Can Kuat NV 2.0 be Used with e-Bike That Has Fenders

Question:

Love this bike rack! I have 2 Electric bike co. Model S step through with fenders. I see a few pictures of people using this rack on top of fenders and just in front of fender tip, even though it’s not really recommended I’m leaning towards this unit. Any advice or alternative as good units you know of? Thanks for any help,

asked by: Rick M

Helpful Expert Reply:

The Kuat NV 2.0 # NV22G is easily one of my favorite bike racks as well, glad you like the looks of it!

As a general rule-of-thumb, no, we do not recommend using a wheel mount bike rack like this for bikes that have front fenders where that arm will be making contact. Can you make it work? Possibly. But if it means damaging your fenders I don't think that would be worth it.

I've spoken with some of our bike rack manufacturers in the past about this and they said that some of the flexible fenders could potentially be okay with the arm clamped down on top of them, but even then they said they wouldn't recommend it just because it's better to be safe than to be sorry. If you're able/willing to remove your front fenders then that would be best case scenario and for a nice little upgrade you can use the Access Ramp # ANVBRB to help make loading your heavy e-bikes easier.

If I were you I would go with the Yakima OnRamp # Y36FR instead. This rack has a higher weight capacity at 66 lbs per bike and it uses padded clamps that secure your e-bikes by the frame instead of the wheel. This comes with a ramp that stores on the rack as well to assist in loading your bikes.

Aside from the work station that comes with the NV 2.0 (which I'm not sure if you'd be able to use with e-bikes anyways) that doesn't come with the OnRamp is a lock for the bike rack itself, but you can add part # Y07235 to the bike rack to lock the threaded hitch pin to your hitch receiver.

Attached are some review videos that you can check out and compare.