Review: Küat's New Kashima-Coated Piston Pro X Bike Rack
Midwest United States-based brand Küat offers a variety of hitch-based bicycle racks ranging from basic to extravagant. Most of the racks in the line have, up until now, used a single-arm style design over the front wheel to secure the bike. With their new Piston X series, Küat's latest rack uses a ratcheting two-arm style mechanism to secure bikes without touching the frame.
The rack also comes with a host of other features including Kashima coating, pneumatics, and LED taillights.
The rack also comes with a host of other features including Kashima coating, pneumatics, and LED taillights.
Piston Pro X Details
• 2 bike capacity, add on for up to 4 bikes
• 18"-29" wheel size compatible
• Accommodates tires up to 5" wide, wheelbase up to 53"
• Capacity: 67lbs per tray
• Lifetime warranty
• MSRP: $1,389 USD
• kuat.com
• 2 bike capacity, add on for up to 4 bikes
• 18"-29" wheel size compatible
• Accommodates tires up to 5" wide, wheelbase up to 53"
• Capacity: 67lbs per tray
• Lifetime warranty
• MSRP: $1,389 USD
• kuat.com
According to Küat, ease of use was high on the priority list when designing the The Piston Pro X. The hydro-pneumatic tire chocks are released with the push of one lever per arm and they can drop all the way down and out of the way to assist with loading more cumbersome bikes. If that's not enough, there is an optional e-bike ramp to assist with loading and unloading those machines.
There's a magnetic quick-connect plug for brake and signal lights, a 12mm thick semi-integrated cable lock for security, and IGUS bushings on major pivots of the rack. The entire thing is powder-coated. All of the steel hardware has a 750-hour salt spray to prevent corrosion.
A lockable Flatlock hitch cam prevents the rack from swaying side to side, and deters theft. The rack folds up via a foot or hand actuated pivot on the two bike version and it's expandable to a three or four bike system with the addition of add-on trays.
The rack is available in the spring of 2022 at Küat retailers and there will be several less-than-full-featured models released later in the year with prices for those starting at $989 USD.
PERFORMANCE
I have had the Piston Pro X for a couple of months now, so I've had a fair amount of time to familiarize myself with its use and function. I've also loaned it out to a few others in order to let them use it and hear their thoughts. As it's one of the most expensive bike racks available, my expectations were high, to say the least.
If you buy the rack from a dealer, I would fully expect them to assemble and install it for you. Assembly of the rack, should you have to do it yourself, is simple and involves minimal steps and no more than 20 minutes of your time, and that's if you're mechanically inept. It's a quick process that involves putting it into the hitch, running a few long bolts to connect the left and right trays, and connecting the taillights. Unpackaging it actually took longer than putting it together.
Brake lights are connected via a standard trailer brake adapter. There's a magnetic socket that clips into the rack and then magnetic clips to accommodate any slack.
A lever that can be pulled or stepped on allows the rack to fold up, out for use, or down and out of the way to access cargo.
There's a semi-integrated lock in the middle of the rack and then access at the end of the rack for an add-on. The end also hides an 8mm Allen key.
Using the rack is as straight forward as it gets. The wheel chocks are opened by pushing a lever that activates the Kashima-coated pneumatic arm. There's one for each side so the bike can be adjusted a bit to the left or right - super handy should the seat from one bike be in the zone of the handlebars of your riding partners'. Bikes can be simply set in the rack, push the arm for one side up, push up the other until it's snug, and off you go.
Wheel size is easily adjustable by pinching the tabs on the adjustable slider on each arm and putting it into the corresponding position. If there is a need to snug up the cam on the rack while out and about, there's an 8mm wrench tucked into the lockable mount for add-on trays at the end of the rack.
Adjustable from 29" down to 18" with a pinch.
The rack has performed flawlessly in the time I have had it. The brake lights are bright and visible whether the rack is in use or folded up and the arms and indexing function that locks the bike in place have shown no issues or signs of wear. I've taken to washing bikes after riding while they're still on the rack, spraying plenty of dirt, grime, degreasers, and various cleaners on the rack with zero issues. Two months is a very small percent of how long I would expect a rack like this to hold up but, there are no signs to indicate otherwise, even with as many moving parts as the Piston has. While it's also reassuring that Küat gave it a lifetime warranty, I would expect nothing less after spending that much money on a bike rack.
Pushing the lever for the hydropneumatic arm opens it up. Push it again and you can fold the arm down, allowing bikes to be loaded from the side.
Pros
+ Easy to use
+ Brake lights
+ Well constructed
Cons
- It's expensive- Not all cars will have wiring to use brake light feature
- Not the lightest to install
Pinkbike's Take
 | I can get along with the most basic tailgate pad just fine and there are plenty of less costly options for attaching a bike to your car than Küat's Piston X. However, there is no doubt a market for a top-tier bike rack to go on the back of all of the latest crop of fancy crossover SUV's I've seen filling local trailhead parking lots, and the Piston Pro X is an excellent accessory for them. There are a lot of bells and whistles, but they're all well-executed, and the rack functions extremely well. It's simple to use, holds bikes securely without touching the fork or frame, and has some added safety features that are very nicely integrated. For anyone looking for a rack of this style, there's currently nothing better available that I've used. |
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With mountain biking and my family of four it's four expensive bikes, bike rack, helmets, shoes, gloves, and constant maintenance items like chains, suspension, droppers, brake pads, bearings, cassettes, etc. I'm a frugal Fred so when I start to think of the rising costs my head spins.
1Up is half this price and handmade in the USA.
Crazy sauce!
This rack does offer a few things others don't. Light kit, one handed operation, even the bling factor can be a selling point (just like those cars: many buy them just to have the shiniest shit). It's not a selling point that will get me to bite: I'm not ever buying one, love my 1up. but this kuat simply existing doesn't hurt anything. In fact, to me, it makes my 1up purchase even stronger, since the next best similar option (this kuat) is silly expensive, confirming I made the right choice.
It's not ruining any industry, just as the auto industry is not ruined by supercars or racecars, and just as the bike industry is not ruined by $12,000 S-Works, Hi-Mod, CC, or Turq builds. In fact, this rack might spur someone else to make a less expensive one-hand operation or add light kits to existing options, making the industry better. Everyone needs to calm down and stop whining just because things you can't afford simply exist.
So, while it's great that you're super eager to share your ignorance with the world just for the sake of white knighting for Kuat's $1400 kashima rack, you're wrong. This isn't a "super rack" it's an obvious copy, with just enough rework to avoid getting hit with any patent issues or similar drama.
And nobody's bitching about things they can't afford... we're bitching about bike companies artificially inflating the cost of products just because idiots like you are willing to pretend there's a justification for it. "Let's copy that design, add some Kashima, and double the price" isn't a justification, it's a f*cking scam and nobody should be willing to get behind it.
I also do not understand why it seems to be a positive that some products were handmade in USA, unfortunately this is not synonymous with high quality product, it can be, but it does not have to. Mass produced or handmade quality product made in Taiwan or say Poland could be superior....
This is why I do not have kids.... priorities
Down vote away!
oomsgfx.com/misc/Posts%20on%20Forums/1upCurtLights.gif
- Steal 1up's design
- Add a bunch of useless shit to the design
- retain a bunch of plastic pieces so it eventually fails
- manufacture it in china or taiwan
*profit*!
1up USA = racks
OneUp Components = totally different company
:-)
I can attach an add on (or several) to hold more bikes in under 2minutes.
Also it’s simple, classic, and all aluminum + steel… and US made. At half the price.
But I drive a Crosstrek, not a Range Rover or Cayenne. So I’m not the target customer here for Kuat anyway.
/s
Bought a 1Up.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bna-CVObmds
Also, how is "Not all cars will be wired for brake lights" a con?
I say that becuase I have looked and it's as clear as mud, what the definition is. from what I can tell, obscured means not visible. it doesn't list what, if any, partial obscuring would constitute needing lights on the rack. so it's pretty easy to see lights through a bicycle.
TLDR: you don't actually need the lights
Still, I like the idea of having brake lights built into the rack.
I'm just waiting for the Kuat and S-Works collaboration rack that costs no less than $5500.
Remember, I said I was nitpicking. This is PB after all.
Literally nothing about this rack deters theft. In fact, it likely makes thieves want to come back for seconds to steal the rack after they've gotten the bike(s) on it.
"You don't know the news ? They want to pay to put kashima on their bike rack system !!"
Next big thing to complete the collection: Kashima coated toilets for lowest poo friction, no need to flush anymore !
Thanks.
I don’t care how “good” the 1UP is, it looks like it was made in a high school shop class. I could never put that on the back of my Defender. Would I replace my current Kuat? Possibly. I ride all winter and I like the idea of the tail lights when visibility is low. Do I want to spend this much, nope.
www.1up-usa.com/product/equip-d-double
I'll stick with my bulletproof, built-for-the-apocalypse, all-aluminum 1up, thank you very much. Don't think I need that Kashima bling on my freakin' rack. I'd rather spend more on bikes.
I’d rather hear more about the Float X shock on that Epic Evo.
Did it require a custom tune? Does it work well for that bike?
A piggyback shock with 2 water bottles in the frame is impressive!
Overall this is a bitchin rack, and if 1up can keep the short length of the Super/Heavy Duty, I would sell my 2020 1up stuff should they update the design.
This morning I headed over to KUAT HQ to pick up a replacement to a decade old hitch lock (they wouldn't accept any payment for the replacement though it IS a decade old.) While waiting in their lobby, I looked over the Piston in a 3 bike configuration. I had read all the whining about the use of plastic in this rack and wanted to see for myself. The only plastic pieces on this rack, are te LED covers (duh), two levers involved with the raising/lowering function (they are small, could be easily sent through the mail in a small envelope if needed replaced, but they ARE redundant as the mainly lever is metal) and the levers that allow adjusting from one wheel size to another (which requires tools on my friends 1UP.)
So the claims of all this plastic are from people that have not seen the rack in person.
Whether it's a value to an individual is up to them. It is out of my value range for a bike rack, but they offer other products that aren't.
I can say THIS with absolute surety though...
The customer service I have gotten from them over the past ten years hasn't been approached by ANY other firm, in ANY industry. Their CS is ASTONISHING.
Editor : do you think there are consumers for such thing?
1UP is the ONLY way to go for quality REAL METAL, MADE IN THE USA QUALITY.
Bye Felicia Kuat!