TESTED: KUAT NV 2.0

Words: Adam Fernyhough

Transporting bikes using a tow bar mounted bike rack is a great option, the right rack can  avoid damage to your pride and joy while leaving space in your vehicle for passengers and kit. They minimise the need for bike adjustment, removing parts and reassembly. The Kuat NV 2.0 is a rack which puts the security of the bike first by securely housing them vertically and away from each other, avoiding any unwanted contact between pedals etc. The hefty 2 bike rack assembles easily, using long 8mm allen bolts to slot the holding trays in place on a heavy duty spine.

The NV 2.0 is comes with as a 50mm hitch, with a removable tow bar mount and accommodates 2 bikes (the 50mm option also has attachments available to accommodate 3 or 4 bikes). The overall construction of the rack is well into the heavy-duty side, with my 50mm model weighing in at around 25kg. The NV 2.0 features a two-way tilting base, tilt it down when bikes are loaded to access the boot or hatch of your car, or tilt it up when unloaded to stand the tray vertical and out of the way. The tilting mechanism is activated via a hand or foot controlled, large, easily accessed lever and gives a solid and precise feel when operated.

Locked and loaded.

Bikes are held in pace by an adjustable arm, with an easily operated extension ratchet which locks over the front wheel in front of the fork arch. The arm is adjustable to suit all wheel and tyre sizes from 26” to 29”. Including fat bikes with up to 4.8” tyres and, as I found also accepts Boost standard forks. Adaptor kits are also available for 20” and 24” wheels. The rear wheel sits on a wide tray, secured with a ratchet strap mounted on a slide to accommodate bike wheelbase up to 1220mm (the huge wheelbased Whyte G-160 we took to Thredbo fitted without issue but interestingly wouldn’t have fitted in my ute tub without removing the front wheel). The NV 2.0 also comes complete with an extra-large ratchet kit to accommodate extra wide fat bike rear tyres.

When locked in place the bikes are extremely secure, there is really no movement, either through the rack or the securing arms. The NV 2.0 rack is rated to carry 2 bikes weighing up to 27kg EACH!!! That’s heavier than any DH bike or even the fattest of e-bikes.

Other features include built in cable locks, complete with locking ends, each sitting neatly inside the rear wheel tray and held secure by a magnet when not in use. The cable lock looks secure enough to give you piece of mind for service station and coffee stops but, as it’s still a cable lock, and could be cut if some undesirable citizen really wanted to take your steed. The rack also comes with a locking pin to lock into your 50mm hitch.

With the bikes off and the rack stowed into the vertical position there is a built in ‘Trail Doc’ work stand built into the spine of the rack. The dock has height and tilt adjustment with a wide jaw clamp which can hold your bike by either the top tube or seat post. As a trailside work stand the Trail Doc works well, making at venue adjustments easy.

I took the NV 2.0 on a 1000km road trip to Thredbo, with 2 bikes on board, without issue, the rack sits solid on the hitch when mounted correctly using your hitch securing bolt and the secured bikes do not move, at all. On the downside, there is no built in light rack fitted, I easily fitted a number plate to the Trail Doc arm, which was easily adjusted for travel in both the flat and stowed position. My particular vehicle allowed my rear lights to be seen through the spokes of the wheel, however, maybe your local Highway Patrol may not share my opinion and purchasing a light board from a 4×4 or camping centre may be a good idea.

Kuat racks are available through your local bike shop and are then uniquely shipped to your door.

Hits:    Solid construction

            Solid bike attachments

            Adaptable

Misses: No built in light board.

RRP: $950 including shipping

From: blueglobe.com.au