Thule 990 Doubletrack 2 Bike Hitch Carrier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)My vehicle is a 1999 Nissan Maxima sedan, equipped with a Kurt 1-1/4" hitch receiver. Due to the toung weight limit of the hitch receiver, the choice of bike racks is also limited. Thanks God, the THULE 990 is a great solution for me.
Originally, I doubt the capability of an 1-1/4" hitch to bear heavy loads (rack + bikes). After I installed THULE 990 and loaded two bikes, I was so glad that I chose a correct rack. The play was very very small, no matter my car was stopped, on local roads or on the freeway. The rack provides three points to contact to each bike. It is an excellent way to carry bikes. No need to worry about that the bikes would scratch my car or scratch each other.
For the rack itself, the height is pretty easy for me to load bikes. I do not have to lift my bikes too much. Also the rack provides sufficient clearance to access rear trunk and let trunk lid open without any interferences.
For entering/exiting my drive way, THULE 990 provides sufficient vertical clearance so that I could drive in/out drive way without further awareness.
For local road driving, all I need to be aware are the speed bumps. Just drive nice and slowly. Otherwise, the bikes/rack are rock-solid.
For freeway driving, I drove my vehicle at 70mph and the bikes/rack were pretty stable. I could not feel any play or vibration. But the aerodynamic drag is a little bit noticeable. By the way the test drive on freeway was about 20 miles one-way, 40 miles total.
The integrated lock heads are also a great advantage. No need to use additional ugly and bulky locking cables. The two locks on the locking handles are easy to use and efficient. The STL2 hitch lock is also easy to use and very tight fitted.
With THULE 990, I could virtually extend my bicycle rides to anywhere my vehicle could reach. The THULE 990 is really a great bike rack.

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The next evolution in RQL technology at an affordable price, the Thule 990 Doubletrack can transport two bikes regardless of frame design, suspension, or wheel size. The Ratcheting Quick Load (RQL) features hooks for quick bike loading/unloading cradle top tube of bike frame. The independent adjustable wheel hoops accommodate bikes with wheel bases up to 48 inches and eliminates handlebar to seat contact. The Stinger Swinger universal hitch connection makes it easy to attach to your vehicle, quickly converting from 2-inch to 1-1/4-inch right out of the box. The Hitch Switch quick release lever provides rapid storage when not in use. It carries up to two bikes weighing a maximum of 70 pounds.
Manufacturer's Warranty It's backed by Thule's limited lifetime warranty. The warranty is terminated if the purchaser transfers the product to another person. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, or accidents.
About Thule To say that Thule’s beginnings in the U.S. were humble would be an understatement. Founding member Ake Skeppner sold products at windsurf competitions on the New England shoreline, exhibited the product line at a number of different trade shows, and even canvassed local retailers in the greater New York area, all from his "office"--a now-famous station wagon. Initial success was found in the small but growing sport of windsurfing where a strong, reliable roof rack was an indispensable piece of equipment. This was quickly followed by success in the ski business where Thule's Swedish heritage certainly helped the product gain rapid acceptance.
By the mid-1980s, the company sold products directly to ski and windsurfing shops but sold through distributors to address the large and growing bike business. A risky decision was made to terminate these distributor relationships and sell direct to retailers through a network of independent sales representatives. Much of the company's market success today can be traced to that decision. Shortly after, Ake hired an engineer and set up a small assembly plant in Elmsford, New York in order to design and manufacture bike carriers that would offer the features demanded by the U.S. consumer and compete effectively with other racks on the market.
The company has since grown rapidly through product innovation, a commitment to quality, and the continuance of a strong entrepreneurial spirit as well as continuing to evolve their products to meet the needs of users.

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Allen Deluxe Swing Away 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The 740RR (MSRP: $400) is a swing-away hitch-mount bike carrier that permits access to the rear of a vehicle without first dismounting the rack or its load of bikes, a convenience that you'll wonder how you ever got along without. The 740RR folding design is unique from other competing swing-away bike carriers, admittedly very cool to see in action though it provides no obvious advantages. An animated video of the 740RR movement is available on the manufacturer's website.
However, the 740RR seems to suffer from a few design flaws that quickly become apparent during typical use, raise concerns about the product's safety, and may eventually render the rack unusable. My observations after using the 740RR:
1) Unnecessarily complicated swing-arm.
The 740RR folding swing-arm requires more component hardware and pivot points than competing single-hinge swing-away carriers. More pivot points mean over a half-dozen lubrication spots, more mechanical points of failure, and several exposed and potentially serious pinch hazards.
2) Swing-arm flex.
The 740RR swing-arm flexes considerably when it is swung out from the vehicle under a full load of bikes. The flex can cause permanent misalignment of the locking mechanisms that hold the rack safely closed. When this happens, the 740RR is unusable.
3) Poorly designed locking and safety mechanism.
The locking mechanism is the most significant problem with the rack. The 740RR clicks closed by use of a spring-pin. However, this pin does not secure the carrier to the vehicle. Instead, the owner must subsequently hand-tighten an ordinary threaded bolt before the rack is safe for transport. Forget to tighten that bolt and the carrier will swing away from the rear of the vehicle at the first bump regardless if the rack is empty or carrying bikes, an unnerving thing to experience.
Note that securing the rack with a threaded bolt appears to be a typical safety feature of most swing-away bike carriers. However, the 740RR's implementation seems poorly applied:
- The long threaded bolt must be tightened from the front of the swing-arm, access to which is difficult and awkward when the rack is loaded with bicycles;
- The bolt threads become stripped under normal use and eventually can no longer be tightened, making the rack unusable;
- Neither the spring-pin or the bolt will engage if the swing-arm is misaligned, again rendering the rack unusable.
4) Significant weight.
The 740RR is heavy and cumbersome to attach/remove from the receiver hitch, and awkward and bulky to move when detached. The carrier does not stand up on its own when not mounted. As an alternative to hefting the thing up onto wall hooks, the manufacturer sells a stand which allows upright storage of the 740RR.
5) Instructions contain errors.
The 740RR design has apparently changed since the instructions were last updated. A few images do not match actual rack components, and some parts are mislabeled.
Great Warranty.
The manufacturer warrants their products as such: "If one of our products fails to function properly due to defect in materials or workmanship over the lifetime of the original purchaser, return the product and we will repair it or replace it free of charge." Indeed, to my satisfaction, the manufacturer replaced my first problematic 740RR (on which this review is based) without any hassle and free of charge including shipping. The replacement rack has lasted longer than its predecessor, but the threaded bolt again shows signs of eminent failure.
Buying a Used 740RR.
It is probably a very bad idea to purchase the 740RR used. The original owner may be unburdening themselves of a rack afflicted with one of the many inherent problems I mentioned above. Also, you would loose the protection of the manufacturer's warranty.

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Deluxe Swing Away Hitch Mounted 4-Bike Carrier for 2-Inch hitch

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Saris Thelma 2 Bike Universal Hitch Rack - 4202 Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought the Thelma 2 bike carrier last week (but not from Amazon) and took two bikes 650 miles and back over the weekend.
Pros: Very light and easy to use. Easy to assemble. Unlike carriers that strap the top tube, the wheels will not rotate into the vehicle or each other. Loading or unloading bikes is quick and easy.
Cons: The threaded hitch pin is good for keeping the carrier tight in the receiver with no motion, but a hassle to take off/put on, and does not lock. Saris sells a locking, threaded hitch pin separately. You could probably use a standard locking hitch pin, but that would allow the carrier to move a little in the receiver. Would be nice if the carrier had a hole or loop somewhere that a cable lock could attach to in order to secure the carrier to the receiver.
Now the dealbreaker. I assume that on a taller van or SUV, the vehicle would shield the bikes from the wind. But on a car, the bikes are exposed. I was very uncomfortable with the resulting motion of the bikes at highway speeds. I checked the straps and carrier several times and everything seemed to be fine, and I kept telling myself that this is what the carrier is designed for and it's probably normal. But after we got home, took the bikes off, and folded the front wheel holders down to stow them, I noticed that they had been bent backwards some, perhaps an inch at the ends, and no longer lined up with the rear wheel holders. I am taking this back to the bike shop where I got it and upgrading to the Saris Cycle On.
This carrier is probably great for around town use, or behind a van or SUV, but I would not recommend it for long trips on a car.


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She's as simple to use as she is stylish. As easy to install as she is to load. So your only workout is the ride, not racking your bike. Her name is Thelma and she's the newest addition to the Saris family of racking systems. Weighing in at just 26 pounds, Thelma is our lightest, most easy to use hitch-mounted rack ever. Bikes can be loaded and ready to go in less than two minutes and the entire rack can be installed or removed by just one person. But odds are pretty good that once you put her on your vehicle, you won't want to take her off. Unique wheel trays accommodate road slicks right up to Down Hill knobbies. Ratchet straps secure tires. Never contacts the bike frame, just the wheels. Fits bikes with 650c, 700c, and 26" tires. Carries bikes up to 35�pounds each. Rack folds up when not in use. Weighs 26 pounds, making it easy to install or remove from hitch. Universal Hitch fits 1-1/4" and 2" hitches.

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SportRack A30902 4EZ Hitch Platform 4 Bike Rack Review

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(More customer reviews)Pros: this rack carries 4 bikes without any of them touching, and they are supported exactly the way they are designed to be supported. The carrier appears indestructible. If you have a lift back, the hatch can be opened when the carrier is mounted (but not when the bikes are on the rack). Any size or shape bike can be carried. When driving, the bikes are secure and silent.
Cons: weight -- the disadvantage to indestructibility is that a lot of steel was used to build the rack, and that makes it heavy (about 60 lbs without bikes). This weight only comes into play when putting the carrier on your car, or taking it off. loading -- If you have a lift-back, you need to get into it before the bikes are loaded. The upright bars can be tilted away from the back of the car far enough to open the back. length -- you have to remember that this carrier is sticking out a few feet behind your car. Storage -- even folded up it takes a lot of room in your garage.
We need to carry several bikes at a time: road, hybrid and "step-through" (ladies) -- and sometimes a mountain bike.
The wheels fit in lower channels, which may be adjusted for wheel length and to avoid interfering with the next bike's pedals. Then the "hold down" hook keeps the bike firmly in the channels, and the hooks are well padded. You can leave your frame pump on the bike if you want (although a rough road may vibrate it off if it's not secured). Finally, Velcro straps across the tires ... well, I'm not sure what these are for, but we use them. Once on, the bikes don't sway or bounce relative to the car, and any shocks are delivered through the tires -- where the bikes are meant to receive shocks.
A 2 inch receiver will allow for 350lbs -- or more -- of tongue weight. A 60 lb rack and 4 40 lb bikes will only be 220 lbs, well within the limits of the receiver. If you've got the hitch, you can handle the weight.
The assembly is not straightforward: it took me about an hour, and I had leftover pieces. After it was assembled I realized that I mounted the "hold-down" bars in reverse (the long one has to be in before the short one). Assembly is a one-time event, and, while difficult, should not dissuade you from getting the rack.
Tilting the upright bars, or shrinking the carrier from four to two bikes is done by moving cotter pins. The receiver has a screw-in bolt to keep it mounted to the car. Adjusting the wheel wells or hold-down hooks is done using handles that screw in or out.
Once the rack is adjusted for your bike, getting the bikes on and off is quick and simple.
For us, this is exactly the rack we need to carry 3 or four bikes at a time for any distance.

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4ez HITCH PLATFORM SYSTEM

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Swagman XP 4-Bike Fold Down Hitch Mount Rack (1.25-Inch Receiver) Review

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(More customer reviews)great bike rack that is very well built, only complaint is the holders are so big it's hard to get most female bikes to fit, I had to modify the outer holder for my wifes bike and am having a hard time finding a bike for my seven year old that will fit.

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Transports up to 4 bikes.Quick loading and unloading of your bikes. The cradles rotate to keepwheels level to the ground to provide greater ground clearance.Locking knob included.Cradles accommodate up to a 2" diameter frame tube and are made of krayton vinyl cushioning, helps to provides a secure, scratch free ride for your bike. The bike rack arm folds down to allow access to the rear of your vehicle.

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SARIS T-RAX PRO 4 BIKE Review

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(More customer reviews)If you are looking for an easy to remove hitch mounted rack that has a locking mechanism to lock both the bike rack and your bikes (to the rack), this is the one for you.
You can safely carb out after a long bike ride at your favorite eatery and not worry about anyone stealing the bikes off you rack.

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The better way to get away. Accommodates 2 to 4 bikes in 1-1/4" and 2" hitch sizes. Bikes lock to the rack, and the rack locks to your vehicle for added security. Adjustable pivoting anti-sways and hold-downs keep bikes stable and secure. Tilting arms with a simple pin removal. Hassle Free Hitch design makes rack installation tool-free and a snap. Please note - a $20 oversize shipping charge applies to this item

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Swagman XP Fold Down 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Swagman's claim on this rack is that it:
"provides the ultimate in flexibility to accommodate a variety of bike frame designs"
So I figured I'd spend a little extra $$ on the rack and avoid buying a bunch of crossbars. Unfortunately, the rotating cradles are so big that quite a few bikes (including my GT XCR) start having trouble fitting into them without quite a bit of twisting and pushing, on top of that pretty much render crossbars useless.
It is a good rack but I'd recommend getting the non-rotating cradles if you really want more flexibility in the bikes it can accommodate.

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The XP Xtreme Performance provides the ultimate in flexibility to accommodate today's wide variety of bike frame designs while still maintaining all the advantages of having a hitch mounted bike rack. The XP is available in 3, 4, and 5 bike models with individually adjustable rotating cradles.These cradles: (1) Allow very fast loading and unloading of XP bikes. (2) Rotate to allow your bikes to be carried with the wheels level to the ground and provide greater ground clearance.(3)Come standard with a locking knob for added security.(4) Are deeper and wider to accommodate up to a 2" frame tube.(5) Have a soft Kraton vinyl cushioning, which is grooved for cables and provides a secure, scratch free ride for your bike. The XP, with its rugged all steel construction coupled with its locking feature, provides one of the stronges most robust products in the market today.

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Softride 25863 Access Dura 2" Bike Rack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I did lots of research on what stand to buy. I was looking for a 4 bike rack that would allow me to have access to the back of our SUV. Then my neighbor bought the Thule Revolver. That was my other choice if I wasn't going to get this rack. So I was able to actually lift and use the Revolver. I bought this rack (the Softride). And both my neighbor and I agreed that the softride is better. He actually wished that he had NOT bought the Revolver. This rack is way less expensive and works more easily than the revolver. The Revolver is great, but it's really heavy to put on the car and requires 3 steps to swing the bikes away. The SoftRide moves down out of the way with just one pin pull. And it's the only rack that folds down (rather than swings away) that allows you to move it down WITH THE BIKES ON THE RACK. The Thule racks (like the Ridgeline) are not intended for you to swing the rack down while the bikes are mounted. Also, when you are not using the rack, you can remove the arms very easily. This is preferable to just folding them down (like most other racks do) because then the mounting accessories are not hanging on the back of your car where they could be stolen off the rack. So ... I highly recommend this rack. It's a sleek and functional design that does not put un-needed bulk on the back of your vehicle. Go ahead and buy it. You'll be happy.

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Softride Access Dura 2" Bike Rack is designed with anti-sway technology to ensure good bike security while driving. It features a parallelogram design which offers brilliant compatibility and allows for easy access to the rear of the vehicle. This bike rack is equipped with an anti-rattle hitch bolt as well as locks and ensures easy installation.

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Softride 26321 Acess Dura Assist 4 Bike Rack Review

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(More customer reviews)I just received this rack, unpacked it and assembled. The assembly was easy requiring only 4 bolts. I mounted the rack on the car's 2 inch receiver hitch using 1 additional bolt supplied with the rack. This bolt takes all of the slop out from between the rack and the car. The assembly is rock solid on the car and does not vibrate around like many other racks. The rack and car act as one unit and this keeps the motion of the rack and bikes to a minimum. The rack tips back and my van's back door opens with lots of extra space. I mounted 3 bikes and all fit well from a 48cm to a 61cm. The assist part works well and the weight of 3 carbon road bikes holds it in the down position and it is easy to lift up. There is a feature to disable the assist when no bikes are on the rack. This allows the bike rack to be in the down position with no weight on the rack. All in all this is a well engineered rack that is well built and very strong. I will be adding some lube at the main hinge points as it is a bit stiff right out of the box but I am sure it will remain solid for years to come.

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Softride Dura Assist 4-Bike Rack features a powder-coated steel construction for the best in strength and corrosion resistance. A unique hydraulicly assisted parallelogram design operated by a spring loaded pull pin release allows for easy up and down maneuverability and superior rear vehicle access. QuietRide lockingtightening anti-rattle technology and padded anti-sway cradles with rubber straps keeps your bicycles solidly and quietly mounted to your vehicle. Safety features include end-of-arm safety reflectors for nighttime visibility, cable lock, and a super reinforced top plate. This rack is outfitted with a 2 inch and 1.25-inch universal hitch bar to accomodate all receiver sizes.

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Hollywood Racks HR520 Road Runner 5-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The Hollywood Rack is a decent rack, but definitely has some quirks.
assembly is straightforward, but getting the bikes onto the rack requires some
careful maneuvering - and getting 5 bikes on at the same time (which is the capacity of the rack, they say) is impossible without an advanced engineering degree.
In addition, the "stability" bar that folds down doesn't do a lot - you have to come up with some creative ways to use the supplied nylon/cordura cords to keep the bikes from moving around.
Finally, the rack itself has an inelegant, and somewhat ineffective, single screw to
keep it vertical and free from wobble - the screw loosens pretty quickly with road vibration, and it's way too small a diameter to hold the very wide main post in place,
particularly when the rack is fully loaded - this was not well thought at all.
however, we have used the rack several times without any disasters, and expect that we'll use it many more times - both locally and for road trips.
from what I've seen of other products out there, this is about average, and for the price we paid - probably got a good value.
Oh - important side note - you MUST have the adapter bar to mount (kids) mountain bikes or girls frames successfully and well - we forgot this and wound up having to by them locally - all they had were THULE bars - which cost $10 more per bar than the Hollywood version - and the THULE ones really stink! they joints rusted on the first day we had it, and the release nubs started to stick the next day.

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The Road Runner Hitch Mount Rack from Hollywood Racks is built to safely and easily transport up to five adult bikes. Bikes are held in place with durable rubber bike stabilizers with integrated tie down straps while an anti-sway tiedown bar prevents them from swinging out during transit. The loaded rack is tiltable for cargo area access and a No-Wobble system eliminates slack between the receiver hitch and the rack. This rack includes a 9-foot security cable and two keyed-alike padlocks. A 2-inch Class 3 receiver hitch is required.
About Hollywood Racks Hollywood Racks started in 1973 when they began making trunk racks in the back of our bike shop in Hollywood, CA. As a retailer, the company knew exactly what people needed: good quality products that were easy to use. They earned a great reputation fast and began selling racks to other dealers, and later to the bike companies. Today, Hollywood Racks builds racks the only way they know how: simple, strong, and secure.
Hollywood Racks are built with top-quality materials including high-strength steel, aircraft-quality fasteners, and thick powder coats to withstand the elements. Generous amounts of padding protect bikes and cars, and all of their products are fully covered with a limited warranty. The company's products continue to receive accolades from all the major outdoor sports magazines, and are in demand by everyone from recreational cycling families to weekend warriors to race teams on the road and off.

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Thule 914XT Roadway 4 Bike Hitch Carrier Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a great product.
The unit consists of a 1.25 inch receiver and a sleeve that screws onto it to convert it to fit into 2" receiver. It takes a couple of minutes to convert between sizes and is a solid, tight fit in either sized reciever.
This rack does not use the standard pin to hold it into the reciever like most reciever based products. Instead this rack uses a treaded bolt that screws into one of the sides (the center of the hitch is solid metal and is threaded). This actually makes for a very solid attachment with minimal "wiggle". The only drawback to this is that you cannot use a locking reciever pin....hence if you live in a high crime area, it would be possible for someone to use a wrench to take out the bolt and walk off with your bike rack. This is not a issue where I live, but could be for some.
The rack pivots in two places. One pivot is at the bottom allowing you to fold it down about 45 degrees to access a hatchback or rear door on a SUV, etc. (Note this only works when no bikes are attached and is primarily meant to allow you to use your vehicles rear hatch while leaving your bike rack attached). The second pivot is at the top and allows you to fold the rack flush with the back of your vehicle (this allows you to leave it attached and still park in the garage with minimal rear clearance). Basically, the rack is built to allow you to leave it attached all summer and still make full use of your vehicle. The pivot locking mechanisms are easy to release and snap back into the upright position.
This rack uses rubber saddles that you rest your bike frame on. There are rubber straps permanently attached at one end with many slots on the other end. You basically pull the straps over the bike frame and lock the strap in the slot that best fits. I have two adult bikes and two childrens bikes that I travel with. Each of my bikes is of a diffent frame design and style (which would be a challenge for any bike rack), so it took me a while to figure out the best order to place them on the rack. After a little experimentation, I found the right combination.
Overall I love this rack ! It surpassed my expectations and even folds up for easy storage. I have a GMC Denali and I leave the rack on all summer. I can easily fold it down when I need to access the rear door. When the bikes are mounted, I can still open the rear window for access into my vehicle.

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The Thule 914XT Roadway 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack sets the new standard for performance and ease of use. The Thule Roadway has a four bicycle carrying capacity, and provides you with the perfect combination of security and convenience.
The Thule Roadway utilizes Thule's Stinger Swinger hitch that converts quickly from a two-inch receiver to a 1.25-inch receiver, right out of the box.Manufacturer's Warranty Limited lifetime warranty

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Hollywood Racks HR400 Road Runner 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver)) Review

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(More customer reviews)I bought this rack at least 10 years ago, possibly 11 or 12. It has actually lasted longer than the Explorer I bought it for. I have it on a new Silverado now and it works like a champ. The release was originally appealing because the Explorer had the hatch style door and it allowed me to get into the cargo area without taking the bikes off. Now with the truck, I can still let down the bed gate and not have to take the bikes off the rack.
I have carried everything from mountain bikes to kids bikes to my big fat beach cruiser and it has had no problems with bowing or swaying. It's made out of some type of heavy duty iron with very solid welding. It's not lightweight, but it's not a workout either.
Now the best part: I recently realized that I stripped one of the turn knobs that allows the bars to go up and down. I called customer service and they allowed me to drive over to their facility and pick up a replacement. How cool was that? A lot of these manufacturers will not sell directly to the public, and they did with no problem. What's even better is; as I was standing out front putting on the part, the owner happened to come out to see if I needed help. He even gave me my money back stating stating that since I drove all the way over there and it was a little part, he wouldn't charge. I couldn't believe it! I tried to refuse, but he kept giving me back the payment! I was shocked!

The replacement part works great and I am a loyal customer for life. That type of service is unheard of these days. I was happy enough to just be able to get the part immediately. I know this rack will last another ten years, and hopefully I will be able to get other items from this company.

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Comes with rubber cradles and tie-downs, plus wheel attachment bar. "No wobble" wedge eliminates slack. Includes 9' locking cable. Tilts for easy cargo access.

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Thule Helium 3 Bike Rack with Hitch Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Over the past 40 years, I've either owned or regularly used about 10 different brands and types of bikeracks. While I can't give this rack five stars due to one minor problem, it is by far the best bikerack I've ever used or even heard about. I have it on the back of a 2006 Scion xA. (Did have to get a hitch put on the Scion, but this is very much worth it to be able to use a rack like this rather than some sort of a strapon kludge.)
As with all Thule racks (compared to several competitors), the stretchy rubber straps that hold the bike on the bikerack are easy to use, indeed even better than an older Thule rack I have on my Land Rover. (For instance, the Softride rack we have has straps and posts that are much more difficult to use.)
The posts that stick out the back are close together, so mountain bikes and kid's bikes fit on easily, without having to use the lower post of the bike as one of the attachments to the rack.
It really is light, though quite sturdy - you'll notice this especially when you pull up the little latch to let the rack come down so you can open the back of your car, or tilt it back up with one finger.
The integrated lock cable (locks with the same key that locks it into the hitch) is an elegant design. One cable comes out of the (as you look at it) left horizontal post, and another cable, with a lock on it, comes out of the top of the vertical post (yes it has a little cover on it to keep rain out of the lock, and the one in the horizontal post has a little keeper to keep it in place when not in use). You simply lock the two of these together (they're really quite short) over top of the bikes. This won't save your front wheels from being stolen, you might want another cable lock for that.
My only complaint is that, when I wanted to spread the saddles on the horizontal bar apart a bit to better accommodate three mountain bikes with lots of stuff on them (handlebar extensions, etc.), it was very, very hard. I do 250 pushups every morning and I couldn't get them to move by using my hands. I tried to use a large pair of Channelock pliers, which scraped up the saddle but didn't move it hardly at all. I then used an oil filter wrench, the type that has a length of nylon webbing that you wrap around the object (the saddle in this case), attach a 3/8" socket wrench. I twisted the saddle around the horizontal bar 2-3 times while gradually moving out or in as the case may be. That's really a minor problem, I figured I'll do this once and then never move them again.
Everything else in the installation is a snap. Everything is well-engineered, and you'll find lots of little details where Thule's experience and engineering expertise show - many incremental improvements over earlier Thule racks.
If I had to give this rack a grade using the US grading system, I'd give it an A-. I would give most of the other Thule and Yakima racks a solid B or B-, and some of them, like our Softride rack, a C+. And I was pretty happy with my Thule rack before, so this rack really raises the bar.
Final impression: best bikerack ever, if you just need to carry 3 bikes. Highly recommended, and worth getting a trailer hitch put on your car just so you can use it.

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Super-lightweight aluminum construction and no-tool installation help make mounting and removal of the Thule Helium 3 Bike Rack a breeze. And once it's on, fiddling with this hitch rack between rides is kept to a minimum thanks to the Hitch Switch system, which folds the arms down and tilts the carrier away from your vehicle for easy trunk, hatch, or tailgate access.Product Features
Bike Capacity: 3
Compatibility: 1.25in hitch, 2in hitch
Locks Included: yes
Recommended Use: bike transportation
Manufacturer Warranty: lifetime

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Thule Helium 2 Rack with Hitch Switch Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have tried out almost every hitch mounted bike rack out there, including the lines from Thule, Saris, Yakima, and Softride. I have owned the Thule Helium for over a year and it the best rack is the best out there.
My criteria:
1. Access to the back of the vehicle (Mazda MPV)
2. Securely holds bikes
3. Accommodates kids bikes
4. Easy to install/remove The Short Story:
1. Access: just as good or better than any other models.
2. Secure: holds bikes securely and has good anti theft measures
3. Kids Bikes: Takes a little creative thinking, but is better than most.
4. Easy to install: Head and shoulders above the pack. It is so easy that we store it in the back of our van most of the time and whip it out when needed. This rack is completely manageable for my small framed wife!If I had to list the major pros and cons, it would be these.
Pros:
- light, compact, and fast to attach/remove
- bikes are secure,rack is secured to the vehicle
- easy access to the back of vehicleCons:
- expensive
- only for two bikes (three bike model available)
- if you were to back into a pole with the rack on you would probably severly damage the tightening knob which is necessary for attaching and removing the rackThe Long Story:
======Access to the back of the vehicle======
The Thule Helium rack tilts down to allow the hatch to swing up and out. Pretty standard stuff. Just one level to flip up to tilt it. You are not "supposed" to have bikes attached when you do this. However, you can do it, but it probably puts undue stress on the rack and the bikes not to mention that it is very heavy to lift back up with all those bikes on there.
When reviewing other models, I ruled out platform rack early because they make it so hard to get into the back of the vehicle. I considered the swing-away racks, such as the Revolver, which allow you to keep the bikes on the rack when accessing the back, but they required too many steps to swing the rack out of the way if you are using the back on a regular basis. Also seemed to easy to damage the car next to you in the parking lot.
The Softride racks had an promising design that allows the bikes to remain parallel to the ground when tilting down. However, when I looked at them in person, they were *really* hard to move back up into place even without any bikes on them. Not recommended.======Securely holds bike======
Check. I really like weight of the Thule rubber straps. Very secure. The sway cages (which are optional on lower end models) are a must in my book. The really lock down the bikes.
======Accommodates kids bikes======
No rack did a very good job here. This rack has a slightly narrower fork so it is easier to use with kids bikes, but it still takes some creativity (again sway cages help here).
The other part of secure is security. It has the best security features of any rack. It has the standard cable lock to lock bikes to the rack, but has an excellent system for locking the rack to the car. The tightening/locking knob would have to be destroyed to remove the rack, making the rack useless. Other racks have a lock on the end of the safety pin which comes off with a few quick blows of the hammer leaving the rest of the rack undamaged and re-saleable.
======Easy to install/remove======
This is where the Helium outshines the rest.
First, the rack is light! It is made out aluminum almost entirely. I can lift it with one hand.
Second,no tools are needed. Just insert into the hitch and tighten the adjusment knob. The saftey pin then locks into place without a nut. My wife has no problems lifting and installing this in place. In fact it is so easy that we have been keeping the rack in the cargo area of the MPV (It is narrow enough that it stands upright in the back without taking up too much space). When we need to use it we just whip it out and hook it up. Collapsing the upper part (the fork) does require removing a pin rather than pulling a lever, but it is not much harder than having a lever. Storing it in the back has turned out to be a HUGE advantage since the rack is always available, but doesn't add baggage onto the back of the car. Having a foot and a half less to worry about when parallel parking in Boston is wonderful.
Another easy rack to remove and store in the trunk is the Saris T-Bones rack. However what I didn't like about it was that 1) the tongue was left sticking out of the hitch (I was afraid I would forget it was there and back into something with it), 2) the arms of the rack were harder to lower, 3) I didn't like how the bikes attached to the rack (in particular, no no-sway cages), 4) it doesn't tilt for access to the back of the vehicle (you have to remove the rack which is actually pretty easy) and 5) its thin aluminum and composite plastic design, although very light, did make me wonder about durablility especially the rotating arms (that said, Saris makes nice stuff so they probably did over engineer it enough even if it didn't appear so). The Saris rack did have some advantages though. 1) it was very, very, light and it was easier to remove than the Thule Helium since you leave the tongue of the rack in the hitch, 2) the width of the arms is adjustable which might be useful for fitting kids bikes on, and 3) it came with a bag for storing the rack in the back of the car.=======Summary======
If you only need 2 bikes or less, this rack is worth it!


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The Thule Helium 2 Bike Rack is nearly half the weight of a traditional carrier, making installation and removal a snap. Getting to your trunk, hatch, or tailgate is also a breeze thanks to the Hitch Switch system, which folds the arms down and tilts the carrier away from your vehicle.Product Features
Bike Capacity: 2
Compatibility: 1.25in hitch, 2in hitch
Locks Included: yes
Recommended Use: bike transportation
Manufacturer Warranty: lifetime

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Yakima Flipside 4 Bike Rack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This bike rack is finished very nicely with very few exposed nuts and bolts. It comes with anti-sway supports that fold down and attach to the vertical seat post tube on your bike and keep the bike from rocking back and forth while traveling.
It is also very well built but it has a few flaws that are worth mentioning. The integrated locking cable would be handy but it was VERY difficult to stuff back into its storage compartment (located in the vertical support arm) but your mileage may vary. The cable felt like it was longer than its storage space so much pushing and twisting was needed to put it back.
The rack is also very large and VERY heavy, much more so than would appear in the pictures. This could make it a bit awkward to install on your vehicle but it should be very sturdy because it uses a threaded bolt to attach itself to the hitch.
I also noticed that the provided lock for the hitch bolt wouldn't engage if the safety pin was in place. It works fine without the pin but installing the cotter pin doesn't provide enough surface for the lock to grip onto apparently. This could just be a flaw with the one I had so you might have better luck.
I never actually tested this rack with a bike because I wasn't able to install it on my car. The part that goes into the receiver hitch was too long for the hitch on my Honda so the locking bolt holes wouldn't line up. The Thule Ridgeline appears to be very similar to this model (and hopefully has a shorter hitch mount =).

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The classic shuttle problemyou can take four bikes to the trailhead, but you can't get in to the back of your SUV. This is not the case with the folding Yakima Flipside 4 Bike Rack. Once you unload this Yakima rack, you can fold it 90-degrees to the right and get into the back of your rig. The Flipside's support bars also fold out of the way when you're not driving around without a bunch of bikes on the back. Yakima didn't stop there either. They planned ahead far enough to even add an integrated bottle opener for trailhead celebrations.Product Features
Bike Capacity: 4
Compatibility: 2in hitch, 1.25in hitch
Locks Included: no
Recommended Use: hauling bikes
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

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Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I drive a Honda Element and had been putting my bike in my vehicle for 2+ years. It can be a little labor intensive and can take an 15+ minutes of my day taking out my kid's car seats, folding up the rear seats, taking off the bike's front wheel (and then putting everything back again before the family can go out again). I finally talked my wife into letting me get a hitch mount rack and I'm glad I bought the DoubleDown. I almost made the mistake of buying "cheaper" and I'm glad I didn't; this thing is a well made cycling tool. I've kept the rack on for a few weeks now - it tilts out more than enough for me to open the back of my Element. Now, I have my bike with me 5 or 6 days a week for rides instead of just 2 or 3 times a week.
I was initially concerned because for the first 24 hours it sounded like the rack was rattling around too much but I simply hadn't tightened it enough. A few quick turns with the corresponding socket/ratchet and I can't even tell the rack is back there. I should also mention that Yakima provides a few tools to assemble the rack; all you really need is a screwdriver. You should have a few wrenches and maybe a socket set ready to make sure everything is nice and tight - it comes together in a few minutes. Assembly = piece of cake.
It might be a good idea to visit a store like REI to touch a few of these racks in person first - Thule makes a similar product. Shop around to see who might have the best prices and then come back to Amazon - You'll find a few vendors with free shipping.
*Well built
*Convenient
*Easy to assemble
*Well built (to me, that's the best part)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack

Not only does the Yakima DoubleDown 4 Bike Rack carry four rigs to the trailhead, it also folds out of the way so you can get into the back of your car without going over the back seat. When you're not hauling around a bunch of cross country bikes or big downhill rides, the DoubleDown's support bars fold down to and say out of the way. Yakima used their SwitchBlade anti-sway cradles to keep the bikes from bumping into each other like kids fighting in the back seat.Product Features
Bike Capacity: 4
Compatibility: 1.25in hitch, 2in hitch
Locks Included: no
Recommended Use:
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

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Hollywood Racks HR1400 Sport Rider SE 4-Bike Platform Style Hitch Mount Rack (2-Inch Receiver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Looked at several racks before finding the perfect one. We haul 4 "hybrid" bikes around. None have the traditional cross bar. The Hollywood Sport Rider supports the bikes by the tires/wheels. It weighs a bit, but if you fold it up, it balances nicely and can be put into the receiver easily. Also, it has a device to tighten it up once in the receiver, so it (and the bikes) do not wobble AT ALL as you cruise down the bumpy side roads. As with most anything in life, you get what you pay for with this awesome rack. Hope this helps.

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This heavy-duty platform-style rack is designed as a 2 + 2 system so it can be easily converted to hold either two bicycles or four bicycles. It mounts on a 2-inch hitch and folds flat against the back of a vehicle when not in use. The rack uses padded universal top clamps and adjustable wheel holders. Bikes need simply to be dropped into the wheel holders and clamps slid down onto the frames. Velcro wheel straps add security. To prevent rack sway, the hitch system is "no-wobble/no-tools" and includes a locking pin and 9-foot security cable. The rack carries a limited warranty against defects.
About Hollywood Racks Hollywood Racks started in 1973 when they began making trunk racks in the back of our bike shop in Hollywood, CA. As a retailer, the company knew exactly what people needed: good quality products that were easy to use. They earned a great reputation fast and began selling racks to other dealers, and later to the bike companies. Today, Hollywood Racks builds racks the only way they know how: simple, strong, and secure.
Hollywood Racks are built with top-quality materials including high-strength steel, aircraft-quality fasteners, and thick powder coats to withstand the elements. Generous amounts of padding protect bikes and cars, and all of their products are fully covered with a limited warranty. The company's products continue to receive accolades from all the major outdoor sports magazines, and are in demand by everyone from recreational cycling families to weekend warriors to race teams on the road and off.

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