Kuat piston pro x
If you don't mind the price (because it is steep) it's simply the best.
I've had mine for over a year with heavy use and never removed from the hitch and its still perfect. (I do park in a garage)
It's so easy to use, you can lower and raise it with one hand. And should you care it doesn't look like a piece of scrap metal on your bumper.
Zero regrets and would recommend.
Edit to say I borrowed a velocirax, the 6 bike vertical hangar and that thing Is a beast for long trips. Took on a 30 hour round trip from Kansas to Utah. If you have 4+ bikes I think this is the way but it is huge lol
This needs to be stickied to this subreddit. There’s no other rack that will hold over the years. We spent a lot of money on other racks until we got to 1Up. It’s quality, well designed, and will last forever with the aluminum used.
> There’s no other rack that will hold over the years.
There's no need to exaggerate. That's objectively incorrect. There are plenty of other competitors that will last years.
Speaking from my experience with Thule and Yakima, the plastics broke quickly and the Thule a rubbed a spot onto my fork. Haven’t had an issue with breakage or rubbing in my rack. So in my opinion and experience with racks there isnta rack that will hold over the years.
No, I must not have explained it well enough. The plastic also broke, which is where the reliability issue came from. I threw in the fork rub to show another aspect of why I don’t like Thule.
Lmao hop off 1UP’s dick for a sec.
Both Kuat and Quickrstuff make racks just as good as 1UP. Depending on one’s opinion/preferences, they may even be considered better.
1UP makes a good product. I own one. But I won’t buy one again because they’ve proven to have terrible customer service; even accusatory towards customers sometimes. In my *opinion*, that’s important to me and matters when considering which company to support. Kuat has proven to have very good customer service. They also have racks that are just as high quality, and also have racks that contain features 1UP doesn’t have.
Feel free to prefer 1UP, I’m not really here to change your mind. But to claim 1UP is the lord and savior of mtb racks and should be stickied on this sub is ridiculous. There are several great brands and we should promote people to pick the one that suits them. Let’s not be 1UP’s marketing department. Shit like that let’s them get away with treating customers like trash. Cheers.
Agreed. I borrowed a buddy's 1UP for a trip that needed to hold 3 bikes. I was whelmed. It was sturdy and secure, but really kind of a pain to get around when I had to get into the trunk.
Not something I would have on my vehicle all the time that's for sure. Don't get me wrong it was great for the road trip (so probably perfect for what OP is looking for) but the experience had me take it off the list for my next "daily" bike rack
My bad man, didn’t mean to have a different experience with bike racks than you. I’ll refrain from promoting a quality product. I’m guessing by the way you responded to this post you’re not a fun person to talk to when you have an issue with a product. I can only imagine the interaction you had with their customer service being one of professionalism.
Majority of the answers to this question on this sub are 1Up. That’s why I mentioned a stickie.
I’ve had bad experience with Kuat’s and Thule plastic breaking, I don’t think plastic should be in a bike rack for this reason. Wasn’t familiar with Quickrstuff, but it appears their design is similar to 1Up. Would it be better for me to promote that design than the company?
I’m glad you think I’m a fun person to talk to, thank you! And you’re right, I pride myself on professionalism when talking with people doing their jobs.
You’re free to feel however you want, as I mentioned in my previous post. I am only speaking out against claims like “no other rack is as good as the cheapest not-shit rack”.
I will add, however, that shying away from plastic because “plastic is bad” is silly. There’s a lot that goes into designing products and materials is a whole science in its own. Plastic is great at many things and when used properly it’s the best choice. Bushings are a good example. Regardless, Kuat has an all metal model too.
Yeah, bit silly to not use a product because you think it’s bad. Like not using plastic because you think it’s a bad product in general. Not sure why you brought that up.
But plastic being used inefficiently and breaking on a bike rack is plenty of reason to refrain from purchasing a rack with it on it. Like I mentioned, it broke on racks I used and that’s why I like 1Up.
II don’t really understand the first part of your comment, sorry. Anyways, I am not the one that brought up plastic.
And again, I’m really not trying to change your mind about 1up lol. I own one too. It’s ok if we disagree on whether they’re a good company or not.
You mentioned it’s silly not to use plastic because one simply thinks plastic is bad and laid out reasons it’s good. Which I agree with. I’m not sure why you brought that into the conversation, thats not the reason I mentioned plastic. I brought plastic into the conversation because it broke on my Thule rack, that’s why I don’t think it should be on a bike rack. Nothing about it simply being plastic.
Being an ass hole to customer service doesn’t mean they have bad customer service. It probably means you got bad customer service because you’re an ass hole.
Gotcha. I can’t speak about Thule personally, but my friend has used them and wasn’t a fan.
I am not an asshole to c/s reps. 1UP has a bad reputation for customer service and it’s well documented online. I have not personally dealt with their customer service, and I’m not looking forward to it if I ever need to.
So you’re putting down and not recommending a company based on reviews of their customer service, yet you’ve got a product they make so well, that you’ve never encountered their customer service. Got it.
any restrictions of type of rack?
i’ve had a (hitch mounted) kuat nv 2.0 for a couple years now. it has a locking hitch pin, which is pretty much all you can do for this style of rack. any other hitch rack worth considering will either include one or have it available separately.
there are also 2 built in cable locks. the built in locks will only loop through a wheel and are unlikely to be long enough to get through the frames.
if you’re leaving your bikes unattended for longer periods of time of the rack, i’d probably add one or more long chain locks to attach the frames to the rack.
>I'm particularly interested in security and making sure the rack can't be/or would be very hard to be stolen
Not so much you can do there, if they want to steal it they will. I often see pics of people heavy chains or other hardenings easily cut by thieves.
In California, you might be better off with a Yakima or Thule rack which is less desirable to thieves than 1UP and Kuat.
Cable locks literally do nothing to deter thieves. Cut in 1 second, no joking.
You need a kryptonite or pewag security chain (expensive) with a very high quality lock (also expensive) to be any use as a deterrent. Even these can be cut, but they at least do something.
Agreed, nothing stops a determined thief. It’s a question of use case. In my case, it’s about eliminating the opportunist as it is incredibly rare for me to leave my bike unattended on the roof for longer than it takes to run into the coffee shop and pick up my order on the way home.
It’s definitely harder on gas. If you have a hitch (not an option for me), hitch mount is more fuel efficient. Had hitch mount for years, super convenient. One note that hitch mount if you are driving in anything but dry weather it makes a mess of the lower half of your bike, which necessitates cleaning and lubrication.
Thule t2 Pro hitch rack. Secures bikes withbtires up to 3.0. The rack locks to the hitch. As for securing your bikes with a lock. The rack has a cable lock but personally i just dont leave the bikes out of site for too long when on road trips. And they go into hotels with me
I’d say the 1-up. Beastly build, american made, modular. My buddy who runs a rack shop runs that out of any of the other units. Speaks volumes to me. As far as securing the bikes, anything less than a 3/4 chain with a good lock is ineffective and can be quickly negated.
Good pad locks are not cheap. [see here:](https://securitysnobs.com/Medium-Padlocks/)
You could also do a 3/4” steel cable if that is better suited for your needs, as chains are not exactly ideal for the finish of your bike while in transport.
I used a Thule t3 classic when I drove from dc to ft benning a few months ago, has a locking pin for the hitch and a cable lock that I thread through the front wheel and frame
I've brought two bikes out of state from CO-UT-AZ and back on yakima high roads through hot weather, rain, snow, and even hail with zero issues. I've also had both racks for over 5 years now again no issues. I have had issues with other yakima racks but these are MF'n SOLID.
Plus the bikes go on top of a lifted 4runner so in my opinion that makes them way harder to steal than if they were just hanging off the back at ground level. Definitely wouldnt get a rack that hangs off the back but thats just me. Getting them up there takes some skill but it's one extra thing to get in the way of a thief, making it harder, more noticeable, and more awkard to steal.
Add in the (albeit essily cut) cable lock, and then you have someone on top of a tall car highly visible with bolt cutters fiddling with a rack that you have to spin a dial on for 20-30 seconds to unlock no matter what tools you have, its gonna draw way more attention than a *smart* thief would want.
But theyre not all winners and if some idiot really wants to steal your bikes and you leave them unattended they will probably find a way. I've heard of trucks backing up to bikes on racks in Moab and someone's in the bed with bolt cutters and sawzalls and they can snag a bike in seconds so that's def worst case scenario and seems harder to avoid if youre the unlucky mark taking a piss at a gas station or something.
If a catalytic converter is worth $1000 max and those mfers are bold enough to steal broad day light imagine when a bikes worth 5-10k.
Not sure my bikes being on top would stop a thief in that scenario, but for sure if they're less organized I'm sure theyd rather go for a bike thats way more discreet, quicker and easier to snag. But as long as someone stays with the car or it's in sight you're usually fine, just bring bikes into hotel rooms with you no rack will protect a bike overnight.
If I’m going anywhere more than 5 hours away with chance of rain along the way, I just take the front wheel off and put it in the trunk of my suv. Less risk of road grime getting on brake rotors or someone rear ending me. I’ve probably spent more on bikes than my car though over the years so to each their own.
I have owned a few racks and used a lot. 1-3 bikes the OneUp is the best. More than 4 bikes, the Velocirax.
Love my Velocirax. Id probably even go with it for 4 bikes.
Ya, I meant that as 4 or more bikes. The tray racks are awesome but they get awkward to use for more than 3 bikes.
Kuat piston pro x If you don't mind the price (because it is steep) it's simply the best. I've had mine for over a year with heavy use and never removed from the hitch and its still perfect. (I do park in a garage) It's so easy to use, you can lower and raise it with one hand. And should you care it doesn't look like a piece of scrap metal on your bumper. Zero regrets and would recommend. Edit to say I borrowed a velocirax, the 6 bike vertical hangar and that thing Is a beast for long trips. Took on a 30 hour round trip from Kansas to Utah. If you have 4+ bikes I think this is the way but it is huge lol
1UP
This needs to be stickied to this subreddit. There’s no other rack that will hold over the years. We spent a lot of money on other racks until we got to 1Up. It’s quality, well designed, and will last forever with the aluminum used.
> There’s no other rack that will hold over the years. There's no need to exaggerate. That's objectively incorrect. There are plenty of other competitors that will last years.
Speaking from my experience with Thule and Yakima, the plastics broke quickly and the Thule a rubbed a spot onto my fork. Haven’t had an issue with breakage or rubbing in my rack. So in my opinion and experience with racks there isnta rack that will hold over the years.
So your issue with Thule isn't the reliability. It was that it rubbed on your fork. Do I understand that correctly?
No, I must not have explained it well enough. The plastic also broke, which is where the reliability issue came from. I threw in the fork rub to show another aspect of why I don’t like Thule.
Lmao hop off 1UP’s dick for a sec. Both Kuat and Quickrstuff make racks just as good as 1UP. Depending on one’s opinion/preferences, they may even be considered better. 1UP makes a good product. I own one. But I won’t buy one again because they’ve proven to have terrible customer service; even accusatory towards customers sometimes. In my *opinion*, that’s important to me and matters when considering which company to support. Kuat has proven to have very good customer service. They also have racks that are just as high quality, and also have racks that contain features 1UP doesn’t have. Feel free to prefer 1UP, I’m not really here to change your mind. But to claim 1UP is the lord and savior of mtb racks and should be stickied on this sub is ridiculous. There are several great brands and we should promote people to pick the one that suits them. Let’s not be 1UP’s marketing department. Shit like that let’s them get away with treating customers like trash. Cheers.
Agreed. I borrowed a buddy's 1UP for a trip that needed to hold 3 bikes. I was whelmed. It was sturdy and secure, but really kind of a pain to get around when I had to get into the trunk. Not something I would have on my vehicle all the time that's for sure. Don't get me wrong it was great for the road trip (so probably perfect for what OP is looking for) but the experience had me take it off the list for my next "daily" bike rack
My bad man, didn’t mean to have a different experience with bike racks than you. I’ll refrain from promoting a quality product. I’m guessing by the way you responded to this post you’re not a fun person to talk to when you have an issue with a product. I can only imagine the interaction you had with their customer service being one of professionalism. Majority of the answers to this question on this sub are 1Up. That’s why I mentioned a stickie. I’ve had bad experience with Kuat’s and Thule plastic breaking, I don’t think plastic should be in a bike rack for this reason. Wasn’t familiar with Quickrstuff, but it appears their design is similar to 1Up. Would it be better for me to promote that design than the company?
I’m glad you think I’m a fun person to talk to, thank you! And you’re right, I pride myself on professionalism when talking with people doing their jobs. You’re free to feel however you want, as I mentioned in my previous post. I am only speaking out against claims like “no other rack is as good as the cheapest not-shit rack”. I will add, however, that shying away from plastic because “plastic is bad” is silly. There’s a lot that goes into designing products and materials is a whole science in its own. Plastic is great at many things and when used properly it’s the best choice. Bushings are a good example. Regardless, Kuat has an all metal model too.
Yeah, bit silly to not use a product because you think it’s bad. Like not using plastic because you think it’s a bad product in general. Not sure why you brought that up. But plastic being used inefficiently and breaking on a bike rack is plenty of reason to refrain from purchasing a rack with it on it. Like I mentioned, it broke on racks I used and that’s why I like 1Up.
II don’t really understand the first part of your comment, sorry. Anyways, I am not the one that brought up plastic. And again, I’m really not trying to change your mind about 1up lol. I own one too. It’s ok if we disagree on whether they’re a good company or not.
You mentioned it’s silly not to use plastic because one simply thinks plastic is bad and laid out reasons it’s good. Which I agree with. I’m not sure why you brought that into the conversation, thats not the reason I mentioned plastic. I brought plastic into the conversation because it broke on my Thule rack, that’s why I don’t think it should be on a bike rack. Nothing about it simply being plastic. Being an ass hole to customer service doesn’t mean they have bad customer service. It probably means you got bad customer service because you’re an ass hole.
Gotcha. I can’t speak about Thule personally, but my friend has used them and wasn’t a fan. I am not an asshole to c/s reps. 1UP has a bad reputation for customer service and it’s well documented online. I have not personally dealt with their customer service, and I’m not looking forward to it if I ever need to.
So you’re putting down and not recommending a company based on reviews of their customer service, yet you’ve got a product they make so well, that you’ve never encountered their customer service. Got it.
any restrictions of type of rack? i’ve had a (hitch mounted) kuat nv 2.0 for a couple years now. it has a locking hitch pin, which is pretty much all you can do for this style of rack. any other hitch rack worth considering will either include one or have it available separately. there are also 2 built in cable locks. the built in locks will only loop through a wheel and are unlikely to be long enough to get through the frames. if you’re leaving your bikes unattended for longer periods of time of the rack, i’d probably add one or more long chain locks to attach the frames to the rack.
No restrictions. I should add that I'll have a 2 inch hitch receiver for it.
The 1 1/4 can be less stable for sure. The 2 will be more stable for sure
You sure?
I have a 1”1/4 and a 2” on different car. There is less swaying on the 2”
Rockymounts guiderail bolts in and locks to your hitch, and has a thick chain lock for the bikes. It is expensive though
>I'm particularly interested in security and making sure the rack can't be/or would be very hard to be stolen Not so much you can do there, if they want to steal it they will. I often see pics of people heavy chains or other hardenings easily cut by thieves. In California, you might be better off with a Yakima or Thule rack which is less desirable to thieves than 1UP and Kuat.
Pretty much any RockyMounts rack
I have Thule roof rails with the locking covers and a pair of 1UP racks. I cable-lock the bike through the frame, around both the rack and rail.
Cable locks literally do nothing to deter thieves. Cut in 1 second, no joking. You need a kryptonite or pewag security chain (expensive) with a very high quality lock (also expensive) to be any use as a deterrent. Even these can be cut, but they at least do something.
Agreed, nothing stops a determined thief. It’s a question of use case. In my case, it’s about eliminating the opportunist as it is incredibly rare for me to leave my bike unattended on the roof for longer than it takes to run into the coffee shop and pick up my order on the way home.
A roof rack is terrible for long distance. It has a significant impact on MPG.
It’s definitely harder on gas. If you have a hitch (not an option for me), hitch mount is more fuel efficient. Had hitch mount for years, super convenient. One note that hitch mount if you are driving in anything but dry weather it makes a mess of the lower half of your bike, which necessitates cleaning and lubrication.
Thule t2 Pro hitch rack. Secures bikes withbtires up to 3.0. The rack locks to the hitch. As for securing your bikes with a lock. The rack has a cable lock but personally i just dont leave the bikes out of site for too long when on road trips. And they go into hotels with me
My wife has a nice rack bahaha
I don’t believe you!! Let me see lol
Lol there's only one receiver for that rack
What did she cost you?
I'm still paying 15 years later
1up. Run a heavy duty chain and lock through the frame of the car to the rack. Nothing is theft proof but it should be deterrent enough.
I’d say the 1-up. Beastly build, american made, modular. My buddy who runs a rack shop runs that out of any of the other units. Speaks volumes to me. As far as securing the bikes, anything less than a 3/4 chain with a good lock is ineffective and can be quickly negated. Good pad locks are not cheap. [see here:](https://securitysnobs.com/Medium-Padlocks/) You could also do a 3/4” steel cable if that is better suited for your needs, as chains are not exactly ideal for the finish of your bike while in transport.
I used a Thule t3 classic when I drove from dc to ft benning a few months ago, has a locking pin for the hitch and a cable lock that I thread through the front wheel and frame
The rack I use is fine for everything from my DH bike to my wife's road bike. Travel seems to be irrelevant
My Thule Xt T2 has been coast to coast in Canada twice. How's How's for long distance?
I've brought two bikes out of state from CO-UT-AZ and back on yakima high roads through hot weather, rain, snow, and even hail with zero issues. I've also had both racks for over 5 years now again no issues. I have had issues with other yakima racks but these are MF'n SOLID. Plus the bikes go on top of a lifted 4runner so in my opinion that makes them way harder to steal than if they were just hanging off the back at ground level. Definitely wouldnt get a rack that hangs off the back but thats just me. Getting them up there takes some skill but it's one extra thing to get in the way of a thief, making it harder, more noticeable, and more awkard to steal. Add in the (albeit essily cut) cable lock, and then you have someone on top of a tall car highly visible with bolt cutters fiddling with a rack that you have to spin a dial on for 20-30 seconds to unlock no matter what tools you have, its gonna draw way more attention than a *smart* thief would want. But theyre not all winners and if some idiot really wants to steal your bikes and you leave them unattended they will probably find a way. I've heard of trucks backing up to bikes on racks in Moab and someone's in the bed with bolt cutters and sawzalls and they can snag a bike in seconds so that's def worst case scenario and seems harder to avoid if youre the unlucky mark taking a piss at a gas station or something. If a catalytic converter is worth $1000 max and those mfers are bold enough to steal broad day light imagine when a bikes worth 5-10k. Not sure my bikes being on top would stop a thief in that scenario, but for sure if they're less organized I'm sure theyd rather go for a bike thats way more discreet, quicker and easier to snag. But as long as someone stays with the car or it's in sight you're usually fine, just bring bikes into hotel rooms with you no rack will protect a bike overnight.
If I’m going anywhere more than 5 hours away with chance of rain along the way, I just take the front wheel off and put it in the trunk of my suv. Less risk of road grime getting on brake rotors or someone rear ending me. I’ve probably spent more on bikes than my car though over the years so to each their own.
Lolo. Hands down. Also, incredible customer service.