There can be big differencesfor example, the Kuat Sherpa 2.0s max wheelbase is a fairly short 47 inches, while the 1Ups Heavy Duty Doubles max capacity is 54 inches. The only boat-rocking standouts are the single-bike version and the aftermarket one-bike add-on. Ultimately I just need a two bike rack to hold my commuter 29er hardtail and the wife's beach cruiser but would be nice on those yearly trips when we head to CO to see family and be able to take two mtb and the beach cruiser(s) without having to borrow a rack from a buddy or throw one of the mtbs on my roof rack (Kuat Trio). 1 color. The clamp arm is designed so that it holds the bike by the front tire and it fits everything from 20" up to 29" wheel sizes. All that said, it's hard to overlook the beauty and level of craftsmanship of the 1Up. 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. We think the WestSlope and Transfer hit a nice sweet spot in performance and value, but the RockyMounts build is undeniably basic. Thules latest addition to their platform hitch collection is the high-end Helium. Other racks share this attachment style and it isn't especially challenging to use, though the tool-free knob designs on the Thule T2 Pro and the Yakima Dr. Tray are much quicker and more user-friendly. In reading our reviews of the products above, its clear that we put a priority on the design and ease of use of a racks tilting function. Once the hitch pin is tight you can secure it to the vehicle with the included hitch pin lock. It's a relatively simple process, the hardest part is making sure you put the right tray in the right bracket, the one with the RockyMounts logo goes on the outside. Among platform-style racks, its best to choose one of two basic designs: a ratcheting arm that locks in over the front wheel and a strap through the rear wheel (featured on the Thule T2 Pro XTR, Kuat Transfer v2, Kuat NV 2.0, and others) or a dual-arm design like 1Ups Heavy Duty that tightens over the front and rear tires. Assembly. 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. 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. I paid $225 for my 2 bike monorail from BC but I don't think that deal will happen again. Trunk-mounted racks are cheaper but prone to causing paint damage on your vehicle if you dont take extra precautions. In the end, all have their merits, but no other bike rack type can match the versatility of a hitch mount.Back to Our Top Hitch Bike Rack Picks Back to Our Hitch Bike Rack Comparison Table. 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. 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. Plus, a 1-Bike Add-On is available for a reasonable $159 to provide even more carrying abilities. Our favorite bike locks are those that are integrated into the rack, which makes it very convenient to quickly deploy them when needed. 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. The well-designed wheel trays have a narrow groove in the middle to hold skinny tires securely and can easily fit fat bike tires. And as mentioned above, all of the components on the Thule are extremely well-made, which makes the investment worth it over time. Kuat figured the problem was too much tire sticking out side of my small car and sent me extra wheel straps. The included cable has ample length to feed through two frames and two wheels. 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. Expandable to 2 bikes up to 45 lbs per tray, with Add-On. With a load capacity of 130 pounds (between two bikes), the EasyFold checks all the boxes for a heavy hauler. This rack costs less and outperforms than many racks that cost more. 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 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. The rack comes with ladder strap extensions to secure fat bike tires in the rear wheel trays. That said, just because a rack is made up of a lot of plastic doesnt necessarily mean that its not durable. They also make a Hitch Extension, $50, for 2" receivers that extends 8" and comes with a bolt and hitch pin lock. $549.00. per bike for the 2-inch receiver model) and cable locks. The MonoRail is a quality platform hitch rack from RockyMounts. 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. An adapter is necessary to carry full-suspension mountain bikes, step-through bikes, or smaller kids models, which adds a significant amount to the overall investment (top tube adapters are about $50 each). The MonoRail comes mostly disassembled in the box so before you attach it to your vehicle and go for a ride you'll need to put it together. 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. The locks themselves don't feel especially robust, however, and can be broken off with a hammer in just seconds. As proof, our original T2 Pro XT is still in fantastic shape after four years of extensive use. 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. Its worth noting that if the rack youre purchasing doesnt include a receiver lock, every manufacturer on our list above offers one as an accessory. For downsides, we were disappointed to find that Yakima didnt utilize enough padding on the straps for both the bars and wheels. The clamp arms are sturdy and articulate with just enough tension that they stay where you put them but don't move around on their own. This premium design checks all the right boxes: its materials have a high-quality feel, the rack stays solidly in place even on bumpy forest service roads, and the adjustable wheel cradles make it easy to avoid bike-to-bike contact. Hanging Racks British Columbia-based Swagman lacks the brand recognition of Thule or Yakima, but their XC2 model is a smart choice for recreational riders on a budget. Hanging-style racks are known for their simplicity and affordable price tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend. Further, we think Yakima has the best cradle system, which includes ratchet-style straps to securely hold the bikes top tube to the rack. This euro-cool design puts an emphasis on everyday simplicity with easy-to-secure From smooth and flowy post-work rides to rough and rowdy all-day backcountry epics, the trail mountain biking category covers a wide range. Had the Transfer and now the Monorail, out of the 2 imho I think the RM is a lot better rack. His seemed solid and he's been very happy with it. I can't wrap my head around spending $600 for rack (I'm cheap!). Saris might have been pretty reasonable too. 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. 1 color. How can we improve GearLab? 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. In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikesthe lever is hidden away under the rack. *Editor's Note: "Capacity" refers to weight capacity per bike. Kuat Sherpa 2.0 - Pearl/Silver - 2 Hitch $ 599.00. 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. I need to buy a hitch platform rack in the next 2 weeks. Given the low price point, there are bound to be shortcomings, and the Swagman XC2 has its fair share. Read our full review below for all the details! Type: PlatformWeight: 63 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in a 2-bike version)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs. 0 bids. 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. If, however, youre looking for the ultimate in rear cargo access, the BackStage should be at the top of your list.See the RockyMounts BackStage. First, you need to purchase separate adapters to carry fat bikes, and cable locks are not included with the rack (a hitch bar lock does comes with it). The Kuat Sherpa and the Yakima Dr. Tray are both lighter and easier to carry to and from the garage. 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. There are obvious downsides to the vertical hanging style, however. The Rockymounts bike rack comes with a braided steel cable that you use to secure your bike. A cable lock is also included to secure the bikes to the rack. 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). 1 color . 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). 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. 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 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. Priced at a reasonable $469 for the four-bike version, the RidgeBack offers double the capacity of the Thule T2 Pro above for hundreds less. 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. The listings for each design will specify the maximum carrying capability per bike. And its worth noting that this functionality still isnt available from big hitters like Yakima or Thule. 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. You first loop the cable through the frame and then use the hitch lock to lock the bike onto the rack. $380.00. Free shipping. It's well made, easy to use, and can fit just about any bike in your stable. . Carries 1 bike, up to 60 lbs. 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. That's because RockyMounts isn't trying to reinvent the wheel with its Monorail lineup. In addition, the two-bike add-ons that are offered on some platform racks are only compatible with a 2-inch receiver. 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 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. 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. Simply put, this rack does it all. 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. Vertical Hanging Racks or Best Offer. A friend had the Yakima 2-Timer and I wanted to carry up to 4 bikes. They feel lightweight and plastic-y, not as robust as those that come with other brands. The cable is approximately 6.5 feet long and has a cable loop on one end and a metal fitting on the other. 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 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. Quick View. Type: Vertical hangingWeight: 50 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in 2- and 6-bike versions)Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Relatively compact and easy way to transport mountain bikes.What we dont: Outdated and less versatile compared with the 1UP Recon Rack above. 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). And a final note: many hanging racks come with an adapter, so they can work with either hitch size. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. 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. Their top-end option is the HangTight, which is offered in four- and six-bike capacities (we tested the former). 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. It comes in both 2" and 1.25" receiver sizes, so you can be sure to get the appropriate size for your vehicle. 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. 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). Once you have this number you can compare it against the max wheelbase spec for the rack you're interested in purchasing. 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. 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. Bike racks in general have very similar feature sets, and one common upgrade that you see on mid-range and premium designs are locks. 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. 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. Home / Bike Racks / Hitch Bike Racks / Yakima OnRamp . Type: PlatformWeight: 63 lbs.Number of bikes: 2Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs.What we like: Built-in swing feature provides easy access to the rear of your vehicle.What we dont: Its the heaviest two-bike rack on this list. $379.95. 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 . Other competitors are much taller. Quick View. I didn't expect to like it this much. 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). For reference, purchasing both Kuat adapters isnt costly at around $20, but they are separate pieces that youll need to store when not in use. The Monorail is well suited for transporting bikes of course. The locks are a joke but I haven't seen any that were much better. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more! For the price, the Rocky Mounts Monorail seems to be the best price, next closest is going to be between the Thule X2/Yakima Hold-up 2 and the 1Up QuikRack. All that said, for those who will utilize their high carrying capacity, a vertical hanging rack can be a worthwhile investment. The tilt release handle is simple and well designed, adding to the user-friendliness of the Monorail. 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. Only problem with the 2-timer is that it holds via the frame instead of wheels. 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. Thule are extremely well-made, which is offered in four- and six-bike (. Interested in purchasing a hammer in just seconds very similar feature sets, and one upgrade! Their high carrying capacity, a 1-Bike Add-On is available for a reasonable 159! Per tray, with Add-On a 2-inch receiver model ) and cable locks n't seen any that much... Capability per bike of plastic doesnt necessarily mean that its not durable it very convenient to quickly deploy them needed! Overlook the beauty and level of craftsmanship of the 2 imho I think the WestSlope and Transfer hit a sweet. 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Boxes for a heavy hauler very convenient to quickly deploy them when rockymounts monorail vs yakima holdup worth that. A final Note: `` capacity '' refers to weight capacity per....

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