Hanging racks are much lighter and more compact, which is a plus for those that plan to remove the rack with some regularity. 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. Saris might have been pretty reasonable too. What the Helium is lacking, however, is versatility. 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. I just made a deal on a slightly used, but fairly new Sherpa! 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! 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. 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. 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. 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. Simply pull the blue handle up to release the rack and move it into whatever position you like, up, down, or tilted down. For downsides, we were disappointed to find that Yakima didnt utilize enough padding on the straps for both the bars and wheels. One thing the MonoRail has going for it is its moderate weight. That makes it a solid choice for fat bikers and fans of e-bikes. 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. 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. No matter where you wander off to, setting your vehicle up with a car . 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. 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. Out of the box and ready for assembly. But the extensions are convenient to use, easy to install or remove, and come with the security of the platform design. At $800, the T2 Pro certainly isnt cheap, nor is it particularly light at over 50 pounds, but its sturdy, long-lasting design is ideal for committed riders. Only problem with the 2-timer is that it holds via the frame instead of wheels. 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. 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. 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). 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. $648.95 Rating: Color: Black . Further, you get included bike locks, a receiver lock, and its secure strap system is one of the best in the business. As an example, heres a link to a technical drawing for Kuat's NV 2.0 hitch rack. 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. Anyone looking to truly secure their bikes to this rack would be wise to look into a more robust aftermarket lock. 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. Finally, weight is an issue, and youll typically want two people for set up or removal. There are notable outliers, however, including the innovative 1UP Recon Rack 6, which can accommodate six bikes in a vertical hanging position. Failing to verify this can lead to myriad issuesexamples include your vans rear doors cant open more than a couple inches because the rack sits too close, your bikes handlebars come into contact with the back of an SUV when bikes are loaded, or a pickups tailgate cannot be lowered. per bike for the 2-inch receiver model) and cable locks. RockyMounts MonoRail Rack 1-Bike Extension $ 199.95. Hitch-mounted bike rack weights vary widely, from the 14-pound Kuat Beta to the burly 63-pound RockyMounts BackStage. 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). I paid $225 for my 2 bike monorail from BC but I don't think that deal will happen again. 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. But step-through frames (common on cruiser bikes), full-suspension mountain bikes, and kids bikes can be problematic. 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. 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. For riders who want a premium design and typically carry traditional road and mountain bikes, 1Up's Heavy Duty Double is a great choice. 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. Furthermore, the BackStage comes with many features youd expect from a premium hitch rack: a cable lock (although not integrated), the ability to carry various types of bikes and wheel sizes, sturdy ratcheting arms, and quality materials and construction overall. Assembling this bike rack is fairly easy and will take you less than 5 . 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. If neither of those options work, youll need to do some digging. RockyMounts makes a full line of bike racks and accessories. This is an excellent reasonably priced option. 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 No ads. Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on) Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs. 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! Kuat NV 2.0 - 2 Bike Rack Grey/Orange $ 849.00. All that said, it's hard to overlook the beauty and level of craftsmanship of the 1Up. 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. It tips the scales at 44lbs 2oz, putting it right around average for the hitch mount platform racks we tested. Add-ons (also known as extensions) are a great way to increase the carrying capacity of your platform-style hitch rack. Furthermore, it undercuts the similarly designed 1UP Recon Rack by a significant margin. To keep the material protected, the most important thing to do is select a style that doesnt allow for any frame contact. No sponsored content. During testing, we didn't have any problems getting any of our adult-sized bikes to fit on this rack. Similar to the Kuat Transfer above, the rack is reasonably light, loads quickly and easily with ratcheting arms that secure over the front tire, and includes a tilt function to allow access your vehicles rear hatch. 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. 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. Read more about us. 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. 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). One listing to hone in on is the distance from center of the hitch pin to the first tray, as this shows how close the rack will be to the rear of the vehicle. When you click on links to buy products we may earn money to support. I need to buy a hitch platform rack in the next 2 weeks. What do you give up by saving with the Kuat? Kuat Sherpa 2.0 - Pearl/Silver - 2 Hitch $ 599.00. As such, on certain platform racks, there can be wheelbase compatibility issues. This is a similarly user-friendly design to the tilt handle found on the Thule T2 Pro. while Yakima claims the Dr. Tray comes in at just 34 lb. It wont impact most folks, but larger mountain bikers on big, modern downhill-oriented models will want to verify this piece of information. 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. Jun 26, 2018 Saris racks are US made. We also like the EZ+1 extension, which allows you to expand its carrying capacity to three bikes with only a 9-pound weight penalty (for an additional $259). RockyMounts LoBall Track Bike Locking Truck Pick up Quick Release. Helium Platform XT 2 Bike Rack. 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. 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". The Yakima HoldUp EVO is exceptionally easy to load and will hold just about any 24+ bike you have in your arsenal. 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 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. 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. Its simple to operate, and the rack feels almost weightless even with heavy bikes on the trays. Rockymounts Monorail Solo can be adjusted to fit various bike sizes. 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. Expandable to 2 bikes up to 45 lbs per tray, with Add-On. Another easy way is to physically check the wheelbase of your bike by measuring the distance from the center of the front and rear axles. Monorail doesn't have this issue behind the same car, it was fairly unnerving. 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. Attractively priced at $449 and weighing a reasonable 37 pounds, theres a whole lot to like about the Transfer v2. What are the downsides of the Recon R6? Considering even a budget-friendly design is often $200 or more, this is a sensible addition. Let us know! A final scenario is where a specific rack simply cant fit a certain wheel or tire size. It also takes a fair amount of effort to get the bikes into a place (a downside of the tall design). If, however, youre considering a hanging rack, take a close look at the shape of the top tube of your bikes frame. What are the shortcomings of the NSR 4-Bike? In a two-year stretch, our Sherpa 2.0 had a series of issues: the tire ratcheting system failed, the sliding arm mechanism started to stick until it eventually slid out of the lower piece, and the spring in the pivot started to stick as well. 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). The rack secures the bike by the front tire, so there's no contact with the frame. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. 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. The process is relatively straightforward and easy, and it took us around 15-20 minutes to complete. 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 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. or Best Offer. In addition, the tilt lever is hidden away and essentially unreachable if you have bikes already loaded up (its far easier to access without bikes). 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. And with the exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike racks have this functionality. 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. It's well made, easy to use, and can fit just about any bike in your stable. $299.00. 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. That said, the Transfer packs in a surprising number of features for the price, including a solid weight capacity (60 lbs. All standard wheel sizes are no problem. With a weight capacity of only 37.5 pounds per bike, you wont be able to haul electric models or some heavier cruisers. 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. 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. The tilting feature is available on both hanging and platform-style racks, although one key point of differentiation is that many platform models can tilt with the bikes loaded, while hanging racks require you to unload your bikes first. The included locks are certainly a good theft deterrent, but not much more than that. 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