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We received the KUAT Innovations NV Hitch Mount rack a few months ago and after a few thousand miles being hitched to my minivan, I’ve got a review just for you!

If you recall, the NV is a nice looking rack with some standard features as well as a couple of unique pieces that makes it stand out from the rest. I’ll get into that stuff later. But for now we’ll go ahead with some of the meat of the review. Prices start around $470 and you can find deals all through out the Internet.

The KUAT NV that I received is the 2″ hitch model. But they do have a 1.25″ receiver option available. It was mounted onto my Hyundai Entourage Minivan. I am using a Valley 2″ hitch that Moe helped me install.

The NV has a lever system that allows you to tilt up the rack, lay flat or tilt forward so you can access your trunk.

The NV is a 2 bike capacity rack. It can take anything from 29er/700c to 20″ wheeled bikes (adapter needed). In the photos below, we have 2 26″ beach cruisers on the rack.

My Soma Double Cross (rear) with 700c wheels and my daughter’s Manhattan Hot Rod with 20″ wheels. Adapter for 20″ wheels is included with the rack. Notice the deep channels on the front wheel trays, it can accept skinny road tires to the big mountain bike tires without any fit problems.

20″ adapter. Only one is included.

Wheel holder will grab the tire nice and tight. But if you have a front fender on your bike, you’ll come across this problem. The holder will have to rest on your fender, which means the bike isn’t as secure. What I had to do was place a soft rag between the fender and holder so it wouldn’t scratch it.

One of the things that I really enjoy about this rack is the built in work stand. I know that you can essentially work on your bike while it’s standing up. But if you need to do anything where the wheels and cranks need to spin in order to make an adjustment, then this workstand becomes a blessing. The only problem with the work stand, its not secure. It’s only held in place by a QR lever, so that means someone could actually steal this thing when I’m not looking.

The KUAT NV as this really cool anti-sway/rocking device that’s build in. Basically what you do is insert the rack to the hitch, lock the rack. Then with the turn of that knob you see in the photo, a cam will come out and push against the hitch, causing it to become more secure. This prevents some side to side swaying or rocking that most hitch mount racks are known for. If you have less movement on the rack, the safer and more secure the bikes are.

Built in lock and cable keeps your bikes secure. My only complaint about it would be that the cable is too short. I think that if the cable was at least 6″-8″ longer, then it gives more options on how to route the cable for better security.

Over a course of a few weeks, we left the rack mounted to our van during a very rainy Spring season. The rack was exposed to the elements and the only issue I had with it was the lock. The male to female connections needed to be lubricated in order for it to go in and stay locked.

Summary:

I absolutely love how well the KUAT NV Rack works. I think its well built, very stable and great features that other racks don’t have. Such as the cam that tightens the rack against your hitch, and the built in workstand. I’ve found that the KUAT NV rack is pretty easy to use and very stylish. I like the anodized orange parts and the greyish paint on the bulk of the rack. It looks way better than the traditional black racks.

I’ve never experience any problems with the rack and it has kept my bikes safe and secure even while I was traveling over 80mph on the freeway. So what are you waiting for, get one!

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Kali, a San Jose based company, maker of fine helmets and protective gear, came out with the super light helmet for 2010. The Avatar – weighing in at only 849 grams! This has to be one of the lightest in the industry for a full face helmet. Mine weighed in at 852 grams, so production is on target.

At Sea Otter 2009 is where I had my first glimpse of the Avatar DH. Brad Waldon the engineer was still toying with ideas on how to make this a better helmet.


The Avatar was still in its infancy stage… fast forward to Interbike 2009, the Avatar was in its final stages prior to full production. Kali showcased their 2010 helmets and products which included different graphics of the Avatar.

I started using the Avatar this January 2010 during the Southridge Winter Series. It caught a lot of attention with its killer graphics. When asked about it, I would let the inquiring minds hold the Avatar to feel how light it is. They were all amazed! I used it on five races as well as local DH rides. The Avatar DH is comfortable. It has ample padding through out the inside of the helmet. Also with its 12 vents, your head stays cool while under pressure.

How does the Composite Fusion hold-up? I had first hand experience testing its protection and durability. During Winter Series #4, as I approached the lower rock garden I went OTB (Over the Bars), face/head first onto a rock…OUCH! The Pop’Out system for the visor worked as it was designed. Rather than just breaking from the tabs or forcing my head into another direction, the visor “popped out”; in my case it folded down over my goggles. The helmet absorbed the impact and I was not hurt. I was able to get back up and finish my run.

The Avatar uses the same patented technology as their other helmets called “Composite Fusion” in their protective gear. It is a proprietary ultra light molecular co-curing technology that produces stronger components, lighter and more precise fitting gear. Unlike common helmets which construct the shell and the energy absorbing foam (EPS) as two separate units, Kali’s Composite Fusion incorporates the EPS foam as part of the shell, thus transferring the impact energy into the EPS foam more efficiently. What does this all mean – increased protection, better for your head.

Product description:

The AVATAR™ Helmet is lightweight. Damn light. In fact, the only thing more interesting than its light weight is how strong it is.

Utilizing patented COMPOSITE FUSION™ in-molding technology for a perfect shell/liner connection, this full-face helmet also features a revolutionary mix of Kevlar, Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass in its shell materials. These materials form perfectly into a skeleton of expanded protection allowing the overall use of softer CONTEGO™ EPS foam. What’s it all mean? Light. Strong.

Weighing in at just 849 grams, the AVATAR™ helmet provides the new reference in lightweight, full-featured and expanded coverage downhill biking helmets.

Product Features:
• Tri-Weave Shell featuring Kevlar, Carbon Fiber and Fiberglass materials
• COMPOSITE FUSION™ Shell/Liner Connection
• Low density CONTEGO™ EPS foam for greater impact adsorption
• Integrated Airflow System
• Washable, adjustable, anti-microbial fit pads
• Breakaway visor

Safety Compliance:
EN 1078, CPSC

Graphics/Colors:
OSLO: Khaki Matte, White/Blue Shiny, Red Shiny
HH Vs. ROCK: Black Shiny

Sizes:
XS, S, M, L, XL
MSRP $279.00

Kali products are MtnBikeRiders.com Tested and Approved! To see more products from Kali, visit their site at www.kaliprotectives.com

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Ergon is one of MtnBikeRiders.com Race Team’s sponsors and when I was given the opportunity to ride their new GA1, I jumped on it. My first set of Ergon GA1 grips were given to me about a year ago a the 2009 Sea Otter Classic. Since then I’ve fallen in love with the GA1 and decided to get a new set of grips for my downhill bikes.

Ergon GA1 installed on the Sette Venom.

I’ve been racing and riding with the Ergon GA1 grips for a few months and I have to tell you, I LOVE how they feel when riding through harsh technical terrain.

Ergon GA1 installed on the KHS Lucky 7.

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Grips after 15 practice runs, and 2 downhill races. Within these runs, I’ve gone down a few times, but the grips still look and feel great. I’ve yet to have my hands slip off during a ride. So far so good.

Left grip

Right grip

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Wes Castro on the Sette Vexx

Moe Ramirez:Since I’m still on the disabled list, Team rider Wes Castro got to take the Sette Vexx on its maiden ride. Here is his race report along with his impressions of the frame:

Well lets start this race report with the weather, it was a great southern California day (sorry east coast riders). Great weather and great Friends equals one thing: a great Day to ride downhill.

On to the race report, practice Saturday I was a little nervous, first time out for the Sette Vexx and my first time on an 8inch travel bike with a dual crown fork. Well, onto the first practice run, I told myself just go with the flow of the course and have fun. All day long run after run I felt great on the Sette Vexx. One full day of practice with a total of five runs and each area of the course was getting easier to navigate.

On Race Day, I had two practice runs and I was feeling great. Donny calls my name and as I get to the starting platform, I smile (Thanks RL, it works!) and off I go and before I know it I’m through the first rock garden on the upper section and on to the first straight away and I’m pedaling hard, second rock garden and I rock that section like I have never done before.

As I reached “The wall”, what can I say, my heart is pumping, my legs are tired but I get up off the seat and I pedal as hard as I can. At the time I had no Idea how I did all I know is that I felt great as I crossed the line I see RL and he tells me I caught the last guy in the class before me. I was stoked with my run!!!!!! As we waited for the results to be posted I still really had no Idea how I’d done. Results where posted and I heard several of my friends say my name and that I placed 2nd. My best finish yet!!!

Well what can I say about the Sette Vexx. Let me start by thanking the people at Sette for releasing a great frame, Moe and RL for the opportunity to ride a great bike. At first look the bike looks strong and has a mean race look. The welds and all the pivots look real good, seems to be a very solid frame. As I took the Vexx on my first run, I took it easy and flowed the course but the Sette Vexx just begs to be ridden hard so I found myself pushing it just a bit through the lower rock garden and an area that I’m familiar with and WOW the frame’s Rock Shock Vivid shock with its 8.5 inches of travel in the rear soaked up the rocks like they where not even there. The single pivot of the Sette Vexx worked great very stiff and giving the rider a lot of confidence to push it when the rough stuff comes at speed.

I pushed the bike through every rock garden as hard as I could and every time I was more impressed, but just when I thought that I couldn’t be more impressed, I was proven wrong. I noticed that the bike is very easy to handle in turns with an easy brake check into the corner and then rolling the apex under control. The Sette Vexx pays you back by the single pivot compressing and shooting you out of the corner with easy and efficient pedal strokes getting you up to speed in no time. Which brings me to the dreaded wall, the Sette Vexx was very easy to pedal with very minimal pedal bob, like I said the bike is fast and efficient.

The Sette Vexx frame gave such confidence on the trail that I was able to step up my game comfortably, my reward: 2nd place on my category!

I want to thank the Team MtnBikeRiders.com sponsors: Sette, Serfas Optics, Hoss MTB, Evomo, KHS bicycles, Spenco, Icetoolz and Ergon, they make racing fun.

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MtnBikeRiders.com first heard about the KHS SixFifty 606 just before Interbike 2009. Excited with the 650b concept, I couldn’t wait to see it in person in Las Vegas. To date, there are only a few manufacturers entertaining this wheel size as part of their line-up. The 650b (27.5”) is the third option in mountain bike tire size. It falls in between the established 26” and the revolutionary 29er (29”). The 27.5” tire is fairly new in the current MTB arena however the tire size itself has been around for many years. The 650b is designed to roll faster than a 26” bike, yet is lighter than a 29er and will fit smaller riders.

BIKE SPECS:
Frame
650B” Full Alloy, Hydroformed Tubing, Gussetted Headtube
Fork X-Fusion Velvet, 650B
Headset Cane Creek A-Headset 1-1/8″
Rims Weinmann XM280 Disc Specific, Doublewall, Black, 650B
Hubs Alloy 6-Bolt Disc, QR, Cassette
Tires Kenda Nevegal Folding Kevlar, 650B x 2.1
Spokes 15G FT/14G RR Black Stainless, 32°
Front Derailleur Shimano Deore
Rear Derailleur Shimano SLX
Shifters Shimano Deore Pods w/Optical Gear Display
Chain KMC Z9000 w/Master Link
Crankset Truvativ Fire 44/32/22
Bottom Bracket Truvativ GXP outboard cartridge bearing
Cassette SRAM PG950 11-34, 9 Speed
Pedals Wellgo Alloy Platform
Seatpost Alloy micro-adjust
Saddle WTB Siverado
Handlebar FSA XC300 31.8, Alloy
Stem FSA OS190 31.8, 3D Forged
Grips PowerTools Dual Density
Brake Levers Hayes Stroker Ryde
Brakes Hayes Stroker Ryde, 6″ rotors
Color Gloss Red w/White Panels
SIZES: S, M, L, XL
MSRP: $1199

ABOUT ME:
5’10” 195lbs, 40 year old male, mountain biking enthusiast.

TESTING GROUNDS:
SoCal’s finest: Aliso Woods, Whiting Ranch, Fullerton Loop, Santiago Oaks, Turnbull Canyon and Santa Ana Mtns. (Coal Canyon & Skyline).

THE BIKE:
The KHS SixFifty 606 was ready to ride from the day it was picked up from the KHS office. Already pre-assembled, there were only minor adjustments and changes that I had to make. First were the pedals. The SixFifty 606 came with the generic plastic flat pedals. To give it a thorough testing, I installed one of my Crank Bros Candy pedals. I then made an adjustment with the handlebar position pushing forward by a few degrees. With its initial set-up from the factory, I felt cramped the way it was laid back. Last were the throw on the brake levers of the Hayes Stroker Ryde. These seemed to be installed right “out-the-box” where they were too far for my index finger to reach. From here I was ready to go! Later on I installed Ergon GC2 grips with integrated bar-ends.

AESTHETICS:
The KHS SixFifty 606is truly a good looking bike. The top tube is a unique hydro-formed shape that resembles a hexagon shape. It’s a solid hardtail frame. I love the color scheme of red, black and white. Looks very sharp and FAST!!!

COMPONENTS:
The components paired up with the KHS SixFifty 606 would be considered mid-level. Far from the top of the line, however the performance was exceptional. First is the Hayes Stroker Ryde. Like its predecessors, it provided excellent stopping power. At high speeds I was able to control the corners on a fireroad descent with light dabs on the lever. The Shimano Deore shifters and the SLX rear derailleur performed really well. The shifting was precise and crisp. (during a race I had minor issues with shifting; it was later resolved with adjustments).

The X-Fusion Velvet is a very good fork. For a 100mm of travel it performed really well through the trails I frequent. Although geared for XC, I did take it on a few runs down technical/rocky sections such a Rock-it in Aliso and portions of the Troy Lee trail in Corona. Short of additional travel, it handled the well.

Rounding it off with Kenda Nevegals. All of my bikes are equipped with the Nevegals, so off the bat I’m already partial to it. Needless to say, it performed well to my standards.

PERFORMANCE:
Climbing: Ascents on the 650b, whether it was on a long grinding fireroad or technical switchbacks, the semi-big wheel motored up without any issues. You are centered in the best position to make a quick fore-to-aft shifts in upper body weight that make a difference in handling. I always felt balanced on the SixFifty 606. When I was crawling up tight switchbacks the 650b felt like a 26” bike. On sandy sections where I had struggled on my 26” bike, the semi-big tires motored through it. Finally, climbing on and off the saddle felt great… off course it’s a hardtail.

Descending: Through the various trails that I rode the SixFifty 606, there were never any descents where I was uncomfortable on. The bike felt great and rolled exceptionally well over rocks. Off course I didn’t ride it on a six inch (or more) required gnar-gnar trail… after all, it is a XC bike. But for the likes of Chutes (Santiago Oaks), Rock-it (Aliso Woods) and portions of the Troy Lee Trail, the SixFifty handled really well. The 90mm stem placed me in a better position than the traditional 110-120mm XC stems.

Cornering: The SixFifty 606 was very nimble. It felt light and responded quickly to my steering.

I had the opportunity to race the SixFifty 606 at the Mt. SAC Fat Tire Festival. The course laid out dry, sandy un-groomed trails as well as hard-packed dirt. The bike plowed throughout the course. Then somewhere in the middle of the race I started experiencing “ghost” shifting which hindered acceleration on certain areas. Never the less, I finished the race however did not place.

At the same race but in the Pro category, a better testimonial came from a Charles Jenkins, Professional Racer who won on the KHS SixFifty 606. See video below:

WEAKNESS:
I found no weakness with the SixFifty 606’s performance. Other than the mis-shifting that I had encountered during a race the bike has performed exceptionally well on the trails. The gears shifted on queue, the fork was plush and reacted well to the trail.

One thing that it can benefit from is a diet. At 29lbs, for a hardtail there are plenty of areas where lighter components can be used. Short of wheel selection for the 650b size, the rest are standard in the market. However with an MSRP of $1199.00, it’s spec’d appropriately with the components listed above.

SUMMARY: The Good just got Better…
Since taking possession of the KHS SixFifty 606, I have logged approx 300 miles on it. Riding the 650b I did notice a faster rolling bike. In the beginning I wasn’t quite convinced, however I rode it frequent enough were I eventually felt the difference. It has many characteristics of the 26” yet the benefits of the big wheeled 29er. I would often switch between my 26” bikes and the 650b throughout the week and on the same trail. The SixFifty is so enjoyable to ride, that I would have smiles for miles on the trail. I wouldn’t mind having a 650b in my stable however I’ll have to rid some of my 26” bikes first

For more information on the KHS SixFifty 606 visit www.khsbicycles.com.

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