When the Kuat Piston Professional X debuted, it introduced a number of novel options to market. Probably the most seen was the built-in taillights and Kashima-coated sliders, however these weren’t actually what made this rack particular and distinctive.
Fortuitously, the followup Piston Professional dropped $300 from the X’s worth by dropping these “gimmicks” whereas preserving the factor that made this rack actually cool: The Pistons.
The Piston Gimmick
Arguably, even the pneumatic pistons that open the tire cradles might be thought of 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 either side and you may simply load your bike in with out having to juggle it whereas leveraging the cradles open.
It’s a small factor, however when you’ve spouses and youngsters additionally loading bikes, or you’ve heavier e-bikes, it makes life simpler. You possibly can even faucet it along with your foot and it opens.
The cradles open huge, and you may simply push them past horizontal if it is advisable. The one catch is that you just HAVE to make use of the piston paddle to open the rack…don’t pull it open like regular or it will probably 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 via the bikes to get to it, which might be a difficulty when increasing it to hold 3 or 4 bikes.
It’s Additionally a Nice Rack
Even for those who don’t care concerning the piston characteristic, the Piston Professional is a superb hitch bike rack. It has all the simple-yet-sophisticated design that has all the time set Kuat aside. It’s rock stable, 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 nearly any tire dimension besides the smallest children 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 12 months spherical, and this one’s been sitting on our Forester for 16 months as of this assessment going reside.
Due to the stainless-steel {hardware}, IGUS bushings, and alloy physique, it nonetheless appears 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 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 method or one other to attenuate handlebar-to-seat interference, too.
A thick safety cable simply reaches via each frames and all 4 wheels earlier than clicking into the built-in (and included!) lock on the middle beam.
The cable lock secret’s 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 accomplished placing it collectively earlier than I’d even gotten 1/3 of the best way via my bevvie. It’s that straightforward.
Components 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 perhaps 10 minutes of actual work, excluding taking these images.
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 method.
The three- and 4-bike variations/extensions are solely rated to be used with 2″ hitches, however the 2-bike mannequin is accessible for 1.25″ and a couple of″ hitches. And solely the 2-bike model is rated for RV use.
I’m being trustworthy, the taillights aren’t actually a gimmick. They’re fairly cool. And may be required (or a minimum of very advisable) in some markets. Kashima-coated pistons? Meh. However the lights are cool, even for those who can add aftermarket gentle kits for a fraction of the worth.
General, I like this rack. Zero complaints. If you need one thing that’s compact, rock stable, sturdy, and appears nice, take a look at the Kuat Piston Professional.
Kuat.com
