Ive been hooked since the moment I hopped on my first e-bike.It didnt take long to realize that I needed a rack that could handle the extra pounds.

　　Thats why I decided to test the newKüatPiston Ion. This beefed-up hitch bike rack offers premium security. Its two-bike compatible and can securely hold everything from heavy e-bikes to lightweight pedal bikes. It also has an easy-to-use ramp to assist with loading.

　　While the Piston Ion is worth the chunk of change, its pricey. But from my perspective, Id already shelled out the money for an electric investment in happiness. Its important to protect that asset when I haul it.

　　In short: TheKüatPiston Ion($1,289 for the basic kit) is a purpose-built rack that handles all types of e-bikes. With a weight rating of 100 pounds per tray, rating for RV and off-road use, powder-coated finish, and optional lights, its a rack youll keep for the life of your bicycle. Earning an overall score of 8.5, this heavy-duty hitch rack carries two bikes and has some very handy design details. One drawback: The clearance may be an issue with truck tailgates. Also note that the weight capacity is tiered for RVs and off-road use (more on that below).

　　To see how this e-bike-compatible hitch bike rack compares, read our buyers guide on Best Hitch Bike Racks.

　　Küat Piston Ion Check Price at REICheck Price at Backcountry

　　8.5 How we rate products Rating Details Ease of Assembly 6.0 Ease of Installation 5.0 Ease of Loading 9.5 Security Stability 10.0 Specifications Weight (lbs.): 68 lbs. Number of bikes: 2 Carry capacity: 100 lbs. per tray, 80 lbs. mounted to RV Hitch receiver options: 2” Locks: Integrated hitch lock, integrated cable lock Type: Tray rack Pros RV- and off-road-rated (100 lbs. capacity) Quick-adjust fender compatibility Integrated hitch and cable locks Light and license plate kit maintains full legality Cons Pricey Tilt-away feature could interfere with truck tailgates Eric Phillips

　　The loading ramp took most of the strain out of lifting a heavy e-bike onto the rack; (photo/Eric Phillips) E-bikes are more prevalent today than ever, from simple commuters to full-suspension electric mountain bikes.While the extended range means you can ride farther from home, the trade-off is a much heavier bike.

　　This can cause issues with a standard rack, from lifting a too-heavy bike onto the rack to overloading the rack.

　　Easy to Load: Heavy-Duty Trays The first time I lifted my 60-pound e-bike onto a rack, I understood the need for a ramp. I’m a strong person, but the heft of the bike caught me off guard.Thankfully, Küat designedthis rackwith two heavy-duty trays with super-sturdy folding arms on each end.

　　Loading the rack is a breeze thanks to the included bike ramp. Simply unfold the rear tire arm until it is out of the way. Then, extend and clip the tray onto the bike ramp. A ramp with heavier bikes is now a must with all the racks I use.

　　My only gripe? The ramp cant be stored conveniently on the rack. So, it takes up extra space in the truck when not in use. However, it does collapse down to half size, which is something.Overall, I was really impressed with how easy and secure loading a bike is withthis hitch bike rack.

　　The rear wheel strap added a firm hold on rough roads, keeping the tire from shifting during travel; (photo/Eric Phillips) Secure Hold: Sturdy Arms, Wheel Stabilizers This design is super-durable. The entire rack and the arms are powder-coated black. The rack also comes with additional security to help hold bikes in place.

　　First, the arms use a silver ratchet system that auto-locks and releases with a large black push handle.

　　Second, it has front and rear wheel stabilizers. Both sit in sliders at the bottom of the rack and can be adjusted with an allen wrench to fit a bikes wheelbase, helping it remain upright. The rear stabilizer comes with an extra strap that clamps around the rear tire. Compared to the 1Up Super Duty, these extra design details inspire more confidence in securing heavy bikes.

　　Furthermore, each arm has a wheel chock that slides up or down with a simple button. This lets you size down the opening for smaller bike tires or easily adjust the rack to fit a bike that has fenders without crushing the fender.

　　Küat also provides extra straps that they recommend using when securing a bike with a fender.These attributes all help provide confidence for hauling an expensive cargo like an e-bike, especially during off-road excursions.

　　The rack kept both e-bikes steady on rough approaches, showing how well it handles off-road travel with heavier loads; (photo/Eric Phillips) Certified for Rugged Use and Campers: RV and Off-Road Ratings Whilethis hitch bike rackboasts a rating of 100 pounds per tray, those stats change for RV and off-road use. The RV rating lowers the racks weight capacity to 80 pounds, which is still a lot per tray but comes with some stipulations.

　　First, the rack is only rated for Class B RVs, which are the smallest ones. A Class B RV is a motor home on a van chassis, or for all intents and purposes, all kinds of sprinter vans — good news for all you van lifers out there! Additionally, the hitch must be mounted to the frame rather than the bumper and is not rated for hitch extenders or swing-arm attachments.

　　When it comes to off-road use, the rack rating drops again to 50 pounds per tray. At 50 pounds per tray, were starting to exclude some heavier, full-power e-bikes like theSpecialized Turbo Levo 4,which weighs 57 pounds and exceeds that limit.

　　Additionally, Küats warranty only covers basic off-roading without modified suspension. Gravel roads are not considered off-roading, so you can still bring the heavier bikes to most trailheads. (In my opinion, its actually much nicer to ride an e-bike over rough roads than to drive my entire rig.)

　　With all that said, both ratings are tied to Küat’s warranty. But, if you dont plan to use it, I wouldnt worry too much about transporting slightly heavier bikes off-road. Just know the small print.

　　The rack stayed stable on rough dirt roads, keeping both bikes secure during the drive to remote trailheads; (photo/Eric Phillips) Flatlock Hitch Cam: An Anti-Wobble System Part of the Ion’s off-road prowess comes from its clever anti-wobble system: the patented Flatlock Hitch Cam. No tools are required; simply insert the rack into the hitch, and then hand-tighten the knob until its snug in your hitch. The mechanism makes sure the rack remains rock-solid throughout the drive, even when the road gets rough.

　　A fun feature of my truck is that I can activate the rear backup camera while driving, which I love for monitoring trailers or, in this case, hitch racks. I was able to watch the performance of the Hitch Cam and was honestly impressed.

　　I took two e-bikes up to the Strand Hill trailhead in Crested Butte, a 44 road thats rated easy. While driving, the rack stayed solid the entire time, even during some heavy, sideways shaking. The heavy-duty strap system and its hitch cam were confidence-inspiring, to say the least, for my precious cargo.

　　Critiques My only real gripe with this rack — aside from its four-figure price — was the compatibility and placement of the Hitch Cam when it was fully tightened down.

　　When the rack is fully tightened into the hitch, it slightly shifts the rack to one side. Then, when the rack is tilted downward for trunk access mode, a part of the rack moves closer to the vehicle.

　　This shift was enough for the tailgate on my test vehicle, a 2014 Ford F-150, to hit the rack on one side. This would not only prevent the tailgate from opening fully, but also prevent my decked drawer system from sliding open.

　　An extra half inch of clearance from the vehicle with the first tray would solve this completely, and honestly, it was a bummer to discover, as I would have a hard time using this rack and also accessing my bed for camping.

　　Fitting the wiring and hardware into the tight routing spaces took some extra patience during assembly; (photo/Eric Phillips) Assembly: Moderate Difficulty Level The rack does require some assembly, but has detailed instructions and comes with a nice set of tools. Everything took about 15 minutes from unboxing to being ready to load bikes.

　　When installing the wires for the brake light kit (a separate installation process), I felt there wasnt enough space to fit the wires through the racks internal routing, as the instructions showed, but I made it work.

　　Then, when installing the license plate holder, it required fitting additional wiring into the already cramped internal routing space. This step demanded extra finagling; I feared that bending the wires so much would prevent them from fitting inside the cover.

　　I made it work, but be aware that the brake light kit and license plate holder might require a bit more time and problem-solving to get the wires to fit.

　　The license plate mount kept the plate visible behind loaded bikes, adding a simple but essential upgrade for road use; (photo/Eric Phillips) Accessories and Tools One of the things Ive grown to appreciate from Küat is the quality of its accessories and tools. The Allen wrenches provided for assembly are large and well-made, and so are the included hitch lock and keys.

　　The provided cable lock is a unique, heavy-duty design that works only with this rack. This rack lacks an integrated cable lock, requiring separate storage. The provided keys secure the lock directly to the rack.

　　That being said, youshould probably get a lighting kit, license plate light, and holder for both safety and legality. Police recentlypulled over and ticketeda friend because a loaded bike rack blocked their license plate.

　　It’s a rare occurrence, but there is no question about legality, and using a license plate kit comes with the added benefit of safety with clear brake and turn indicator lights on the back of the rack. Note: The lights only work with a vehicle that has installed trailer wiring via a four-pin connector.

　　The rack stayed solid through long drives and rough roads, giving consistent confidence when hauling heavy e-bikes; (photo/Eric Phillips) Conclusion In the end, the Küat Piston Ion feels like the rack I wish I had the first time I tried wrestling a 60-pound e-bike onto a basic carrier. It brings real peace of mind with its sturdy arms, clever stabilizers, and a ramp that turns loading from a workout into a formality.

　　The off-road and RV ratings make it even more versatile, and watching it barely wobble on a rough 44 road was proof enough that Küat built this thing for adventure.

　　Yes, the price hurts, and the hitch cam’s shift limiting my tailgate access was a letdown. But for anyone traveling far and carrying expensive bikes, the Piston Ion feels like a rack built for the long haul, one that keeps your bikes exactly where they belong, solid, secure, and ready for the next ride.

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