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Premium rack has arms that deploy with the tap of a lever, making loading and unloading bikes almost effortless. Arms hold your bikes securely by the wheels. Built-in LEDs use your vehicle's 4-way plug to sync with your brake lights.
Features:
Specs:
The Piston Pro X has arms with hydro-pneumatic struts that deploy automatically by simply tapping the release levers, so you can easily load your bikes with both hands. They operate like the gas struts on your SUV that lift and support the rear hatch. The struts have a Kashima coating that keeps friction low, so they'll always open smoothly and in a controlled manner, even when exposed to water, mud, and road grime.
To load your bikes, tap the levers to deploy the hydro-pneumatic arms, set your bikes on the trays, and rotate the arms up over the wheels. Ratchets hold the arms in place, so once you squeeze the arms against the wheels there's nothing left to do. When you're ready to unload your bikes, tap the levers to release the arms - it's that simple.
The U-shaped arms have bridges that secure your bikes firmly by the wheel, so they won't scratch or scuff the bike's frame. Each arm has labelled settings for its bridge - 20", 24", 26", 27.5" and 29" tires. Just pinch the spring-loaded levers on each bridge and slide it to the corresponding tire size for each bike - no tools required.
The Piston Pro X doesn't have cradles for the wheels like most platform-style bike racks. Instead, it has wheel trays that allow you to position your bikes on the rack exactly where you want them, not where the cradles dictate you place them. This helps prevent your handlebars and other bike parts from bumping into each other. Additionally, the trays have grooves in the tracks that accommodate narrow 18c road bike tires up to 5.0" fat bike tires.
The rack tilts down with your bikes loaded. So, whether you're at the trail or the grocery store, you don't have to remove your bikes to access your cargo area. It also folds up when not in use. This leaves a smaller footprint, so you can keep the rack on your vehicle to park in your garage. And if you want to remove it, it doesn't take up as much space to store it.
The spring-loaded hand and foot pedal is easily accessible when the rack is tilted up. When you're ready to load your bikes, simply step on the pedal and lower the rack with both hands. To tilt the rack with bikes loaded, reach under your front bike and pull up on the pedal with your hand. No more crawling through your bikes or squeezing between the rack and the vehicle to hit the tilt release lever. To return it to the upright position, pull up on the lever and raise the rack until it clicks into position.
To keep you visible and safe, the Piston Pro X has built-in LED brake lights and turn signals. The lights are powered via the built-in wiring harness that plugs into your vehicle's existing 4-way connector. The lights are visible whether the rack is in use or in the stowed position.
The rack is easy to install. Just slide the shank into your hitch and use the included security tool to tighten the flatlock cam. As you tighten the cam, an anti-rattle wedge is deployed inside the shank to help take play out of the hitch connection.
The security tool has a hollow-point hex indentation, so it can only be used with the Piston Pro X. This helps keep the rack secure on your vehicle. When you're done using it, simply lock it in place in the compartment at the front of the rack.
A cable lock is included to secure your bikes to the rack. The 12-mm thick, braided steel cable threads through your bike's frames, and locks back into the rack. The cable has a soft rubber cover that won't scratch or scuff your bikes' paint. A stainless steel hitch lock is also included to secure the rack to your vehicle.
An aluminum ramp (sold separately) lets you roll your heavy e-bikes on and off the rack - no heavy lifting required. The ramp telescopes to ensure it touches the ground so you don't have to lift your bike at all. It can also be used to decrease the angle of approach to make loading even easier.
A hook-and-loop strap kit (sold separately) lets you carry bikes with fenders. The Fender Kit Only setting on each arm indicates where to place the straps so they don't make contact with your bike's fenders.
1-Bike or 2-bike add-on (sold separately) lets you easily convert the rack to carry 3 or 4 bikes.
Alternate Instructions
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (30 Customer Reviews)
Premium rack has arms that deploy with the tap of a lever, making loading and unloading bikes almost effortless. Arms hold your bikes securely by the wheels. Built-in LEDs use your vehicle's 4-way plug to sync with your brake lights.Only rack we found that could carry our heavy ebikes. Love the locking mechanism!! Even works with our fenders. Wish it had place to mount license plate.
Best bike rack I have ever owned (and I have owned several really good bike racks). It is a substantial rack and well made. If there is any downside, it is the price, but quality shows and their customer service is second-to-none. The arms capture the wheels very well, but might take some getting used to. The flatlock system and the rear LED lights are innovative and add value to the rack.
It's really a beautiful bike rack, and the lights work great. However, it blocks my car's back-up camera, regardless whether I keep it in up or down position. And to open my car's hatch, rack must be in down position. Things to keep in mind.
Kuat Piston Pro X bike rack so far exceeds expectations on 2023 Tesla Model Y! Fabulous wellbuilt, solid platform 2 bike hitch rack w tilt & locks. Thrilled on all accounts: excellently presented product info, easy to follow lit & videos for installation & convenient access to customer service. Delivered in 3 days. Quick install. Just needed to pick up 4 flat to 7 way adaptor for hooking up electrical lights in stock at [online]. Lights awesome unique feature! Visibility from rear camera good. Contrary to video & booklet instructions may be best to insert hitch pin through holes in hitch receiver and piston shank as 1st step. Was more difficult doing this as one of the last steps. Also would be good to know about how to acquire extra set of keys. Glad to have piece of mind of bikes being tight & secure.
I’ve had several bike racks over the years, but none have been easier to assemble. The quality of the materials used to make this rack are very high by my standards. Not a cheap rack by any means, but I’m a firm believer in “you get what you pay for”.
etrailer was very easy to work with and answered all my questions quickly. etrailer knew the answers to my questions about the Kuat Bike Rack but oddly the person at Kuat did not. The boxes arrived in perfect condition.
Quick delivery. It was pretty easy putting it together everything was packaged well
Truly fantastic product (despite a bit of a budget killer). Works great!
Awesome rack, awesome experience. The rack was available on Amazon with Prime shipping. etrailers had the same price, free shipping and a faster delivery time than Amazon. Support a business other than Amazon and you won’t be disappointed.
A marvel of a rack, and greta service
I looked most of the no touch racks. Most of the other racks needed two hands to release them from the tire and kuat didn’t. The rack is built very well and would think it would last a lifetime. Even though this one is one of the higher priced racks I’m not disappointed in the build quality
Seems very well made and easy to use, I also have Kuat NV 2.0 , both are great racks
Just as advertised if not better. Outstanding overall experience.
Great service and great product.
Very easy to put together. Solid rack. Had an NV 2.0 already but wanted the newer rack with the lighting as I think its more safe
Assembly was painless and the product is solid.
EXTREMLY easy to load and unload my e-b ikes
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Condition: Surface Scratches
Notes: Item has cosmetic scratches present.
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Katrina D.
8/21/2024
Well, you're in luck! Kuat actually offers a license plate relocation bracket for the Kuat Piston Pro X Bike rack, part # KU98VR! Check out the License Plate Holder for Kuat Piston Pro X, part # KU49RR. It looks like it's been a while since you ordered the rack, let me know if you need any assistance in getting the bracket ordered.