SOC16: Küat builds lighter, sleeker Sherpa 2.0 tray style rack

Küat has always been known for making beautiful, highly functional racks. But their new Sherpa 2.0 may have just taken the title for their best looking rack. Still positioned just below their top tier NV, the Sherpa 2.0 is a lighter rack that will hold two bikes in a sleek package with three different colors to match your ride…

Representing the next evolution of the Sherpa, the 2.0 is an extremely low profile rack with a claimed weight around 30lbs. The Sherpa is a stunner in the looks department thanks to Küat’s new Premium Powder Coat finish which hides the decals under the clear coat. The rack is also built with less exposed hardware to help prevent corrosion. Racks will be sold in white, black, and satin grey which should pair with many cars on the market quite well.

Part of the streamlined appearance is due to the flip up front tire cradle. When in use, the back side flips up and the front wheel is placed into the cradle without the need for a front strap.

At the other end, there is an adjustable cradle which includes a new co-molded wheel strap that will be gentle on pricey wheels. Given the Sherpa’s lighter rating, the rack is sized to fit up to a 3″ tire with a 47″ wheel base and up to 40lbs per bike. If there are fat bikes in your stable, this isn’t the rack to get. But for plus size and below, it looks like a winner.

One big improvement to the rack is the introduction of their new adjustment lever. It’s positioned in a way that you can use your foot to activate the mechanism when you are putting the rack down from the stored position, but also you can use your fingers to work the lever when the rack is flat. This also makes it very easy to tilt the rack down away from the vehicle, even when loaded with bikes.

We’ve all been there when someone’s rack has scraped bottom on a steep driveway, so to keep that from damaging the ball cam tension knob, the new pivot assembly has been raised to give a better clearance angle.

Clever features extend to the new lock mechanism that allows you to loop the included cable around your bikes then lock directly into the rack body with the same key as the locking hitch pin. Better yet, the hitch pin itself is also the only allen wrench you’ll need for the rack’s assembly – which apparently is super quick using the included box/installation jig.

Available in mid to late May, the Sherpa 2.0 will sell for $489 in all three colors, locks included.

kuatracks.com