Kuat

NV 2.0 Bike Hitch Rack

Perfect Bike Rack

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Much easier to install/remove than I originally thought. Have it on a 2024 F-150 and love it.

The bike rack you need!

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I bought this bike rack after careful consideration of all the options available. While it is one of the pricier options you'll find, I am certain there are none that feel as sturdy when carrying bikes than this one. Assembly takes two people to make everything easy. While the instructions could be a bit clearer, it went together with only a few bolts and nuts. There is an included and integrated cable bike lock to secure your bikes to the rack when you park in those shadier parts of town. The rack system also comes with a keyed hitch pin, making attachment to your vehicle simple and secure. One of the most unexpected features I do appreciate is the way the hitch can tighten down and compress within the receiver. This makes the rack feel extremely secure and removes any wobble from the rack. Loading bikes is a breeze. Lift them onto the rack, lift the locking arm and loop the rear tire strap and tighten. Much easier than the older racks a used to have with all the straps and excess cords to deal with. The rack does tilt down and out of the way for easier access to the back of your SUV. It drops fast, so be prepared that first time you pull the lever. I am considering getting the swing arm mount to move the rack totally out of the way, instead of reaching over the rack and bikes, but for now, this will have to do. There is a small tire adapter for the kid size bikes you may be traveling with, included in the system. The rack will also accommodate fat tire bikes with ease.

The Kuat NV 2.0 is a top-tier 2bike rack

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Integrated Workstand: The rack features an integrated workstand, making it convenient for bike maintenance. Easy Tilt Mechanism: You can easily tilt the rack to access your vehicle’s trunk without removing the bikes. Hitch Cam Lock: The hitch cam lock ensures stability and prevents wobbling during transport. Quality Construction: The powder-coated finish is durable, and the welds are well-executed. Stable Storage: When stored vertically, the rack remains stable. Considerations: It’s large and may be awkward to maneuver during storage. Overall, the Kuat NV 2.0 is a reliable choice for transporting bikes, especially if you appreciate attention to detail and thoughtful featuresAd1. Happy riding! 🚴‍♂️🌟

Good rack, lock system could be improved

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I owned this rack for about 4 months on my Ford Maverick and was impressed by the build construction and ease of use. The anti-wobble mechanism that takes up slack in the hitch mount is near perfect and never came loose for me - the thing is rock steady when mounted. The fold-up mechanism, ratchet arms, and wheel straps all seemed really solid and didn't give me any trouble. The locking mechanism doesn't seem as well set up for longevity as the rest of the rack. This rack has two lock cables - one per bike tray - which store inside of the tray when not in use. This feature is awesome because it allows you to lock both bikes (think theft deterrent, not necessarily prevention) within 20-30 seconds. However, when the cable locks get dirty, as they will when locking around mountain bike wheels, they tend to slide back into the tray storage position roughly - the system is not very tolerant to debris. As well, the cavities where the cables slide into tend to collect some water. When I took the rack off my truck and tilted it on end, about a quarter cup of water dripped out of each tray. As a result, the ends of the locking cables were starting to rust from sitting in the water (and the dirt probably didn't help things either) by the time I went to sell the rack. I park outdoors and the rack was exposed to the elements all summer, so this may not be a problem for those with a garage. The bike repair stand that is built into the end of the rack has some sizing issues. I was using it with a Specialized Stumpjumper EVO with Shimano XT clip-in pedals and this setup was too wide for the rack. The pedal hit the rack preventing the crank from turning freely. This is a bummer because turning the crank to adjust your drivetrain is of course half the point of mounting your bike to a repair stand. It's a great feature, it just needs to be adjusted outwards to accommodate modern mountain bikes.

Solid & Satisfied

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Although there are several great tacos on the market, the NV 2.0 is functional, simple and attractive. It’s sturdy, works well, and the company Kuat offers great product support.

Flimsy wheel straps

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I’ve been a Yakima guy for 10 years. I thought Kuat would be an upgrade based on price, but the way bikes lock in on Kuat are more finicky and the straps don’t have a synch ratchet. I have to stop because the bikes shake around and i go back and tweak and adjust to get them sesure. Seems like the rear wheel straps will break soon - they’re very weak. I wish I had my yakima back.

More than perfect

Rack is rock solid? Looks great? Feels like it is welded to my vehicle. No rattle at all. I installed a 2 inch hitch from ehitch to my 2021 Mazda CX 5 and to my surprise with the rack in the up position I can open the rear hatch without dropping the rack. Overjoyed with this. Added bonus.

Very, very pleased with my solid choice.

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

I researched for months before I decided this was the most functional rack based on specifications and reviews. I’m returning the favor with my review. First and foremost, Backcountry’s shipping speed consistently impresses. At a whopping 53 pounds, this rack is easily lifted using both upper extremities and proper body mechanics. It’s sits a little higher than my previous Yakima, which I owned for 4 years before I started to notice rust that came from washing my bike while on the rack and not drying it. That was on me. Once loaded onto hitch, I really appreciate the knob mechanism used to secure rack to reduce excess movement. The hitch pin included easily slides through right side opening and locks of left. Unfold it by pulling a hefty lever that’s easily accessible, and assist by passively lowering until it sits horizontally. Because the rack sits a little higher than my previous hitch, I have to raise my bike a bit more to load it, but, I’m also 5 feet short. Front tire hook is solid, and rear tire cinch is a breeze. I will say that my previous hitch had a loop to anchor down rear tire cinch to keep it out of the way while I loaded my bike. It’s the only thing missing on this rack to give it a perfect rating. It also comes with magnetic tie downs that require a key, which comes in handy while making a quick pit stop and fear your bike may get snatched. I almost forgot to mention I purchased it at a discounted total of 735.23. I selected the black option because I felt the grey/orange (also very nice) may be more conspicuous. Overall, very, very pleased with my solid decision.

Great rack for different bike types

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

My family has different biking preferences and it only seems these preferences are going to grow. We at the moment have a full suspension mountain bike, kids bike, gravel bike, and will probably grow to fat tire bikes, and anywhere in between. We had a hard time finding a rack that could do it all without rubbing frames. Well, we found it here. I like the small features, the fact that the rack doesn't shift and rock around, the extra arm to work on bikes on the road, which we have had to use already. This rack is heavy with just the 2, and we will soon add the extension, so getting this on and off the car will be a bit difficult, I figure that is a small issue. The loading and unloading of bikes is so easy, I can load my bike go pick up a friend and go wherever we want without adding much time. Well worth the cost!

Functions and looks great!

Familiarity:

I've put it through the wringer

Definitely over engineered meaning it's going to last a lifetime. It also comes with 2 adapters to fit smaller / kids bikes (ie, 20" wheel size) which is a huge plus if you've got kids wanting to ride. As people have said before, you get what you pay for with this product. If you're planning on using this on a Jeep Wrangler or an truck plan on getting the Pivot extension.