Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount Review

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Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount

I once heard that Colorado is place where it is common to find five thousand dollar bikes carried by one thousand dollar cars. I can attest to this statement especially here in Steamboat Springs, Colorado where biking rules the summer. In order to get that new bike to Steamboat Springs a vehicle is going to need a solid bike rack. The Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is just the bike rack to get the job done.  

Rocky Mounts, out of Boulder Colorado, has been designing quality vehicle racks for over 20 years. This company designs ski, bike, and kayak racks in both hitch mount as well as roof mount versions. This summer I have tested out the Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount and carried bikes over 2,000 miles and have been nothing short of impressed. Let me share with you why the Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount should be your next biking purchase.  

Initial Thoughts on Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount

Within the box for the Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is a two bike carrier, a bike lock cable, extension rear tire straps, two locks and keys. This mount is a beast! Weighing nearly 40lbs this quite a heavy duty bike rack. The Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is designed for two bikes but a third bike carrier can be added.  

Description of the Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount

The Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is a hitch mount rack that attaches directly to the rear tow mount in the back of the vehicle. It is attached with a pin with threads that screws into place. Also there is a lock to keep the rack secure.

It secures the bikes by the tires so that the frame is not even touched. To carry a bike a ratcheting hook is placed over the front tire to hold the bike down to the rack. Once the first tire is secure a rachet strap is placed through the rear tire. It can accommodate bikes with tires from 20” to 29” in diameter and can handle road bike to fat bike tires. When bikes are in place they are spaced roughly one foot apart and the rack allows for some side to side bike adjustment.  

Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount with Bikes

The Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount has three positions: a position where the rack lays flat for carrying bikes, a down position which lowers the bikes to allow access to the rear door of the vehicle, and folded up position for the when the vehicle is not carrying bikes. A small blue lever located on the bottom of the rack allows for position adjustments.  

Testing the Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount

Plain and simple, the Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is awesome! Using this bike rack is a game changer and I am definitely getting in more riding because of this. For starters the MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is incredibly easy put together. The initial setup is quite easy and the instructions are simple to follow. In comparison, assembly proved much easier than the IKEA furniture I have recently battled with. The total time took around 10-15 minutes for assembly and to get it hooked onto the car.  

I still can’t believe how easy it is to hook bikes up the MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount. Within minutes, two bikes are securely hooked to the rack and are ready to go. This is an easy one person job. No wrestling with the bike required. Place the bike in the rack then cinch up the two ratchets and away you go. A spur of the moment bike trip is always available with how quick a bike can be placed in the MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount. This rack is perfect for my wife too. She can easily get bikes locked in without any struggle.  

Placing Bikes on Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount

Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount Front Wheel Rachet

Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount Rear Wheel Rachet

Safety First

Additionally, the bikes are very safe on the Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount. The platform position allows the bikes to be held down tightly with no wobble. I recently drove 2,000 miles on a road trip and never had to make adjustments to the bikes or rack. Even on bouncy gravel roads there is little wobble in the bikes. Also, the spacing between the bikes is fantastic. One of my biggest worries on my cross country road trip was the bikes rubbing on one another. This can be a major problem with some bikes rack designs. However, with this rack it is impossible for the bikes to rub on each other or on the car.  

The Features and Versatility

Rocky Mounts includes locks with the MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount. It seems like as consumers we are gouged for every accessory, so this was a very welcome surprise. There are two locks attached to the rack, one locks the rack to the car and the other locks the bike to the rack. The bike lock is very simple to use, just loop the included cable through the bikes and lock it to the rack. It is nice not to have to worry about the bikes when grabbing a post ride beer. I absolutely love that these are included with the Platform Hitch Mount.

Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount Bike Lock

Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount Cable Lock

Set it Up and Leave it on

The Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is not a bike rack that I would attach then take off after each outing. This is a large and heavy rack. However, the positioning of this rack is so versatile that taking it on and off is not needed. Ir never gets in the way.  With the up, down, and flat positions it allows for all of the normal car functions to happen.  

My car can still fit into the garage and I can get into my trunk at any time. This stays true when I have bikes connected. This was one of my largest worries since I have SUV that has hatch type door. Even with my largest bike on the back I have no problem accessing the back of the vehicle. The positioning of the rack is easily adjusted with a small blue pull handle. When bikes are loaded and down adjustments are made it is surprisingly heavy so a bit of caution is needed.  

Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount Down Position with Bikes

There’s room for three

If transporting two bikes is not enough, a third bike add on is available. The third bike add attaches by removing the end cap of the Platform Hitch Mount and sliding it into place. The locking security cable is long enough to lock three bikes with no problem as well.

There are so many bike options these days and the MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount can accommodate all of them. This rack can handle everything from fat bikes to road bikes and small bikes to big 29 inch wheels. As addicting as biking is it is important to have a versatile bike rack. Who knows what your next bike will be?  

Specs

• 39 lbs assembled weight.  
• Fits bikes 20″ to 29″ wheels (including 29+), road to fat bike tires 5″ wide and 197mm rear spacing
• 13″ spacing between bikes and 3″ side to side adjustment
• Handle located at end of rack for use, stowed and folded away positions
• Max weight 60 lbs per bike, 120 lbs per rack
• No bike frame contact,
• Hitch tube corrosion resistant
• Included locks, bike to rack, rack to car with same key
• Anti-wobble hitch pin keeps the rack solid and secure

Final Thoughts

The Rocky Mounts MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount is the perfect bike rack get your bike to the next trail or destination safely. Within minutes, bikes can be loaded and you can be on the road. This rack has three positions that allow the rack to be stored upright, for carrying bikes, and for accessing the rear of the vehicle. This rack should be your next purchase to get your bike where it needs to go! For more info on the MonoRail Platform Hitch Mount, visit www.rei.com/rockymounts or www.amazon.com/rockymounts.