Setup

Setup was easy for the Trio. All necessary parts and tools are included in the box, and the instructions are very clear and easy to follow. The correct size skewer needs to be placed before feeding the thru-axle through the tube however. Using the Trio on factory crossbars of a 2015 Subaru Outback did prove to be challenging as the lever used to tighten the fork axle interfered with the Subaru’s side guardrails unless the carrier was placed further to the center of the crossbars. When longer crossbars were installed on the roof, guardrail interference and other space related problems were resolved.

Stability

The mounting on both the front and back of the Küat Trio firmly sets the carrier in place on the roof crossbars once all bolts and knobs have been tightened. Be careful not to tighten excessively as this can leave a dent in the crossbars. Once the bike was strapped in and the fork mounted, the bike proved to be very stable while in motion. There is minimal movement or wiggle when going over speed bumps. Although more movement occurs when driving over uneven terrain, the bike stayed stable and secure at all times.

Ease of Use

Loading a bike onto the Trio was tricky when mounting the fork, especially for a thru-axle style. There is no lip to catch the fork of the bike should it slip while loading. It might be wise to set some kind of buffer on the roof of the car to avoid any scratches or dents in the event the fork slips before being able to put the skewer in place to stabilize the bike. We recommend detaching and removing the fork first when unloading the bike and then remove the strap over the back tire.

Versatility

The Trio uses Küat’s 3-Way Fork Mount system that fits 9×100, 15×100 and 20×110 mm forks. In addition to the mount that is included with the carrier, other compatible mounts are sold separately. The other mounts available are: 9 mm x 135 mm QR, 12 mm x 100 mm Thru-Axle, 15 mm x 10 mm Boost Thru-Axle, 15 mm x 142 mm Thru-Axle, and 15 mm x 150 mm Thru-Axle. Küat also sells an optional fat bike adapter.

Features

An integrated cable lock that secures both frame and rear wheel is another feature that is included with the Küat Trio. Gunmetal gray or black and polished chrome powder coat finish are the color options for this carrier. The other features are pretty standard for a fork mount rack.