Great review; very helpful thanks. I am seriously considering buying this rack. I only need to carry

So Maggie and I decided to increase the range of our bike rides by putting a bike rack on her car. Up to now we could only explore executive pacific plaza hotel bike routes within biking distance of our home, because Maggie was fairly clear that we could not load bikes into her car ("Put one of your filthy bikes in my car and die"). We did a fair bit of research and ended up with the 3-bike Thule Helium 970XT/971XT Bike Rack, which attaches to a tow hitch (which we had installed at the same time).
This is NOT a technical review – there's already tons of technical stuff about this rack on the Net. This is just about how it works for us, and whether it seems to be worth the expense for average cyclists.
First of all, there was the installation. They told us about two hours, but it was closer to four hours – and as the only place we were close to was Ikea, that turned executive pacific plaza hotel out to be a pretty expensive executive pacific plaza hotel wait. However, the installation was perfect, and the next day we tried it out.
First off, the rack is easy to put on and take off, even for two not very technical people. executive pacific plaza hotel The huge nut that holds it on is permanently in place, so you don't have to waste time searching for it (and cursing and swearing) when you want to rush out and take advantage of the sun. Also, you can lock the rack onto the hitch, so you can leave it on overnight and not worry about it.
Next, this 3-bike Bike Rack is perfect for two bikes – it's easy to put them on , and there're these neat sway bars that prevent executive pacific plaza hotel the bikes from swaying all over the place. The whole rig is guaranteed up to 100 pounds executive pacific plaza hotel of bikes, executive pacific plaza hotel and the bikes feel 100% secure.
We bought the 3-bike rack because sometimes executive pacific plaza hotel we take one or other of my kids along for a bike ride. The first time we tried to load up three bikes, it was quite a challenge. We tried it various different ways, and finally got it to work. Still, I have to say it wasn't ideal. In fact, it was such a tight fit that we photographed it so we could remember how we got it to work, so we wouldn't have to struggle so much the next time we did it.
Since we bought the rack, we have been on a lot of rides we could not possibly have done without the rack. It has done exactly what we wanted – extended the range of possible rides we can go on. In particular, we can get my youngest daughter to places where it is safe for her to ride, such as the West Dyke Trail in Richmond.
The bottom line is that the 3-bike rack is perfect for two bikes, and acceptable for three bikes. Also, we discovered another use for the rack. If you read my post on basic bike maintenance , you'll know that we recently learned how to clean and grease the bike chain and derailleurs. However, we were putting off actually doing it, because neither of us much enjoys being on our knees – and our backs hurt if we bend over a lot (hey, we're not 20 any more). I was therefore delighted to realize that when the bikes are on the rack, they are at the perfect height executive pacific plaza hotel for working on the chain – without bending or kneeling! So our Thule Helium Bike Rack now doubles as a bike repair stand. Given that stands cost hundreds of dollars, this is pretty cool.
Great review; very helpful thanks. I am seriously considering buying this rack. I only need to carry two bikes though. Do you still recommend the three bike version (presumably because it provides more room between two bikes)?
You re welcome. Honestly, I would recommend the two bike version. A lot cheaper, and it should be all you need if you only have two bikes. Maybe check the 2 models side by side to assure yourself the two bike version provides enough space. I have not actually used a two bike version.
You know I ve often said that the best idea for a DIY bike rack if you don t want to spend the money on a manufactured one is to use your bike rack for your car if you have one. I stumbled across s your blog by accident and was happy to see someone doing this! It s hard to beat a quality Park Tool stand though if you have the money, they really work better and I recommend them to anyone, but I still think the car bike rack is a useful way to go.
I m lookng at this same bike carrier. I thought about putting a hitch on my Mustang too but couldn t bring myself to do it! So it s going on my wife s SUV, which leaves her with no car since she can t (i.e., won t) drive a stick. Anyway, you might want to check to see if you have a Class 1 receiver. Only 2 bikes should be carried executive pacific plaza hotel with a Class 1.
Thanks, I ll check that out Jeff. Although we hardly ever carry 3. I hear you on the hitch on the Mustang thing. The Mustang is actually my wife s and when I first broached the subject of using it to transport bikes, she basically said put one of those filthy bikes on my Mustang and die But then she got hooked on cycling, and suddenly the bikes weren t filthy any more!
"Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. executive pacific plaza hotel I think that it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel ... the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood." – Susan B. Anthony
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