Küat is unleashing a brand-new single-tray rooftop bike rack that takes the tech and reliability from its top-tier hitch rack design.
The Küat Piston SR (Single Rail) bike rack uses gas struts that raise the bike securing mechanism, making loading bikes much more accessible, especially on roofs. Many overlanders and cyclists prefer to transport bikes on roof racks instead of hitch racks to keep them out of harm’s way.
The Küat Piston SR features a pair of OneTap hydro-pneumatic tire arms carried over from the premium level Piston Pro X hitch rack. The fast-loading and reliable hold locks down to tires and does not make contact with a bike’s frame.
That means riders only need one hand to prepare, engage or release the lock mechanism, rather than struggling to balance a bike while fiddling with swing arms and straps. This is especially true when loading bikes onto tall vehicles, like SUVs or trucks. The OneTap mechanism is incredibly convenient on a hitch, but could be much more helpful when loading bikes overhead.
The Küat Piston SR uses the same high-end materials and construction as the flagship Piston Pro X hitch rack, including all metal construction, Genuine Kashima-coated struts (ultra-slippery coating to reduce “stiction”) and an integrated 10mm strand cable lock. The rack ships fully assembled and weighs a claimed 26.8 pounds.
Küat Piston SR Additional Features and Availability
At a fraction of its hitch-mounted cousin, the Piston SR also presents a more economical way to enjoy Küat’s high-end system. A pair of SRs is almost half the cost of the Piston Pro X, and they can mount to factory crossbars (and aftermarket and T-channel crossbars).
Additional Piston SR features include:
- FastFit tool-free wheel chock system
- Stainless steel and automotive grade hardware
- TIGER DRYLAC powder coat
- Weight limit: 67 lbs.
- Maximum bike wheelbase: 53 in.
- Maximum tire width: 5 in.
The Piston SR goes on sale for $449 MSRP in the fall, with shipping expected to begin in spring 2023.
