Kuat Hitch Bike Rack Breakdown
Kuat has become a major player in the hitch bike rack world, and they’ve developed quite an extensive catalog. Let’s take a look at each product family to better understand their features and capabilities.
Beta
Kuat Beta is a simple, inexpensive hanging style bike rack that carries 2 bikes. It folds, tilts, and has a tool-free knob to keep it stable in the hitch receiver, but locks are sold separately, and it uses basic pins to control the tilt and folding arms. What stands out about the Beta is how lightweight it is, coming in at only 14 pounds, and its unique off-center mast.
Kuat Beta carries 2 bikes and is available in two models: one for 2” receivers and another for 1.25” receivers.
Beta 2 bike 2”
Beta 2 bike 1.25”
Transfer V2
Kuat Transfer V2 is a basic front wheel hook style bike rack that comes in a few different varieties. It fits bikes with tires up to 5” wide, wheel sizes from 18” to 29”, and wheelbases up to 50”. A cable lock is included and a security bolt is used at the hitch, but locking hitch pins are sold separately.
It’s not the best choice for heavy ebikes, with weight capacities varying between 40-60 pounds depending on the model and if add-ons are used. And the add-ons are where it gets complex.
The 1 bike model fits 1.25” and 2” hitch receivers with a 60 pound weight limit. It can accept the 1 bike add-on, limiting weight capacity to 40 pounds per bike.
The 2 bike 1.25/2” model cannot accept any add-ons and is limited to 40 pounds per bike.
The 2 bike 2” only model handles 2 60 pound bikes. It can accept the 1 bike add-on, limiting weight capacity to 40 pounds per bike.
The 3 bike 2” only model handles 3 40 pound bikes. It can accept the 1 bike add-on, remaining at 40 pounds per bike.
Transfer V2 1 bike 1.25”/2”
Transfer V2 2 bike 1.25”/2”
Transfer V2 2 bike 2”
Transfer V2 3 bike 2”
Transfer V2 1 bike add-on
Sherpa 2.0
Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is a mid-range 2 bike wheel hook style bike rack with some premium touches. It is limited to 2 bikes (no add-ons are available) at 40 pounds each, but includes a locking cable and locking hitch pin. Sherpa 2.0 is available in 3 different colors in dedicated models for 1.25” or 2” hitch receivers.
Sherpa 2.0 handles tires up to 3” wide (>2.75” may need Strap Extender Kit), can fit wheelbases up to 47” (or 50” with 3” Tray Extension), and wheel sizes from 20” to 29” with a single included 20-24” wheel adapter.
Sherpa 2.0 Gray Metallic with Orange Anodize 2 bike 2”
Sherpa 2.0 Gray Metallic with Orange Anodize 2 bike 1.25”
Sherpa 2.0 Black Metallic with Gray Anodize 2 bike 2”
Sherpa 2.0 Black Metallic with Gray Anodize 2 bike 1.25”
Sherpa 2.0 Pearl with Silver Anodize 2 bike 2”
Sherpa 2.0 Pearl with Silver Anodize 2 bike 1.25”
Sherpa 2.0 Tray Extension
NV 2.0
Next up is the venerable Kuat NV 2.0, a premium wheel hook style bike rack that includes the Trail Doc work stand and a full set of locks and locking cables. A simplified model, NV Base 2.0, is available in matte black only and does not include the Trail Doc (available separately), but retains all of the other features.
NV 2.0 is available in dedicated 2” and 1.25” models to carry 2 bikes up to 60 pounds each. 1 and 2 bike add-ons are available for the 2” model to increase bike capacity, but weight capacities are reduced to 50 pounds per tray for 3 bikes, and 40 pounds per tray for 4 bikes. 50” wheelbases are supported, as well as 5” tires with the single included Strap Extender Kit and a single included 20” to 24” wheel adapter (additional kits available separately). The Bike Ramp NV 2.0 / NV Base 2.0 may be used to more easily load heavy bikes.
NV Base 2.0 2 bike 2”
NV Base 2.0 2 bike 1.25”
NV Base 2.0 1 bike add-on
NV Base 2.0 2 bike add-on
NV 2.0 Gray Metallic with Orange Anodize 2 bike 2”
NV 2.0 Gray Metallic with Orange Anodize 2 bike 1.25”
NV 2.0 Black Metallic with Gray Anodize 2 bike 2”
NV 2.0 Black Metallic with Gray Anodize 2 bike 1.25”
NV 2.0 Gray Metallic with Orange Anodize 2 bike add-on
NV 2.0 Gray Metallic with Orange Anodize 1 bike add-on
NV 2.0 Black Metallic with Gray Anodize 2 bike add-on
NV 2.0 Black Metallic with Gray Anodize 1 bike add-on
Tri Doc - Trail Doc Stand
Bike Ramp NV 2.0 / NV Base 2.0
Piston Pro, SR, & ION
Kuat Piston Pro and Piston Pro X are some of the most premium bike racks on the market. These are double tire only platform racks that make no frame contact, fit tires up to 5” wide, wheel sizes from 18” to 29”, and wheelbases up to 53”. A locking cable and locking hitch pin is included.
The Piston Pro X adds a Kashima coating to the pneumatic tire arm as well as LED taillights that are visible when the rack is deployed and when it's folded up.
Both Piston Pro models carry 2 bikes and come in dedicated 2” or 1.25” models. 2” racks handle bikes up to 67 pounds per tray, and 1.25” models handle 60 pounds per tray. 1 and 2 bike add-ons are available for the 2” models, decreasing weight capacities to 50 pounds each for 3 bikes, and 40 pounds each for 4 bikes. Pro and Pro X add-ons are best kept within their respective families in order for taillight wiring to work properly.
A unique spin-off is the Piston SR Hitch Rack. This takes the Piston SR roof mount and adds a 2” only hitch adapter. It can only carry 1 bike and it doesn’t fold, but it probably won’t need to, and can support a bike up to 100 pounds. A locking cable is included with the bike rack and a hitch lock is included with the hitch adapter.
Piston Pro bike racks are compatible with the Fender Strap Kit and Bike Ramp Piston Pro / Pro X / SR.
Kuat Piston ION is the latest heavy duty double tire only platform rack designed with ebikes and RV’s in mind. It supports bikes up to 100 pounds each (80 pounds on an RV), 57” wheelbases, wheel sizes from 18” to 29”, tires up to 4.8” wide, and fenders with the Fender Strap Kit.
Piston Pro 2 bike 2”
Piston Pro 2 bike 1.25”
Piston Pro 2 bike add-on
Piston Pro 1 bike add-on
Piston Pro X 2 bike 2”
Piston Pro X 2 bike 1.25”
Piston Pro X 2 bike add-on
Piston Pro X 1 bike add-on
Piston SR & Hitch Adapter 1 bike 2”
Bike Ramp Piston Pro / Pro X / SR
Piston ION 2 bike 2”
Accessories & Adapters
Kuat makes a collection of accessories for hitch bike racks to make life a little easier.
Kuat Pivot V2 allows an entire bike rack to swing out of the way of the rear doors or hatch. It can support up to 250 pounds and is available in a driver side or passenger side swing.
Kuat Pivot XD is a heavy duty version of the Pivot V2, supporting up to 350 pounds, but only swings to the passenger side.
Pivot V2 Driver
Pivot V2 Passenger
Pivot XD
Kuat Hi-Lo is a 2” hitch extension and riser to help clear spare tires.
Hi-Lo Pro adds a more sophisticated anti-wobble mechanism and includes a hitch lock.
Hitch adapters are available to fit smaller bike rack stingers to larger hitches.
The 1.25” to 2” adapter allows your 1.25” Kuat bike rack to fit 2” hitches. It works with the Beta, NV 2.0 & Base 2.0, Piston Pro & Pro X, Sherpa, Sherpa 2.0, and Transfer V2.
The 2.5” hitch adapter allows a 2.5” hitch to accept a 2” bike rack. It works with the Beta, NV, NV 2.0 & Base 2.0, Piston Pro & Pro X, Sherpa, Sherpa 2.0, Transfer, and Transfer V2.
2.5” Hitch Adapter
1.25” to 2” Adapter
Finally, Kuat Rack Dock provides a storage solution for your bike rack in your garage when not in use. Available in black and orange, it includes heavy duty lag screws for mounting and works with 2” and 1.25” bike racks. It can hold bike racks that weigh up to 115 pounds.
Rack Dock Black Metallic
Rack Dock Orange
Have any further questions or not sure which bike rack is for you? Send us a message and we can help you out! You can also check out our other guides including Platform Hitch Bike Racks Features & Guide and Bike Racks for RV’s and Travel Trailers.