Hitch Rack Showdown: Küat NV Base 2.0 vs Thule EasyFold XT 2
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- čas přidán 28. 06. 2024
- Our two best-selling hitch racks are battling it out for the grand prize: transporting your dream ride. Here's a side by side comparison of weight-class, stats, features, plus a few Pro Tips to keep you Riding (and driving) Happy.
Let's Meet the Contenders...
1. Thule EasyFold XT 2 $849.95
Weighing in at 45 lbs, this rack puts the "easy" in Easyfold in more ways than one. Taking it off on a regular basis, have limited storage space, or maneuverability is a priority? This is the perfect Thule for the job! With a foldable bike loading ramp that integrates into rack for convenient storage, you'll never dread hoisting your hefty e-bike again.
Shop the EasyFold here: www.oregon-ebikes.com/product...
2. Küat NV Base 2.0 $749
Weighing in at 52 lbs, this platform rack packs a lot of punch with its slick, minimal style and rugged durability. With an adjustable front tire cradle system, integrated cable locks, and optional add-on Access Ramp for easy loading, you'll be the NV of every trailhead and parking lot.
Shop the NV Base 2.0 here: www.oregon-ebikes.com/product...
We're here to help you find the perfect e-bike (and rack!) for your needs. Ask us anything in the comments and we'll guide you on your journey to Riding Happy!
We're also available from 9am-5pm PST by: Phone 541.386.6086 • Text 541.293.1308 • Email info@oregon-ebikes.com - Krátké a kreslené filmy
*I was expecting a lot of shortcuts to be taken at this price. I was wrong. Decent quality **Latest.Bike** raker . Easy on easy off.*
Hey Team ... a little late to the party on this video, but a quick question on the Thule -- will it handle road bikes or city cruises that have a much narrower tire footprint? Thank you!
you should have shown opening the tail gate specially for the Kuat as the gate can’t open fully without making contact with the tire tray regardless of whether you tilt the rack back or not. You’ll have to buy a lowered hitch reveiver extension with atleast 2 inches drop to clear that contact.
Hey there Beege - great point, thanks for bringing that up! Something worth noting is that on a truck like the Toyota Tacoma there is just barely contact when the rack is folded out of the way. Other trucks with other tailgate designs may not have this issue as it is a case by case basis.
If opening the tailgate is a must, adding on the Kuat Pivot V2 (either drivers or passenger side pivot) is the way to go. The Kuat Pivot V2 works with many 2" hitch racks such as the Thule Easyfold XT2 as well as the Kuat NV 2.0 racks.
Sounds like you found a solid solution with the hitch receiver extension, too. We'll keep that in mind for future customers. Thanks!
It would have been nice to show the protection for the fender on the Kuat rack. Thanks for posting the video!
I cut a section from a foam pool noodle that fits perfect between the tire and fender...we happen to have the same Gazelle bike shown on the Kuat in this video.
I like the Thule but need to know if the clamp rubs the bike frame. I have a Hollywood and it took the paint off my bike frame. Tried taping clamp, pool noodle, towels. Nothing worked. Can’t use a bar with this bike style. Does the clamp damage the frame?
Great question. While the Thule Easyfold XT2 does clamp the frame, the clamps do have a rubber coating to make life easier on the finish of your e-bike. Thule also offers a Carbon Frame Protector add-on for extra protection: www.thule.com/en-us/bike-rack/accessories/thule-carbon-frame-protector-_-1692661
We're really happy with the Easyfold XT2 and have used it to great success for our step through bikes like the Gazelle Arroyo C8 and Cube Supreme Hybrid!
I just got an Easy Fold 2 xt. I can’t find where I find the plug to hook up the brake lights.
Hey there, thanks for reaching out! The Thule Easyfold XT2 (one of our favorite racks!) has reflectors on the ends of the bike trays and has a spot to mount your license plate on the end of the rack so it's not obscured while carrying bikes. Here in the US the Easyfold doesn't come equipped with lights but there are a couple of aftermarket options should you want to mount a light where the license plate goes! Here's a link to Beacon Bike Rack Lights that could work for you bikeracklight.com/product/thule-easyfold-bike-rack-light-bar/#description, otherwise there are racks like the Kuat Piston Pro or Saris Door County with lighting systems incorporated!
Hello, thank you for the video, I am trying to pick a bike rack from these following choices
Thule T2 Pro XTR 2-2", Thule easy fold, and Kuat NV base 2.0 , which one will you choose is best? i can't decide ! i need help ! thank you!
I was researching racks too for our ebikes. I looked at the same ones but went with the Kuat NV 2.0. The NV 2.0 is the same as the NV base but it has a built in bike holder for doing bike repair/maintenance. I liked the simplicity of use of the Kuat and the space between bikes was enough to prevent hitting pedals or kick stands. I liked that the Kuat NV ramp option is much heavier duty, stable and long enough to allow easier loading of the bikes compared to the Thule. It doesn't stow on the rack like the Thule but it is no big deal for me to collapse and put in the back of the vehicle. Finally, the fit and finish on the Kuat is much superior to any of the other racks I looked at and Kuat has a very good corporate reputation for standing behind their product if anything happens to break. Parts are readily available if a cable lock breaks, etc. I'm sure the other racks work well too but this is why I went Kuat.
Thank you for your feedback and your opinion. I appreciate your share. My mind still going back and forth. Between the easy fold and NV 2.0 or even the XTR pro. The thinking of easy fold is because it’s lighter for me to install, and looks easier… I don’t think I can lift 50 lbs of rack to my hitch. Sport basement people told me that it’s better to buy a rack hold down on the tires rather than the clamps so I really need to maybe try ( a hand on experience) if I can life and install it myself to decide which one is better for me I guess. Thank you!
I notice the spare tire on the back. Did you need the Thile hitch extender to fit this EZfold? I have an older CRV with the spare on the back and want to know if i need it. I dont think I will since its not a huge jeep tire.
Hey there, great question!
The Easyfold XT 2 sits about 12" away from the receiver when locked into place. I'm not sure where your receiver is located on the CRV (they can be semi hidden under the bumper sometimes), but you might be able to make it work without an extender.
If not, there's another extension we've had great results with from Kuat, the Hi-Lo Pro that still retains the hitch stabilization feature that the rack has. That way your rack can be wobble free and leave plenty of space to access the back of the vehicle.
Hope that helps!
Hi....which rack would be suitable for a R&M nevo and tinker together?
Many thanks.
Hey Chris,
Great question, thanks for asking! The Thule Easyfold XT2 is going to be the best bet to haul those great R&M bikes you have! The way the rack attaches to the frame of the bike will work well with those bikes since they have fenders on them. That said there's always a bit of shuffling to get both bikes to play nice together on the rack, no big deal though!
Are either of these suitable for a Riese and Müller superdelite and nevo 3 in combination?
I’m struggling to find a rack that will cope with the weight.
Congrats on those great bikes!
R&M has a really neat accessory called the Transport Cover that's intended to cover the battery area during transport. That way you can reduce the weight of the bikes by removing the batteries and keep the inside portion of the frame more protected from the elements (even though the Bosch stuff is waterproof). That should allow you to transport both on either of those racks!
Additionally the new racks like the Saris Door County and Kuat Piston Pro X are treat options that work well with bikes that have fenders. We currently have all 4 of these options are in stock and ready at www.oregon-ebikes.com :)
@@OregonEBikes your help is really appreciated. Live your channel.
Best wishes from Ireland 🇮🇪.
If you leave the Thule on, does it block the rear camera?
Good question! While most racks have a central beam that will likely block at least a portion of your backup camera's visibility, it depends on where your camera is positioned on your vehicle and where it lines up with the rack.
I drive a Honda Ridgeline and it blocks the camera and screams when I put the truck in reverse
You didn’t show loading them up with the ramps by yourselves.
Hey Bob!
Here's the Kuat Access Ramp in action: czcams.com/video/qbN81ybm_wo/video.html
@@OregonEBikes Kuat ramp is way more stable and useful than an even the extended Thule version. I plasi-dipped the end of my Kuat ramp to protect the metal from scratching and wear.