That said, for serious riders, the added weight and cost are well worth the security and ease of use of this style. 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. 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. Order the RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack here with FREE delivery: https://www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-racks/rockymounts-monorail-2-inch/The MonoRail is . 1 color. If you want a do-everything rack, we recommend the brands T2 Pro XTR above. 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. 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. Saris might have been pretty reasonable too. It does have padded arms, but those only help so much, and frame scuffs are inevitable. 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). With a premium build and price tag to match, this rack is feature-rich, designed to work with a wide variety of bike styles and sizes, and has proven to be durable and reliable even Weve been a fan of Thule bike racks for yearstheir T2 Pro XTR is currently our top-rated modelso we were pretty excited by the release of the premium Helium Platform. 1 color. The locking hitch pins that are included with the rack are probably the least durable feeling part of the whole package. Yakima HoldUp 2 Bike Rack $ 569.00. Wisconsin-based 1Up may not be a household name like Thule or Yakima, but the company has a dedicated following among hardcore cyclists. The Kuat Sherpa and the Yakima Dr. Tray are both lighter and easier to carry to and from the garage. Note: The Helium is discounted at the time of publishing, as an updated Helium Platform XT has been released. 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). It comes with a standard threaded hitch pin to attach the rack to your vehicle's receiver. 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. 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. Our experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. $380.00. 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. They also make a Hitch Extension, $50, for 2" receivers that extends 8" and comes with a bolt and hitch pin lock. If neither of those options work, youll need to do some digging. RockyMounts MonoRail Rack 1-Bike Extension $ 199.95. RockyMounts 1.25" MonoRail Bike Rack, new, unopened, returned. 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). Got feedback? Kuat Sherpa 2.0 - Pearl/Silver - 2 Hitch $ 599.00. How can we improve GearLab? Best Hitch Rack for Rear Cargo Access: RockyMounts BackStage Best Hitch Rack for E-Bikes: Thule EasyFold XT 2 Best Vertical Hanging Rack: 1UP Recon Rack 6 Best Overall Hitch Bike Rack 1. 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. We feel the MonoRail is a solid value for a quality platform hitch rack that comes loaded with features. Plus, the optional 2-Bike Add-On (for another $550) doubles its capacity. Furthermore, it undercuts the similarly designed 1UP Recon Rack by a significant margin. 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. 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. The listings for each design will specify the maximum carrying capability per bike. 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). Number of bikes: 2 (4 with add-on) Weight capacity per bike: 60 lbs. 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. This rack costs less and outperforms than many racks that cost more. With a weight capacity of only 37.5 pounds per bike, you wont be able to haul electric models or some heavier cruisers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, which supports our community. 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). 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. $299.00. 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. The process is relatively straightforward and easy, and it took us around 15-20 minutes to complete. 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. 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. 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. What are the downsides of the Recon R6? 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. With generous spacing between the bikes on the . But if these complaints arent deal-breakers, the WestSlope is a desirable option for families and group rides.See the RockyMounts WestSlope 3. It takes a few minutes but it certainly isn't difficult to put together. 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. Needless to say, its worth the time to verify you have proper clearance. And with the exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike racks have this functionality. 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. In short, it can't match the sheer number of useful features included with the Thule T2 Pro above. As with any product, there are bound to be compromises. That said, the Transfer packs in a surprising number of features for the price, including a solid weight capacity (60 lbs. 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. Rockymounts Monorail Solo can be adjusted to fit various bike sizes. 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. 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). 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. Haven't even picket it up yet! 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). or Best Offer. If, however, youre considering a hanging rack, take a close look at the shape of the top tube of your bikes frame. 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 . Testers found it relatively easy to move around and pick up with just one hand, making putting it on and taking it off less of a chore. No sponsored content. One thing the MonoRail has going for it is its moderate weight. The rear wheel cradles are also on pivots and they self-adjust depending on the wheelbase of your bike. Vertical Hanging Racks We tested the MonoRail during an especially wet spring in the Sierra Nevada mountains with frequent trips to escape the snow and ride bikes at lower elevations. Colorado-based RockyMounts has been producing quality bike racks since the early 90's. 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. $598.95 By Yakima Yakima HoldUp EVO 2-Inch Bike Rack. 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. $379.95. 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. Both wheel holsters can accommodate anything from smaller kids' bikes to fat bike tires, and wheelbase measurements from 36 to 50 in length. Kuat requires you to pick up adapters to haul fat bikes and 20- to 24-inch wheels (something the Thule can do out of the box), and the tilt mechanism on the T2 Pro is a bit easier to access. 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. 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. Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. We independently buy, test, and rate all the products we review. 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. The Dr.Tray's $599 price tag puts it among the more expensive in this grouping, but its full feature set and low weight make it an intriguing option for dedicated riders. 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. When the RockyMounts BackStage was released, the rack created quite a stir in the industry. RockyMounts Splitrail LS Review RATING: Exceptional MSRP : $599 BEST FOR: Garage with minimal floor space. Its simple to operate, and the rack feels almost weightless even with heavy bikes on the trays. During testing, it rained and snowed quite frequently and this rack lived on the back of our tester's truck for over a month. As with any hanging-style hitch rack, theres no avoiding the fact that the FullSwing 4 makes direct contact with your bikes frame. . And its worth noting that this functionality still isnt available from big hitters like Yakima or Thule. For each bike, arms secure over the tires (no concerns about frame contact), and wheel straps serve as backup for hauling heavier e-bikes, models with fenders, or if you have bikes with very different wheelbases. 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. 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. Privacy | Cookies | Terms. Platform racks dominate this round-up, and in our opinion, are the best way to transport your bikes. 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. 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. 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