The Kuat NV 2.0 Bike Hitch Rack is the culmination of years of feedback from the original NV, resulting in a redesigned rack that works and looks better than ever before. A new pivot system includes a foot-operated lever to fold down the rack, and adjustability is improved with 3-position front wheel cradles for getting adequate clearance between handlebars and saddles.
The NV 2.0 can handle tires up to 4.8" wide and the ratcheting arm is more intuitive to operate while providing increased stability. Individual locking cables allow each bike to be secured separately and a locking hitch ensures the rack stays put.
Not just a gimmick, an integrated Trail Doc work stand allows for hassle-free maintenance at the trailhead or start line. It's seen a ground-up redevelopment to ensure it provides a pro-level feel, including a ratcheting clamp with a spring-loaded release to make it quicker and easier to get bikes in the stand.
Features:
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Rack Style: Hitch | |
Bike Capacity: 2 Bike | |
Locks: Bike Lock Integrated | |
Tilt Function: Yes | |
Black Metallic - 2 Inch | Mfg PartNum: NV22B |
Grey Metallic - 2 Inch | Mfg PartNum: NV22G |
Bike rack certainly built well. The rack weighs in at 70 lbs and the 2 bike addition weighs nearly 50 so you need to be able to lift 115-120 lbs to place into hitch. Took a bit to assemble as it really needs 2 people due to weight and awkward attachment but looks to be built as a long term investment.
We love this rack! It is a nice height for loading and unloading, even with our wagon which is lower than most vehicles. It fits all of our different bikes: road, commuter, mountain (with 2.8+ tires), and the kids' bikes. Adjustments for handlebar clearance are easy with the wrench stored inside the rack. The tilt lever is easy to reach and the pivot is smooth, light, and quiet. The locks are sleekly integrated with the rack and stow away magnetically when not in use. The Trail Doc is a sweet feature that I haven't used yet. I have owned several racks and I frequently use many other bike hitch racks at my work. This is one is superior.
I love this rack. I was worried about the weight based on reviews but it's navigable by myself. Also building it was (mostly) a breeze by utilizing the box it came in to help hold things in place. I did get the rack on a reallllly good sale (hence my value rating), but I would have still gotten it even without the deeper discount. The ability to fit pretty much any bike, add capability for 2x more later if needed, plus repair stand are tip top for me.
I replaced an older Yakima hitch rack that was a workhorse but not built for fat bikes. Given its age, I decided to move to the Mercedes of racks, the Kuat NV 2.0 rack.
From the initial unboxing, I noted the quality build of this rack. It is very solid and all metal surfaces are covered with a thick paint that should hold up to corrosion from rain or NY salted winter roads.
The features are excellent as well, from the built-in cable lock (that would only be used to lock the bikes for quick stops while transporting, not for overnight or otherwise lengthy stops), to the fat tire compatibility and the sliding rear tire strap that adjusts to the bicycle's length. There is even a ball bearing on the bar that slides into the hitch, making installation and removal much easier.
My Yakima had to be screwed into the hitch very tightly with its included hitch bolt in order to prevent the rack from wobbling. The Kuat provides a dial on the outside of that bar that you simply hand tighten to prevent rack wobble. So much easier.
You definitely get what you pay for with this rack.
If you are looking for a hitch mount tray bike rack, look no further then the Kuat NV 2.0. This is by far the most innovative feature rich rack out there. You can save some money and get the NV, you then lose the stand but otherwise the same rack. Also if you won't have a need to add +1/2 you can go with the Sherpa. I bought this one as I needed to get the +2.
As far as assembly, installation and use, its a breeze. I went from a hanging frame mount rack and this one just blows it away as far getting the bike on and secure, no matter frame dimensions.
I bought this rack to support transporting expensive bikes on family vacations. Knowing that a vacation is ruined if the rack breaks cost was not a factor in decision. That said this rack is amazing! Fast to load, easy to use, sturdy, looks great, and most important, securely hold the prized bikes you love. In 5 months we've driven from Wisconsin to Michigan 4x, Colorado 1x, & Florida 2x. Never an issue or concern. It's a heavy rack to lift by yourself, but that helps with solid feel/stability. I must say that it looks better in person than online. I am much happier than I thought I would be with the look/quality. Other racks are masses of plastic and this has a more purposeful thought through appearance. I also like the receiver tensioner to take out the wiggle caused by tolerances in truck receivers. Would buy again in a heartbeat!!!
I love how fast it is to get one or two bikes loaded in and out of this rack. The peace of mind after loading them up is great too. I don't have to worry about bike sway or the stability of the rack when I'm driving.
A couple of things that could be better: I don't like how the release lever is next to the inside bike. When you have more than one bike racked up it becomes more difficult to raise and lower the rack (this becomes more difficult with the Kuat bike extensions). Another problem that I have is with the supplied bike lock. It isn't long enough to wrap around a wheel, frame, and the wheel of the neighboring bike. So you can only lock up the frame and one wheel from each bike. I also presume that a quick pinch with bolt cutters will free up these bikes pretty quickly if a thief decides to try it out.
In today's world I am rarely impressed with quality of anything I buy but this is truly a high quality piece of equipment. Fit and finish were very nice and it was very simple to assemble and use. It is a bit pricey but you get what you pay for and I see this lasting for a very very very long time.
Pros: Bomb-proof; extremely easy to use; built-in locks for hitch, and both bike racks; built-in bike stand; holds bikes extremely well; once assembled that's it.
Cons: heavy; some assembly required and the install guide is not great (so pull up a youtube video to assist and have a helper ready)
The best hitch mount bike rack i have ever know. I transport my road bike, my triathlon bike and my mountain bike with ease. Rack is very secure with zero wobble while driving. The extendable bike repair stand is an absolute bonus as well.
I use it with both my wife's car and my truck to carry our bikes when we go to the trail or travel to races. I love the fact I can add one or two more bike carriers so when my daughter's bike outgrows the back of the car it can go on the bike add on section. Very easy to assemble, the instructions were clear and the the product is very well designed and manufactured. I highly recommend it.
I've owned a number of racks over the years and this is by far the easiest to use, the least stressful on the bikes, and the most flexible with respect to frame style, wheel size, etc. I was easily able to fit a fat bike and full suspension MTB bike together.
The rack also has a cool built-in bike repair stand which has come in useful on more than one occasion.
The only problem I've had with it was when my wife ran the car through the car wash the day before we were leaving for a cycling trip and the temperature overnight was well below freezing. I had to get out a hair dryer to warm up the front wheel clamps so they would extend.
The only con is the weight. On the flip side of that it just goes to show you how well it's made. The rack locks into the hitch so there is no movement what so ever. Built in lock cables for each bike a plus.
I've always been a Yakima fan for their quality. This rack is far superior even to the highest quality Yak Racks. It's so well mad I wonder if it's over engineered which has driven up the cost. Sure it is very sturdy but I love that my bike goes on ready to drive in 5 seconds. The cable locks are fairly beefy at 9mm, but I'd never leave a high priced rig out of sight. Still, much thicker than many racks out there. They also have clever details you might miss such as stops to hold the cable locks tucked into place to prevent them from just falling out when setting the rack up for storage. These kinds of things can be a pain if left out at design time.
The double carrier is quite heavy. It seems strange to need a 55lbs rack to hold a 17lb bike, but okay. I really like the hitch securing mechanism designed to remove rack wobble. Most hitch racks have a single bolt to pull the rack to one side of the hitch receiver. That stops side-side wobble but up and down is completely uncontrolled. Kuat designers most cleverly use a steel ball that engages the corner of the square hitch receiver on the inside. This contacts 2 sides of the receiver hole so it does not flop up and down or side to side. And you don't need a wrench to secure it. Brilliant. The finish is also top notch and looks great.
After having my new bike fall off of and old hanging rack onto the turnpike I was determined to find the best platform rack on the market. After exhaustive research the Kuat NV 2.0 is my rack and it performs perfectly!
I use this product to make some nice trips with my 10 years old daughter to different bike paths around the Washington, D.C., area. It is a safe practical and easy to use product that fits my car perfectly! I like everything about it. I rated this very good product with 4 stars because it is a bit heavy and it was not easy to assemble. For the rest, it is a very good product!
