradles need to be attached to each tray and the ratcheting straps also need to be slid into position on each one. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! Like most hitch mount platform racks, the MonoRail takes up a fair amount of space. That said, the Transfer packs in a surprising number of features for the price, including a solid weight capacity (60 lbs. 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. And were happy to see that the Beta hasnt skimped on too many features: the rack tilts for rear vehicle access, its arms fold down when not in use, and it has same wobble-free hitch attachment mechanism thats found on Kuats premium offerings. 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. 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. I got a Rocky Mounts Monorail to stave me off while I wait for the release of the QuikRack v2. 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. Anyone looking to truly secure their bikes to this rack would be wise to look into a more robust aftermarket lock. In short, it can't match the sheer number of useful features included with the Thule T2 Pro above. 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. A versatile hitch-mount rack that provides a high price to performance ratio, Sits slightly closer to vehicle than some. Finally, everything about the Thule has a high-end look and feel to it, from the easy-to-use tilt lever to the metal trays and built-in cable locks. Quick View. In the end, dedicated cyclists will be better off with the higher-end Thule, but if youre willing to make a few compromises, the Kuat offers a whole lot of bang for your buck.See the Kuat Transfer v2 2. Furthermore, it undercuts the similarly designed 1UP Recon Rack by a significant margin. And finally, weve seen some major issues with rust appearing in as little as one year of use. This lock style is similar to that found on the Kuat Sherpa and we feel it is a good system that seems to add the most security. 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. 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. Type: Vertical hangingWeight: 73 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in a 6-bike version)Weight capacity per bike: 37.5 lbs.What we like: Vertical hanging rack thats user-friendly and compatible with a wide range of bike types.What we dont: Insufficient padding on wheels and bars led to scuffing. I paid $225 for my 2 bike monorail from BC but I don't think that deal will happen again. 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 . Add-ons (also known as extensions) are a great way to increase the carrying capacity of your platform-style hitch rack. 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. This rack certainly doesnt have all the bells and whistles of the more premium options above and below, but it will reliably transport your bikes from point A to point B. This is a similarly user-friendly design to the tilt handle found on the Thule T2 Pro.