Kuat: Great rack and great customer service.

Been a while. I ended up buying a Kuat NV 2.0 rack after going back and forth between the 1 UP and the Kuat. Forums seemed to recommend both of them equally. I got the Kuat since 1 UP had a long wait time and Kuat also had the built in locks.

Well I was rear ended recently and the way the Kuat was built allowed pieces to break of cleanly in a way that was easily fixable. When I contacted Kuat, Mr. Schrader was extremly helpful in resolving my issues and finding the right parts to make the rack good new.

I use to be all about finding the cheapest options. But as I get older, I tend to buy more higher quality items with options to buy items to repair it as necessary and good customer service.

I have no regrets about using the Kuat NV 2.0. Their customer service and available parts for repair showed me that I made the right choice. Just giving credit where credit is due.

Now only if they would create a license plate holder that will attach cleanly like the 1 up.

 

I need to buy a rack and can’t decide between 1up and Kuat.
1up seems great but a bit annoying that we have to buy so much extra to match the Kuat (locking the bikes, folding the rack up or down with ease, wheel saver, and the list goes on). Really tough decision for me.
Also I like the the Kuat has a strap for the tires.
I had a cheap rack in the past, and my mountain bike fell on the highway at 65 mph. Terrible experience… I never want to live that again.

I’ve seen a lot of praise for 1up on this forum. Anyone has experienced with Kuat for some pros or cons ?

OP, do you still like your rack?

 

Just got the Kuat NV 2.0. Thing it built like a tank, alone I bet it weights 50lbs? For the two bike anyway. I have had some bikes on it and tested to check for rear hatch clearance. Looks to be a sturdy rack. Been a cold wet spring so I haven't gotten out yet (MN). Looks like in the next week it should get better and some MTB trails will open back up.

 

Either rack will serve you well for many years. I have the Kuat 2.0 as well, it’s a fantastic rack. I actually called 1up a couple years ago when I was looking for a rack and the guy I spoke with was a complete jerk. He was so short with me and made me feel bad about just inquiring about wait times. I went to REI and purchased the Kuat the next day and have been super happy with it. It ended up cheaper, comes with a lock and I got like $60 back in REI money.

I really don’t think you can make a bad decision between the 2, they are both solid, reliable racks.

 

I've had the Kuat 2.0 and it was a great rack but over time I noticed some things I didn't like about it. The contact point up front, the arm that holds the tire down always used to rub on the fork causing noticeable wear. I usually carry one bike so having a two tray rack on vehicle all the time got annoying. Over time, exposure from the sun made the plastics (fiberglass?) and rubber brittle. Just too many cons for me to keep it, so I went with a single tray 1UP rack and got a second tray attachment. Everything on the 1UP rack is solid. After 6 years of use, the only major wear is from the black anodize fading over time and its really not that noticeable

 

I've had my Kuat transfer 2 on the back of my vehicles since 2017. The powder coat is kind of flaking off and some rust is forming, but it's lived on the back of the vehicle all through winter as well. I'm super happy with it, the foot pedal action still works smooth, I love that I can tilt the rack down and get the hatch open even with two bikes on it. A friend of mine had a two bike Yakima that was a much more expensive rack and she could not do that as easily as I could with my Kuat.

I find it really easy to get the bikes on and off, and it holds them very securely.

The one up is definitely nice, but between the cost, the wait time, and extra expense if you want to carry two bikes on it, I'm very happy with my Kuat.

 

I love my Kuat, fantastic quality and build.

 

Thanks for all the inputs. I ordered the 1up mainly for the durability. I don’t d’où out the Kuat is a solid rack, but I wanted as little plastic or parts susceptibles to break over time. I also will do some light off-roading at time with the rack on, and the 1up seemed more suitable for that. I wish it came with all the convenient features of the Kuat but I should be able to add most of similar conveniences eventually.
It’s supposed to arrive on Monday!