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). 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. They also make a Hitch Extension, $50, for 2" receivers that extends 8" and comes with a bolt and hitch pin lock. 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. It wont impact most folks, but larger mountain bikers on big, modern downhill-oriented models will want to verify this piece of information. No matter where you wander off to, setting your vehicle up with a car . 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. GearLab is reader-supported. 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. The tilted-down position of the MonoRail makes it possible to open a truck tailgate or the back hatch of a station wagon or SUV with bikes on the rack. Compared to the Thule T2 and Kuats own NV 2.0 below, the materials and level of refinement are a step down. $499.95 (5) Kuat. And compared with traditional hanging models, you dont have to worry about issues with a bikes top tube. Platform racks dominate this round-up, and in our opinion, are the best way to transport your 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. 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. 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. All that said, for those who will utilize their high carrying capacity, a vertical hanging rack can be a worthwhile investment. The easiest way to check clearance is to do an actual test fit, but thats often not an option. 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. All standard wheel sizes are no problem. 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). Expandable to 2 bikes up to 45 lbs per tray, with Add-On. I paid $225 for my 2 bike monorail from BC but I don't think that deal will happen again. You first loop the cable through the frame and then use the hitch lock to lock the bike onto the rack. 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. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 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 Our third category is one thats only recently gained serious popularity. They've been steadily improving their designs and product offerings, and the MonoRail is one of several hitch mount platform racks in their line. 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. RockyMounts MonoRail Rack 1-Bike Extension $ 199.95. What are the compromises with the EasyFold's design? Mountain bikes have been trending towards longer designs, which has impacted the length of their wheelbases. Colorado-based RockyMounts has been producing quality bike racks since the early 90's. 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. A friend had the Yakima 2-Timer and I wanted to carry up to 4 bikes. Further, while theyre fairly easy to use, putting them on and taking them off every time you go biking will inevitably become annoying. 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. If, however, youre considering a hanging rack, take a close look at the shape of the top tube of your bikes frame. RockyMounts. Let us know! 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, 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. That said, for serious riders, the added weight and cost are well worth the security and ease of use of this style. 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. HoldUp Bike Rack - 2in. That said, just because a rack is made up of a lot of plastic doesnt necessarily mean that its not durable. 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. Their top-end option is the HangTight, which is offered in four- and six-bike capacities (we tested the former). One thing the MonoRail has going for it is its moderate weight. Vertical Hanging Racks Thule T2 Pro XTR ($800) Type: Platform Weight: 52 lbs. 1 color. Yakima HoldUp 2 Bike Rack $ 569.00. It's quite user-friendly and loading bikes is simple and easy thanks to its low loading height and intuitive design. 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. If you want to transport your bikes efficiently and securely on a hitch mount platform rack, then we suggest checking out the Monorail. $599.00 (2 . That said, theres no denying the Heliums quality and clean looks, and its a perfectly fine match for those planning to just transport standard mountain and road bikes. 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. $598.00 (1) RockyMounts. Hanging-style racks are known for their simplicity and affordable price tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend. 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. Rockymounts Monorail Solo can be adjusted to fit various bike sizes. 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. 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 . Without a doubt, their Heavy Duty Double's sleek aluminum build and attention to detail are a cut above the rest. 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. 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. A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. In addition, its important to point out that the rack has a relatively low weight capacity per bike: At 37.5 pounds, its less than its primary competitors (like Recon Racks and NSR), which can be a problem for those hauling downhill rigs or e-bikes. Platform Rack Add-Ons In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikesthe lever is hidden away under the rack. $5.00. 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. 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 have and love the Thule T2 Pro XT. For hauling a lot of bikes with relative ease, the HangTight is a great option. If youre searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted racks are the way to go. $380.00. Hanging racks are much lighter and more compact, which is a plus for those that plan to remove the rack with some regularity. Finally, wed be remiss not to mention that the NV is easily one of the better-looking racks available, especially in the Gray Metallic colorway. Compare RockyMounts MonoRail vs Yakima HoldUp Bike | etrailer.com Select Make RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount Mouseover to zoom. It's seen a lot of miles, some bumpy roads, mountain highway road grime, and it appears no worse for the wear. Testing the Monorail hitch mount platform rack. It does have padded arms, but those only help so much, and frame scuffs are inevitable. Choosing a Hitch Rack for Carbon Fiber Bikes, Back to Our Hitch Bike Rack Comparison Table. 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. 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). As an example, heres a link to a technical drawing for Kuat's NV 2.0 hitch rack. Even with the few issues that popped up, at the end of the day the $439 HoldUp 2 is still a great rack. 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. The MonoRail doesn't weigh nearly as much as those competitors but it's far from the lightest platform rack in the test. 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. I got it from Backcountry when they had a 20% off one full priced item sale. The MonoRail is very well suited for everyday use. Change begins by doing something different. Unfortunately, these straps often can lead to scuffing and scraping over timefor those that love their bikes, this is a deal breaker. 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). The mounting brackets for the trays are on the top of the main arm of the rack. 1 color. The two-bike SplitRail base weighs in at 45 lb. For riders who want a premium design and typically carry traditional road and mountain bikes, 1Up's Heavy Duty Double is a great choice. Simply put, this rack does it all. 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. But if youll only be carrying standard mountain or road bikes, a 1.25-inch receiver will work great. 15-20 minutes later and you're ready to go. 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. The included cable has ample length to feed through two frames and two wheels. 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 final scenario is where a specific rack simply cant fit a certain wheel or tire size. 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