🚲 Thule Helium Pro Hitch Bike Rack: Lightweight and Durable Bike Carrier for Hitch Mounts Review

Fits right and doesn't wobble (I have a 1 1/4 hitch). Comes with locks to attach the rack to the hitch and the bike to the rack. I know some people have complained about the straps but just take the time to take them off. The trunk folds easily to give you trunk access. Lightweight and durable. Weighs only 19 pounds.

Overall the product appears to be of good quality. However this is the third product I have received that is scratched/damaged and needs to be returned. Some issues with misaligned plastic guards and the stock grip rubbing against the main arm causing severe scratches. See photos.

Not as happy as I thought. One of my cars has the original Helium so I decided to try the updated version. The replacement model was clearly made cheaper through cost savings; it's definitely smoother but more expensive. Bicycle straps are much less secure than the original. My unit is covered in scratches so it's either poor quality control or someone returned it and the seller didn't even bother to check it. In any case, it was a waste of time.

Great bike carrier IF you never go faster than 50mph! I have used the shelf several times over the past year. I assure you that the other reviews are entirely accurate. When driving on the freeway, the ratchet clamps rotate 180 degrees and loosen the straps. The straps stretch and allow the bike to slide off the tote bag fairly easily. I contacted Thule and submitted a warranty form but never got a response from them. It's a shame because there is no other alternative method to solve these…

This bike holder is very well designed, easy to assemble and sturdy. We preferred it to the previous version based on reviews here and elsewhere. The product arrived well packaged. The instructions in the booklet were very poor. You can't understand what it shows. Even if the installation is easy. Holds on to the hook. As soon as you install it, you notice that the case moves back and forth a little. I called support and they said if it moves less than an inch then everything is fine. You were…

I've been using the 3 bike version of this rack for my 26" kid and adult bikes for about a year. Works great, easy to turn on and off which is important as I mount and remove the rack every time I use it (my wife's car for a week). I also like that it secures the trunk to the car and the bikes to the trunk. The latter can, of course, be overcome, but I try not to take our bikes with me when traveling to high-theft areas. Due to the shape of the frame of the children's bike, I can't mount it on…

I liked the simple and easy attachment method of this luggage rack. But when my bike almost got blown over: I felt different. I have a Trek Madone with an oval top tube and a flat air tube seatpost. Due to the angle of the bike, the seat post bracket on the post did not extend to the bike seat tube. I ended up using the longer strap they provided, but that strap slowly came loose in the wind. I looked in the rearview mirror and saw that the bike was "flying” off the rack horizontally: it was…

I love every aspect of the frame except for the ratcheting system used on the tote bags. They are flimsy and flimsy and I even bought a set of spare straps as I expect the straps to fail prematurely. What I didn't expect was the failure of the anti-sway ratchet system, which almost cost me my bike on the Autobahn! While driving at 70 mph, the anti-sway ratchet system failed and the bike wobbled and "fly" parallel to the road surface. Luckily the top two legs held up and I didn't lose my bike…

I liked the idea of this shelf. Lighter than most (but by no means light), with more space between bikes and supposedly easy-to-use ratchet straps to secure bikes. Yes, there is enough space between the bikes. Otherwise this shelf is a disappointment. Removing the luggage rack from a standard 2" hitch takes patience and effort. The design is such that the mechanism that needs to be loosened to release the rail from the coupler will inevitably bind. Eventually, if you're lucky, you'll be able to