Kuat Piston Pro hitch bike rack - the best rack today in terms of ease of use, looks and performance

[@EMTBReview]

Kuat Piston Pro at Kuat site - alnk.to/gp13coI Kuat Piston Pro at Performance bike - alnk.to/aAO2Pu7 Kuat Piston Pro at Competitive - alnk.to/3ngYC3K Saris MHS - alnk.to/4XssRfV Rockymounts Guiderail 2 - bit.ly/3J3J0FE Kuat Piston Pro - alnk.to/1C44dLx Rockymounts Monorail - bit.ly/43vAYx9 Thule T2 XTR - bit.ly/42w4Vfr Saris Grand Slam for $169 - bit.ly/3WU4gTP Kuat Huk welded tailgate pad for pickup trucks - bit.ly/43uEKXA Rack options at Jenson USA - alnk.to/ge2XDrX Rack options at Competitive Cyclist - alnk.to/7X1lxao

[@sdigsy4414]

Have you had any experience with the Rockymounts Guiderail??

[@JimTay]

I had a 1Up Super Duty (pre 2024 model) for 3 years, lost in a house fire earlier this year and replaced with this Kuat Piston Pro. I prefer the Piston Pro, here are my pros and cons of the Kuat vs the 1Up: Pro: - Piston actuated arms allows for 1 hand usage vs. having to use 2 hands to release the bike. (note that this is for the pre-2024 1Up; the 2024 Super Duty has a redesigned ratchet to allow for 1 handed operation) - Piston actuated arms makes it much easier to use than 1Up where you had to hold the ratchet lever juuuust right or it would either catch or make a horrendous grinding sound while you were trying to open it - quickly and easily adjust for different tire sizes. I need to support diff tire sizes every week, it was a pain to do it on the 1Up that needed tools+time. The Kuat was a huge quality of life upgrade compared to the 1Up - the Kuat's hitch lock is much better than the 1Up. If a thief wants your rack they're gonna get it, but the Kuat is slightly harder to cut compared to the 1Up so there's improved chance of not being stolen. Of course the single biggest reason the Kuat has lower chance of being stolen is that it's less desireable than the 1Up, so there's that 😄 - Kuat comes with the security cable, whereas it's an additional purchase from 1Up - Kuat is bigger and has more clearance between bikes. I've never had bikes hit each other or have to play tetris with pedals and seat posts when mounting bikes the way I had to do on my 1Up. Cons: - Kuat is much heavier. I don't store my rack on my car so mounting it 2-3 times a week is much harder than the 1Up due to the weight difference. The extra weight could also be an issue for the hitch mount on your vehicle - Kuat only carries up to 67lbs, lower than the 1Up. You won't be able to carry a heavy Super73-style e bike - The 1Up is smaller and looks and feels sleeker than the Kuat - both racks are fully aluminum but the Kuat's finish makes it look plasticky compared to the much more industrial and heavy-duty looking 1Up

[@EMTBReview]

One of the best comments ever. This is what it's all about as we share our experiences and insight.

[@10tenman10]

And....Kuat is made in America

[@olenronning]

Trying to decide between this and the quikr stuff Mach 2. I love that the quikr is more modular and can go down to 1 tray easily, but the 2 handed operation is kind of annoying.

[@zchown]

@EMTBReview Do you still have the rack? Would you still consider it the best platform rack out there? Thanks!

[@itsmenohandle]

Bro, I just bought the Quikrstuff with an add-on. Now ur making me have buyer’s remorse!😢 but I don’t leave it on my car and sometimes I ride or drive out by myself. So it’s good in that sense and for storage also.

[@Ponyo3816]

I've been using the Rockymounts MonoRail for my eBikes. The front tire locks wear a bit if you let them get wet. So maybe I'll check this out.

[@brokenlegz]

What do you mean the front tyre locks wear if you get them wet? A mate has one with the add a rail bit and it’s super flimsy and always comes loose

[@EMTBReview]

Rockymounts is a great brand. This is a step-up

[@Ponyo3816]

@@brokenlegz the mechanism that you press down to release the locking portion on the neck. Well when it gets wet. It's not as snappy and is mushy and easily unlocks if you pull up on it. The only complaint I have about them. But the replacement is pretty cheap compared to the rest of the rack for 35$ off their website. Just make sure you take it inside during storms.

[@brokenlegz]

@@Ponyo3816good to know. It’s always kept indoors.

[@djjmann]

Great looking and functioning rack! However, the gas struts are a point of failure to me, just something else to stop working when you need it to. But the fit and finish of Kuat are fantastic, had their original rack with the built in work stand, I do miss that somewhat. But my 1UP EquipD has been a joy for the last two years. There is beauty in simplicity

[@EMTBReview]

It's a low-load, seldom used strut, unlike a dropper post. And Kuat will replace it if it ever fails. No reports so far after a few years. And if it ever fails, it'll still work, like a 1upusa.

[@xe9ys]

I like the Piston Pro rack but like all hitch racks your license plate isn't visible.

[@terryrccrazy6993]

Very nice, well designed

[@rod2emmaus]

That’s way better than one up bike rack!

[@EMTBReview]

Yeah, it's easy, smooth, quiet and tiiiight!

[@derekharris9883]

Looks like a 1up knock off

[@andlb9037]

Thule Epos! Much better!

[@EMTBReview]

Just looke it up. In what way is it better? It looks like it doesn't fold up and it grabs the bike by the frame to secure it.

[@andlb9037]

@@EMTBReview it holds bike much more secure. Frame or tyres at any angle. And both tyres. Folds at half size so you canput in trunk. Bend… and made from top materials

[@digerati808]

How anyone can justify spending over $1k for a bike rack is beyond me. This goes for EVERYTHING is the cycling industry today.

[@EMTBReview]

Good to have options. Some folks are rich and some leave the rack on their nice vehicles year-round.

[@digerati808]

The way the cycling industry is priced, you'd think everyone in the world is rich. I drive a nice car and commonly leave my bicycle rack on throughout the year, but I'm not going to allow myself to be gouged. Bad spending is bad spending but some people find a way to justify it and that's what drives this out of control industry.

[@EMTBReview]

this company has a nice rack for $298

[@DavidxWebb]

Retail on my two bikes is $24k. $1k to protect them in transport isn't completely crazy.

[@digerati808]

@@EMTBReview the fact that they sell at $298 bike rack doesn't justify them ripping people off with a $1,000 rack.

[@mustclime5311]

$1100 bucks for a bike rack, how do I say this nicely? ,,,,you have more money than brains.....way to much money for a bike rack. Please see a dr asap

[@rezenclowd3]

IMO this is not a problem. The problem is that it is further from the hitch per bike, heavier and you need the double+double, and the single to cover 1-4 bikes. Also with 4 35lb bikes, this is 10% more load at the hitch that the 1up super duty double+2 addons.

[@EMTBReview]

With modern wide handlebars, the distance seems just about perfect so the bars don't hit the rear window during very bumpy conditions.

[@EMTBReview]

@mustclime5311, like bikes and cars, there's low-end, midrange and high-end. This rack is incredible but it's not for everyone

[@mustclime5311]

@@EMTBReview you can buy a dinning room table for $100 or $20,000,spending that much on a table is just crazy as $1100 for a bike rack.

[@EMTBReview]

Rrrrrright?: I heard some folks spend over $100k for a car!!!!!!