Kuat NV 2.0 // Watch BEFORE You Buy
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- čas přidán 24. 02. 2024
- The Kuat NV 2.0 (Base and Regular) is a super popular hitch mount bike rack with a pretty major design flaw. In this video, the issue as well as a simple work-around.
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I couldn't agree more, I had the exact same issue. The rubber on some of the hooks eventually wore away and started wearing on the forks. I solved it with a front tire strap also, but I also place rubber hook much further forward on the wheel, so the arm crosses near the axle. With that combo, the hooks never move. I've got more than 40,000 miles on it with that set up, most of the time with 4 bikes. No issues. I will say though, Kuat's customer service is EXCELLENT. They've sent me replacement hooks and other parts immediately and without question, every time.
I'm glad you made this video highlighting this. I personally have a 1up (single - the cheapest one they have - i'm forgetting the name) rack, on my car, which i use and love. To carry 2 bikes, i used my buddies Kuat NV 2.0, and the bike which was exactly in the position you have it in the video, came loose THE EXACT SAME WAY before we got on the highway. It managed to slip off completely , with the wheel almost touching the ground- the only thing stopping the front of the bike from touching the ground, was the handlebar scrapping my left rear lights and getting stuck on top of the lights (like resting your hands on a table). Thankfully, we weren't on the highway when this happened. Since then, i've never borrowed my friends rack. Feels like we have to come up with our own solution for a problem which shouldn't exist in the first place when using this rack.
Love your videos btw!!
Brilliant! I'm going to order buckle straps for my next bike road trip!
Thank you so much for posting this. I recently purchased a Transfer V2 because I wanted to replace my old rack with one that did not contact my frame. I have had multiple times now where I have found the hook over the tire to be loose so I am glad it was not user error and there is a simple solution to help prevent this.
Same!! I have this rack on the back of a lifted Jeep. The bike would come loose a lot. Went with the extra strap to hold it in place. Placing the hook farther forward looks good, will try that also.. Thanks for this video!!
Great video. I have the Kuat Sherpa and have had my bikes come loose on me multiple times despite my best efforts to really tighten everything down. This includes heavier mtbs to lighter road bikes. Extremely disconcerting. Have taken to using a couple of Volet straps in similar fashion to hold the bike more secure and that has solved it - but agree that given the cost of the rack this should not be needed. Looking forward to your next review.
Another nice vid. I have the same rack, bought it since it also works with my wife's heavy ebike with 20" fat wheels. I do the same with the strap on the bottle of the front wheel to the rack, I just use a long velcro strap with a loop. And since I'm paranoid about that failing, I also use the same velcro strap to strap the top of the arm to the crown of the fork, to keep tension of the arm towards the rear of the bike.
Before I heard your solution, I had an idea. Frankly, I've never left any space between fork and arm. And the fox fork brake line securing bracket it has chewed up each and every arm I've had.
Here's my idea: Create a (3dprinted) bracket that is secured via zipties to better sit between the arm and the fork without damaging it. The downside is that the bracket might need to be specific to each fork AND tire combo. But it could work for me if I find a way to do it.
OR: Create something that goes over the brake line bracket. But its still going to be the primary point of contact as there isn't anything else that can help. And I want to carry friend's bikes who won't have that.
Had this rack for years. Carried everything from road bikes to enduro bikes on it across the country several times, and never once experienced the issue you mention in this video.
I currently have the Kuat Piston Pro X, but mainly purchased it for the built in lights.
Have you driven off-road with the rack to get to trails or camp?
@@StephenTy-wb8xx yes I have.
Thanks for this video! Easy fix to a problem that was giving me anxiety.
I have the Kuat transfer rack. Also the same problem.
My solution was to wrap the hookarm with rubber foam and electrical tap. A little ghetto but allows me to cinch it against my frame without scratching it. I just wedge a fresh chamois between the arm and frame and never gets scratched. The second strap sounds like a good solution too but one of the advantages of the Kuat rack is how fast and effortless it is to just slide the hook arm off the wheel and and go.
I have the same rack. I just use heavy duty reusable zip ties that loop over the front wheel clamp and the bike fork as well as anther zip tie that loops over the rear wheel and the rack bed to ensure the bike stay in place even on rough unpaved mountain roads.
Great idea for a fix
I believe you can also tilt the front tire cradle a little to help with fitment. Might help with roll back when angled outward.
interesting video. We've had our Kuat NV 2.0 for almost 7 years now and never encountered issues with it. Living in BC we go on bumpy dirt roads, highways full of potholes and windy conditions and it did not really move anything. We do always lock our bikes up with the cable lock and/or additional cable lock because of thieves, but not sure if that would necessarily make it more stable. Had some wear on some parts and the company was awesome to deal with regarding warranty! We do always shake and pull the bike on the rack to make sure it is secure before heading out. Yes the bike rack moves when you drive, but that has never caused issues.
I use heavy-duty anti-slip cinch straps. The anti-slip grip keeps my tires in place really well. They are long enough to wrap around the tire and top tube as well, reducing wiggle.
I have a similar rack, the Rocky Mounts Monorail, and had a similar issue with my gravel bike but rolling forward. This is what I did to solve it, although the monorail has a support for the back of the front wheel so it can't roll backwards. The instructions still say to put the hook as close to the fork as possible, which means the only thing holding the bike in place is the the friction between the hook and the tire. It works OK with knobbies because you can lock it in, but on a smooth tire bike it can roll forward a bike much like this video shows the bike rolling back.
Contrary to the instructions, I put the hook between 11 and 12 o'clock on the wheel. That way, the bike can't roll forward, because the hook would have to get longer for the wheel to pass under it. The bike can't roll backwards, because of the support. And the hook can't fall down because the difference in the pivot point of the arm and the radius of the wheel means the hook would need to get longer to fall down. I'd put this into a video if I knew how.
I'm a little worried about the situation, but I've done 1000s of miles this way (with an eagle eye out my rear-view mirror), and the bikes haven't moved.
I've hauled 2 bikes on mine fir 1000s of miles with no issues.
I put the clamp up against the head tube/fork with no indication of any paint wear. Just make sure the clamp and that area of the bike are clean.
I just purchased this rack today, and are glad I saw this footage. Personally I think Kuat should supply additional straps to allow the binding of the forward wheel. That being said, in the kit there is a wheel adapter that comes with two straps. There is a Rear Tire Strap Extender, and a Front Tire Security Strap which would both work. Or as you have done simply fabricate a Front Wheel Security Strap.
Let me say that prices of Bike Racks is borderline insane. But if you have a Carbon frame and wheels you just cant go with a lot of the cheaper racks.
Lastly, I order the License plate adapter for mine from Kuat, since I don't need a ticket for an obscured plate. Now I need to find out if I need a third plate so I don't have to change plate locations if
i decide t not have the rack installed on any given day?
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 owner here and the velcro strap came with my rack and I always put one at the pivot arm side like in the video. Might as well use it if it came with the rack.
Glad I saw this review. Was about to buy this rack. For the same price I bought the 1up Super Duty which is all aluminum. I’m not going to spend $900 on a rack that’s mostly plastic. I’ve already seen enough reviews where the plastic tire buckets, which are riveted, have broken off the rack. I also don’t trust mechanical, locking parts that are plastic.
Hey, thanks for the video. I dont use a rack as I have a truck, but I did want to ask, where did you get your hat from? I love that hat!
I have the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 and it has the same problem, but I just put the arm up tight to the fork and tighten it down as much as possible. It holds pretty good then.
My biggest gripe with it though is that the release button on the arm isn't lockable. Anybody can walk up and push the button and take your bike if you don't have a cable lock securing it.
All the reason to cable your bike if it is out of you direct view imo. Might not be a bad idea to have a spare solo cable that you keep in your car for extra delay of a possible thief?
Noticed this issue way back when I had my Sherpa. I used to tighten it all the way to the fork and the brake hose holder on my mtb would shred the hook up. This was actually a large reason for why I sold it 7-8 yrs ago and got a rack that only holds the outer half of the tires (Saris Superclamp, had a pro deal, otherwise would love a 1Up)
Nice review! I have the same problem on my Kuat.
That is the identical design of my Yakima Dr. Tray. I've never had my rack do that. I wonder if that wheel tray for the front wheel keeps it from shifting.
Solved it with my bodge: a cut piece of foam from a corkscrew pool noodle. It acts a cushion between the Kuat fork arm and my carbon fork. Makes the contact solid and doesn’t mar the carbon fork. Oh and my Sherpa 2.0 came with that front velcro strap.
Great vid, thanks.
I’ve been using this rack for 4 years and I’ve never had a bike fall off or come loose. I frequent many gravel and rough roads. I know you continue to mention the fact the arm should not touch the fork but I actually push the arm up to the fork. Touching the fork and this pretty much eliminates this issue you are having.
If anything your complaint video should be on how much the wheel strap can scratch a carbon wheel when it gets dirty on a wet gravel road. I have a permanent scuff mark on a set of roval carbon wheels because of that strap. I just make sure to spin the wheel around and keep using the same section 😂
Oh and the 1up rack, yea you’ll have complaints on that also. The rack tension design causes the rack to lean. Very noticeable in the upright position “stored not carrying a bike”. Also the bike has a lot of movement when going down the road. More than the kuat. You could also mention the fact the 1up black cost extra yet fades after one season.
Small issues here and the kuat does the better job imo. GL with the next video.
Correct, the manual states that the hook should be as close to the fork as possible.
I have had the Sherpa 2.0 since release, and I have never had a bike come loose either. Bikes don't come loose even if I forget to use the Velcro strap as instructed.
Same design and issue on the Thule T2 Pro XTR...switched over to QuikrStuff, no regrets.
Excellent video . i'm 100% convinced to NOt to buy that rack.. 😂
On my Transfer V2, I noticed this and gotten a rubber strap large enough for the front tire and the rack frame and wheel and strap it in place.
Out of curiosity, I wonder if changing the placement of the arm would make a difference? Moving it more forward over the front wheel, applying more force to keep the bike from rolling forward.
Seems to be lots of agreements that this rack is flawed. Yet it is the one recommended by every professional bike technician I have talked to. This includes cycle loft and REI. So what IS the recommended bike rack? I have 2 new canondale neo 4 e-bikes what are 50 pounds each. I need a dependable solution.
*solution/protip* When tightening the hook, counter the force of the push by supporting (pulling) the frictional axle. When you are compressing it, the flex in the rack takes up some of the force and isn’t allowing you to fully “click down” the hook, hence the excessive slop you’re experiencing with the hook dislodging. When you get a couple extra clicks to compress the rubber of the tire, this issue should resolve. I’ve driven plenty road trips with this rack without issue. 👊🏽
Please clarifying further - how to pull and which direction.
I’ve had my Kuat rack for 8 years. I’ve taken it off-roading with no issues. I feel like this issue is making a mountain out of a molehill. I also just mount the front clamp against my fork with no issues of rub. If anything, the plastic is wearing more than the paint on my fork.
Likewise - been using mine for 7 years and never had an issue on multiple road trips - just keep the arm against the fork, problem solved….
He demonstrated entirely the flaw, showcased how it can seriously be an issue. Just because you're lucky, doesn't mean the rack design isn't flawed. Some people don't want the clamp wearing against their fork.
Interesting…I have a Kuat Sherpa which has a curved tray for the back wheel which prevents the reward movement. My bike has never come loose. The NV appears to be designed differently.
So you’re going against the manufacturer instructions to correct their flaw and defeating the purpose of a no touch rack; which is a feature many purchase a rack of this type for.
the Saris rack of similar design has the same problem. I plan to replace it with a 1up whenever I have $$ for a new vehicle that takes a 2" hitch.
I’d be interested to see if other tray racks have the same issue. Is it brand-specific, or the design as a whole?
You can also use a velcro strap to engage one or both of your brakes during transport.
I have this rack and If I know I’ll see some rougher roads, I’ll rotate the crank arm down and wrap a strap around the pedal spindle and the rack body for a third, and central, contact point
The Kuat Piston would be a more 1:1 review to the 1up. Nice solution to the issue you found.
True! But I’m having a hard enough time getting my hands on a 1up 😄
@@TheBikeSauce Are they out of stock?
I have the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 rack, which has a similar issue. I guess the front wheel cradle on the Sherpa is more pronounced so there is less roll-back effect, though. Anyway, I do something very similar -- strap the front wheel down with a Voile strap.
Page 12 of the NV 2.0 User Guide clearly indicates this very instruction.
This comment!!
!! Which? Hook close the fork, or to strap it down?
@@TheBikeSauce both! The user guide mentions being close to the fork and that for heavier bikes to strap the front wheel down.
@@mygamertag2010X Nice, that for finding that. I'd still argue that a brief statement buried on pg 12 of the owners manual is a bandaid on a design issue. Thanks for digging that up!
Use a strap or band to pull on the brake levers. The brakes being locked will also help the wheels from wanting to rotate
We haven’t had this issue, just be sure to lock out the shocks while in rack. Good tip though to strap tire for extra stability just in case.
Why would locking the shock help, since it is grabbing the tire/wheel?
@@vashon100 locking it would keep it firm so it doesn’t compress and allow the tire to move away from the rack holder.
@@jenniferk5281 Not trying to argue, but I could see how letting air out of the tire would then loosen the grip, but the shock going up and down doesn't change the aired diameter of the tire which is held by the grip.
In other words, once the grip is set on the tire, whether the shock is extended or compressed after that, the grip doesn't get looser or tighter.
Yup get a 1UP. Had up to 4 bikes traveling 500mi no problem. Their system is great, not fool proof but it works as indented.
Which set of straps do you use or recommend?
Anything works. Something that cinches down and has a buckle is best
BikeSause: You might want to also consider the QuickRStuff Mach 2 bike rack.
Any theory on why the pivot is there? I presume it provides some benefit (even if the cost is scary).
My guess would be too much hardware and bulk if they moved it lower and more forward
I have the same rack and I am pretty sure the instructions say to have the front bar touch the front of the bike. That is what I do and I never had this issue. The rubber on the bar is purposely soft and meant to rub away when it comes in touch with the fork or external cables. It can be replaced. This is not an issue.
It’ll take the paint off a fork
I put an oven mitt in there to keep it right
This style of rack really requires the rack arm to be against the fork crown. This gets in the way of Kuat's "touchless" claims and CAN RISK scuffing the paint/anodization on your fork crown, which is purely cosmetic. The instructions reading "as close as possible without touching" is Kuat covering their a** if someone wants to make a damage claim against them for the paint rub.
The 1up rack does remove this issue, and it's a great rack, but it's expensive. The Kuat, and any single arm "touchless" rack, is a fine design if you're willing to accept that there may be a minor cosmetic scuff on your fork crown.
Nice to see that the front wheel strap does reduce movement of the fork arm, but I think I'll just keep cinching my Thule T2 against the same rub spot on my fork that I always have.
Wouldn't this issue be mitigated by clamping the tire further to the front of the bike? Basically ignore kuat's instruction and clamp the tire around the 11 o'clock position so that it is pressed into the cradle? In that case they arm wouldn't be able to roll towards the back.
I think that if the front wheel of the bike is clamped at 11 o'clock it would allow the arm to fall towards the front of the bike and possibly completely free the front wheel from the rack. I have a Thule rack of similar design to the Kuat. I'm going to test it to see if it has the same design flaw/need for front wheel strap.
Lower the cradle angle with Allen wrench and you shouldn’t have problem..
@TheBikeSauce this is basically the same design as the Yakima frontloader and I had the misfortune of my bike dismounting and flying off the roof on a freeway .these racks are flawed and these companies don't take any responsibility for this
😊
im surprised you're only running two piston callipers, and not four
I am very lucky, my neighbor bought one but he has a heavy ebike and this rack is not for ebikes (I always fix his bikes no charge). Well he gave it to me and I did not know they are so expensive, now I am planning to put a hitch in my Subie and haul my bikes with a strap for the front wheel like you showed. Thanks...
Sweet deal!
I just pop off the front wheel and shove mine in the Corolla trunk🤷♂️
It's a dumbass design as it would be better with a DUAL rod system top wheel lock system with side rods going to the main mount. This would not only provide better support ( gripping wheel from both sides) but the angle rods down to the mount would prevent any forward or back movement.
Soooo..., hungry for content these days Bikesauce?
Nice hack here
It's the worst part of this rack. I use voile straps to secure it.
Not a bad idea. Glad I’m not the only one. It is a bummer that additional straps are the solution given the price of the thing
The rack SUCKS! I have one, contacted KUAT about this exact issue and was basically told to pound sand. I’ll Never own anything these guys make again. The rack is garbage unless you go from your house to a park, don’t hit any bumps and don’t travel hwy speeds…
Any offroad trails are out…and freeway driving is so sketchy we just stopped using it.
Awful product. I wonder how they are even allowed to sell such a dangerous rack