Thule 971XT Helium 3 Bike Hitch Carrier
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.
Thule 971XT Helium 3 Bike Hitch Carrier
Ultra-light but Heavy on Features
Designed with
compatibility in mind, the Helium 3-Bike Hitch Carrier
works with either 1¼ inch, or 2 inch hitch receivers by means
of an included adapter. It is also incredibly strong, stable and full
featured, as seen in its varied standard components,
including: top-of-the-line T3 cradles set along the carrier
arms for holding bikes in place for maximum frame
protection and stability, patented No-Sway Cage technology
that, working together with the cradles, dramatically reduces the
chance of bike-to-bike and/or bike-to-vehicle contact that could
result in scratches, an integrated retractable locking
cable that secures bikes to the carrier and lock
functionality that can be installed in the ergonomic lock
knob that secures the hitch to the hitch receiver.
Thule 971XT Helium 3 Bike Hitch Carrier
The Thule 971XT Helium 3-Bike Hitch Carrier is a hitch carrier capable
of supporting and transporting up to three bicycles
weighing up to 35 lbs each conveniently at the rear of your
vehicle using your trailer hitch receiver. It is
tailor-made for small vehicles with limited towing
capacity, as well as young cycling families with limited space
and those that may be new to bike carriers and/or inexperienced with
more elaborate installations of them.
Thule 971XT Helium 3 Bike Hitch Carrier
Product Specifications
BrandThule
Manufacturer Part Number971XT
Item Weight28 Pounds
Height10.50 inches
Length36 inches
Width16 inches
Thule 971XT Helium 3 Bike Hitch Carrier
Product Features
- Three-bike, hitch-mounted rack boasts lightweight aluminum construction
- T3 Cradles and patented No-Sway Cage prevent frame damage and bike-to-bike contact
- Hitch Switch folds arms down and tilts carrier out of the way when not in use, providing easy access to rear of vehicle
- Integrated locking cable and Snug-Tite Receiver Lock; hitch adapter accommodates 1.25-inch or two-inch hitch receivers
- Includes limited lifetime manufacturer's warranty
Special Shipping Information: This item normally requires a shipping charge, but is eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping today.
Thule 971XT Helium 3 Bike Hitch Carrier
