rockymounts monorail vs yakima holdup
A perfect blend of modern design and high-performing functionality, the Rockymounts SplitRail LS is a solid car rack for carrying 3 or 4 bikes. Hanging-style racks are known for their simplicity and affordable price tags, but the feature-rich Yakima FullSwing 4 bucks that trend. Starting with bike locks, these flexible cables allow you to secure the bikes frame or wheel to the rack. Top Tube Adapters 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. The ramps are quick to deploy, do a nice job guiding the bikes up and down, and store easily on the rack while driving. 1Up does offer a tilt lever extender, but that will cost you another $70, and it feels like something that could be remedied or included at the outset. Add-ons (also known as extensions) are a great way to increase the carrying capacity of your platform-style hitch rack. The ladder straps that secure the rear wheels are also easy to use by simply pulling tension on them, they don't have a ratcheting feature like some racks. Without a doubt, their Heavy Duty Double's sleek aluminum build and attention to detail are a cut above the rest. In addition, the tilt feature is all but unreachable with loaded bikesthe lever is hidden away under the rack. $598.95 By Yakima Yakima HoldUp EVO 2-Inch Bike Rack. ROCKY MOUNTS Fork Mount Tray Bike Rack w/ Lock & Hdw - Fit Yakima & Thule Bars. And with rapidly changing technology and an ever-growing Not long ago, mountain bikers didnt have a choice when it came to wheel sizes26 inches was the only option. And as mentioned above, all of the components on the Thule are extremely well-made, which makes the investment worth it over time. And with the exception of some truly cheap options, nearly all hitch-mounted bike racks have this functionality. The hitch pin locks still work fine despite lots of wet driving on mountain roads but they feel like the flimsiest part of the rack. Saris might have been pretty reasonable too. 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. It's similar to many of the other racks in this test in terms of its width of 56", but it's compact in comparison for its height of only 26.5". Another quibble we have is that the lock is not integrated into the rack, which is a handy feature that we appreciate on the Thule T2 Pro above and Yakima Dr.Tray below. 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. The main shortcoming of the design is it that the bikes are placed very close together and it can be a pain to limit side-to-side contact. 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. For downsides, we were disappointed to find that Yakima didnt utilize enough padding on the straps for both the bars and wheels. Skip that extra bit of carbon instead. The well-sorted design is compatible with both 1.25- and 2-inch receivers (a big plus for swapping between vehicles), very secure with arms that quickly lock over the tires, and light enough to move in and out of a garage without too much effort. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing and comparison. 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. Once you have this number you can compare it against the max wheelbase spec for the rack you're interested in purchasing. Vertical Hanging Racks It comes with a standard threaded hitch pin to attach the rack to your vehicle's receiver. Considering even a budget-friendly design is often $200 or more, this is a sensible addition. 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. RockyMounts makes a full line of bike racks and accessories. 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. Its worth noting that 1Up has recently expanded their line with the Equip-D rack, which addresses many of our complaints with the Heavy Duty, including an easier access tilt bar and compatibility with fat tires. If, however, youre looking for the ultimate in rear cargo access, the BackStage should be at the top of your list.See the RockyMounts BackStage. 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. Hitch-mounted bike rack weights vary widely, from the 14-pound Kuat Beta to the burly 63-pound RockyMounts BackStage. Once the hitch pin is tight you can secure it to the vehicle with the included hitch pin lock. Was planning on waiting for the Quik-Rack Mach 2 but he has had some material delay issues and just haven't gotten around to spending the money on the 1Up QuikRack (OG version). What sets the design apart is its versatility and ease of use: Unlike the North Shore Racks below, the HangTight is compatible with drop bar bikes, which is a great feature for those that mix disciplines (note: a max of three drop bar bikes can be loaded at a time on the HangTight 4). Read more about us. 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. 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. We also read a complaint online that the clamp arm didn't have adequate clearance for a user's fat bike suspension fork, something to consider if you happen to have one. 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. The only boat-rocking standouts are the single-bike version and the aftermarket one-bike add-on. RockyMounts 1.25" MonoRail Bike Rack, new, unopened, returned. Both wheel holsters can accommodate anything from smaller kids' bikes to fat bike tires, and wheelbase measurements from 36 to 50 in length. That said, for serious riders, the added weight and cost are well worth the security and ease of use of this style. The final potential bike compatibility pitfall is related to the shape and style of your bikes frame. If you have a truck, the simple pickup pad is a nice, affordable option, but you do lose the security of a locking hitch and it can take some work to limit bike-to-bike contact. Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with trends like 29-inch wheelsand more recently, 27.5-inch wheelsblazing the trail for bikes that are better and more Sweden-based Thule is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of car racks and bike accessories, and the T2 Pro XTR is their core hitch-mounted offering. 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. Further, you get included bike locks, a receiver lock, and its secure strap system is one of the best in the business. 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. 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. Wisconsin-based 1Up may not be a household name like Thule or Yakima, but the company has a dedicated following among hardcore cyclists. I just used a 20% coupon from REI to get the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 and I am impressed. There are notable outliers, however, including the innovative 1UP Recon Rack 6, which can accommodate six bikes in a vertical hanging position. $598.00 (1) RockyMounts. The SuperClamp EX 4 is one of their leading platform-style racks that differs from our top picks above with its ability to carry four bikes on a set of two platforms (rather than having only one bike on a platform). I just made a deal on a slightly used, but fairly new Sherpa! The MonoRail is very well suited for everyday use. 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). 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. At 32 pounds, its a whopping 20 pounds less than the Kuat NV 2.0 above, which makes it a whole lot easier to install and remove from your vehicle. Type: Vertical hangingWeight: 73 lbs.Number of bikes: 4 (available in a 6-bike version)Weight capacity per bike: 37.5 lbs.What we like: Vertical hanging rack thats user-friendly and compatible with a wide range of bike types.What we dont: Insufficient padding on wheels and bars led to scuffing. Its worth noting that if the rack youre purchasing doesnt include a receiver lock, every manufacturer on our list above offers one as an accessory. As expected, 2-inch receivers can handle more weight, which is a consideration if youre planning on hauling a heavy platform rack with some 50+ pound e-bikes aboard. Like the RockyMounts BackStage above, the racks calling card is its swing-away feature that provides easy access to the vehicle. But if youll only be carrying standard mountain or road bikes, a 1.25-inch receiver will work great. To help with bike-to-bike interference, RockyMounts utilized a tiered design, which means each bike sits at a different height (the one closest to the vehicle is lowest and they step up higher as they move away). At $699, its a big investment for a rack with so many compromises, but the FullSwing 4 does undercut the RockyMounts BackStage by $711 and can carry two additional bikes.See the Yakima FullSwing 4. 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. You first loop the cable through the frame and then use the hitch lock to lock the bike onto the rack. The reason is simple: theyre unable to accommodate irregularly-shaped bike framesincluding many full-suspension mountain bikes, kids bikes, and step-through bikeswithout purchasing a top tube adapter. By Yakima Yakima HoldUp 2-inch Black Bike Rack. No ads. And after about 500 miles of use, which did include many miles of dusty gravel roads, the padded frame cradles managed to rub the paint completely off one of our bikes. What's not to like with the hanging-style RidgeBack 4? 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. 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). or Best Offer. Moreover, there is very little space between the bikes when theyre loaded, which can lead to rubbing and damage to the paint. 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 . If youre searching for the best way to transport bikes, hitch-mounted racks are the way to go. GearLab is reader-supported. Most have two attachment points: a ratcheting arm that secures the front wheel, and a strap that holds the rear wheel in place. As stated above, these wheel size and tire width issues wont be a problem for a lot of ridersits often easier to store a small kids bike inside the vehicle, for examplebut its a good thing to have in mind as youre narrowing your rack search. British Columbia-based Swagman lacks the brand recognition of Thule or Yakima, but their XC2 model is a smart choice for recreational riders on a budget. Solid! Compare RockyMounts MonoRail vs Yakima HoldUp Bike | etrailer.com Select Year Select Make Select Model RockyMounts MonoRail Bike Rack for 3 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount Mouseover to zoom. Hitch racks is a competitive space, but what really sets the T2 Pro XTR apart from the field is material quality and the sheer number of features it offers. The extra design complexity and materials do add weight and costRockyMounts BackStage is 10 to 20 pounds heavier than a non-swing-away alternativebut are worth it for those that prioritize the feature. Plus, the optional 2-Bike Add-On (for another $550) doubles its capacity. When the RockyMounts BackStage was released, the rack created quite a stir in the industry. But step-through frames (common on cruiser bikes), full-suspension mountain bikes, and kids bikes can be problematic. Weve also been impressed with the Heliums build: even loaded down with two 30+ pound mountain bikes on very bumpy forest service roads, the rack and bikes stayed in place with only minimal movement. For hauling a lot of bikes with relative ease, the HangTight is a great option. 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. $380.00. 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. (inner); 35 lbs. 15-20 minutes later and you're ready to go. Its simple to operate, and the rack feels almost weightless even with heavy bikes on the trays. Platform Rack Add-Ons His seemed solid and he's been very happy with it. RockyMounts claims the SplitRail is the lightest expandable hitch rack available, although Yakima says the same of their even newer Dr. Tray rack. In cutting weight, however, you lose out on the long-term durability found on other racks. Choosing the Right Bike Rack for Your Car, the world's most carefully tested and objective gear reviews, Reasonably priced, highly versatile, solid construction, user-friendly tilt release, comes with locks, Very secure hold, no frame or fork contact, Secure hold, easy rack installation/removal, no bike frame contact, More security features than other trunk racks, comes in 2 and 3 bike versions, lightweight, folds small for transport or storage, more stable than other trunk racks, Very inexpensive, no assembly required, lightweight, folds small for storage, Sits slightly closer to vehicle than some, some assembly required, Design seems a little over-complicated, limited to vehicles with low roof height, you have to lift bike to height of roof to load, Works best on lower vehicles, harder to load bike, lock cores not included for integrated lock, Some assembly required, 33 lbs per bike weight limit, may not be compatible with all frames styles and shapes, Not adjustable, support arms may not work with all frame shapes/styles, no security features, A roof-mount rack with an exceptionally sturdy and secure hold of your bicycle with no frame contact, A quality roof-mount bike rack that is particularly easy to install and remove and works best with lower vehicles and lighter-weight bikes, A quality trunk mount rack that stands out for its security features, stability, and adjustability, A very affordable, bare-bones trunk rack for the infrequent rack user on a tight budget, Yes, 1.25" reciever, single bike add-on sold separately, T-slot compatibility with additional SmarT-Slot Kit. One of the more technical considerations of the hitch rack puzzle is the clearance between the rack, your bikes, and the vehicle. 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. 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! We carried all types of bikes and logged thousands of miles on everything from smooth highways, winding mountain roads, and washboard doubletracks. The included locks are certainly a good theft deterrent, but not much more than that. I got it from Backcountry when they had a 20% off one full priced item sale. In stark contrast to the feature-rich and pricey Kuat NV 2.0 above is the brands simple and budget-friendly Beta. 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