Kuat Transfer V2 2 Bike Hitch Rack Review | BikesRacks

Published by Bike Scientist on

Kuat produces high-selling bike racks at a wide price range. The Kuat Transfer V2 2 Bike Hitch Rack is a reasonably priced rack that has some practical qualities. But is that all you need to know to make the buying decision?

In this article, we will explore all the characteristics of Kuat Transfer and see if they add value to your biking experience. We will even rate the characteristics, safety, capacity, aesthetics, compatibility, and price of this rack based on the Rack score. 

  • No frame contact
  • Low price
  • Highly versatile
  • Compatible with most bikes
  • Does not block the backup
  • Camera view 
  • Low loading height
  • Lightweight
  • Assembly time

Rack score for evaluation of racks 

If you are looking for a bike rack, you must have come across numerous racks each with different but remarkable features. Isn’t that confusing? If you have gone through this, you will admit that the more racks you see the more difficult it gets to select the one perfect rack best suited for you.

We believe that not all racks are made for all kinds of users. First, you should be clear about your requirements and then search for the features that meet them. To make this process easier we have come up with a scoring system called Rack score (R score). 

We use this scoring system to rate all bike racks based on their security, compatibility, aesthetics, customer satisfaction, brand value, features, price, and capacity. After individually rating these features on a scale of 10, we calculate a total R score for the rack. These R scores make it simpler to compare different bike racks. 

What are the features of Transfer V2?

The Kuat Transfer V2 has three versions with different bike-carrying capacities. It comes at a maximum capacity of 3 bikes but you can upgrade by purchasing a bike add-on accessory and carry up to 4 bikes. 

The rack is highly versatile. The Kuat Transfer V2 one-bike version and Kuat Transfer V2 2-bike hitch rack are both 1.25-inch hitch bike racks and compatible with 2″ receivers as well. While the 3 bike rack, Kuat Transfer V2 3-bike hitch rack 2 inch, only works with 2″ hitch receivers. This rack can accommodate most tire sizes such as road bike tires that are thin. And if you get the Phat Bike Kit, the rack will also work with 5″ tires.

Kuat has also upgraded the compatible wheel size of Transfer from 20″-29″ to 18″-29″. Thus you don’t have to stress about the adjustability of this rack. Moreover, the whole setup is contactless which means that you can use it without risking the safety of expensive bikes.

A FlatLock is also part of the Kuat Transfer V2 2 bike hitch rack for added stability when being towed. This stronger hitch is intended to provide greater stability when being towed. Also, the Kuat Transfer outperforms other hitch racks in terms of the backup camera view. 

Unlike the majority of racks with one primary support arm that generally obscures the view of a backup camera, the U-shaped support arm is clear in the middle. Due to the rack’s distinctive design, the rearview remains unaffected when the rack is loaded with bikes or when it is not in use. 

The Kuat Transfer V2 is ideal for regular usage. You may leave it on permanently so it is easily accessible. Loading bikes is also very simple thanks to the design of the wheel clamp and low loading height. You just have to place the bike’s wheels in the wheel trays after folding out the clamp arm. Then the bike is fastened by the ratcheting clamp for the front wheel and the ladder strap for the rear wheel.

However, as compared to other platform hitch mount racks, Transfer V2 has a lengthy and complex assembling procedure. You will need to spend a good 30-45 minutes assembling the pieces. Since it comes with clear instructions, it isn’t that challenging; it simply requires some time and careful attention to the directions. For these features, we give it an R score of 8.5.

Is the Kuat Rack Aesthetically Appealing?

Most of the Kuat Transfer V2 rack components are made of aluminum which makes the rack lightweight.  Although the fact that the wheel trays and wheel clamps are constructed out of plastic is not a terrible idea, their interaction feels poorly thought out. 

Also, the primary hinge of the rack seems less sturdy than other racks. The support arms’ end caps are not completely aligned, creating a space where water may potentially enter and perhaps cause damage over time. 

The Kuat Transfer V2 2 bike hitch racks are much lighter in weight as compared to other racks in the competition. The one-bike version weighs around 28 lbs. The rack compatible with a 1.25″ receiver weighs 35 lbs while the same rack compatible with a 2″ receiver is 37 lbs in weight. The Kuat Transfer V2 3-bike hitch rack 2 inches weighs around 51 lbs. 

Moreover, if you want to get a 1-Bike Add-On, you will experience an increase of 11 lbs to the rack weight. For this appearance and overall look, we give it an R score of 7.

Capacity and Compatibility of the Kuat Rack

Kuat Transfer V2 has a maximum capacity of 3 bikes. This can be increased by 1 bike add-on available at Kuat. In this way, you would be able to put 4 bikes on this rack. The one-bike version can hold a bike up to 60lb. 

The Ball Cam version of the Kuat Transfer V2 has a capacity of 40 lbs per bike while the Flatlock Cam version can hold 60 lbs per bike. Kuat Transfer V2 3-bike hitch rack 2 inches accommodates a load of 40lb per bike. 

This rack is compatible with most bikes with 18″-29″ wheels and wheelbases up to 50″. You can use it even for expensive bikes such as carbon frames because there is no frame contact. The Transfer V2 rack can also be used for RV. For this capacity and high compatibility, we offer it an R score of 8.5.

Is there a security mechanism in the Kuat Transfer V2 2 Bike Hitch Rack?

A cable lock is included with the rack to ensure the safety of bikes while you leave your vehicle. Since they could be readily cut in the event of theft, cable locks are not very dependable. 

Unless you buy a locking kit, there isn’t much security for either the rack itself or your bike. You can get the Transfer Lock Kit from Kuat which comes with a  cable lock for each bike and a hitch pin lock to fasten the rack to the car. For this, we give it an R score of 8.5.

Are the customers satisfied with this Kuat rack?

Most buyers give the most truthful evaluations, and like other buyers, we too give high importance to customer satisfaction.  On Amazon, the Kuat Transfer V2 has a rating of 4.5 on a scale of 5. This amazing rating implies that the maximum number of buyers are happy with this rack.

Additionally, the rack is a featured item on Amazon and has received ratings of 4 or 5 stars from 87% of customers. We assign it an R score of 9 because of the favorable feedback from users.

Is Kuat Transfer V2 2 bike hitch rack worth the money?

Kuat Transfer V2 2 costs around $450. This means that it has a per-bike cost of around $225. At this price, we believe that it is a fair deal. Considering other platform hitch bike racks from Kuat, Transfer is quite economical and has useful features. 

If you own three bikes, Kuat Transfer V2 3-bike hitch rack 2 inches comes at around $550 and has a per-bike cost of less than $200. So if you want a hitch bike rack that safely transports your bikes but you don’t want to pay top dollar, Kuat Transfer would be the best option. For this price, we give it an R score of 8.5.

The brand value of Kuat 

Küat Racks creates products that are compact, attractive, and simple to use so that bikers may travel frequently and more conveniently. This firm has produced some high-quality hitch mount and roof mount racks with useful features. 

The most surprising thing is how Kuat has built a high reputation in the bike racks business although it only started in 2008. Since it provides cutting-edge solutions to biking issues, we give it an R score of 9 for the brand value.

Kuat Transfer V2
TypeHitch Mount Platform Style Rack 
Full Bike Capacity3
Rack lock Not included
Bike lock Included
BrandKuat
Weight 35lb – 37lb
Load Capacity 40lb – 60lb per bike
Hitch required1.25″ or 2″ 
Customer Satisfaction87%
PriceAround $450
Total Rack Score8.55

Conclusion 

Kuat Transfer V2 2 bike hitch rack scores an overall rack score of 8.55. We like this rack for its versatility and recommend it for various bikes including large mountain bikes as well as kids’ bikes. This rack is economical as compared to other platform-style racks but it requires you to compromise on refinement.

Kuat Sherpa 2.0 vs. Kuat Transfer V2

Compared to Kuat Sherpa 2.0 (40lb), Transfer V2 has a larger load capacity (60 lbs). Therefore, the Kuat Transfer V2 Bike Rack is a good option for a heavy bike, such as an e-bike. Due to its cost, Transfer V2 has a significant advantage as well. It’s a decent rack with most of the practical functions a hitch rack provides, yet it’s still less expensive than the Sherpa 2.0.

Having said that, the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is the best bike rack available in terms of functionality, aesthetics, and craftsmanship. It gives automobiles a more upscale appearance and is available in three fantastic styles pearl, grey, and black colors. Moreover, installation of Sherpa 2.0 is a breeze while Transfer V2 takes a lot of time.

Categories: Uncategorized

Bike Scientist

S Chaudhry is the founder and the first writer for BikesRacks. He covers almost all the bike reviews after doing a lot of secondary and primary (hands on) research on the products. Apart from that he is the author of a number of how to do articles as well on the website. He is an avid road bike cyclists who is dealing in a lot of areas related to biking. Currently he has gained experience fixing bikes to retailing accessories related to them as well. His eventual goal is to build an authority site on cycling and also become a profession bike fitter.