Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK rack, a couple of shortcomings., March 12, 2008
Have had my rack 6 months. It is reasonably well made and sturdy. Bikes go on easily. The rubber frame holders work well with my hardtail bikes. A couple of bungees or the included strap should keep your bikes from swinging; you don't need the struts or fancy clamps.
Two problems: first, the locking-bolt hole for the 1-1/2 inch bar is too close to the end, causing the bar not to fit all the way into the receiver (poor design) and making the rack stick out at least 3 inches farther than it should on my car (Subaru Forester). Why not have two holes, like my old Saris rack? I had a machinist drill and tap another hole in the correct position. The Thule customer service (joke!) people would never admit this design flaw, although their website addresses it.
Second, to fold or unfold the crossbars (that the bikes go on), you have to remove/replace a bolt with a nylock nut, requiring 2 wrenches. This should be a tool-free affair with a carriage bolt and a big wingnut.
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very good quality bike rack for the price, July 9, 2008
This rack took all of 5 minutes to assemble and have ready. I'll save the receiver attachment till the end. The bikes loaded up easily on this. I put a full suspension, old steel trail/road bike, and two aluminum frame mountain bikes on this rack and ran it through streets, highway (up to about 68mph for awhile, down a dirt road and through potholes and the bikes and rack did well. This was very easy to use and it swings down quickly with a pull of the pin.
Now to the receiver. I like to use the same pin (locking) that I use for my drawbar and ball. So, when I ordered this,I knew I was going to modify it. I took a 5/8" deming drill bit on a 1/2" drill and went right through the nut. I now just slip my normal hitch lock through this and can quickly remove the rack and switch. This works for me and you can do so at your own risk. I also do not have to buy the lock they want to sell me. Saves money if you have access to a 5/8" drill bit.
I would gladly buy this rack again.
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13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great bike rack, August 23, 2008
I bought the rack for a vacation trip to Maine with 4 bikes (2 adult, 2 small children) using a 2006 Toyota Tacoma with rollup tonneau cover. I was able to open the tailgate about a foot without tipping down the frame (can't do it with bikes on it), so that was handy at the hotel when we just needed a suitcase and cooler. The tip-down feature wasn't really useful because you can't lower it with bikes on it. It took some effort to figure out how to fit all the bikes on the rack, but got easier with practice. The attachments are adjustable, and I found I could make everything work by turning the smallest bike upside down to avoid conflicts with the pedals and handlebars with the bigger bikes.
I also got the Thule 950 Zipstick to better secure the bikes, but found it wasn't really effective or necessary. The 956 Parkway came with one strap, and the 950 Zipstick came with 3 straps. I was able to secure the four bikes easily with 2 straps, but used three just to make sure they didn't swing around and rub against each other. The 950 Zipstick is cheap enough, but not really needed. Maybe it's more effective with 4 adult bikes.
My only complaint is on the design they chose to secure it to the hitch. They welded a bolt to the inside of the frame, making it impossible to use a standard hitch pin and lock. I didn't buy the Thule lock (thinking I'd use the lock I already had), and couldn't find one locally before my trip. I would have felt better with a lock to keep the rack on my truck, but didn't have a problem. Just toss an adjustable wrench in your stuff if you don't spring for the Thule lock. I also found it necessary to buy a 9' cable and lock, since a 6' cable was not long enough to reach through the lock point and all 4 bike frames.
Overall, a great bike rack that served me well on a recent 2,400 mile round trip, to include highway, gravel and off-road surfaces.
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