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Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Review

A lightweight hitch rack with some nice features and a good-looking powder coat finish
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Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Review (Kuat Sherpa 2.0)
Kuat Sherpa 2.0
Credit: http://kuatracks.com/
Price:  $689 List
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Manufacturer:   Kuat
By Curtis Smith ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  Apr 23, 2018
78
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 17
  • Ease of EveryDay Use - 20% 8.0
  • Ease of Removal and Storage - 20% 9.0
  • Versatility - 20% 6.0
  • Security - 20% 8.0
  • Ease of Assembly - 10% 8.0
  • Durability - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is an excellent tray-style hitch mount bike rack that narrowly missed a spot on our awards podium. The simple design and light weight made it a favorite among our testers. Smart features like the foot lever tilt release enhance ease of use. It can handle 2 bikes up to 40 lbs each and tires up to 3-inches wide. It isn't the most versatile rack around, but its 32 lb weight makes it much easier to handle if you intall/remove it from the vehicle regularly. It is also one of the nicer-looking racks we tested.
REASONS TO BUY
Lightweight
Simple
Foot pedal tilt mechanism
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks versatility
Expensive
40 lbs per bike weight limit
Kuat has updated the Sherpa 2.0 slightly since testing.

Compare to Similar Products

 
kuat sherpa 2.0
This Product
Kuat Sherpa 2.0
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Hitch Rack Under $1000
 Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck Hitch Rack
 
Price $689.00 at REI
Compare at 3 sellers
$701.10 at AmazonCheck Price at REI$499.95 at Backcountry$489 List
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line As the lightest hitch rack we tested, the Sherpa was a favorite for its good looks and simple designVersatile and easy to use with an excellent tilt-release functionThis is a versatile rack with an optional loading rack that's useful for heavier electric bikesThis impressive rack is sturdy and user-friendly, with a lower price tag than the premium optionsLight weight, low profile, and user-friendly, the Transfer is a budget friendly platform hitch mount rack from Kuat
Rating Categories Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Thule T2 Pro-XTR Yakima Stage Two RockyMounts Mono Rail Kuat Transfer
Ease of EveryDay Use (20%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Ease of Removal and Storage (20%)
9.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
Versatility (20%)
6.0
9.0
9.0
9.0
8.0
Security (20%)
8.0
8.0
8.0
8.0
4.0
Ease of Assembly (10%)
8.0
7.0
6.0
6.0
5.0
Durability (10%)
8.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
6.0
Specs Kuat Sherpa 2.0 Thule T2 Pro-XTR Yakima Stage Two RockyMounts Mono Rail Kuat Transfer
Bike Capacity 2 2 (Up to 4 with add-on) 2 (Up to 4 with add-on) 2 (Up to 3 with add-on) 2 (Up to 3 with V2)
Lock? Yes Yes Locking hitch knob and security cable Yes Available but not included
Rack Weight 32 lbs 51 lbs 63 lbs 8 oz 44 lbs 2 oz 35 lbs 8 oz
Max Weight Per Bike 40 lbs 60 lbs 70 lbs (60 lbs RV and 42 lbs Off-Road rated) 60 lbs 40 lbs (60 lbs with dedicated 2" receiver version)
Min/Max Wheel Size 20" to 29" (20" to 24" require adapter) 20" to 29" 20" to 29" 20" to 29" 18" to 29"
Max Wheelbase 47" or 1,194mm 50" or 1,270mm 52" or 1,320mm 50" or 1,270mm 50" or 1,270mm
Max Tire Width 3" 5" 3.25" (up to 5" with fat bike kit) 5" up to 5" with Phat Bike Kit
Other Sizes Available? Yes, 1.25" receiver Yes, 1.25" receiver and rack add-on for 2 additional bikes Comes in 1.25" and 2" receiver sizes, 2 bike add-on sold separately Yes, 1.25" reciever, single bike add-on sold separately Yes, 1.25" reciever
Cross Bar Compatibility N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Sherpa is a lower-priced option to the outrageously expensive Kuat NV 2.0. It lacks some of the adjustability of the NV 2.0 but retains the aesthetically pleasing design that Kuat is known for at a lower price point. It's lightweight and easy to use, but the lack of adjustability and a maximum tire size of 3" hurt the overall score.

Performance Comparison



kuat sherpa 2.0 - the kuat sherpa 2.0 was a favorite amongst our testers and narrowly...
The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 was a favorite amongst our testers and narrowly missed out on our Awards Podium.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Ease of Everyday Use


Tray-style hitch racks like the Sherpa make loading and unloading bikes easy due to their low loading height. Beyond the height that the bikes must be lifted, the ergonomics of the front wheel clamps and rear wheel straps come into play. The Sherpa 2.0 uses the same ratcheting front wheel clamps as the more expensive NV 2.0, the arm is easy to release and clamp in place. The front wheel trays on the Sherpa fold closed and must be folded open before use, unlike the other models we tested that have fixed front wheel trays. The rear wheel straps pivot to accommodate different wheelbase lengths unlike the sliding straps on the Thule T2 Pro XT.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - the kuat sherpa 2.0 features a large tilt release lever that can be...
The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 features a large tilt release lever that can be activated with a foot when the rack is in the vertical position.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Rather than the now commonplace remote tilt release handle found on our top-rated models, the Sherpa uses a lever back at the main pivot point. When the rack is in the folded-up position, the lever can be depressed by pushing it with a foot and pulling the rack down with one hand.

The foot release is a nice feature compared to competitors like the T2 Classic, which requires two hands to accomplish the same task. When the rack is in the horizontal position, lowering the model becomes a two-handed operation as the lever is no longer accessible to release with your foot. The remote release handle system on some of the other racks is much easier to use than the Sherpa design, but this foot pedal is an improvement on older models.

Ease of Removal and Storage


The Sherpa shines here and is one of the highest-scoring racks in our review. At 32 lbs, it is the lightest platform hitch rack in the test. Carrying the Sherpa is a pleasure compared to some models which weigh nearly twice as much. The Sherpa uses an expanding cam system that is similar to the T2 Pro XT, but rather than incorporating the lock into the cam system, Kuat sticks with a locking hitch pin for security. Storing the Sherpa is more feasible than other racks we tested due to the smaller overall size and the lighter weight. If you remove your bike rack when not in use, the Sherpa is a great option.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - the kuat sherpa 2.0 is the lightest hitch rack we tested and folds...
The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is the lightest hitch rack we tested and folds up relatively small compared to other available hitch racks.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Versatility


This contender scores lower here than many of its competitors. The Sherpa has a recommended weight limit of just 40 lbs per bike. While that is plenty for most mountain, road, or gravel bikes, it won't work with heavier e-bikes that are so popular today. It is also limited to a tire size of 3". A few years ago this would have hardly been a liability, but with the current popularity of plus-sized tires and fat bikes, this seriously limits the versatility of this rack.

The trays are fixed in position, so adjusting spacing between bikes is not an option. Despite the trays being fixed in place, the Sherpa does boast 14.5" of spacing between the trays, a number that is only rivaled by the Dr. Tray which has 17" of spacing with the trays set at maximum spacing. While the distance between the trays is good, the lack of lateral adjustability can make it impossible to get some bikes on the rack.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - the kuat sherpa 2.0 is limited to 3" wide tires, so there are better...
The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is limited to 3" wide tires, so there are better options for fat bike owners.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Ease of Assembly


Our experiences assembling Kuat racks in the past have been a bit frustrating. The design of the Sherpa is different than the NV 2.0 though, and we found it much easier to assemble. The NV trays are composed of two separate pieces that attach to the main support arm with two long bolts that are difficult to line up. The Sherpa has one-piece trays that are much easier to attach to the main support arm. In addition to the different design, Kuat ships the Sherpa in an awesome box that aims to assist in the assembly of the rack, by supporting the main frame while the trays are attached. Despite the amount of assembly required, the Sherpa was one of the easier contenders to build due to smart packaging and easy-to-follow directions.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - the kuat sherpa 2.0 is shipped in a box that is designed to aid in...
The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is shipped in a box that is designed to aid in assembly by supporting the rack.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Security


To secure the rack to your vehicle, Kuat sticks with the tried and true locking hitch pin. We prefer the system used on the T2 Pro, that disables the expanding cam release for ease of use, but there is no disputing that a locking hitch pin works. It's just an extra step that is not required with some other designs.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - the kuat sherpa 2.0 uses a noose style cable locking system with the...
The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 uses a noose style cable locking system with the lock built into the rack.
Credit: Curtis Smith

The Sherpa utilizes a non-integrated cable lock that can be noosed around the frames of the bikes on the rack. The cable attaches to a lock on the rack itself. We initially didn't like these cable systems, because it meant stowing a cable in our vehicles when not in use. However, they are easier to use than poorly designed integrated locks found on some other racks. While this cable lock system is undoubtedly a nice theft deterrent feature, we would still recommend adding a burlier aftermarket lock into the equation for a higher degree of security.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - kuat sticks with the tried and true locking hitch pin design to...
Kuat sticks with the tried and true locking hitch pin design to secure the Sherpa to the hitch receiver.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Durability


Our silver-colored test version of the Sherpa held up well during testing. The gloss metallic powder coat finish looks nice, but does scratch rather easily, compared to the black finish on the T2 Pro. The all-aluminum construction is resistant to corrosion, and the rack as a whole has a solid, well-built appearance. The weak point on the rack is the plastic flip-up wheel trays, which could be damaged rather easily if they were inadvertently left in the open position and suffered some impact. The knob that turns the cam device to eliminate wobble is also prone to damage in its position on the lower rear portion of the rack. The higher scoring T2 Pro has a nice skid plate welded in place to prevent damage to its cam knob.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - the flip up plastic wheel trays are the weak point of the kuat...
The flip up plastic wheel trays are the weak point of the Kuat Sherpa 2.0 design when it comes to durability.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Value


The Sherpa is a solid value. It's quite a bit cheaper than the T2 Pro XT and cheaper than the Kuat NV. We feel the Sherpa is a solid rack and well worth the asking price assuming you only transport relatively lightweight bikes with tires 3-inches wide or smaller.

Conclusion


The Sherpa is an awesome competitor and a favorite amongst our testers for its simple, lightweight design. It does lack some of the versatility of other racks due to its fixed trays, 3-inch maximum tire width, and 40 lbs per bike weight limit. For those committed to non-electric bikes and standard tire sizes, the Sherpa is a good rack. It should also be on your shortlist if you frequently remove your rack, or move it between vehicles.

kuat sherpa 2.0 - the kuat sherpa 2.0 is a solid lightweight rack that can handle the...
The Kuat Sherpa 2.0 is a solid lightweight rack that can handle the needs of most riders.
Credit: Curtis Smith

Curtis Smith
 

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