I don't buy chewing gum without watching reviews about it, so I've seen lots of them. This is the best I've seen. No agenda, down to Earth, authoritative, and insightful. Thanks!
Good review. I just bought the Thule Pro, but as a 69 year old woman, I can't lift my ebike into it. I also can't roll it up a ramp and down the rail without the front tire slipping off the rail. SO......I cut a piece of PVC in half lengthwise, painted it black and bolted it to the rail. Now the bike goes up the ramp I bought, and down the cup of the PVC. Then I just have to lift the front tire into the holder.
@@mjutley4169 it was a dirt bike ramp that I got on Amazon that is no longer available, but others are. It was 6' long. My friend cut it in half and hinged it for me.
I was choosing between these two racks just a few months ago and this video answered all of the questions I had that nobody else covered. I went with the Kuat and have been super happy with it! I also drive an Outback and I really liked how much more compact the Kuat is when it's folded up.
Thanks Jonathan. I think you made a good choice, and you are definitely correct about how much more compact the Kuat is. I didn't fully appreciate the difference myself until I got them side by side. Happy biking!
@@rddhuria Subarus usually have a 1 7/8" receiver if it comes on the car from the factory. Should be able to look on it and see though, or just measure it.
Kevin a great review.I also was in the process of purchasing the Thule Pro but I am going to buy the Kuat thanks to your showing everyone the difference between the two.Great job,Kevin
The Kuat is hands down the best bike rack I've ever used. I also love the fact that you can mount it to the wall in your garage, remove the repair rod and attach it to their own tripod system for use indoors, and just the overall aesthetic. The only issue I had with the Kuat was that one of the locks stopped staying in the rack, Kuat immediately replaced it for me, and now everything is fine again. You get what you pay for folks! Kuat all the way!
Thanks for sharing John! Nice to hear Kaut fixed your lock issue. I wasn’t aware of the Tri Doc and the way it uses the Trail Doc arm. Very cool! www.kuatracks.com/product/tri-doc/
Thanks Kevin. I was on the fence leaning towards the Thule. My bike dealer recommended the Kuat. Did some research and your video sealed the deal. Went with the Kuat NV2.0 in the 2". Mounted it on my wife's Honda CR-V and it is super stable. Thanks for making a great video. Super helpful!
Excellent in-depth tutorial! I'm glad I stumbled upon it. We're looking for a bike rack and there are just so many models to choose from. We're first time buyers, so we have no idea what features to look for in a rack. Thanks to your excellent review, I think we'll go with the Kuat. It seems to be easy to use and appears to have all the necessary features. Thanks for taking the time to do this comparison.
Great video! Very thorough and the fact that you used both for a year inspires a lot of confidence that you’ve uncovered the nuances of both racks. I was hoping to see a wobble test with the racks loaded. I’ve been leaning towards the Kuat already as another review said it is rock solid. They referred to it as like a steel plate. Thanks for taking the time to do this comparison!
Glad it helped. Great suggestion for the wiggle test! The Kuat does seem to wobble less, and I never need to adjust the arm on the tire, which was not always the case when using the Thule.
I got the Kuat today. I’m really happy with it. Waiting on the ramp, which apparently is back-ordered. For my Radrover, 5 I will need to trim the front splash guard back so that the clamp can sit properly against (or closest to) the fork. I do really like how stable the Kuat is once it is tightened into the hitch. It feels like it becomes an extension of the vehicle frame.
Dude, you know your OCD fellow bikers way too well. Super thorough video. Very helpful. It’s a really hard decision.I love it when you apologize for your rack being dirty and then you mutter I usually keep my things clean. That’s awesome. Me too.
@@odouroushouseant I appreciate your reply. Believe it or not it is stuck with me over the last couple of months. I definitely don’t take OCD lightly and May have used it a little bit lightly here. Also a car guy, I was watching a video on some guys 4 best garages which led me to a TH-cam channel called obsessed garage. This guy does really good car content but but I think also has OCD and is a type C personality or maybe Myers Briggs would call that I NTJ. I am Intj. Really good content that really spoke to me. Thanks again for your reply. By the way I did get the Thule rack and really like it. It’s very rugged.
Thanks for your comment odouroushouseant. I can't recall if I use the term OCD in my video, but making light of anyone's struggles was not my intention if I did. Regardless, I appreciate you bringing it up as it's not something I had considered before.
Nice, thanks Craig! I’m glad it was helpful. I recently did a comparison between the NV and Piston Pro-X in case your interested: Kuat PISTON® PRO X vs NV 2.0 Bike Racks th-cam.com/video/3lJjzE8Mh1o/w-d-xo.html
I watched this video last year and now watching it again after pulling the trigger on the Kuat. Then I realized you mention the price being $650….. inflation pushed the price up for these…. $850 retail now for the Kuat. Luckily I found a local shop in South Dakota that selling the base model at $600. Thanks for the review again! Well done
Awesome review!! Thank you for covering exactly the things we need to know and a lot of the bonus considerations like how they both lock, spacing, and the balancing when off-mount.
Thanks for the excellent review! You did a great job comparing all the practical features and usage concerns that people have when actually using these racks, instead of all the marketing-speak usually seen in sponsored review videos.
Great review of the two bike racks. Both are great! Myself, I went with the Thule. I didn't care for the way the Kuat adjustability works. It appears that the front wheel would hang lower than the rack itself once you've made adjustments for the bar/seat clearances. Especially if you're mounting the rack on a lower vehicle. I'd hate to come out of a steep driveway and drag that wheel mount.
Wound up purchasing the Thule T2 Pro XTR b4 I sw this video. I have friends who have both and both are worthy racks. The added cost for the Kuat seems justified but in the end, with the majority of my racks, boxes being Thule and the 2" receiver for the rack I bought it turned out great for me. Nice reviews.
Great review. I'm going with the Thule for the off-road clearance! Kuat sticking out 18" is too far in Utah! I also like the skid plate on the Thule. Also, I have a 7 way trailer elec. socket on one side of my hitch and another custom Anderson plug on the other side. It makes locking hitch pins a little tricky to install/uninstall. The Thule will be way be easier for this reason.
I have to go with the Thule because of the clearance. I carry two bikes (one is an E) on the back of a Toyota minivan, so the clearance is already limited. It's not just offroad, it's also the slope of a driveway approach. If Kuat could weld a skid plate extending just past the knob, I might chose them.
Thanks! I’m glad it was helpful. Nice choice with the Kuat and glad you got it assembled. I’m sure you are enjoying the ease of use over your old hanging rack. Tray racks are so nice for day to day use.
Thank you for the review. I've been researching both of these bike racks, and your review was very informative and covered the areas in both racks I had some questions about.
This is an excellent review!!! I’ve watched it twice now and you’re making my decision on what to consider in bike racks much easier! Thank you so much!
Same theme. I was looking at both and went with the Kuat. Your through review has reassured me that I made the right choice. I appreciate this video. Special note: I have a Jeep Wrangler w/oversized tires, including my spare. Only the Kuat....barely fits without a hitch extender. Doesn’t look like the Thule would have done that.
Two extremely good racks each with pros & cons...a tough decision but thanks to your thorough review, I feel confident in making my decision....the Kuat. Appreciate all your time & effort!!!
@@anandsundaram4338 I went with the Kuat as 1) going on a Buick Enclave, so no off roading 2) Folding 3) bike stand. But if I owned a truck I would have gotten the Thule hands down.
Very detailed comparison; best on the internet! Exactly what I was seeking in deciding between these two units (upgrading from 4-bike Hollywood Rack, which is extremely frustrating after several 2,000 mile road trips)! Thanks!
This was an awesome review man. The two racks sitting on the ground was eye-opening for me. I'm torn between these two racks and the footprint and weight are considerations. The Kuat is much more compact and easy to sit in the corner on a wooden platform of some sort. Both are great but I'm leaning towards the NV base. Thank you so much for this well thought out comparison.
Lol crazy that this video just popped up. I literally just debated between these exact two. Ended up with the kuat, the nicer lock and stability sold me just a little more. And also one thing you forgot to mention, the kuat has the ability to add on a + 2 to make it a 4 bike rack. That was the other selling point for me.
Nice choice. I think you will enjoy the Kuat for sure. You are correct that I forgot to mention the ability to add 2 more bikes. This can actually be done with both of these racks, as long as you buy the 2" version. I'm pretty sure the 1 1/4" versions don't allow +2 in either rack because they aren't strong enough to handle that load.
Thule only has 2 bike addon. Kuat also has 1 bike addon (in addition to 2). 2 bike addon is considerably heavier, so if you only need 3 bikes to carry, this is a win for Kuat
I like that this popped up after I bought the Thule lol. Both look like great bike racks. The Thule was available at the bike store. I like it. It now comes with wheels so you can push or pull it on your driveway. I like the bike holder on the other rack. Overall I’m satisfied with my purchase.
Both are super solid racks, and I agree that the wheels on the XTR are super convenient. Glad you’re enjoying the new rack, and thx for watching and commenting. 👍🏼
@@kevinhill.8 I ended up going with the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 and could not be happier. The one time I needed to carry 3 bikes, I put one in the 4Runner and two on the rack - plenty of room for 3 of us with bikes. I especially like the tilt back feature, so I can open the lift gate while two bikes are on the rack. A couple with the hatchback mounted rack on their SUV watched me do this with ease one day and the lady poked her guy and said "we should have gotten that". So easy to use - outstanding product.
Thank you!! I am so glad you did this video! Been looking for racks comparing stuff online but with stores closed or out of stock due to Covid it’s been a challenge for me! I can know narrow the choice thanks again!
Was trying to decide and this video was exactly what I needed. Kuat for me but friends with Thule are delighted with those as well. Kuat is available where I am so buying that and this video helped me decide. Thanks very much.
I watched your video until the very end and I don't even have a trailer hitch on my SUV. Great video with plenty of comparative information though. I especially liked the fact you showed the difference in how far the bottoms extended affecting ground clearance which wasn't something I would have though of.
Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful and informative enough to keep you watching until the end even though you don't have a hitch on your SUV. That's great! :)
Great review. I ended up buying a Kuat NV 2.0 base, so no Trail Doc and no flashy orange bits. Absolutely LOVE it. Very glad I went with the Kuat over the Thule or a 1up. Build quality is wonderful all around and the features are intuitive. I'll add the Trail Doc someday, if I feel so inclined. Thanks for the review!
Love it! The NV Base 2.0 is a great choice, imo. I didn’t ever use the Trail Doc much, and saves ya some change.💰👍🏼 If i recall, it has a flat finish instead of gloss. 🤔
Fantastic! Just got my first bike today. Figure I need a rack and was looking at these two (actually probably the 2.0 base) and this was so helpful for someone that's never owned anything bike related before, let alone a rack specifically. Thanks!
Very good balanced informative assessment of both products. I watch video after buying my Thule T2 XTR Pro 9034XTR. I just assembled it and will install it on my Taco tomorrow. I do like the Tule Design where they’ve added the wheels for transporting the Rack Tray on a substrate (flat surface) in lieu of carrying it. Will see how it does on the road. We have two Rad4 Step-Throughs with racks and fenders and fat tires. A little concern about security where they can be yanked with another truck and chain. End of day we are about as secure as our minds tell us. Hopefully the universe is providing positive vibes. Excellent Video. Thule’s instruction manual is quite sad and their site provides no other instructional media. An install Video would be reasonable given the over the top price point. Expected a bit more for the spend from them Respect and blessings my brother and for guys like you who drop these great videos. Thanks again for filling the great void. Best Just Phab
Excellent review! Very comprehensive coverage of pretty much everything I wanted to understand before making the investment into one or the other of these two racks. I think I am going to go for the Kuat although I am a little bit concerned with the approximately 6-inch longer projection on it versus the Thule. I drive a 2018 Volvo XC60 which has pretty good ground clearance but I still find times where driveways or intersecting streets seem to have been designed by someone who drives a Hummer. Thanks again for your highly informative coverage!
Thanks for watching and sharing your comments. Much appreciated! Good luck with your decision. Might consider the Kuat Hi-Lo accessory if you end up having issues w clearance. www.kuat.com/product/hi-lo/
@@brianbassett4379 haha, don’t even ask how many whitewater kayaks are in my garage. 😳 I actually have brand new NV 2.0 and Sherpa 2.0 racks, and I’m on back order for the Piston. Once I get it I plan to review/compare all three. “Too much of everything is just enough.” - Barlow
@@kevinhill.8 Weird... I bought mine to actually use, but then I do that with everything. You should get out from behind the PC and actually use some of the... stuff you buy. Do you even own a bike? *“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” - Mahatma Gandhi*
@@brianbassett4379 did you even watch my video? I used both those racks for over a year. There’s a reason it gets so many views, and that’s bc I use my gear and know my stuff. I actually can’t find time to make new videos rn bc I’m on track to get over 100 days on the river this year, but yeah, I’ll work on some outside time for you buddy. 🙄 My wife is a youth MTB coach and also trains coaches, so she’s been my bike rack expert lately. If my videos don’t help you out, move along. ✌🏼
Excellent review. I like the clean lines and compactness of the Kuat. It looks lighter but appearances can be deceiving. I am also considering the Kuat Sherpa
Superb review, Kevin; truly congrats; mi Bike dealer mentioned the Kuat just yesterday; I hadn’t even heard of the brand; a key factor for me was anti-theft feature, and Kuat is definitely the winner. Thanks!!
Very Informative - Great Vid! We are trying to decide what to purchase and previously had very little knowledge of tray racks and their features. Wow - Thank you for taking the time to publish this, truly a breath a fresh air to see a knowledgeable person do an honest comparison, vs a corporate AI-voice sponsored video which are all too common these days. Great Job!
Kevin, thank you for the great review!!! We were looking at less expensive rakes but have decided to go with the Kuat and feel it is worth the money. Thanks. Real bicycles don't have batteries, Tom
Thanks for the compliment, and I think you are wise to spend the extra money. Not only will the rack last much longer than lower priced options, but it will function (and look) better the entire time too! :)
Great review. I do have a couple of comments as I have both of these units as well. I first bought the Thule ;and then added the 2 bike addition to it. However, about a year after I bought it, the hook on the Thule that goes into the hitch pin hole, would no longer stay either in the open position for removing or installing. Instead, it remained in the closed position. Why is this a big deal? Because if you are installing or removing this. yourself, unless that hook stays in the open position, it becomes a nightmare to install or remove. When installing, wth the hook in the closed position, it catches on everything as you try to guide it in the hitch. When removing it, you can't hold the hook open with one hand, while you try to pull it out. When I brought to the dealer, they contacted Thule who sent a replacement unit that the dealer swapped out. Then. the hook on the replacement failed again in the same way. This time when the dealer contacted Thule, the representative told.them that was how they were now designed!!! What??? I got on the phone and spoke with the rep and asked her, " so you are trying to tell me that hook which came from the factory with.the ability to stay open or closed, but now would only stay in the closed position, spontaneously transitioned from the older design to the new and improved design?" She insisted that is how they are being designed now and refused to replace the unit. I had to use a bungee cord to tie to the hook and then to another part of the rack to hold it open while I either installed or removed the unit. Completely dissatisfied with the response, I called Thule back myself and this time spoke with someone in the tech department as opposed to the first person who was in sales. The tech person told me he also worked in the warranty department and told me the information the first person gave was incorrect. He arranged for a new unit to be shopped to me although it took 2 months to get. The second point I wanted to make not covered in this video was the difference in adding the 2 extra bike addition. I did that to both the Thule and the Kuat. The dealer installed the one for the Thule and it took two mechanics about 40 minutes to do. The Kuat took me 6 minutes to do myself. That is a huge difference. With the Thule taking such a long time to switch from 2-4 bikes or the other way around, mostly due to the release grip mechanism in the Thule), I was very reluctant to swap them out to save weight and space when I didn't need the ability to care 4 bikes. With the Kuat, it would be nothing to swap the 2-4 or vice versa. That way I only use the 4 bike option when I need to and save gas by reducing the weight on the Kuat. Those two issues, the ability to install or remove the two bike option plus the apparent design flaw of the hook staying in the open position, made the decision for me-Kuat all the way!! One last observaton. When I was spoke with the customer service rep from Thule the first time, she gave me a hard time and insisted there was no problem with the hook staying in the closed position. Oh yeah? I am 66 years old. The Thule 4 bike rack weighs close to 90 pounds. Try holding that, and hold the hook open, and guide the rack into the hitch hole which of course you can't see because it is so far away. Plus I had to call several Thule dealer who all confirmed, the hook is designed to stay in either the open or closed position, and then call and present my case to the second rep at Thule to get satisfaction and get my new unit. It took two months to get. The fact this happened not once but twice tells me there is a design or manufacturer flaw what is going to happen again and again. On the other hand, I had to call Kuat customer service to request a change in the key lock so all the keys, from both the first rack and the extra two-bike rack, were the same. The person at Kuat couldn't have been nicer and sent out a rekey kit so I could have all the locks the same and didn't charge me a cent. Thanks Kuat!!!
Wow! That is some really good information. I appreciate you sharing. I have never added the two bike extension to either of these racks, but it makes sense that the Thule would be more complicate due to the handle. I'm sorry to hear about the poor customer service you received from Thule. Sounds like Kuat killed it though!
@@kevinhill.8 I have one more tidbit to share. When the second new replacement unit arrived last week.... guess what? The Pin on the new unit ALSO stays in the open position. So either Thule, completely retooled their production line to make a unit for me that keeps the pin in the open position, or, it is still designed that way...
Damn good review! Thank you for going into great detail and explanation on the diff and similarities. Leaning towards the Kuat. The only concern is the length of the base stem and scraping onto the ground. I drive an Accord so I'll just have to be more cautious on driveways.
How about a safe way to lock bikes on hitch mout bike rack? Recently had $10,000 worth of bikes stolen off a thule T2 pro hitch mount bike rack using their tiny cable lock that was part of the bike rack. It happened when traveling on the back of our car when stopped to do a thirty min hike where no bikes were allowed. Been thinking some way to rig up two beefy chain locks like Hiplok, kryptonite ect. I know no system is perfect. Just want to be able to leave them on the car for a few hours say at national park parking lot or the like. Bikes won't fit in the car with all our camping gear. Any ideas would be super helpful! Thank you in advance!
Oh man, I’m sorry to hear about your loss! Whenever we are leaving our bikes unattended, we use a heavy OnGard chain to lock them together and to the bike rack. Kryptonite and a number of other brands makes similar locks. The key is to get a heavy chain so that it would take someone a while to get through it. I only use the cable locks that are provided for things like popping in to use the restroom or when you can keep an eye on your bikes.
@@kevinhill.8 Excellent review! I actually just purchased the Kuat Pivot V2 swing out for my Jeep ( waiting for delivery). I was considering the Thule T2 pro XT for lever handle placement/tightening hitch knob key and shorter hitch clearance. Do you know if the Thule T2 Pro XT will be compatible with the Pivot V2 by Kuat? Just worried about potential looseness or rattling by not going with same brand components. Thanks!
I don't buy chewing gum without watching reviews about it, so I've seen lots of them. This is the best I've seen. No agenda, down to Earth, authoritative, and insightful. Thanks!
Haha, I love this comment! Glad it was helpful, and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know. Good luck w the chewing gum decision. 😋
This is the most honest and concise comparison / review I have ever seen. You should make a living off of that. Thank you so much.
Wow, thanks elgagnon! I'm really glad you found it useful.
Totally Agree...the best review ever!
Good review. I just bought the Thule Pro, but as a 69 year old woman, I can't lift my ebike into it. I also can't roll it up a ramp and down the rail without the front tire slipping off the rail. SO......I cut a piece of PVC in half lengthwise, painted it black and bolted it to the rail. Now the bike goes up the ramp I bought, and down the cup of the PVC. Then I just have to lift the front tire into the holder.
Wow, what a great solution. You may not have the strength to muscle the heavy e-bike around, but you clearly have the smarts to solve the problem!
@@kevinhill.8 thank you. A friend helped me with it all.
what type of ramp did you get?
@@mjutley4169 it was a dirt bike ramp that I got on Amazon that is no longer available, but others are. It was 6' long. My friend cut it in half and hinged it for me.
@@junezydek1532 thank you!
I was choosing between these two racks just a few months ago and this video answered all of the questions I had that nobody else covered. I went with the Kuat and have been super happy with it! I also drive an Outback and I really liked how much more compact the Kuat is when it's folded up.
Thanks Jonathan. I think you made a good choice, and you are definitely correct about how much more compact the Kuat is. I didn't fully appreciate the difference myself until I got them side by side. Happy biking!
What size hitch do you have on your Outback? I got one at the dealer and unsure.
@@rddhuria Subarus usually have a 1 7/8" receiver if it comes on the car from the factory. Should be able to look on it and see though, or just measure it.
Is there a version of the just that fits a towball?
I just wanna say, this comparison review is amazing. I love the attention to detail, thanks so much for doing this!
You're welcome! I'm glad it was helpful, and I appreciate you watching and taking the time to comment. 🙏
Kevin a great review.I also was in the process of purchasing the Thule Pro but I am going to buy the Kuat thanks to your showing everyone the difference between the two.Great job,Kevin
So glad it helped you make your decision. Enjoy your new rack!
Ditto!
You sir deserve an award for this comparison! 🏆
Thanks Ethan!
Indeed
The Kuat is hands down the best bike rack I've ever used. I also love the fact that you can mount it to the wall in your garage, remove the repair rod and attach it to their own tripod system for use indoors, and just the overall aesthetic. The only issue I had with the Kuat was that one of the locks stopped staying in the rack, Kuat immediately replaced it for me, and now everything is fine again. You get what you pay for folks! Kuat all the way!
Thanks for sharing John! Nice to hear Kaut fixed your lock issue. I wasn’t aware of the Tri Doc and the way it uses the Trail Doc arm. Very cool! www.kuatracks.com/product/tri-doc/
Thanks!
Thanks so much! Glad the video was helpful. I really appreciate the support 👍🏼
Thanks Kevin. I was on the fence leaning towards the Thule. My bike dealer recommended the Kuat. Did some research and your video sealed the deal. Went with the Kuat NV2.0 in the 2". Mounted it on my wife's Honda CR-V and it is super stable. Thanks for making a great video. Super helpful!
Hey Chris, I have a Honda CRV too but the hitch they put on is only about 1 1/2 inches wide. What kind of adapter did you use to mount your bike rack?
@@Msniinc I was able to have a hitch installed with a 2" receiver. So, no adapter needed.
Glad I could help. Sounds like your setup is dialed!!
Excellent in-depth tutorial! I'm glad I stumbled upon it. We're looking for a bike rack and there are just so many models to choose from. We're first time buyers, so we have no idea what features to look for in a rack. Thanks to your excellent review, I think we'll go with the Kuat. It seems to be easy to use and appears to have all the necessary features. Thanks for taking the time to do this comparison.
Glad it was helpful, and thx for letting me know. Good luck w your decision. 👍🏼
Great video! Very thorough and the fact that you used both for a year inspires a lot of confidence that you’ve uncovered the nuances of both racks. I was hoping to see a wobble test with the racks loaded. I’ve been leaning towards the Kuat already as another review said it is rock solid. They referred to it as like a steel plate. Thanks for taking the time to do this comparison!
Glad it helped. Great suggestion for the wiggle test! The Kuat does seem to wobble less, and I never need to adjust the arm on the tire, which was not always the case when using the Thule.
I got the Kuat today. I’m really happy with it. Waiting on the ramp, which apparently is back-ordered. For my Radrover, 5 I will need to trim the front splash guard back so that the clamp can sit properly against (or closest to) the fork. I do really like how stable the Kuat is once it is tightened into the hitch. It feels like it becomes an extension of the vehicle frame.
I feel SO much more informed having watched this. Thanks so much for a really excellent review!
You bet! Thx for watching and commenting. I’m glad it was helpful to you!
Dude, you know your OCD fellow bikers way too well. Super thorough video. Very helpful. It’s a really hard decision.I love it when you apologize for your rack being dirty and then you mutter I usually keep my things clean. That’s awesome. Me too.
@@odouroushouseant I appreciate your reply. Believe it or not it is stuck with me over the last couple of months. I definitely don’t take OCD lightly and May have used it a little bit lightly here. Also a car guy, I was watching a video on some guys 4 best garages which led me to a TH-cam channel called obsessed garage. This guy does really good car content but but I think also has OCD and is a type C personality or maybe Myers Briggs would call that I NTJ. I am Intj. Really good content that really spoke to me. Thanks again for your reply. By the way I did get the Thule rack and really like it. It’s very rugged.
Thanks Andy. I'm glad the video helped. Good luck keeping your stuff tidy! :)
Thanks for your comment odouroushouseant. I can't recall if I use the term OCD in my video, but making light of anyone's struggles was not my intention if I did. Regardless, I appreciate you bringing it up as it's not something I had considered before.
Appreciate your time putting this together.Thank you
Glad it helped, and thx for your comment. Much appreciated! 🙏
EXCELLENT REVIEW AND COMPARISON. When I am ready to buy, I will get the Kuat NV.
Nice, thanks Craig! I’m glad it was helpful. I recently did a comparison between the NV and Piston Pro-X in case your interested: Kuat PISTON® PRO X vs NV 2.0 Bike Racks
th-cam.com/video/3lJjzE8Mh1o/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for the video!! We went with the Kuat! Excited for the bike holder part.
Nice! Enjoy the rack. It’s quality! 👌🏼
I watched this video last year and now watching it again after pulling the trigger on the Kuat.
Then I realized you mention the price being $650….. inflation pushed the price up for these…. $850 retail now for the Kuat.
Luckily I found a local shop in South Dakota that selling the base model at $600.
Thanks for the review again! Well done
Yeah, they’ve gone up a lot! Glad you found a good deal, and thanks for the kind words.
Awesome review!! Thank you for covering exactly the things we need to know and a lot of the bonus considerations like how they both lock, spacing, and the balancing when off-mount.
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.
Thanks for the excellent review! You did a great job comparing all the practical features and usage concerns that people have when actually using these racks, instead of all the marketing-speak usually seen in sponsored review videos.
Nice! I’m glad it was useful and authentic. Thx for taking the time to watch and comment. 🙏
Thorough, Unbiased, FANTASTIC
Thanks!!
Thule - Topgun
Reviewer- Topgun
Probably the best product review in human history.
🥇
Wow, thx! That’s high praise indeed. I appreciate you watching and I’m glad you enjoyed it. 😊
Great review of the two bike racks. Both are great! Myself, I went with the Thule. I didn't care for the way the Kuat adjustability works. It appears that the front wheel would hang lower than the rack itself once you've made adjustments for the bar/seat clearances. Especially if you're mounting the rack on a lower vehicle. I'd hate to come out of a steep driveway and drag that wheel mount.
Good point. Hope the Thule is working well for you. Thx for taking the time to comment. 👍🏼
Wound up purchasing the Thule T2 Pro XTR b4 I sw this video. I have friends who have both and both are worthy racks. The added cost for the Kuat seems justified but in the end, with the majority of my racks, boxes being Thule and the 2" receiver for the rack I bought it turned out great for me. Nice reviews.
Good stuff. Thx for watching and commenting. 🙏 I agree w you; both are solid racks, and I don’t think you can really go wrong with either one. 👍🏼
This is the best comparison I've seen! Going to buy the Kuat NV 2.0. Thank you :)
Thanks for watching and commenting! I’m glad to hear it was useful, and I think you’ll love the NV 2.0 👍🏼
Great review. I'm going with the Thule for the off-road clearance! Kuat sticking out 18" is too far in Utah! I also like the skid plate on the Thule. Also, I have a 7 way trailer elec. socket on one side of my hitch and another custom Anderson plug on the other side. It makes locking hitch pins a little tricky to install/uninstall. The Thule will be way be easier for this reason.
Good points all around! I think the Thule will work really well for you! Or maybe IS working really well for you; sorry for the delayed response :)
I have to go with the Thule because of the clearance. I carry two bikes (one is an E) on the back of a Toyota minivan, so the clearance is already limited. It's not just offroad, it's also the slope of a driveway approach. If Kuat could weld a skid plate extending just past the knob, I might chose them.
@@waltlikker3988 Kuat sells a high lo hitch extension that will raise it a couple inches.
Excellent review. I ended up buying the Kuat, upgrading from a hanging bike carrier. It was kind of a bear to assemble, but I'm happy with it so far.
Thanks! I’m glad it was helpful. Nice choice with the Kuat and glad you got it assembled. I’m sure you are enjoying the ease of use over your old hanging rack. Tray racks are so nice for day to day use.
Thank you for the review. I've been researching both of these bike racks, and your review was very informative and covered the areas in both racks I had some questions about.
Happy to hear it helped you out!
This is an excellent review!!! I’ve watched it twice now and you’re making my decision on what to consider in bike racks much easier! Thank you so much!
Awesome, thanks for taking the time to let me know! Good luck in your decision. I'm sure it will go well if you are doing such good research.
Great review amigo. It's just fantastic to see a review that deep and simple at the same time. Thanks for your time! Cheers!
Thanks Javier. I'm glad it helped, and I appreciate your comment!
Same theme. I was looking at both and went with the Kuat. Your through review has reassured me that I made the right choice. I appreciate this video.
Special note: I have a Jeep Wrangler w/oversized tires, including my spare. Only the Kuat....barely fits without a hitch extender. Doesn’t look like the Thule would have done that.
That’s great! Thanks for the compliment, and glad to hear the video helped, even after the fact. Nice choice!
Mark, you didn't even need a hitch extender for the Kuat? That's good to know. But, do you get access to the rear of the Wrangler?
Any regrets?
I would love to see more with other rack makers. You did a very good job of showing the racks.
Thanks for the compliment and the good idea. I'll keep that in mind for future videos.
Excellent job! Just the kind of review I was looking for before making my purchase. Thank you!
Two extremely good racks each with pros & cons...a tough decision but thanks to your thorough review, I feel confident in making my decision....the Kuat. Appreciate all your time & effort!!!
I’m glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching and commenting, and enjoy your new rack! 👍🏼
Dude, thank you! I was totally on the fence between the two. You did me a huge favor, thank you
Nice. Glad it helped!
Which one did you choose and why?
@@anandsundaram4338 I went with the Kuat as 1) going on a Buick Enclave, so no off roading 2) Folding 3) bike stand. But if I owned a truck I would have gotten the Thule hands down.
@@snowthugs thank you sir.
Most helpful comparison review of these two racks. Thanks for taking the time to make the video and explaining the pros and cos.
Glad it was helpful!
Wow. This is the best product(s) review I have ever seen on TH-cam. Great job. Thank you!
Thanks! That’s quite the compliment. I’m glad you found it useful and I appreciate you taking the time to let me know.
Very detailed comparison; best on the internet! Exactly what I was seeking in deciding between these two units (upgrading from 4-bike Hollywood Rack, which is extremely frustrating after several 2,000 mile road trips)! Thanks!
Thanks so much! Glad it was helpful, and hopefully the rack you choose serves you better than your last.
i was looking at the 4 bike Hollywood racks...specifically, what didn't you like about it?
Great job! Learned much, and decided on Thule. Thank you.
Glad it was useful Sam! I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment. Enjoy the Thule!
Very detailed comparison of the exact two racks I was trying to choose between. Very helpful to hopefully aid in making an informed decision. Thanks!
Glad it helped out! Thx for watching and commenting. Good luck in your decision. 👍🏼
Fantastic comparison sir. Thank you for taking the time to do this!
Glad it was helpful. Thanks for taking the time to post your comment. 🙏
Very nicely done and extremely informative review. You answered my biggest questions that the Kuat site did not. Thank -you.
Thanks John! I’m really glad it helped you out.
Super helpful, definitely going with the Kuat. the bonus bike stand is a steal.
Nice! It's definitely a cool feature.
This was an awesome review man. The two racks sitting on the ground was eye-opening for me. I'm torn between these two racks and the footprint and weight are considerations. The Kuat is much more compact and easy to sit in the corner on a wooden platform of some sort. Both are great but I'm leaning towards the NV base. Thank you so much for this well thought out comparison.
Glad it helped, and good luck in your decision!
@@kevinhill.8 I ended up going with the 1Up but if I couldn't get 1Up, I would have gone with the NV. Chose 1up because it's modular and it folds up.
@@shwndh Glad to hear you got something that will work for you. Good stuff from 1Up for sure.
Thank you so much for your review! Especially helpful for a bike novice like me!
You bet. Glad it helped you out!
Lol crazy that this video just popped up. I literally just debated between these exact two. Ended up with the kuat, the nicer lock and stability sold me just a little more. And also one thing you forgot to mention, the kuat has the ability to add on a + 2 to make it a 4 bike rack. That was the other selling point for me.
Nice choice. I think you will enjoy the Kuat for sure. You are correct that I forgot to mention the ability to add 2 more bikes. This can actually be done with both of these racks, as long as you buy the 2" version. I'm pretty sure the 1 1/4" versions don't allow +2 in either rack because they aren't strong enough to handle that load.
Thule has add on 2 bikes function as well.
Thule only has 2 bike addon. Kuat also has 1 bike addon (in addition to 2). 2 bike addon is considerably heavier, so if you only need 3 bikes to carry, this is a win for Kuat
I like that this popped up after I bought the Thule lol. Both look like great bike racks. The Thule was available at the bike store. I like it. It now comes with wheels so you can push or pull it on your driveway. I like the bike holder on the other rack. Overall I’m satisfied with my purchase.
Both are super solid racks, and I agree that the wheels on the XTR are super convenient. Glad you’re enjoying the new rack, and thx for watching and commenting. 👍🏼
I narrowed down my options to just these two racks so this review was very helpful. Well done - thank you!
Glad it helped. Thanks for letting me know!
@@kevinhill.8 I ended up going with the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 and could not be happier. The one time I needed to carry 3 bikes, I put one in the 4Runner and two on the rack - plenty of room for 3 of us with bikes. I especially like the tilt back feature, so I can open the lift gate while two bikes are on the rack. A couple with the hatchback mounted rack on their SUV watched me do this with ease one day and the lady poked her guy and said "we should have gotten that". So easy to use - outstanding product.
Thank you!! I am so glad you did this video! Been looking for racks comparing stuff online but with stores closed or out of stock due to Covid it’s been a challenge for me! I can know narrow the choice thanks again!
You are welcome! I'm glad it helped you narrow things down. Good luck with your decision!
Thanks for a great and informative video. Just got my nv2.0 and so far I like it a lot.
Great to hear! I didn’t find much about that rack to complain about. Very solid indeed. Enjoy, and thx for watching and commenting. 👍🏼
Was trying to decide and this video was exactly what I needed. Kuat for me but friends with Thule are delighted with those as well. Kuat is available where I am so buying that and this video helped me decide. Thanks very much.
Thanks! I'm glad it helped you out. You will love the Kuat, and I agree that the Thule is a solid choice too.
You knocked it out the park with this one Bro. Very informative comparison. Great job
I appreciate that Anthony!
best comparison review I've seen, thank you.
Thanks Tiw! I'm glad it helped you out, and I appreciate the compliment.
Amazing review sir.... with this comparison in a heart beat I would go with KuaT 🤙
Good choice!
My shop sells Kuat Sherpa and NV more than all other racks combined.
Thanks very much for the insight Excellent. Was definitely leaning for the Thule but now going w/the Kuat.
Glad it helped!
Nice job with the comparison, helps a lot!
Glad to hear it. You’re welcome!
I watched your video until the very end and I don't even have a trailer hitch on my SUV. Great video with plenty of comparative information though. I especially liked the fact you showed the difference in how far the bottoms extended affecting ground clearance which wasn't something I would have though of.
Thanks! I'm glad it was helpful and informative enough to keep you watching until the end even though you don't have a hitch on your SUV. That's great! :)
Great review. I ended up buying a Kuat NV 2.0 base, so no Trail Doc and no flashy orange bits. Absolutely LOVE it.
Very glad I went with the Kuat over the Thule or a 1up. Build quality is wonderful all around and the features are intuitive.
I'll add the Trail Doc someday, if I feel so inclined.
Thanks for the review!
Love it! The NV Base 2.0 is a great choice, imo. I didn’t ever use the Trail Doc much, and saves ya some change.💰👍🏼 If i recall, it has a flat finish instead of gloss. 🤔
@Kevin Hill Yep. Flat finish, all black, with no orange. Absolutely love it so far.
Great video! Showing details like the finish and how stable they are off the vehicle is something no one else would do. Cheers mate.
Nice! Glad it was helpful, and that you appreciate my attention to detail. I didn't cover everything, but I tried my best. :)
Fantastic! Just got my first bike today. Figure I need a rack and was looking at these two (actually probably the 2.0 base) and this was so helpful for someone that's never owned anything bike related before, let alone a rack specifically. Thanks!
Glad I could help! The 2.0 Base is a great option!
Perfect video. Just what I needed. Thanks for putting this out there.
Sweet. Glad it helped! 👍🏼
Great demonstration. I'm choosing the Kuat Nv, mainly for the overall appearance and ease of use. Thanks for helping me with my decision.
Glad it was helpful!
Very good balanced informative assessment of both products. I watch video after buying my Thule T2 XTR Pro 9034XTR. I just assembled it and will install it on my Taco tomorrow.
I do like the Tule Design where they’ve added the wheels for transporting the Rack Tray on a substrate (flat surface) in lieu of carrying it. Will see how it does on the road. We have two Rad4 Step-Throughs with racks and fenders and fat tires.
A little concern about security where they can be yanked with another truck and chain. End of day we are about as secure as our minds tell us.
Hopefully the universe is providing positive vibes. Excellent Video. Thule’s instruction manual is quite sad and their site provides no other instructional media. An install Video would be reasonable given the over the top price point. Expected a bit more for the spend from them
Respect and blessings my brother and for guys like you who drop these great videos.
Thanks again for filling the great void.
Best
Just Phab
Thanks! Enjoy the new rack!
This is a very good review. I was torn between these 2, now I know which to get because of your help. Keep it up.
Wow, that's great! I'm glad it helped you in your decision.
What a great, thorough video. Well done.
Thx so much! I’m glad it was useful, and I appreciate you watching and commenting.
Excellent review! Very comprehensive coverage of pretty much everything I wanted to understand before making the investment into one or the other of these two racks. I think I am going to go for the Kuat although I am a little bit concerned with the approximately 6-inch longer projection on it versus the Thule. I drive a 2018 Volvo XC60 which has pretty good ground clearance but I still find times where driveways or intersecting streets seem to have been designed by someone who drives a Hummer. Thanks again for your highly informative coverage!
Thanks for watching and sharing your comments. Much appreciated! Good luck with your decision. Might consider the Kuat Hi-Lo accessory if you end up having issues w clearance. www.kuat.com/product/hi-lo/
Thank you for this really in depth review. Definitely helped me make my decision on which rack to get.
Glad it helped!!
This did help my decision. I picked up my Kuat Piston Pro X today.
Nice! I’ve got one of those on the way too. Kuat is crushing it! 👍🏼
@@kevinhill.8 How many bike racks does one guy need?
@@brianbassett4379 haha, don’t even ask how many whitewater kayaks are in my garage. 😳
I actually have brand new NV 2.0 and Sherpa 2.0 racks, and I’m on back order for the Piston. Once I get it I plan to review/compare all three.
“Too much of everything is just enough.” - Barlow
@@kevinhill.8 Weird... I bought mine to actually use, but then I do that with everything. You should get out from behind the PC and actually use some of the... stuff you buy. Do you even own a bike?
*“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.” - Mahatma Gandhi*
@@brianbassett4379 did you even watch my video? I used both those racks for over a year. There’s a reason it gets so many views, and that’s bc I use my gear and know my stuff. I actually can’t find time to make new videos rn bc I’m on track to get over 100 days on the river this year, but yeah, I’ll work on some outside time for you buddy. 🙄 My wife is a youth MTB coach and also trains coaches, so she’s been my bike rack expert lately. If my videos don’t help you out, move along. ✌🏼
Great review. I'm leaning towards the Kuat after watching this.
Nice. Glad it helped. Good luck w your decision!
Thanks for your great and detailed review. Just purchased the Kuat today. For two ebikes.
Thanks for letting me know. Enjoy!
Sir, your review was amazing. I decided to go with the kuat after watching your review :)
Nice! Glad it helped you out. Thanks for letting me know, and enjoy your new rack!
Excellent review. I like the clean lines and compactness of the Kuat. It looks lighter but appearances can be deceiving. I am also considering the Kuat Sherpa
Thanks! The Kuat is def more compact and so it does feel easier to move around imo. The Sherpa is a really nice choice too!
I just placed the order on the Sherpa
@yebogogo64 nice!! I know a lot of people who swear by that rack as the best lightweight quality bang-for-your-buck tray rack. Enjoy!
Thanks so much! I was on the fence and actually bought both :) Will end up returning the Thule to REI now.
Haha, glad it helped!
Superb review, Kevin; truly congrats; mi Bike dealer mentioned the Kuat just yesterday; I hadn’t even heard of the brand; a key factor for me was anti-theft feature, and Kuat is definitely the winner. Thanks!!
Nice. Thanks for the feedback. I'm glad this helped you out.
Very Informative - Great Vid! We are trying to decide what to purchase and previously had very little knowledge of tray racks and their features. Wow - Thank you for taking the time to publish this, truly a breath a fresh air to see a knowledgeable person do an honest comparison, vs a corporate AI-voice sponsored video which are all too common these days. Great Job!
Fantastic review and comparison vid. I will look hard at the Kuat for my 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L.
Glad it was helpful. Good luck! 👍🏼
super helpful, i couldnt decide for weeks and this helped me make my decision!
Stoked to hear that Sean. Thanks for sharing!
Kevin, thank you for the great review!!! We were looking at less expensive rakes but have decided to go with the Kuat and feel it is worth the money. Thanks.
Real bicycles don't have batteries,
Tom
Thanks for the compliment, and I think you are wise to spend the extra money. Not only will the rack last much longer than lower priced options, but it will function (and look) better the entire time too! :)
Thanks for the review, I'm going for Kuat
Glad it was helpful! Thx for watching and commenting. Enjoy the Kuat! 👍🏼
I bought the Kuat NV 2.0. Few weeks ago 👍
Enjoy it!
Thank you very much for your super detail comparison information showing everything...super thank you again!!!
My pleasure! Glad it was helpful to you, and I appreciate your comment 🙏
I was looking at these two and couldn't decide. I'll be going with the KUAT. Thanks for the video 👍
Glad it helped!
Great review. I do have a couple of comments as I have both of these units as well. I first bought the Thule ;and then added the 2 bike addition to it. However, about a year after I bought it, the hook on the Thule that goes into the hitch pin hole, would no longer stay either in the open position for removing or installing. Instead, it remained in the closed position. Why is this a big deal? Because if you are installing or removing this. yourself, unless that hook stays in the open position, it becomes a nightmare to install or remove. When installing, wth the hook in the closed position, it catches on everything as you try to guide it in the hitch. When removing it, you can't hold the hook open with one hand, while you try to pull it out. When I brought to the dealer, they contacted Thule who sent a replacement unit that the dealer swapped out. Then. the hook on the replacement failed again in the same way. This time when the dealer contacted Thule, the representative told.them that was how they were now designed!!! What??? I got on the phone and spoke with the rep and asked her, " so you are trying to tell me that hook which came from the factory with.the ability to stay open or closed, but now would only stay in the closed position, spontaneously transitioned from the older design to the new and improved design?" She insisted that is how they are being designed now and refused to replace the unit. I had to use a bungee cord to tie to the hook and then to another part of the rack to hold it open while I either installed or removed the unit. Completely dissatisfied with the response, I called Thule back myself and this time spoke with someone in the tech department as opposed to the first person who was in sales. The tech person told me he also worked in the warranty department and told me the information the first person gave was incorrect. He arranged for a new unit to be shopped to me although it took 2 months to get.
The second point I wanted to make not covered in this video was the difference in adding the 2 extra bike addition. I did that to both the Thule and the Kuat. The dealer installed the one for the Thule and it took two mechanics about 40 minutes to do. The Kuat took me 6 minutes to do myself. That is a huge difference. With the Thule taking such a long time to switch from 2-4 bikes or the other way around, mostly due to the release grip mechanism in the Thule), I was very reluctant to swap them out to save weight and space when I didn't need the ability to care 4 bikes. With the Kuat, it would be nothing to swap the 2-4 or vice versa. That way I only use the 4 bike option when I need to and save gas by reducing the weight on the Kuat. Those two issues, the ability to install or remove the two bike option plus the apparent design flaw of the hook staying in the open position, made the decision for me-Kuat all the way!! One last observaton. When I was spoke with the customer service rep from Thule the first time, she gave me a hard time and insisted there was no problem with the hook staying in the closed position. Oh yeah? I am 66 years old. The Thule 4 bike rack weighs close to 90 pounds. Try holding that, and hold the hook open, and guide the rack into the hitch hole which of course you can't see because it is so far away. Plus I had to call several Thule dealer who all confirmed, the hook is designed to stay in either the open or closed position, and then call and present my case to the second rep at Thule to get satisfaction and get my new unit. It took two months to get. The fact this happened not once but twice tells me there is a design or manufacturer flaw what is going to happen again and again. On the other hand, I had to call Kuat customer service to request a change in the key lock so all the keys, from both the first rack and the extra two-bike rack, were the same. The person at Kuat couldn't have been nicer and sent out a rekey kit so I could have all the locks the same and didn't charge me a cent. Thanks Kuat!!!
Wow! That is some really good information. I appreciate you sharing. I have never added the two bike extension to either of these racks, but it makes sense that the Thule would be more complicate due to the handle. I'm sorry to hear about the poor customer service you received from Thule. Sounds like Kuat killed it though!
@@kevinhill.8 I have one more tidbit to share. When the second new replacement unit arrived last week.... guess what? The Pin on the new unit ALSO stays in the open position. So either Thule, completely retooled their production line to make a unit for me that keeps the pin in the open position, or, it is still designed that way...
This is an awesome comparison. Thanks!
You bet. Glad it was helpful. Thx for letting me know! 🙏
That was amazingly clear and thorough. Thank you
Thanks so much for letting me know. I'm glad it helped.
Great review. Thanks for putting in the time to put that together.
Thanks. Glad it helped, and I appreciate you taking the time to comment Chad.
Great comparison, thank you very much! I've finally made my decision.
Glad I was able to help. Happy biking!
Changed my mind!
You're an influencer!
Haha, thx. I appreciate you watching and commenting. Good luck with your purchase!
Very helpful... thanks for taking the time to get into the details....
I’m glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching, and for the feedback.
Gold Standard Review!
Thanks! Glad it was helpful.
Excellent overview. I just happened to be considering both of these. This helped a lot.
Glad to hear it! Both are solid, but good luck with your decision.
Damn good review! Thank you for going into great detail and explanation on the diff and similarities. Leaning towards the Kuat. The only concern is the length of the base stem and scraping onto the ground. I drive an Accord so I'll just have to be more cautious on driveways.
Thanks for the compliment! I think you will love the rack, and like you said, you can just be aware of driveways/inclines, and you will be fine.
@@kevinhill.8 Kuat makes an adapter to raise the whole rack.
Best comparison video I've seen!!! Thanks!!
Thanks! I'm glad it helped out.
Excellent! Thanks for the comparison!
You bet. Glad it was helpful! 👍🏼
How about a safe way to lock bikes on hitch mout bike rack? Recently had $10,000 worth of bikes stolen off a thule T2 pro hitch mount bike rack using their tiny cable lock that was part of the bike rack. It happened when traveling on the back of our car when stopped to do a thirty min hike where no bikes were allowed. Been thinking some way to rig up two beefy chain locks like Hiplok, kryptonite ect. I know no system is perfect. Just want to be able to leave them on the car for a few hours say at national park parking lot or the like. Bikes won't fit in the car with all our camping gear. Any ideas would be super helpful! Thank you in advance!
Oh man, I’m sorry to hear about your loss! Whenever we are leaving our bikes unattended, we use a heavy OnGard chain to lock them together and to the bike rack. Kryptonite and a number of other brands makes similar locks. The key is to get a heavy chain so that it would take someone a while to get through it. I only use the cable locks that are provided for things like popping in to use the restroom or when you can keep an eye on your bikes.
@@kevinhill.8 Good point! someone also suggested alarms on the locks. Cheers!
Nice and detailed review. Very well done!
Thank you! I appreciate the comment and I’m glad the video was useful. ✌🏼
Nice review! I have the Thule T2 Pro XT and love it. Going to add the Thule Access to be able to swing it out.
Nice! I'm looking at getting a swingarm too. Nice to be able to get the rack away from the rear of the vehicle.
@@kevinhill.8 Excellent review! I actually just purchased the Kuat Pivot V2 swing out for my Jeep ( waiting for delivery). I was considering the Thule T2 pro XT for lever handle placement/tightening hitch knob key and shorter hitch clearance.
Do you know if the Thule T2 Pro XT will be compatible with the Pivot V2 by Kuat? Just worried about potential looseness or rattling by not going with same brand components. Thanks!
Nice job on the review. Love my Thule.
Nice. I always liked mine too. They make good stuff, and the new XTR with wheels is great.
Excellent review Kevin.
Thanks! 👍🏼
Excellent presentation with detail in comparisons
Thanks Theresa!
Thanks for your help Kevin!
Happy to help!