I don't usually drive very often, but when heading out for races or weekend rides, a car is definitely convenient to have—especially this time of year, as I use one frequently for CX race trips.
With a van like a Hiace, it's nice that you can just load your bikes in as-is. Our company car, a Bongo, can also handle loading bikes directly, but doing so leaves no room for other cargo, and it limits the number of passengers we can carry.
That's where a hitch carrier comes in.
To attach a hitch carrier, you need a hitch receiver. While ready-made hitches are available for some vehicle models, they aren't always available for others; in those cases, you may need a custom one-off installation or modifications to the bumper, which can be quite a complex process, so please be aware of that.
For more on this, this entry by Mr. Morimoto of TKC Productions is very helpful, and I highly recommend checking it out.
kuatracks “The NV”
I chose the "The NV" model from the American brand, Kuat.
The unit itself weighs about 22kg, and it can carry up to two bikes for a combined weight of approximately 54kg.
It accommodates wheel diameters from 20″ to 29″, and if you use the separately sold straps, it can handle tires up to 4″ wide, so it works for some fat bikes as well.
Although the aluminum "The NV" weighs only 22kg—very light for this type of hitch rack—it has a solid, high-quality feel that lets you use it with confidence. Furthermore, features packed with utility, like the included bike maintenance stand and the integrated cable lock, are incredibly useful for those who travel frequently for races.
Simply spending money isn't enough; by putting your brains to work and refining your ideas, you can complete the ultimate transport vehicle. And to bring that to life, it's great to have a local shop you can trust.
So, it’s finished. The photo shows it with two bikes loaded. This was taken during RIDEALIVE 2014, loaded with a Retrotec 26″ MTB and a Blackcat 29er SS MTB that we had prepared for test rides. Whether you’re riding trails or your bike is covered in mud from a CX race, a hitch rack saves you from having to get the interior of your car dirty.
However, it wasn't the final form just yet.
Believe it or not, this “The NV” allows you to carry a total of four bikes by purchasing the separately sold “NV Add-On.”
kuatracks “NV Add-On”
The "NV Add-On" itself weighs about 14kg, and it can carry up to 72kg total with four bikes.
Of course, this also features an integrated cable lock, and you can relocate the maintenance stand that came with "The NV" to this add-on as well.
And so, I loaded up four bikes.
I used this setup for the recent SSJ and Kansai CX, and it worked without any issues. Most importantly, being able to load and unload bikes just as they are is incredibly convenient.
In the case of the Bongo, the rear hatch won't open unless the hitch is in the down position and there are no bikes loaded, so you have to be careful about the order in which you load or unload cargo, but once you get used to it, it’s not a problem.
Kuat's hitch carrier is a highly convenient tool: it loads your bikes smartly, and as soon as you take them off at your destination, it instantly doubles as a maintenance stand.
It is available in two colors: Gun Metal Grey and a Black & Polished Chrome powder coat finish.
The NV : ¥90,000 (excluding tax)
NV Add-On: ¥60,000 (excluding tax)
We generally do not keep these in stock, but Circles can order them for you, so please contact us if you are interested. (Standard lead time is approximately 3 weeks.)