Any cyclists on here? Want to upgrade my bike rack to platform style!

Sputnik

Sputnik

New member
I currently have a old yakima 4 bike hitch mount where you strap the bikes on the frame and they hang. I upgraded my road bike to a carbon fiber. I always have issues trying to fit my full suspension mountain bike on it as well.

I'm trying to to find the BEST most expensive platform rack.

I'm stuck and can't figure out which one is best; Kuat NV 2 or the 1UP USA?
 
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We have an old sportsworks tray bike rack that is 10-15 years old. It is awesome with its adjustable trays. Do not get a Yakima tray rack because they suck and the bikes hit all the time. Thule bought the rights to the Sportsworks design and have slightly modified it. I would reccomend a Thule tray rack.
 
Sputnik said:
I currently have a old yakima 4 bike hitch mount where you strap the bikes on the frame and they hang. I upgraded my road bike to a carbon fiber. I always have issues trying to fit my full suspension mountain bike on it as well.

I'm trying to to find the BEST most expensive platform rack.

I'm stuck and can't figure out which one is best; Kuat NV 2 or the 1UP USA?
Click to expand...

Price has nothing to do with something being the "best" for your needs. What is good for me might not be good for you so research it carefully.
 
We currently use a standard Thule 4bike hitch bar on my wife's Rav4. Had it for the last 8 years and used it for our carbon frame bikes without issue. ...The mountain bikes have been more of a challenge.

Some folks in our cycling club seem to be very fond of the Thule Doubletracks. My only concern with them is they weigh so much, some of them pushing 60lbs. No way my wife could remove the damn thing from the hitch on her own.....which means she has to harass me to do it. :-(

As for the 4Runner I just remove the front wheel from the bikes and slide 'em in the back cargo area. With the rear seats down you can get two bikes and a ton of gear in the back of your T4R easey peasey. But I digress.

....let us know what you finally select and why.
 
I use a Kuat Sherpa (basically the same as the NV minus a few features) and I love it. I have a full suspension bike and always had problems with arm type carriers so when I got rid of my truck and got the 4R I picked up some fork mounted racks..

Eventually got tired of removing the front tire and putting it on the roof after a long ride so I picked up the Sherpa from CL.

The anti-rattle device works well but I couldn't use it because when folded down the rack barely clears the hatch unless you use an adapter. For some reason the NV folds a little farther and doesn't create any problems. That's the only problem I have come across with the rack though, it holds the bikes very securely
 
I also have the Kuat Sherpa. It is a nice rack. Holds my FS and my girlfriends 29er securely. The only issue i have had is the tension device bolt snapped while putting the rack on one day. I recieved a replacement 2 days after calling customer service.

Its not cheap by any means but seems like it will last.
 
1engineer said:
Price has nothing to do with something being the "best" for your needs. What is good for me might not be good for you so research it carefully.
Click to expand...

Bad wording on my end. The above 2 I mentioned just happen to be more expensive then all the other racks on the market. They are also the 2 that I like more then anything else out there. Wish I could see at least one of them in person. That would make my decision easier. None of the local hobby shops carry either rack. All they carry are Yakima and Thule, which are decent racks, but these 2 look like they are a level above.
I'm just stuck and can't decide on which one I want.
Both racks have positive reviews, and are totally different, but cost $529 each configured for a 2inch hitch and 2 bikes...

Thanks for everyone's feedback.
 
You can buy two of the Swagman mounts I linked for $250, which would hold 4 bikes....That's still less than half the cost of the both of the ones you listed, and it works with both size hitches, not just the one. If you don't like it, send it back. Amazon's return policy is awesome.
 
Millerad1651 said:
You can buy two of the Swagman mounts I linked for $250, which would hold 4 bikes....That's still less than half the cost of the both of the ones you listed, and it works with both size hitches, not just the one. If you don't like it, send it back. Amazon's return policy is awesome.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link, but I already decided that I want one of the 2 I mentioned.
 
Sputnik said:
Bad wording on my end. The above 2 I mentioned just happen to be more expensive then all the other racks on the market. They are also the 2 that I like more then anything else out there. Wish I could see at least one of them in person. That would make my decision easier. None of the local hobby shops carry either rack. All they carry are Yakima and Thule, which are decent racks, but these 2 look like they are a level above.
I'm just stuck and can't decide on which one I want.
Both racks have positive reviews, and are totally different, but cost $529 each configured for a 2inch hitch and 2 bikes...

Thanks for everyone's feedback.
Click to expand...

REI sells both Kuat Racks. Try your store, or you can order one and have it mailed to the store, if you dont like you dont take it home. Also, go to
Küat and search your zip code. There are a couple in your state as well as NY.
 
Went with the 1up USA rack because it has the option to just have 1 bike rack, Kuat has a minimum of 2. Plus it has no plastic parts and is made in USA. That means a lot to me. Cannot wait to get it!

I'll post some pics when I do
 
Sputnik said:
Went with the 1up USA rack because it has the option to just have 1 bike rack, Kuat has a minimum of 2. Plus it has no plastic parts and is made in USA. That means a lot to me. Cannot wait to get it!

I'll post some pics when I do
Click to expand...

Any update on the 1up rack? I had done a little looking at that one but my LBS 1 mile away carried the Kuat rack so that helped me decide and I'm just curious what you think of it after receiving it.
 
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youngr said:
Any update on the 1up rack? I had done a little looking at that one but my LBS 1 mile away carried the Kuat rack so that helped me decide and I'm just curious what you think of it after receiving it.
Click to expand...

I received it yesterday, but won't have the chance to open it until friday. I'll update this post once I check it out this weekend.
Super fast deliverary. Hoping the rack is as good as their customer service

You can only buy the 1UP directly from the manufacturer, local bike shops do not carry this rack. That is the only down side. The upside is it's made in USA, unlike any other rack on the market
 
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