Our most epic bike rack to date. We use affiliate links andmay receive a small commission on purchases. Thule Helium Platform 2 Review | Switchback Travel HURRY! If you like the compact nature of the Helium Platform, Kuats Sherpa 2.0 is an even lighter alternative. Price: $491.98 $491.98-$939.12 $939.12 Free Return on some sizes and colors . But once 29- and 27.5-inch wheels hit the market, the debate amongst bikers took off and has continued ever since. Treat yourself to new gear & clothing! The 23-pound, $450Helium Platform 1 single bike rack holds one bike up to 37.5 pounds. Thats why a rack that holds bikes securely without touching the frame is the only rack Ill use. Since the rack relies on those arms that apply pressure to the tires, you cant mount bikes with fenders or racks for panniers. Its a process most will be able to do solo, and once you slide it into the hitch receiver, the SnugTite stinger does exactly what its intended to do: keep the rack very solidly in place with minimal wobbling and movement. And a final downside to the hanging-style designs is that the straps wrap around your bike's frame, which can lead to scuffing and scraping over time. Thule Helium Platform XT hitch rack review. I havent used it long enough to gauge its effect on fuel efficiency but its light weight and slim profile point to positives on that front. We will discuss these differences in more detail below. Below are just a few examples of the many tests conducted. Our roof rack systems are designed to carry your gear and fit your car as safely and securely as possible. Quickly attach bikes and easily secure them to the rack using the ratcheting wheel loops, Ship to a participating Trek retailer for free assembly and installation. Also, if you own a heavy e-bike, youll need a different rack. Terms apply. So, the Thule Helium Platform 2 might not be perfect, but I would still recommend it. Compared to the platform design tested here, the two Pro offerings weigh less (19 lbs. Mountain bikes have come a long way in recent years, with trends like 29-inch wheelsand more recently, 27.5-inch wheelsblazing the trail for bikes that are better and more Sweden-based Thule is one of the worlds leading manufacturers of car racks and bike accessories, and the T2 Pro XTR is their core hitch-mounted offering. A premium platform that securely holds bikes in place without frame contact, the corrosion-resistant, anodized aluminum Thule Helium Platform 2-bike hitch rack is fully lockable and easy to use. Turning the dial on the back, a wedge drives and expands in the receiver for a wobble-free fit. Not only did it look good, but it didnt weigh down the rear end of my car, which made it more pleasant to drive. At just over 43 pounds, the two-bike Helium rack is on the lightweight end of the spectrum. max for the Helium) and smaller wheels (down to 20 in. Thule introduces its take on the platform-style hitch rack popularized by 1Up, a simple but secure system that holds precious two-wheeled cargo tightly. This add-on to our premium Thule T2 Pro X platform hitch rack allows 4 bike capacity (2"/50mm receivers only). First Impressions: Thule Helium Platform 2 | $700 - BikeMag The rack fits in 1.25- and 2-inch receivers, with its own locking hitch pin and mechanism, called the SnugTite Stinger. In shaving weight, however, you do sacrifice some long-term durability, and we experienced a few significant issues during testing, including the tire ratcheting system failing, rust accumulation, and stickiness along the sliding arm mechanism and spring in the pivot. ), and even 1Ups aluminum Heavy Duty Double (46 lbs.). 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Weve been a fan of Thule bike racks for yearstheir T2 Pro XTR is currently our top-rated hitch modelso we were pretty excited by the release of the premium Helium Platform. 1-888-301-1527 Help Center My StoreFind your nearest store My Account Welcome, Guest Vehicle: None Selected Change Vehicle Vehicle Info I also found out on my last trip, (the one with the dusty BLM roads) that the locks can get stuck when they get caked with dirt and mud. The Thule Helium Platform 2-Bike Racks main calling card is its ease of use. While it creates a lock for the bike that is stiff enough, there is still some back and forth swaying of the bike while its in the tray. What is the Difference Between the Thule Helium Pro - etrailer.com The rack partially blocked the brake and turn signals on my Volkswagen Alltrack. The Kuat rack clocks in at a scant 32 pounds, which makes it incredibly easy to install and remove from your vehicle. Backcountry Advocate ProgramBreaking Trail, Bike rack for traveling with up to two bikes, Ratcheting wheel loops quickly attach our bikes, Aluminum construction is highly durable for regular use, SnugTite stinger and locks for easy installation and locking, Integrated release handle makes it easy to remove bikes. If transporting heavier bikes is a must, its a good idea to put the bike on the inner-most tray. For connecting the rack to the vehicle, the Thule Helium Platforms relatively modest weight and compact shape help a lot. For loading, you simply set the bike on the tray and push the two sides evenly until its secure (the arms will click as they lock into place). You can roll each bike easily into position within a trays long channel, which can accommodate tires as wide as 3. With the Helium, all I had to do was push each of the wheel-holders toward the center. Then, you have to make sure the trays are arranged in such a way so that, up above, one bikes bars arent bumping the other bikes saddle. Both racks are aluminum. And it makes it so you dont have to adjust trays, droppers, or anything else. REI Introduces Its First Trail Running Shoes Since 1970s, Weekly Deals: Significant Savings on Knives, Climbing Gear, and More, Longer, Faster, Luxury EV Van Coming to North America: 2025 VW ID. The Helium Platform XT 1-Bike hitch rack is a premium aluminum platform bike rack that is fully lockable, easy to use, and holds bikes without frame contact. Depending on the seller, most products ship free in the United States on orders of $50 or more. But all in all, its an expertly crafted and undeniably premium design and gets the edge over the Helium in most categories. But thus far, I have no issues to report, and the Helium strikes me as reasonably well-built and hardwearing considering its compact shape and lower weight. What we like: High-end look and feel, extremely user-friendly, and reasonably light. Installing the rack on the car proved as easy as installing the bikes on the rack. 2 bikes In stock Add to cart or 4 interest-free payments of $212.49 with Free shipping over $99 (exceptions apply) 30-day returns (exceptions apply) Thule Guarantee Product Locator by Locally Premium aluminum platform bike rack is fully lockable, easy to use, and holds bikes without frame contact. Because the trays are more narrow than the Saris MTR which I use as well, I have to open the arms farther on the Helium to fit a bike. for your first email from REI. All told, the Heliums weight hits a nice sweet spot: Its manageable for those that need to remove it from their vehicle on occasion, but overall build quality and bike security are still quite good. They move with the squeeze of the handle at the end of the holder. It makes it easy to travel with two bikes without frame contact, and its aluminum construction is highly durable for regular use. We'll send you a few emails every week. The Thule Helium Platform XT 1-bike Hitch Rack can fit a bike up to 45 pounds, with 26"-29" wheels and up to three-inch-wide tires. Instructions are included (heres a link to the PDF), and while I wouldve appreciated words to go along with drawings, its a pretty straightforward process that didnt take more than 30 minutes to do. Get it Jun 12 - 21. . Securely holds bikes in place without frame contact, Aluminum construction makes it easy to use, install and remove, Effortlessly fold down bike arms when rack is not in use, Convenient access to the rear of the vehicle using the HitchSwitch lever to tilt the rack down, even with bikes on it, Includes integrated cable lock, Snug-Tite stinger for locking rack to vehicle, and is One-Key System compatible, Accommodates wheel bases up to 52" (132cm), 26"-29" wheel sizes, up to 3" wide tires, Two-bike capacity, up to 37.5lbs (17kg) each. $549.95 - $849.95. Theres no fiddling with straps or any excessjust place the bike on there, secure, and go. View the 22 reviews with an average rating of 3.3 out of 5 stars. Generally, what most people look for. Read more about us. Removing is equally fast and convenient, which is a big positive for those that plan to store their rack for stretches of time. Thule Helium Platform XT - Brands Cycle and Fitness Size: 2-inch. You can easily unsubscribe at any time. If for any reason youre not 100% happy with your trekbikes.com purchase, you can send it back within 30 days for a refund or exchange no questions asked. Thanks and we appreciate your support! Thule Helium Platform 2-Bike Hitch Mount Rack | MEC The lever is located in the center of the rack, away from the car and bikes, and its one of the few that weve been able to reach with ease when the bikes are loaded. Id say a determined thief could get through the cables, so dont treat them as a long-term storage option. It lets me haul mountain, gravel, TT and road bikes with ease. Rather, I would use something like an Abus Brooklyn chain to secure the frame to the arm of the rack. Nevertheless, I wouldnt recommend pushing that limit, especially over rougher roads. If my handlebars were a full 800mm wide, I may have had a problem accessing the rear of my vehicle, but I still had enough room between the rear door and my 770mm wide bars to pop it open. You can go lighter with an alternative like the Yakima Dr.Tray (34 lbs. GearJunkie may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Product details Once the rack is attached properly to your vehicle, its snap to get the bikes on and secure. The aluminum construction and sleek aesthetics make the . The capacity for each tray is 37.5lbs and they are spaced 10 inches apart. Join the co-op to get a. Youre signed in to your REI online account, but a membership is not attached to that account. Up, for the stowaway position, level to transport bikes, and down to access the rear of the vehicle. Specialized tests that are used to evaluate the racks and carriers over time, to assess their durability and long-term performance as well as their ability to protect the bikes during transport. The pricing information on this page is updated hourly but we are not responsible for inaccuracies. First Look: Thule Helium 2-Bike Tray Rack - Pinkbike Earn a $100 REI gift card after your first purchase outside of REI within 60 days from account opening. ), and can carry more bikes (up to four with the add-on). 2-bike hitch bike rack black $999.95 Thule Apex XT 5-bike hitch bike rack black They are attached with three hex bolts, and the rack feels nice and sturdy after they are installed. Mountain Bike Deals, Copyright 2023 Blue Spruce Ventures LLC | 2-bike 2" hitch bike rack black $999.95 Thule T2 Pro XTR 2-bike 1.25" hitch bike rack black $999.95 Thule EasyFold XT 2-bike hitch bike rack black $1,249.95 Thule Apex XT Our most epic bike rack to date. Well, they did add a lot of plastic to make it a Thule.. Visit Thule on Cable locks are integrated into the tray. If youve ever tried to put mountain bikes on nearly any hitch rack, you know its a dance of dropper post adjustments to keep seats clear of handlebars, and wiggling bikes back and forth so handlebars dont knock brakes on a neighboring bike. The Thule Helium Platform 2 isnt a perfect hitch bike rack. However, ebikes could tilt the scales over that limit, as could a few downhill bikes. I've linked a review of the Curt rack that we have. They are there to keep honest people honest. for the 3-bike model) and have a slightly more compact shape, but there's less distance between bikes when loaded, and they're more prone to swaying and coming into contact with each other while driving. ), but you give up the solid feel of the Helium (our Dr.Tray wobbled excessively on rough roads, and its thin locking arms didnt inspire a lot of confidence). Add EasyFold XT 2-Bike Hitch Rack to Compare Thule . Its not impenetrable, but it offers definite peace of mind for gas or rest stops. Click for more info and reviews of this Thule Hitch Bike Racks:https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/TH62NH.htmlCheck out some similar Hitch B. Best MTB Gear | This rack is designed to carry one bike. The most important is the lock incorporated into the SnugTite stinger, which locks the rack to your vehicles receiver. Join once, enjoy forever. Its comparable to 1Ups U.S.-made Quik Rack Single, which weighs 41 pounds with a tray add-on, but can support 50 pounds of bike per tray. The instructions are clear and straightforward, however, I did consult YouTube about assembly (but who doesnt these days). Were not sure what kind of design magic (or simple physics) went into this feature, but somehow, Thule managed to find a pivot point that made lifting and lowering the bikes simpler than any other system weve tested (this matches our experience with the brands T2 Pro XTR as well). Broudy currently sits on several non-profit boards in her home state of Vermont. This item is discontinued. Like the bike capacity and wheel size compatibility outlined above, the Helium isnt a standout in terms of weight capacity. If I put my Helium Platform XT 2 up, it obscures my licence plate. The lever for raising and lowering the rack is easy to access, and I only needed one hand to operate it. At a svelte 43.2 pounds (and just 23 pounds for the one-tray version), the all-aluminum rack weighs 8 pounds less than the Pro XT version of Thules classic T2 two-tray hitch racks. The functionality of the Helium is simple without anything gimmicky. Apply now. While it does come with limitations in terms of wheel size and tire width compatibility, the well-built rack impressed us with no-fuss performance throughout the six-month test period. Premium platform racks come in all shapes and sizes, but the Helium Platform XT 2 Bike Rack is one we recognize for its easy use and security. Key Differences There are many differences between the 3 models of Thule T2 currently available including the vehicle attachment mechanisms, folding/tilting mechanisms, range of bike fitment, lock-ability and more. Patagonias Do-Everything Shorts .css-7eummh{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-base);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-sm);font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-normal);}@media screen and (min-width: 37.5em){.css-7eummh{font-family:var(--chakra-fonts-base);font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-normal);}}Bag Your Baggies, WHITESPACE By Shaun White Shop The Spring/Summer 23 Collection, DC Is Getting The Goat! Thule had the Helium Platform 2 tray-style bike rack in development for quite some time. Nicole Formosa Mar 18, 2020 2:38 AM EDT In fact, the rack release was delayed a year while Thule re-engineered it for more strength and less weight. I am a fan of this feature. Hello I like 2 bike rack of Thule Thule Helium Pro vs Thule apex xt i found Thule Helium Pro vs Thule apex xt price different - less economical vs more economical weight- light vs heavy bike rack cap. The Thule Helium Platform 2-bike is priced at $699.95 USD. Securely attaching to the receiver hitch of your vehicle, they offer unmatched versatility and ease of use. A final alternative to have on your radar is 1Up USAs Heavy Duty Double. The strength of the Thule Helium Platform XT is not only in its constructionmade with steel and aluminumbut in the hitch mount racks simplicity as well.
What Is The Mask Of Masculinity,
Bloomberg Fellows Program Applicant And Collaborating Organization Forms,
Church Shoes Near Los Angeles, Ca,
Makita Compact Impact,
Articles T