QUIKRSTUFF MACH2 BIKE RACK REVIEW

Tech features:

QuikrStuff might not be the first name you think of when it comes to bike racks, but their Mach2 rack is built upon the designs and patents of Cal Phillips, inventor of 1Up’s Quik Rack, which you’ve probably heard of.

The Mach2 is a burly yet cleverly designed rack that holds a single bike without contacting the frame and can be installed or removed without any tools. Up to three additional trays can be added, making the single a four-bike rack.

With a 2-inch receiver, the rack has an impressive weight carrying capacity of 120 pounds for one bike, 240 pounds for two bikes, 300 pounds for three bikes, and 185 pounds for four. This weight capacity makes it ideal for any Class 1 electric mountain bike on the market.

It uses the same design and principle as 1Up’s racks, with a sturdy tray and folding arms that securely hold your bike’s front and rear wheels. The arms are held in place using a clever spring and tension system that allows them to easily fold down, yet securely hold in place and resist folding back out when a bike is mounted.

When bikes aren’t loaded, the Mach2 has a small handle attached to a spring that lets the rack fold up vertically and take up less space. QuikrStuff claims that the Mach2 is tough enough to stand up to the roughest of roads and was field-tested in the backcountry of Colorado and Utah, and it is made and assembled in the USA. It can fit virtually any bike with tires up to 5 inches in width and wheels from 12 inches in diameter to 29 inches.

Field test results:

The Mach2 looks confusing at first glance when unboxing the rack, but QuikrStuff’s YouTube channel has videos detailing the unboxing and installation process, which is quite easy. You simply fold out both arms of the rack, which click into place, slide it into your hitch’s receiver, and turn the tensioner to tighten things down and lock it into place.

There is a clever locking push-button system that prevents the rack from being removed once installed, which is also used on the wheel locks. Loading your bike onto the Mach2 is straightforward; all you do is fold out the arms, lift your bike into the tray, and fold the arms back down until things are tight and secure.

You need to be mindful of your derailleur when securing the rear wheel, as the bar can hit it if you leave the bike in the smallest few cogs of the cassette. We usually dropped down into one of the easier gears before loading to make sure things cleared with ample room.

Like QuikrStuff claims, the Mach2 is durable and secure enough for some pretty rough off-road use. We never felt nervous when hitting bumps and barely even noticed the bike or rack moving or bouncing around.

The front and rear wheel locks are also quite clever and give us peace of mind if we need to run into the store or stop for a bite to eat. They simply slide through the slots on the bars, in between the wheel’s spokes, and lock with the same push-button system as the tensioner. The locks also use the same key as the tensioner to keep things simple.

The QuikrStuff Mach2 is a simple, durable and secure bike rack that we highly recommend.

HITS:

• Quick loading and unloading
• Secure bike attachment
• Clever wheel-locking system
• Integrated anti-theft measures

MISSES:

• Expensive if you need to carry more than one bike

STAR RATING: ★★★★1/2

Weight: 31 pounds
Price: $699 ($549 for add-on)
Contact: www.quikrstuff.com