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.
Happily, the followup Piston Professional dropped $300 from the X’s value by dropping these “gimmicks” whereas maintaining the factor that made this rack actually cool: The Pistons.
The Piston Gimmick
Arguably, even the pneumatic pistons that open the tire cradles may very well be thought of a gimmick.
Are they obligatory? No. Do they make it simpler to load bikes? Completely.
Principally, you push the OneTap paddle to launch the piston, which then pushes the tire cradle up and out. Faucet each 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 will have spouses and youngsters additionally loading bikes, or you will have heavier e-bikes, it makes life simpler. You may even faucet it along with your foot and it opens.
The cradles open broad, and you may simply push them past horizontal if that you must. 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 could actually 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 might be pulled or pushed, and there’s an outsized decrease half so you should utilize your foot to launch it and decrease the rack. The one niggle is that it’s situated on the entrance of the rack, so it’s a must to attain by the bikes to get to it, which may very well be a difficulty when increasing it to hold 3 or 4 bikes.
It’s Additionally a Nice Rack
Even in case you don’t care in regards to the piston characteristic, the Piston Professional is a superb hitch bike rack. It has all the simple-yet-sophisticated design that has at all times 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 measurement besides the smallest youngsters bikes. I’ve loaded highway, 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 overview going stay.
Because of the stainless-steel {hardware}, IGUS bushings, and alloy physique, it nonetheless seems to be 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 feel it seems to be kinda cool, so whatevs.
Two bikes match simply, too, with loads of pedal clearance.
The wheel tray and cradle design enables you to shift every bike a method 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 key’s matched with the included hitch pin lock, too, so safety comes commonplace 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 executed placing it collectively earlier than I’d even gotten 1/3 of the way in which by my bevvie. It’s that straightforward.
Elements are labeled to match up, so there’s no guessing…
…and there are only some bolts.
All obligatory instruments are included within the field, too. It took me possibly 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)
Matches 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 increase capability. You should purchase them up entrance as a bundle, or add individually later…it’s the identical value both method.
The three- and 4-bike variations/extensions are solely rated to be used with 2″ hitches, however the 2-bike mannequin is offered 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 is likely to be required (or at the least very advisable) in some markets. Kashima-coated pistons? Meh. However the lights are cool, even in case you can add aftermarket gentle kits for a fraction of the value.
General, I like this rack. Zero complaints. If you would like one thing that’s compact, rock stable, sturdy, and appears nice, try the Kuat Piston Professional.
Kuat.com
