A Lightweight, Foot-Actuated Hitch Rack for Road, Cyclocross, and Mountain Bikes

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is a 2-bike tray hitch rack designed for cyclists who want a capable, lightweight rack that is easy to install, remove, and use without assistance. At 32 lbs the Sherpa 2.0 is meaningfully lighter than the heavier-duty Kuat NV 2.0 - a design choice that prioritises ease of handling for solo installation and removal over the maximum load capacity and feature set of a heavier platform. The Sherpa 2.0 is best suited to road bikes, cyclocross bikes, and mountain bikes - covering the primary bike types that cyclists transport regularly without the fat bike and heavier e-MTB capacity of the NV 2.0.

The rack is available for both 1.25-inch and 2-inch receiver hitches. Confirm your vehicle's hitch receiver diameter before purchase. Tool-free installation allows the rack to be attached and removed from the vehicle's hitch receiver without tools, making it practical to remove between trips or when not in use.

Two-bike capacity at 40 lbs per bike covers standard road, mountain, and cyclocross bike weights comfortably. Wheelbase accommodation up to 47 inches and tyre widths up to 3 inches covers the full range of road and standard mountain bike tyre widths. The spacing between bike positions is 14 inches - increased in the 2.0 version compared to the original Sherpa for better clearance between adjacent bikes.

• Two-bike capacity up to 40 lbs each
• Holds wheelbases up to 47" and tires as large as 3" width
• Spacing increased between bikes to 14"
• Foot-actuated pivot lever for easy rack folding/unfolding
• Integrated bike lock
• Tool-Free installation

Foot-Actuated Pivot, Folding Tyre Cradles, and Integrated Lock

The foot-actuated pivot lever is the Sherpa 2.0's most practical design feature for solo use - allowing the rack to fold and unfold for boot or hatch access using a foot operation rather than requiring a hand lever while the other hand manages the bikes. For a lightweight rack where easy solo handling is a design priority, a foot-operated mechanism that leaves both hands free to manage the bikes is a meaningful practical advantage over hand-operated tilt systems.

Folding tyre cradles hold each bike's wheels securely at up to 3 inches of tyre width - and fold flat against the rack when not in use, reducing the rack's profile and visual presence when driven without bikes loaded. The compact folded profile makes the Sherpa 2.0 practical to leave on the vehicle between trips rather than being removed after every use.

An integrated bike lock is included for securing bikes to the rack without a separate cable lock. Confirm the lock's compatibility with your specific bike frame configuration before relying on it as the sole security measure.

FAQs

What hitch receiver sizes does the Sherpa 2.0 fit?

The Sherpa 2.0 is available for both 1.25-inch and 2-inch receiver hitches. Confirm your vehicle's hitch receiver diameter before purchase as the two versions are not interchangeable without an adapter.

How does the foot-actuated pivot lever work?

The foot-actuated lever allows the loaded rack to tilt down for boot or hatch access by pressing the lever with a foot - leaving both hands free to manage bikes or cargo. This is particularly practical for solo loading and unloading where both hands are needed for the bikes.

What bike types is the Sherpa 2.0 designed for?

Kuat positions the Sherpa 2.0 for road bikes, cyclocross bikes, and mountain bikes - with a 40 lb per bike limit and 3-inch maximum tyre width. It is not designed for fat bikes or heavier e-MTBs above the 40 lb limit.

How does the Sherpa 2.0 differ from the Kuat NV 2.0?

The Sherpa 2.0 is lighter at 32 lbs versus the NV 2.0 at 52 lbs, prioritising ease of solo handling over maximum capacity. The NV 2.0 supports heavier bikes, wider tyres up to 4.8 inches with the Phat Bike Kit, and includes a Trail Doc work stand. The Sherpa 2.0 is the simpler, lighter option for road, CX, and standard MTB transport.

Do the tyre cradles fold when not in use?

Yes. The tyre cradles fold flat against the rack when bikes are not loaded - reducing the rack's profile for everyday driving without removing the rack.

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