Kuat Beta Bike Rack

Feb 6, 2009
by Jordan Holmes  
Based out of Springfield Missouri, Kuat Innovations is known for creating light, strong, and functional bike racks. The Beta rack is no different. At under 15 pounds it's comfortably light, but not so light that it would make you wonder if it's solid, and while it's constructed out of Aluminum it may have some people wondering.

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With an extremely simple design, the Beta rack features some unique additions to it. Using the classic connection method of the trailer hitch mount, the Beta rack uses a hand tightening cam adjustment to secure it in. With a lot of other racks, there is play between the hitch and the rack and it develops some play. Kuat uses a hand tightening cam to alter this effect. Simply tighten the cam down each time you put the rack in your car, and it removes all that wobble. Genius! It is available in both 2" and 1.25" sizes.

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Turning the dial expands the wedge and tightens the rack into your receiver. Follow that up with the locking pin

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Installed and ready to rock

The Beta rack features a 45 degree drop head, meaning you can tilt the whole apparatus forward 45 degrees, making enough space to still open the hatch. Once the Beta rack is folded up completely it is very compact, and easily small enough to fit behind a seat or in a trunk. Each item flips opposite directions making the setup extremely easy, and take down the same way. Simply pull 2 pins and fold it up.

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Watch the video and get better acquainted with Kuat racks

Views: 3,800    Faves: 1    Comments: 5



Kuat has also equipped their racks with adjustable carriages, meaning you can adjust how wide the carriages are, and the placement on the arms. This allows you to adjust the rack to fit your massive hucking beast and your track bike. The Beta rack is featured in a stylish Pearl color, and Kuat says "Your rack will look better on your hybrid, than your neighbor’s steel rack does on his Hummer". With such a lightweight design, and easy mounting system it is no wonder Kuat is making a name for themselves. Kuat even says that "9 out of 10 scientists agree, Kuat Racks are the best use of aluminum since the beer can*".

*statistics may vary

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New for '09 is the NV rack from Kuat. Using the same hand tightening wedge to keep it tight, it should be able to hold onto any shaped bike. Something even more unique: The NV rack features a fold out work stand for anything from a quick tire pump, to bottom bracket and crank installs, all at the trail head if an emergency pops up!

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-Mike "Kakah" Levy

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40 Comments
  • 13 2
 Looks like a great rack, but the video felt like an infomercial
  • 10 1
 but still strangely interesting
  • 1 0
 Billy Mays here...
  • 1 0
 This video is simply outstanding despite the lack of professional production standards. Even though it was about the Alpha, it answered nearly question I had about the Beta. I can't wait to get one for my Miata. Infomercials are OK when the item being sold is a quality, useful product.

Catching with one hand an Alpha thrown from off-camera: VERY effective. Try doing that with my four-bike steel Thule. Smile
  • 3 0
 They look like they would hold up good but what are the prices and what kind of life span to they have ? all aluminum and you put two bike's that are 40+ on there down a dirt road every weekend how long before that al will snap? sorry just my 2 cents
  • 1 4
 www.google.com
  • 1 1
 these are crap just thule and yakima. alhough they are using more metal which is good. everyone should look into Swagman racks. they make the best racks i've seen. 100% metal construction. the bikes don't touch each other, they don't sway or hit the car, and they will hold any frame design. Swagman.com is the way to go
  • 1 1
 swagman.net sorry
  • 1 1
 look at the platform racks specifically
  • 0 0
 Honestly I was never impressed with the Swagman rack ... yes I had one. I had to bring it into a welding shop and have the ADD 12" of pipe to allow the bikes to sit higher off the tailgate otherwise the front wheels dragged on any sort of incline. I think this is ALSO a general problem with MOST rack of this design, but are easily fixed (welding shop will charge you a few buck to extend higher. Having said that, I am sure its "probably" related to blocking the rear window view ... from the manufacturer standpoint, but if I am carrying 15K plus in bikes, I don't want them dragging on the ground.
  • 0 0
 well i had the highest end thule rack you can buy and it completely fell apart. the swagman i have tapers up at an angle from the hitch so it has plenty of clearance, several of my local trails require 4 wheel drive on rough roads and its never dragged. so maybe your cars hitch is really low or something. anyways i average 5 days a week riding and its hauled a full load for a year, and even an 700 mile road trip to whistler with not a single problem. the bikes don't shake move around and they don't rub on each other.
  • 0 0
 That looks pretty cool i guess. And like the people above me said, its aluminum and when your haulin a fair ammount, i hope its reliable. I would consider getting one if there were any dealers in Canada....their website doesnt show it. :/
  • 2 0
 pretty lame that the article is aout the beta rack and that the video is about the alpha rack >
  • 0 3
 thats because the beta rack is the alpha rack - nice read
  • 2 0
 Don't Kuat Drive Yards make Imperial star destroyers?


Please tell me I'm not the only one who saw that.
  • 2 0
 *sheepishly raises hand*
  • 0 0
 where? thats bugging me now...
  • 0 0
 oh... nevermind
  • 0 0
 i have a sweet bike rack, this one would blow it outta the water lmfao if i end up having a car as my next vehicle (instead of a truck, which is very unlikly) then ill prob end up getting this rack, cause i need a new one
  • 0 0
 kudos 2 guys who made good racks(pun intended). anyways as their product name does mean sumthing( i hope they noe of it) Kuat in d malay language(in asia dat is) means strong, i hope it does wat it means.
  • 1 0
 I have the sherpa, and have been happy with it. I did have one problem with the arm, but kuat was right on it with sending a replacement arm. It's easy to use.
  • 2 0
 nice opening Razz what an ICE BREAKER!!! Smile
  • 1 3
 2 things that stand out .. and not just this rack but any rack. Can nobody design something that keeps the front wheel from slamming the vehicle?? The work stand is an interesting idea, but I would be pissed if I got to the top of a shuttle and some clown needed "work" on his bike ... every hear of maintenance?? There should be NO REASON to require maintenance at the top of a shuttle? Mauybe a repeair after a run, but all too often people don't maintain their bikes after riding. I just don't see it getting used much .. but other than that, the rack looks not too bad.
  • 2 0
 I think its more like if you get a flat on your ride, You can put your bike on your car to fix it. Or to tune your gears up. They are not suggesting a full bike break down in between runs.
  • 1 0
 duh...well put
  • 1 0
 Or...Buy a Truck lol It makes life soooo much easier if you can just throw your bikes over the tailgate and be off
  • 0 0
 That NV rack looks pretty interesting, especially with the fold work stand!
  • 0 0
 Those are really nice racks. Shame I'm not looking for a reciever mounted rack.
  • 0 0
 The platform racks look OK, but I am not sure if they are better than THULE
  • 0 0
 you should have made a video of you guys driving up vedder with it.... that would show how durable it is.... Smile
  • 0 0
 Looks nice, but I guess that wouldn´t work with my MC Shockwave... Too bad
  • 0 0
 wow so nice wish i had one of those
  • 0 0
 well i don't want anyone to crash into me with that thing.
  • 0 0
 DE VENTA EN COSTA RICA, EN CICLO GUILLY SANTA ANA Y CARTAGO...
  • 0 0
 I liked the second rack the best. That work stand is a pretty cool idea.
  • 0 0
 i might get one... when i start driving
  • 2 2
 thats pretty cool
  • 0 0
 good enough
  • 0 0
 great
  • 0 2
 I want one ,dude that make the bike rack. S P O N S O R me! Pronto. Call today 415 233 3741







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