Saris Thelma 2 Bike Universal Hitch Rack - 4202 Review

Average Reviews:

(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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Saris Thelma 2 Bike Universal Hitch Rack - 4202

Product Description:
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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TRIMAX LOCK-RCVR COMBO 5/8" - MAG200 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)An easy to use, strong way to lock a hitch or tow bar to your vehicle. I own six for all my tow bars and hitches.

Click Here to see more reviews about: TRIMAX LOCK-RCVR COMBO 5/8 - MAG200

Product Description:
Images are for reference only. Please read item title carefully as the manufacturers part number is the item you will receive.

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Saris Thelma 3-Bike Platform Hitch Rack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Thelma 2 bike carrier last week 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.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Saris Thelma 3-Bike Platform Hitch Rack

Product Description:
Stylish and simple to use, the Saris® Thelma 3-bike platform hitch rack is a unique solution for bicycle transportation. The unique design contacts the tires only, protecting your bike's finish, and it can accommodate everything from road slicks to downhill knobbies. Ratcheting straps secure the bike, and the Thelma folds up when not in use.

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Allen Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack for Vehicles with Rear Mounted Spare Tire (2-Inch Receiver) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was very disappointed to find that this rack does not work with side hinged rear doors. It only works with hatch style rear doors. No where on the packaging or in the manual is this mentioned. I quickly put the rack together (very easy to do so) and was quite pleased at how solid it was. I then put it on my 2006 Hummer H3. So far, so good. Then, I went to test the mechanism that allows the rack to fold down so the rear door can be opened. I folded it down, but was stunned to find that my rear door only opened about 5 inches before hitting the bottom area of the rack (yes--even with the rack folded down). Surely, I thought, I must have installed it incorrectly. But, I hadn't. I then called Allen, and spoke to someone there who very readily admitted that the fold-down mechanism does not function well with side hinged rear doors. Oddly, he wouldn't admit that the rack is useless for such vehicles because "technically, the rack still works--you can put bikes on it". He suggested that I carry around a pair of 3/4 inch closed wrenches, and "simply take the rack completely off when the rear door needs to be accessed". I thought he was kidding, but he wasn't. Of course, this is not a viable solution. Oddly enough, the folks at Allen decided to use an image of a vehicle with a side hinged rear door on the box. You can actually just look at that picture and see that the rack would not work with that vehicle.

I would have given this product one star, but added a star to reflect its strength and the ease at of putting it together.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Allen Deluxe 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack for Vehicles with Rear Mounted Spare Tire (2 Inch Receiver)

Product Description:
Designed to fit most sedans, hatchbacks, minivans and SUV's, the Allen 640RR Deluxe 4-Bike Trunk Mount Rack for Vehicles with Rear Mounted Spare Tire offers an easy-to-use and versatile option for transporting bicycles while on the road. It features a patented tie-down system, which individually secures and protects each bicycle. Its 22-inch long carry arms can accommodate up to four bicycles and can be released with a single pop-up pin when not in use for easier storage. The rack's streamlined, single-configuration design eases installation and requires only minor assembly. It is finished with a rugged UV-resistant polyester powder coating, ensuring both durability and a sleek, attractive look.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
About Allen Bike Racks
In 1967, after a few years of working on the aerospace technology for the Apollo missions, Dick Allen was out of a job. Government cutbacks led Allen, a Harvard-trained physicist, to transform his garage hobby into a new industry. A cycling enthusiast, inventor, and family man, Allen had a personal need for a bike-carrying device. On weekends, he would take his sons and wife to Cape Cod or the White Mountains of New Hampshire. What proved difficult time and again was the transport of his family's bicycles. Rather than fight through inconvenience with twine and a dinged car, Allen sought an answer for himself as well as a market in which he foresaw major growth possibilities.
Always a pathfinder, Allen took to work in his Lincoln, Massachusetts garage in search of a more efficient way to transport bikes. Drafting designs during the day and constructing them throughout the night, he put together a model made of electrical conduit, metal strapping, and fire hose casings (for padding). At first, the Allens' tested the prototype on weekend excursions. Finding the first trunk-mounted rack to be a success, Dick started Allen Bike Racks. Dealer acceptance came quickly, and by 1971 Allen Bike Racks were sold nationally through a number of major bicycle distributors. Today, the company owns over three dozen patents and offers a versatile product line of bike racks while Dick's son Alex now owns and operates the business. What started out as a small garage run operation now operates three warehouses nationally, two factories abroad, and has products sold in more than a dozen countries around the world.

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Thule T2 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I purchased the 2", 2-bike T2 last year for use on our 2001 Honda Odyssey.Over the years I have had all forms of bike carriers and must admit that the T2 is my favorite one to date.

Here's why:

1) quick and easy to assemble
2) hitch mounted = less wind drag/noise and better fuel economy than roof-mounted alternatives
3) no front wheel removal
4) <30-second bike mount/dismount
5) no finagling to makes bikes fit on rack so as not to scratch adjacent bikes
6) no swaying/banging of bikes against one another
7) accomodates all types of frames without additional adapters
8) "lockable" (with a caveat - see below)
9) once mounted, loaded, and travelling down the road, the entire rack is ROCK-SOLID; it does not rattle nor sway and the overall build quality is sturdy yet relatively lightweight
10) unloaded rack easily swings up and out of the way with the push of a lever.I often leave the rack on the van - if I had the Snug Tite lock, I would probably never remove it!
11) expandable from 2 to 4 bikes

The T2 is not perfect though:

1) the locking front wheel arm is not very secure.Why?All you need to do is deflate the front tire and swing the arm over the wheel or remove the front skewer and lift the fork off and voila - stolen bike! In essence, the lock on the wheel arm is a DETERRENT rather than an effective security device.Instead of buying the lock cores, go out and do what I did - buy 2 cable locks to secure the bikes to the rack.At least with the cable you can secure both wheels and the bike frame to the rack.
2) since this rack does not swing-away to either side (it does swing downward, but only by a few inches), opening the rear hatch is not possible once bikes are mounted.You must first unload the bikes to access anything in the rear storage area (remember I have a van, this may not apply to other vehicle applications).

So, in summary, if you're looking for a sturdy, easy to use, and versatile hitch-mounted rack, I would highly recommend the T2.I just hope Thule resolves issues 1&2 in future generations of the T2 - doing so would make the T2 a nearly perfect bike carrier!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Thule T2 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack

Product Description:
Quick bike loading in secondsAccommodates most bikes regardless of frame design, suspension or wheel size

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Allen Universal Stainless Steel Locking Hitch Pin for 2-Inch or 1 1/4-Inch Receiver Hitches Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought this because I was told by someone at the R. A. Allen Co. that this would work with their Bike Rack, model 440RR.It turns out that I was lied to or was given an answer by someone who did not know anything.It does NOT work with Allen's own bike rack!!!!!The cylinder is too thick (i.e. the diameter of the cylinder is too wide) to fit through the hitch insert hole.

This item will NOT work with Allen Bike Racks and company will not return your phone call or help you in any way!!!!!(I called them twice and left two messages with an Alex, who has never returned my phone call.)

I will never buy another item from the R. A. Allen Co. again.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Allen Universal Stainless Steel Locking Hitch Pin for 2 Inch or 1 1/4 Inch Receiver Hitches

Product Description:
The Allen 501L Universal Stainless Steel Locking Hitch Pin for 2-Inch or 1 1/4-Inch Receiver Hitches functions to lock and tighten all 2-inch and 1-1/4-inch receiver racks. (It should be noted that this device, unlike the 500L-model hitch pin, will not work with Allen receiver racks.) The solid brass locking cylinder and cylinder case are durable and work to prevent bike theft. The lock is further secured by the internal O ring and water-tight cap, which protect the locking mechanism. The device also integrates a stainless steel nut, which tightens the rack inside of the hitch, eliminating bike wobble. The set includes 3 keys.
What's in the Box?
501L locking hitch pin and three keys
About Allen Bike Racks
In 1967, after a few years of working on the aerospace technology for the Apollo missions, Dick Allen was out of a job. Government cutbacks led Allen, a Harvard-trained physicist, to transform his garage hobby into a new industry. A cycling enthusiast, inventor, and family man, Allen had a personal need for a bike-carrying device. On weekends, he would take his sons and wife to Cape Cod or the White Mountains of New Hampshire. What proved difficult time and again was the transport of his family's bicycles. Rather than fight through inconvenience with twine and a dinged car, Allen sought an answer for himself as well as a market in which he foresaw major growth possibilities.
Always a pathfinder, Allen took to work in his Lincoln, Massachusetts garage in search of a more efficient way to transport bikes. Drafting designs during the day and constructing them throughout the night, he put together a model made of electrical conduit, metal strapping, and fire hose casings (for padding). At first, the Allens' tested the prototype on weekend excursions. Finding the first trunk-mounted rack to be a success, Dick started Allen Bike Racks. Dealer acceptance came quickly, and by 1971 Allen Bike Racks were sold nationally through a number of major bicycle distributors. Today, the company owns over three dozen patents and offers a versatile product line of bike racks while Dick's son Alex now owns and operates the business. What started out as a small garage run operation now operates three warehouses nationally, two factories abroad, and has products sold in more than a dozen countries around the world.

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Thule 950 Zip Stick II Wheel Stabalizer for Thule Hitch Mount Bike Racks Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This prevents your bike from swaying while attached to your Thule Hitch Mount Bike Rack.I'm sure you can easily tie your bike stable without it, but if you use multiple bikes on one rack, this keeps them from swaying into each other.I am happy with the purchase, the build quality and the price.

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Product Description:
Thule Zip Stick uses included straps to reduce bike movement. Four heavy-duty load straps included

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