RockyMounts SwitchHitter Review

The SwitchHitter is RockyMounts answer to the Kuat Trio. The design of these two contenders is very similar. Both come with tube adapters that slide into the rack to accommodate different thru-axle sizes and quick-release forks. After testing both side by side, our testers preferred the Kuat by a narrow margin, mainly due to the ease of swapping axle adapters compared to the SwitchHitter. The SwitchHitter is a great rack, just not quite as easy to use, but it does have some advantages over the Trio that we discuss below.

Since we first tested the SwitchHitter, RockyMounts has made a few changes that make this an even better rack. The “Future-Proof” fork mount allows for all the different fork standards, and the rack is a bit lighter than the early version. The newest model can accommodate 3" tires, and while it's slightly more expensive, everything else is too. The naming has also been updated with the addition of LS to the end of the name.

Tested and Rated

All too often, reviews of outdoor gear, and especially bike gear, are done by paid reviewers or influencers, but not at GearLab. We lay down the cash for all the equipment we test and never accept free products for reviews. We buy the gear just like you would and value a good deal when we see one. What stood out to me about the SwitchHitter is the fork interface and how well thought out it was. It can be hard to get a bike onto the roof of a modern vehicle, and that interface needs to be as simple as possible.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Everyday Use

Fork mount roof racks have the distinct benefit of a lower loading height compared to roof racks that hold the bike by the front wheel. It does add the extra step of removing the front wheel every time, but with it removed, the bike doesn't need to be lifted as high to fit into the rack. The main difference we found that impacts ease of use is the axle tube design. Both racks rely on hex bolts to clamp the axle tube in place. The SwitchHitter has two bolts that are accessed by removing the top plate cover.

Ease of Removal and Storage

Roof racks, in general, are not designed for nor intended to be frequently removed from your vehicle. The SwitchHitter attaches to all non-slotted crossbars, with a rubber-coated stainless steel strap that wraps around the crossbar and is tensioned by turning a hex bolt. The Trio uses two U-bolts that cover the crossbar and pass up through the main body of the rack. The SwitchHitter has a slight advantage here and is marginally easier to attach than the Trio.

On the back end of the rack, the SwitchHitter uses an offset plate with a U-style clamp that attaches to the crossbar. The Trio also uses a U-bolt style clamp, but it sits inline and is adjusted with wing nuts. We prefer the setup of the Trio, as it is easier to manipulate. Overall, the two racks receive the same score. Neither is very easy to remove, and both take up a minimal amount of space for storage.

Versatility

The SwitchHitter outscores the Trio here due to the inclusion of a 15mm Boost axle tube with the rack. Kuat does sell a Boost adapter separately. We feel that this should be standard equipment, considering that most new mountain bikes come with boost spacing. The SwitchHitter can handle nearly any axle standard right out of the box, giving it a big advantage over racks that don't. Due to its lower loading height, the SwitchHitter is also more functional on taller vehicles than racks like the Yakima FrontLoader.

Ease of Assembly

The SwitchHitter arrives mostly assembled. The only required assembly is selecting the mounting hardware for the type of crossbars your vehicle is equipped with. Swapping out the front crossbar clamp for slotted inserts is relatively easy should your vehicle have slotted bars. The rack does not come with lock cores, so adding security, if you choose to, will cost you a little extra. Installing the locks is a quick and easy process.

Security

This rack has a nice long cable lock extending from the rear of the rack. The Kuat Trio has the same system, but the Trio comes with lock cores installed, and the SwitchHitter does not. RockyMounts sells lock cores for the SwitchHitter, but the base model doesn't come with them. This omission costs the SwitchHitter a few points here.

Durability

The SwitchHitter and the Trio are both made predominantly of aluminum. We like aluminum for its corrosion resistance and lightweight. The lack of moving parts enhances the long-term durability of fork mount racks compared to racks like the Yakima FrontLoader, which has more moving parts. The SwitchHitter scores lower than the Trio due to the flimsy plastic cover that houses the front crossbar clamp and axle tube retention bolts. The Trio is a single piece of aluminum, and the u-bolt clamp design is less prone to damage and sun degradation.

Value

We feel that the price of the SwitchHitter aligns with comparable models and represents a good value. The lack of locks adds some additional cost, but the rack does include a Boost adapter.

Conclusion

The Kuat Trio was once the only option for a fork mount rack with the capability of handling through axle-equipped bikes. That is no longer the case, with the RockyMounts SwitchHitter in the mix. The SwitchHitter was narrowly outscored by the Trio in testing, but it is a solid, versatile rack that we have no problem recommending to our friends.