This article has been viewed 26,374 times. Open up the rack so it has a nice arc shape. asked by: Dave. You can find these locks online or at a bike store. If you can’t find any bike racks around, use the poles of street signs or parking meters that are wide enough at the top that the bike can't just be lifted over. While not perfect (kids' bikes have shorter wheelbases than an adult's), it sure is easy. Wheel support style bike carriers have an arm that attached to the cross bar. Can I extend my Bike Rack with an extension for an extra bike? The Yakima Tubetop bike rack frame adapter connects easily between a bike's seat post and handlebars. People often buy used bike racks of yesteryear and wonder why they don't work with the bikes of TODAY. Be careful that when you insert the lock, it actually goes through both the rack and the frame. Once the rack is unpackaged, you'll simply put together a few sub assemblies to complete the rack. The Thule 963PRO Spare Me heavy-duty bike rack is the perfect solution for any vehicle with a rear mounted spare tire. If a rack comes loose while you are driving, it poses a huge risk to you and other motorists. Available in 2-bike and 3-bike options. What Makes Thule Bike Rack Brackets Stand Out There are three main varieties of Thule bike racks that work with caravans and motorhomes: the entry-level Thule Sport G2, the popular and versatile Thule Elite, and the unrivalled Thule Excellent.They come in the Short and the Standard version, the former being designed to fit models with rear panel windows. If this is you and I happen to be driving behind you, I will not stay there for long. What are the requirements for my tow bar? For many, it is the most desirable option because it provides the best protection for the bikes and the vehicle. Shake the bike when you're done securing it. He received his BA in Literature & Philosophy from Utah Valley University in 2015, and has been a bike mechanic since 2012. Which bike rack would fit my vehicle? A hitch bike rack from Thule is a great choice if you and your friends or family want to head out on new adventures with your bikes. Always buy the best lock you can afford as the cost of buying a lock may be high but the cost of replacing your bike is even higher. Price range. Some Thule bike racks can transport electric bicycles, but not all. This is to allow gravity to hold the bike up if the straps fail until you can secure or replace them. But cyclists have been hit with penalties and tickets for having their bike incorrectly mounted on a rack or because the rack they were using was not a good fit for the car, often causing a visibility issue wherein the license plate cannot be seen. The Passage is the value priced trunk mount rack that's packed with features you'd expect to only find on a premium bike rack. Most bike racks have two screw holes. Can't find the answer you're looking for? The bike rack is mounted at the back of your vehicle using connecting parts. Many manufacturers offer this option, which is why most caravans these days come with ready-installed fixing points for a bike rack. The average roof of a sits about 6 feet off of the ground. Today, there are several d ifferent styles of bike racks from which to choose. To learn how to properly lock up your bike, read more from our Biking co-author. The Thule Pro ride 591 and 598 roof rack is a popular option with Helios users. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Finally, you can put your bikes on a rack on the back of the caravan. I dont have any experience with strap on's ( !!! ) Opt for a Thule bike rack for SUVs. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Finding the hitch bike rack that’s perfect for … 0. Is it really that simple to install a bike rack and uninstall a bike rack? This means that when you turn corners, accelerate, and slow down, the rack won’t move around the back of your car. • Do not “overstretch” the straps. If your car does not have a hitch (or you are worried about being rear-ended), choose a Thule roof bike rack or Thule trunk bike rack. Avoid cable locks or cheap combination locks as these are easy to cut through and easy to pick. He received his BA in Literature & Philosophy from Utah Valley University in 2015, and has been a bike mechanic since 2012. Thule has a wide range of bike racks currently on the market as well as a variety of replacement parts you can purchase separately to upgrade or fix your current bike rack. If your bike does get stolen, file a claim with the local police department to report the bike stolen, and contact your insurance company (if you have one). Whatever it is, make sure it is securely fastened on both arms so the bike can’t move at all while you’re driving. If you’re having trouble figuring which side should be facing upwards, look at the clamps that hold the bike in place. Thule makes a range of racks for outdoor sports. The exact open shape of your rack will vary depending on the make and model but most form a big arc when fully opened. Last Updated: April 26, 2020 This type of rack will work whether your Jeep has a soft or a hardtop. It quickly attaches between the handle bars and bike seat. These folks that get a great deal from their neighbors old hitch rack usually end up regretting their purchase when they find out they have to purchase one of the frame adapters below. • Use the rack while traveling on dirt roads. You’d be amazed how often that is overlooked. Well rather than banging your head on the wall trying to get all the bikes to fit, now you can add a simple adapter bar to help arrange the bikes on the rack, neat and easy. Every bike rack has 3 different systems: Bike Holders, which ensure your bicycle remains vertical on the bike rack. You’ll find truck bed bike racks, for the roof, and more.Deciding which style is best for you mostly depends on your vehicle and the bikes … Thule bike racks are well-known throughout the world, and that is why we wanted to provide you with an in-depth overview of their ten best bike racks. Some racks aren’t attached to the ground either so make sure that the rack you are attaching your bike to is firmly grounded by either cement or a locking mechanism. How do I secure my bicycles on the bike rack? The roof bike rack range from Thule gives you a full choice of different mounting and loading/unloading options. The rack can hold as many as four bikes, so whether you and your buddies are going off to conquer mountain trails, or you’re taking your kids for a ride in the park, Thule has you covered. • Put more than 2 bikes on a class 1 hitch. Put the bike on the rack by placing it on the arms. Rear-mounted three-bike platform rack $570-$1200. The Passage is the value priced trunk mount rack that's packed with features you'd expect to only find on a premium bike rack. My Thule t2 st pro bike rack blocks my license plate I was just stopped for this and given a warning for it. Make sure to imagine the bike’s weight in your hands and then distribute it evenly. The 5 most common bike rack complaints and how to avoid them are listed below. Colin: Hey everyone, I'm Colin here at eTrailer and today we're going to take a look at the Thule Camber 2-Bike Rack. If you have to use one - there are those rare cases where these are a viable option - otherwise buy new technology in a new hitch rack and save yourself the grief. The arms should be slightly angled upward as they come away from the car. On hatchbacks and SUVs, one end mounts against the rear window and the other mounts against the bottom of the trunk. Beautifully designed and executed, the Thule T2 Pro XT bike rack is the most spacious car bike rack on the market. The standard mounting material is provided with your Thule bike rack. Stick a clean rag between the bike and the rack to avoid scratching the paint. Hitch-mounted racks can transport up to five bikes at once, but you must already have a Class 1 – 5 receiver hitch on your vehicle (or be planning to install one). This can make it difficult to load a bike. You are probably wondering just how I do that, and the answer truly depends on a variety of factors. A 4-bike into a 5-bike, and you know the rest. Remove any valuable accessories, like lights or bags, before leaving your bike locked up. The 5 most common bike rack complaints and how to avoid them are listed below. There will be pros and cons to any bike rack but many problems can be avoided with proper foresight and planning. Thule 963PRO Spare Me Pro Bike Rack. A Thule hitch-mounted bike rack can cost between $270 and $780. Please note that not every Thule bike rack is suited for any type of bike: a certain type of bike might require a very specific type of Bike Rack. By using our site, you agree to our. The Thule 982XT Frame Adapter is a new and improved frame adapter that modifies women's, BMX and non-standard bike frames in order to be carried on hanging style hitch mount racks. Leaving a bike rack on a vehicle only increases the chances of it damaging your car. Then you can be sure they’ll look just as good when … , but my bike fell of of my rood mounted rack first time I put it on.. who know I was supposed to tighten that little bolt thingy to the front forks. If at some time in the future you decide you want to carry 2 additional bikes, a 2 bike expansion accessory is available as part # TH9036XT. The Passage is the value priced trunk mount rack that's packed with features you'd expect to only find on a premium bike rack. Bike racks are an incredibly useful tool that can be used for both attaching your bike to your car, and locking your bike up while you travel around a city or town. To learn how to properly lock up your bike, read more from our Biking co-author. There is writing on each clip so you know where it is supposed to be attached. If you’re loading more than one bike onto your car rack at once, alternate the direction of each bike so that the handlebars don’t conflict with each other. The answer is yes. A hitch bike rack from Thule is a great choice if you and your friends or family want to head out on new adventures with your bikes. You may need a step stool to put your bike on the roof. Thule's product line includes hitch-mount bicycle racks designed to fit into a vehicle's tow hitch receiver mount and carry up to four bicycles. I got a carbon-framed Kestrel Talon Road Bike recently but I also want to use it for commuting to and from work and I want a place to put my lock and other stuff on the bike. Place your bike on the rack on top of the 2 arms. Do you have a bigger vehicle? It's called JRA Syndrome - "I was just RIDING ALONG when all the sudden my bike rack broke and all my bikes fell off..." Use your equipment the way the manufacturer intended to keep yourself and others safe. Attach the clip hooks into the spaces on the top, bottom, and sides of the trunk. The Thule 963PRO Spare Me heavy-duty bike rack is the perfect solution for any vehicle with a rear mounted spare tire. Hold the bike rack on the wall where you want the bike to hang. Built to handle new bike standards, like fat tires and boost hubs, but it easily carries all the classics too. When can I use a “Bike Cover” during transport? References. We do not wish that experience on anyone (and yes, we've taken those calls. 2 x roof bike rack system (front wheel off style) $510-$760. It sounds silly but it happens! The second option you have is to use a dual hitch adapter like the Curt Dual 2" Receiver Tube Adapter part # D-192. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Protection is provided by a lockable knob. I can’t even repeat the words that have come out my mouth when that happens. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Tow ball mounted bike carriers. Beautifully designed and executed, the Thule T2 Pro XT bike rack is the most spacious car bike rack on the market. They do their best to build something that is acceptable across the board regardless of where it's sold. Place the top part of the frame (that is flat and runs from the front wheel all the way back to the seat) on the arms of the rack. Expert Reply: I am sorry to hear about the issue you are having while using your bike rack. When we put out bike into place well go ahead and put it on the cradles. If you look at the length of the arms for a 4-bike hitch rack - it really is a tight space to fit 4 bikes comfortably. Saris Kool Rack Bike Rack Loading Different Types of Bike Racks. The Yakima HoldUp EVO is fast, secure, and easy to use. If it has a lot of movement or makes a knocking or rattling noise, it's not secured properly. Place the top part of the bike on the arms. If you are mounting any women's, children's or alternative frame bikes without the top horizontal cross tube, it can be very difficult to secure your bike to a bike rack. Our #1 Pick. If you go to a bike store you have the advantage of being able to ask the store clerks questions. Bike racks are designed to add convenience to the lives of bikers who enjoy the active lifestyle biking provides. Getting different styles of bikes on a bike rack can sometimes be a real challenge. Thule bike racks are well-known throughout the world, and that is why we wanted to provide you with an in-depth overview of their ten best bike racks. Learning to properly secure your bike on a bike rack will give you peace of mind while traveling. Your Thule Dealer can help you making the perfect choice. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 26,374 times. How is a bike rack mounted onto the vehicle? Bike Rack Placement; In the past, most bike racks were installed on top of a vehicle. Put this around your bikes wherever they clamp or sit on a rack, or wherever they may rub against another bike. • Put more than the intended number of bikes on the rack. Attaching Your Bike to the Back of Your Car, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Put-a-Bike-on-a-Bike-Rack-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-a-Bike-on-a-Bike-Rack-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Put-a-Bike-on-a-Bike-Rack-Step-1.jpg\/aid10257398-v4-728px-Put-a-Bike-on-a-Bike-Rack-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"