Rocky Mounts GuideRail Bike Rack Review
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- Опубліковано 14 гру 2022
- Need a bike rack that is sturdy and reliable? Check out our review on the Rocky Mounts Guide Rail!
Full written review:
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Many bike racks make contact with the fork, handlebars, or even sections of the frame, which can cause damage to your bike. The new RockyMounts GuideRail aims to change that, as a 2-bike system compatible with most bikes including eBikes, that only makes contact with the tires while transporting your bikes securely. We’ve been road tripping hard with our GuideRail rack loaded up, and it has us thoroughly impressed.
THE DIRT
The GuideRail works much like a 1Up rack, which has become the household name for this style of rack, but I found it to be more refined and user friendly. Road bikes, gravel bikes, and mountain bikes were all transported with ease over thousands of highway miles and countless shuttle roads. The GuideRail has never caused any issues, holding firmly onto the tow hitch regardless of the terrain faced. It has become a piece of my everyday life that I don’t have to think about. The bikes are held securely to the rack thanks to the load arms that cinch down tightly on the tires. To lower the load arms, you push in on the release levers relieving the tension. Once the tension is relieved the release levers click open to slide the load arm away from the bike tire. This system works flawlessly once you learn the trick to relieving the tension on the load arms. With the 1Up rack I felt like I sometimes needed three hands to unload a bike, but the GuideRail is a little more user-friendly.
As mentioned above, bikes can be loaded asymmetrically to eliminate handlebar interference. When testing I did run into a combination of bikes that had handlebar and seat interference. This was quickly remedied by lowering the seat using our dropper seatposts. If lowering the seat didn’t solve the interference issue, I found that the bikes can easily be positioned slightly forward or back on the tray giving more room for handlebars. Overall, it does a good job at keeping the bikes separated and making life easy for mounting, but you would hope so when it only has two bikes to juggle.
While there is not much to complain about with the GuideRail from RockyMounts the big and burly 10mm square link chain that comes with the rack could be an area of critique. The security this big chain offers is one of the great perks of this rack and the neat integration of the chain with the rack makes it even better. It is very beefy, heavy and secure, which alleviates some worries when running into the supermarket, but also make it a beast to move around. Bike thieves suck! Our first sample came with the older, shorter length chain and I found that it was not quite long enough to run through the frames of some two-bike combinations. Rocky Mounts informed us that they’ve lengthened the chain and this should no longer be a problem but with modern geometry and frame designs, it could be something to note. Mountain bikes like the new Santa Cruz lineup, where the shock is mounted very low in the front triangle, will take up extra length. Additionally, the chain is only long enough to go through the frame(s) and will not reach far enough to include the wheels. An additional, longer cable lock would be a wise purchase if you plan on leaving multiple bikes on the GuideRail for longer periods of time, to deter thieves from stealing your fancy hoops.
The Wolf’s Last Word
I love using the RockyMounts GuideRail rack. It’s simple, works well, looks good, and it does everything you want a rack to do. Unlike other racks on the market the GuideRail only makes contact with the tires of the bike, which alleviates any worries about wear on fork lowers or handlebars during transportation. The security that the 10mm link chain offers is tremendous, but I just wish it was a few links longer to secure a wider range of two bike combinations.
Price: $849.95
Website: Rockymounts.com
SHOP ROCKY MOUNTS @competitivecyclist | alnk.to/74qYDKG
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To read the full review, click here: theloamwolf.com/2022/12/15/review-rockymounts-guiderail-2-inch-bike-rack/
Bought it, use it, love it. Very solid. I recommend using a good sealer polish on the finish to keep it looking new.
Good tip!
Thanks for the review guys! Seems Grand Junction is a hotbed for bike rack designs?
Had this product from previous vehicle and worked great. Recently bought a Ford Bronco with swiveling tailgate and this rack blocks the tailgate from opening. If you have this setup, do your research about clearance before getting this. The other thing about this is that the rubberized plastic covering the lock mechanism doesn't stay put and pops out, exposing the lock mechanism to the elements.
Since anyone looking for a hitch mount rack will inevitably compare this to the 1up, which hitch mount mechanism is better and why? The through bolt and lock on the Guiderail looks better but people don't seem to have issues with the 1up. The 1up hitch lock doesn't look quite as good and it won't let you use a regular size locking pin either.
I have a splitrail and this looks to sit up higher. That could be nice in some situations. I’m not sure that they had this model years ago when I got mine.
Solid Review! i just need about 18 of them ;p
Seems like whenever I buy something, they come out with something better shortly after. I have the older version for 3 bikes and a swing away. Sometimes the grips and brake levers bump because there is no height difference in rack, and having xl sizes there isn't alot of room to scoots things around. All in all it works and spent way to much $ to upgrade now.
I'm just over here waiting for their AfterParty to finally make it to port.
Do you know if Rocky mounts is planning a 2 bikes extension? Currently only plus 1…
Is the entire rack made of aluminum? Not clear if there are any plastic parts.
How good is the lock pin for chain?
The only nonmetal parts on the stand are the tray ends, and the lock and pin covers. The lock itself is steel and registers at both ends. The trays and brace arms are either steel or aluminum, and very sturdy. This is a quality bit of kit for sure.
There are three of this design I know of now: this one, OneUp, and Quik Racks Mach 2. The addition of the chain is a nice touch but the locking mechanism looks weak.
Kuat introduced their new Piston Pro X which is similar to this and 1Up, but twice the price of the 1Up Super Duty Double. I'd take the 1Up.
Inno and Saris has their own versions as well.
And it's more expensive than 1Up. Curious about advantages. How to 7se with bike fenders.
How is the antiwobble on this rack? Is there significant play vertically?
It's actually pretty stable. we've been quite pleased overall.
Flex/wobble test still and while driving vs 1up and guide rail please
Thanks for the suggestion. Will do.
Ok I didn’t think it’d be that confusing for bike people on the 1up but you don’t need to hold you bike while releasing the arm. Undo the front wheel first, bike can not fall over because the rear has no way to pivot. Undo the rear while holding the tire and rack arm with one hand and roll the entire bike back with the arm, then roll bike forward and out. It’s pretty simple.
Glad to see I’m not the only one that thinks they’re making it seem like a huge problem. Curious what this rack is made out of. I really like that my 1up is basically aluminum and some steel hardware so there’s nothing plastic that will get brittle with time out in the sun. I’m so glad I bought my 1up 8yrs ago. Prices these days are outrageous 😅
@@Esteb858 yea the 1up is made of all quality materials and while this one looks nice too they lost me as soon as I saw it uses a hitch pin. Instantly not as good as 1up’s zero play in the receiver.
What is the weight capacity per bike for this rack?
Each tray holds 60lbs, but we here is the link to our full written review on the website with more details.
theloamwolf.com/2022/12/15/review-rockymounts-guiderail-2-inch-bike-rack/
The glaring flaw with racks like this is that the anti-rattle bolt/hitch pin lock can be easily defeated just by loosening the bolt w/ a ratchet or impact driver. My lock came off just from the bolt loosening while driving. Completely negates locking the bike to the rack. Beware- lock your bike to the receiver or another attach point on the vehicle itself.
Literally had a bike on the rack, took it off then explained how the rack works if there were a bike on it.
I have to say the latch lever is a better design than 1up. For 1up I need 2 hands to unlatch, then I won't be able to hold the bike.
That is one of our biggest takeaways from this unit!
Technically, two hands are being used to ‘release the tension’ with this rack, right? I’m not here to split hairs, though. The rack looks great otherwise. Weight seems comparable to other similar racks.
That’s a weak ass looking key lock tho. That could be jiggle picked in about 3 sec. Do better Rocky. It doesn’t matter how big the chain is if a little luggage lock is all that’s holding it.
That's a good point.
I dont care how many copies come out, I'll stick with 1up.
Even though 1Up stoleneverything from the original designer?
@@OriginalGabriel Yup.
OK. Enough is enough! I thought $499 bike rack was pretty pricey before the Covid inflation. Now the prices of the consumer good going up and up, I refuse to buy from now on. 0 buy. Now a bike rack at $900 is RIDICULOUS!
1up knockoff. I have no issue loading/unloading my bike with my 1up. Just loosen one side and undo the other.
And 1Up stole all their designs, what's your point?
@@OriginalGabriel LOLs, shouldn’t be that confusing. You probably also have issues taking your bikes off a rack 😂
Looks like they just stole the One Up design
exactly.
how does it compare side by side @the loam wolf? There simplicity of oneup is the beauty of it.
Looks like they improved on it.
We like this rack better than the Oneup. Has some nicer features that make it easier to use/load bikes.
Stole? The market place is full of competitors improving on existing products. Jeez dude.
1Up stole all their designs from the original developer
I would only trust a lock if I ran into a store where I can see the bike the whole time.
I would appreciate not having to shoulder-press my bike into the air to lift it on the tailgate.... but frankly when I get 5-7 laps compared to 2 on my "normal bike", I just put up with it.
That said, I use an old beach towel for a tailgate pad :) and just strap it down to 2 sides.... 3 bikes fit like that easy with extra towels added :O HAHA
... too much money in bikes to care for my car :O ....
I am searching for a bike rack for my bike though. One that allows me to go 8km without taking the wheels out ... it can be slow .... it is a 690 heavy enduro.... use case is to ride to the bike park that's 8km away from my house...
Totally interested until I found out these are made in China 👎. Keep in mind why one of the big reason's why people love 1Up is because they're made in the USA
Yeah, should be cheaper for being made in China
Not Rv rated like a 1up.