Hitch-mounted bike racks will solve world peace, cure AIDS and all that stuff… that’s a no-brainer. But, will they rack your bike and give you a high-quality trailside workstand at the same time? With the all-new Kuat NV, you get a sturdy two-bike hitch rack with a built-in bike stand. Take that, Thule and Yakima!
Kuat has been beating the lightweight bike rack drum for awhile now–it’s time people payed attention to the music they are playing. I’m a HUGE fan of the Yakima Holdup and the Thule T2, but they are bulky and heavy. While the Kuat NV doesn’t shave tons off their weight, it is lighter (you’ve got to have some heft to carry your bikes) and add on top of that a trailside bike stand and there may just be no comparison–except the price (more on that later).
I’ve yet to see one in person, but Robb over at Bike198 posted some initial thoughts and I’ve been eying the Kuat site to wrap my head around everything. I’m liking what I see.
Kuat NV Specs
- Heat-treated aluminum construction
- 2-bike capacity (optionally expandable to 4)
- Accepts 20-29″ wheels
- 60 lb single bike capacity
- Built-in cable lock
- Hitch stabilizing cam system
- 13″ bike spread for scratch-free carrying
- Folds up for storage
- MSRP: $495 (yeah, that’s the only bummer)
Recent Press Release on the Kuat NV
Springfield, MO – January 28, 2010 – Küat Innovations which makes lightweight, stylish, easy-to-use racks designed by cyclists for cyclists is ready to equip vehicles with its newest bike rack: The NV. “Like all of our products, the NV brings fresh new ideas to bike racks. We want to give people more than they expect,” said Justin Kosar, operations manager of Küat Innovations.
Made of heat-treated aluminum, The NV platform rack offers a variety of new features. It accommodates two bikes with a roomy 13 inches between them. Extra add-ons allow the rack to carry additional bikes. In fact, it can haul any two-wheeled contraption weighting up to 60 pounds, with 20-inch to 29-inch wheels, and without a motor.
The rack includes a repair clamp so cyclists can service their bike anywhere they can park. Plus, it features a built-in, robust integrated cable lock. The rack requires no tools to install using a hitch cam system and quickly folds up for storage and folds down for trunk access.
The NV is available at many fine retailers for $495 MSRP. To find one near you go to www.kuatracks.com.
More Info: Visit KuatRacks.com
