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Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
List Price: $369.95Our Price: $274.99You Save: $94.96 (26%)Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Sports See more equipment details
Equipment DetailsManufacturer: Thule Brand: Thule Release Date: 2007-08-04 Model: 954 Product features: - Carries up to 4 bikes via your vehicle's 1-1/4 or 2-inch hitch receiver
- T3 Cradles hold bikes in place for maximum frame protection and stability
- Patented No-Sway Cage prevents bike-to-bike contact
- Arms fold down when not in use and tilts carrier away from vehicle for rear access
- One lock to secure bikes to hitch carrier, and one to connect rack to hitch receiver
Accessories:
Sports reviews of Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)Customer Review: Best value & feature hitch bike rack Sport shop rating: 5 Stars
If you are looking for a hitch bike rack, this is the one to get.
It's very sturdy for a folding-featured hitch rack, meaning the arms fold down and the entire rack folds out for easy trunk access. It's heavy, but it's only because it's pretty much all steel. Again very sturdy, and anything lighter and as sturdy would cost a lot more (like the Thule's helium models). The two folding joints are very solid, and feels like they won't move once they're "clicked" into place (down or up).
It comes with locks for the rack and the bikes themselves, which are accessible with the same key (very convenient). You cannot lock the bikes in place without the key, so you'll won't forget your lock key. The rack also comes with the anti-sway straps, which works exceptionally well.
If you are to buy all those separately from Thule, you'll pay much more than the Ridgeline. Even comparing other brand/models, it made sense to buy the ridgeline model.
Other's have noted that the bike locks can come off and drag. Well, unless the locks break off, which is highly unlikely, they will not drag. When there's no bike loaded on the rack, and the arms fold down, the bike locks "can" drag off. But if you're that worried, just pull them out and lock them in place, and you're done.
I've read from another review that the hitch lock is a joke, and can easily be broken off with a hammer or something like that. Well, that's absolutely true. But unless you weld your rack to the hitch, there will always be a way for a willing person to brake a lock. Any $20 bolt cutter will cut most chains & locks, and any any $20 portable drill will drill through the toughest key pad lock, etc, etc etc. My point is, the Thule lock system is as good as any bike rack will get, and it's very convenient.
If I had to, I can complain about the fact that the paint on the rack can easily scratch, especially on the 2 folding joints. So if you have moisture on the scratched area, expect some rust. However any can lubricant will cause any further serious rust damage. Also, since it is a folding rack (and has joints), the rack will bounce from front to back, and may be side to side a little bit. That's normal, and if you have more bikes on the rack it will bounce more. It may appear to be loose, but it's not. If you don't believe me, just mount the rack, and jump a little on the rack joint. The entire car will bounce before the joint gives.
Finally, it says Sweden everywhere, but it's made in USA. Gotta love that one.
Again, I could not find a better value and set of features than this one, and I've looked at several others at nearby stores. Hope it works out for you.
Description of Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)Full Featured Hitch has all the bases covered The Thule Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Carrier is a compact, but rugged hitch carrier rack that utilizes your existing 1¼ inch or 2 inch hitch receiver to transport up to four bikes in maximum stability, protection and security. Standard features include: T3 Cradles to hold bikes in place for maximum frame protection and stability, No-Sway Cage functionality to prevent bike-to-bike contact, one lock for securing the carrier to the hitch receiver and access to tailgates and hatchbacks when the carrier is empty. Full-featured 4-Bike hitch carrier functionality. View larger. Full-featured 4-Bike Hitch Carrier Functionality The Thule Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Bike Carrier is designed for frequent cyclists who ride in groups and/or families that have a 1¼ inch or 2 inch hitch receiver on their vehicle or are considering having one installed. This carrier can accommodate up to four bikes and features Thule's top-of-the-line T3 cradles that hold bikes in place for maximum frame protection overall stability. Working together with these cradles are the patented No-Sway Cage attachments that further secure bike frames to the unit's carrier arms along a vertical axis, drastically limiting the possibility of bike movement in transit that can cause damage to bikes and vehicles. The Thule Ridgeline also features Hitch Switch functionality which allows carrier arms fold down at the push of a button when not in use for ease of parking, an integrated locking cable for bikes, one Snug-Tite Receiver lock for locking the carrier to the hitch receiver and finally access to the rear entrance to your vehicle while the carrier is attached (bikes must be removed for this action). Sturdy, no sway support for four bikes via your 1¼ inch or 2 inch hitch receiver. View larger. Hitch Switch folds arms down when not in use and tilts carrier away from vehicle. View larger. Very Easy Installation The Thule Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Carrier is designed for very easy installation requiring only the included hex wrench, hitch tool and your own two hands to easily assemble in little time. Installation begins with sliding the 1¼ inch stinger assembly into the hitch receiver on your vehicle, using the included adapter if you have a 2 inch receiver. Secure with the hitch lock pin. Next connect the upright assembly, which contains the carrier arms, with the appropriate hardware and tighten firmly with Thule tool. Install the STL2 lock on the hitch lock pin and the No-Sway Cage fixtures to the carrier arms. Now simply lift the lever of the upper Hitch Switch and lift the bike carrier arm assembly upward until the Hitch Switch lever clicks into locked position. That's it - the Ridgeline is ready for loading, with bikes secured to the carrier with the integrated cable lock. Key Features - Carries up to 4 bikes
- T3 Cradles hold bikes in place for maximum frame protection and stability
- Patented No-Sway Cage prevents bike-to-bike contact
- Hitch Switch folds arms down when not in use and tilts carrier away from vehicle for trunk, hatch or tailgate access (bikes must be removed for later operation)
- Hitch adapter included to accommodate 1¼ inch or 2 inch receivers with one product
- High-strength steel construction
- Integrated locking cable that stores conveniently in hitch rack and Snug-Tite Receiver Lock (#STL2) are included
Specifications - Load Capacity - 4 bikes
- Fits 1¼ inch Hitch Receivers - Yes
- Fits 2 inch Hitch Receivers - 1
- One-Key System Compatible - Yes
- Fits Most Bikes with Disc Brakes - Yes
- For Tandem Bikes - No
What's in the Box 1-Thule Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Carrier, 1-STL2 lock with key, 1-lock cylinder for cable lock, all necessary straps and mounting hardware, and instruction guide and warranty information. Limited Lifetime Warranty Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule. About Thule Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.
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