Review Kuat NV Rack

The Kuat NV rear rack is the best hitch mount rack on the market bar none. Every single detail has been thought out, from overall design, top quality hardware, beefy construction and more. If you are looking for a new bike rack, this is what you need to buy.

Unlike most racks the Kuat NV fits directly in to a 2″ hitch receiver(1.25″ is available too). The other racks on the market use shims which introduce shaking and weakness on bumpy roads, which is not exactly what you want to see when you have thousands of dollars worth of bikes hanging off the back of your car…. The Kuat is rock solid. Look at the thick metal plating and beefy construction.

The knob on the front of the picture above cams the rack against hitch. The lever in the front is used to raise and lower the rack.

The bikes attach with an adjustable clamp that goes over the wheel mount in the front.

The plastic hook goes over the wheel and pushes the wheel in to the wheel carrier in the front.

The rear wheel attaches with a strap, but this is the first one I have seen with a loop for your finger. It is the details that make this rack great. 

You can see the integrated cable lock below.  Because how many stories have you heard about your friends parking at the restaurant/gas station/hotel on the way back from a bike to only get their bikes stolen.

The integrated cable lock is standard on the Kuat NV which is a great feature, most rack companies nickle and dime you for “lock cores”. Next thing you know you spent an extra $100 on a set of lock cores for your roof rack. 
 Speaking of locks, they also include a locking hitch pin. 
To top that off, they include 3 keys and a key chain. 
The rack is designed so your bikes do not rub on each other, not even with today’s crazy wide bars. 
The rack has another awesome feature, a built in work stand. Now I know what you are thinking, how can a work stand on a rear rack be any good? Its probably an after thought? Nope. It is integrated in to the end of the rack and is very sturdy with tons of clamping force. Just what you need for road trips or last minute trailhead repairs. 
The rack leaves plenty of room for the pedals to spin and the clamp is as strong as any quality home mechanics stand. It slides back in to the rack for out of the way storage.
The rack folds up and down for access to your trunk or truck bed. 
Another nice feature of the rack is that it sits higher off the ground.  How many trailheads have smooth roads leading to them? Even though it is high, my tailgate clears the rack without needing to tilt the rack down. 
I have to say this is so much better than a roof rack. You can take your bikes on and off in about 30 seconds. When not in use you can remove it, or share it between cars. With a roof rack you are tied to one car and removal is a huge pain. Plus you don’t have to worry about driving in to a garage with bikes on the roof!
Even on the bumpy dirt mountain roads up where I live the rack does not move or rock. At $500 this is cheaper than a roof rack as well, by the time you have paid for a fit kit, cross bars, lock cores and trays you are up to $800. The Kuat is not only a great rack it is also a demonstration of really good engineering and design. 
  • Carries 2 bikes (Up to 60 lbs. each)
  • Total carrying capacity of up to 120 lbs.
  • Folds up quickly for storage
  • Tilts down for easy vehicle access
  • Integrated cable lock system AND hitch lock for maximum security (locking hitch pin included)
  • Includes built-in TRAIL DOC ™ repair stand for quick fixes on-the-go
  • Front and rear tire ratchets make loading and unloading a breeze
  • Hand-tight cam system – no need for additional tools!
  • Increase bike capacity to up to FOUR bikes with available NV-Add On (sold separately, 2″ model only)
  • The NV is the best option for downhill, free-ride, and other large bikes
  • Black Chrome powder coat finish
  • Anodized aluminum accents

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