Before you hit the trails on your mountain bike, you need a way to get it to the trails, especially if you don’t happen to live right beside where you like to ride. That’s where a quality bike rack comes in. The Kuat NV 2.0 hitch mounted bike rack is sleek, easy to use and extremely stable and will reliably get your bike to and from the trails in style.
Pros
- Sleek, premium quality rack built mostly with metal
- Easy to load and unload bikes
- Very stable – virtually no movement of bikes when driving around with them on rack
- Built in cable locks for security and convenience
- Ability to add on to carry up to four bikes
Cons
- Cost can be prohibitive for some,
Rack assembly and set up
Assembling the NV 2.0 is a smooth and easy process. Everything you need to get the rack assembled and attached to your vehicle is included in the box with no extra tools needed.
You’ll need to install the front and rear tire trays to the center beam with the included bolts, alternating tightening the long bolts. The install is made easy thanks to a letter system so you can easily identify which tire trays attach where on the center beam.
Once done with the tire trays, you will install the pivot lever which allows you to alternate the position of the NV 2.0 between its 3 different positions when its mounted on your vehicle (stowed, carrying bikes, and down to allow access to the rear door of your vehicle while bikes are on it).
After these are installed you will need to attach and install the Trail Doc, a unique feature designed to allow you to perform some bike maintenance right from the rack.
Mounting rack to trailer hitch
Once the NV 2.0 is assembled, mounting it to your vehicle’s trailer hitch is a straight forward process. Set the rack into its stowed position, and simply slide the end of the rack into the trailer hitch and lock it in using the locking hitch pin.
There is a ball cam system used by Kuat that keeps the NV 2.0 extremely stable and prevents your bike from moving around when on the rack. Once the rack is on the hitch you simply tighten this to remove any movement in the rack.
You’ll notice just how stable the NV 2.0 is when your bike is mounted to it and you have a look through your rear view mirror while driving. It’s comforting to see that your bike is so stable it almost looks like an extension of your vehicle reassuring you that your ride will be A-okay even on bumpier roads.
Loading a bike onto the NV 2.0
How easy or difficult it is to load your bike onto a rack is as important as any feature a bike rack has, and the Kuat NV 2.0 makes loading your bike up an easy and pain free experience.
Adjustable front tire cradle system
Once you lift your bike up onto the rack and position it in the front tire tray, the intuitive front tire cradle makes it easy to secure your bike to the NV 2.0. Before lifting your bike onto the rack, first you’ll want to flip the front tire cradle to the outside of the rack, then once you’ve got your front tire positioned in the tire tray, you’ll simply position the front tire cradle over your front tire against the bike’s fork, and push down until it’s snug and sturdily holding your bike in position.
The front tire cradle uses at ratcheting arm system which will automatically lock into place when you push it down to secure your front tire. To release it and remove your bike from the rack, you just push down on the button intuitively positioned on the tire cradle itself and pull, which will release the tire cradle from your front tire.
Rear tire strap
Securing the rear wheel to the rack is a cinch as well. You just position the rear tire strap directly below the bike’s rear axle and attach it to the tire with the binding style setup. Removing it is just as easy as pushing the release button and pulling the strap out of the binding.
Looks
Beyond its ease of use, the Kuat NV 2.0 looks good too. The rack’s sleek looks make it look sharp on any vehicle you decide to mount it to and is a nice complement to the looks of the vehicle itself.
As far as color choices, the NV 2.0 is available in black and also orange/grey. Both options look great and won’t be a detriment to the appearance of any vehicle.
Wheel and tire sizes the NV 2.0 accommodates
The Kuat NV 2.0 can hold bikes with wheel sizes ranging from 20 to 29 inches, but will require a separate wheel adapter for the smaller side of that range for bikes with 20 to 24 inch wheels.
Fat bikes
You can also carry fat bikes with the NV 2.0. Kuat sells a dedicated Phat Bike Kit including a secondary velcro strap for the front tire and a strap extender for the rear tire. This allows the rack to accommodate fat bike tires with a width of up to 5 inches.
Standout features
As Kuat’s flagship hitch mount bike rack, the NV 2.0 has a lot of premium features that make it easy to use and give it extra functionality.
Fully integrated cable locks
An awesome feature built into the NV 2.0 is the fully integrated cable locks, which are built into the ends of the rear tire trays. This is a really convenient feature that allows you to stop off for a post ride adult beverage or run a quick errand after riding with no worries about someone taking off with your bike.
This can be a real time saver and makes it easier to sneak a quick ride into your schedule.
The cable locks pull out of the rear tire trays, and are long enough to fit on any bike’s frame through the rear triangle. Two keys come with the NV 2.0, and both work to unlock the integrated cable locks (in addition to the locking hitch pin).
Foot-assisted pivot
The foot-assisted pivot on the NV 2.0 makes it easy to change the position of the Kuat NV rack even if you’re carrying something. You’ll still need to either lift or push down on the rack itself with one hand depending on how you want it positioned but it’s helpful if you’ve got one hand full.
Rear hatch door access
Not only can the NV 2.0 be stowed by folding up, it also has the ability to drop down while bikes are on it to allow you access to the rear hatch door of your vehicle.
This is super convenient if you need to pick up some groceries or other items after you’re out for a ride. It’s also a valuable feature if you’re travelling with your bike, so you can access your luggage and other belongings in the back without needing to completely remove your bike from the rack.
Trail Doc work stand
The NV 2.0 has a built in bike repair stand called the Trail Doc which allows you to make quick adjustments and repairs to your bike pre and post ride. It isn’t a replacement per se to a standalone bike repair stand but is definitely useful to have in a pinch.
Add on to carry 4 bikes
The Kuat NV 2.0 has the capacity for two bikes in its standard set up, but also has the versatility to carry another two bikes – so four bikes total – by purchasing an add on for the rack. So if you want to be able to transport the whole squad’s bikes, you’ll certainly be able to with this add on.
Frequently asked questions
Kuat’s NV 2.0 has a weight capacity of 120 lbs, which equates to 60 lbs per bike. The two bike add on can support an extra 40 lbs per bike, for a total capacity with the add on of 200 lbs. We certainly never came close to maxing out the weight capacity, and unless you are transporting extremely and abnormally heavy bikes, you won’t either.
Yes, the Kuat NV 2.0 is designed to be left mounted on your vehicle even when you’re not using it. Through one season of use, including lots of heavy rain, we haven’t noticed any issues with the function of the rack and its ability to hold up against the elements.
Kuat is headquartered in Springfield, Missouri, which is where its research and development is completed, and its bike racks are manufactured in Taiwan and China.
Conclusion
The Kuat NV 2.0 is a premium bike rack that delivers above and beyond expectations. While it may be a tad pricey for some, its a rack that’s ease of use and stability are hard to beat, making it an easy choice for serious mountain bikers who ride a lot and want to an convenient and secure way to get their bike to and from their favorite trails.