When the Kuat Piston Professional X debuted, it introduced a number of novel options to market. Essentially the most seen was the built-in taillights and Kashima-coated sliders, however these weren’t actually what made this rack particular and distinctive.
Luckily, the followup Piston Professional dropped $300 from the X’s worth by dropping these “gimmicks” whereas holding the factor that made this rack actually cool: The Pistons.
The Piston Gimmick
Arguably, even the pneumatic pistons that open the tire cradles could possibly be thought-about a gimmick.
Are they needed? No. Do they make it simpler to load bikes? Completely.
Mainly, you push the OneTap paddle to launch the piston, which then pushes the tire cradle up and out. Faucet each side and you’ll simply load your bike in with out having to juggle it whereas leveraging the cradles open.
It’s a small factor, however when you have got spouses and children additionally loading bikes, or you have got heavier e-bikes, it makes life simpler. You possibly can even faucet it together with your foot and it opens.
The cradles open large, and you’ll simply push them past horizontal if you could. The one catch is that you simply HAVE to make use of the piston paddle to open the rack…don’t pull it open like regular or it may well mess issues up.
There’s additionally a launch lever that lets the rack pivot down for tailgate entry and up for storage. And that lever may be pulled or pushed, and there’s an outsized decrease half so you need to use your foot to launch it and decrease the rack. The one niggle is that it’s positioned on the entrance of the rack, so you must attain by the bikes to get to it, which could possibly be a problem when increasing it to hold 3 or 4 bikes.
It’s Additionally a Nice Rack
Even in the event you don’t care in regards to the piston characteristic, the Piston Professional is a good hitch bike rack. It has all the simple-yet-sophisticated design that has at all times set Kuat aside. It’s rock strong, even with e-bikes. And it flips up near the automotive for compact proportions when not in use.
Bikes are held securely, and there’s no body contact in any respect.
Tire cradles have tool-free changes to suit virtually any tire dimension besides the smallest youngsters bikes. I’ve loaded street, gravel, and mountain bikes on it simply, and tire-size changes take only a few seconds.
I go away my bike rack on my automotive yr spherical, and this one’s been sitting on our Forester for 16 months as of this overview going dwell.
Due to the chrome steel {hardware}, IGUS bushings, and alloy physique, it nonetheless appears to be like model new save for a little bit of blue discoloration on the a part of the piston that’s uncovered when folded closed. And I believe it appears to be like kinda cool, so whatevs.
Two bikes match simply, too, with loads of pedal clearance.
The wheel tray and cradle design permits you to shift every bike a technique or one other to reduce handlebar-to-seat interference, too.
A thick safety cable simply reaches by each frames and all 4 wheels earlier than clicking into the built-in (and included!) lock on the middle beam.
The cable lock secret is matched with the included hitch pin lock, too, so safety comes customary with the rack.
Set up notes
I cracked a beer to take pleasure in whereas I assembled and put in the Piston Professional, however I used to be carried out placing it collectively earlier than I’d even gotten 1/3 of the way in which by my bevvie. It’s that simple.
Elements are labeled to match up, so there’s no guessing…
…and there are only some bolts.
All needed instruments are included within the field, too. It took me possibly 10 minutes of actual work, excluding taking these photographs.
Kuat Piston Professional specs
Per tray capability:
67lbs (2″ mannequin)
60lbs (1.25″ mannequin)
42lbs (RV chassis mount)
Rack weight: 61-63lbs (2-bike mannequin)
Suits bikes with:
53″ max wheelbase
5″ max tire width
18″ to 29″ wheel sizes
12mm cable lock
Locking hitch pin
Sand Black end
MSRP:
$1,098 (2-bike)
$1,596 (3-bike)
$1,996 (4-bike)
Different random notes:
The Piston Professional is available in 2-, 3-, and 4-bike variations. All of them begin with a 2-bike base, then add single or double trays later to broaden capability. You should buy them up entrance as a bundle, or add individually later…it’s the identical worth both manner.
The three- and 4-bike variations/extensions are solely rated to be used with 2″ hitches, however the 2-bike mannequin is out there for 1.25″ and a couple of″ hitches. And solely the 2-bike model is rated for RV use.
I’m being sincere, the taillights aren’t actually a gimmick. They’re fairly cool. And is perhaps required (or at the least very advisable) in some markets. Kashima-coated pistons? Meh. However the lights are cool, even in the event you can add aftermarket mild kits for a fraction of the value.
General, I really like this rack. Zero complaints. In order for you one thing that’s compact, rock strong, sturdy, and appears nice, try the Kuat Piston Professional.
Kuat.com
