Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Anyone own a Thule T2 bike rack?
I am looking for a bike rack to carry two bikes on back of my car. I had thought that I was going to buy a Thule T2 but I had read a few posts that say the wheel lock down mechanism makes contact with the front brake or fork. This would be unacceptable. I even heard this from a Thule customer service rep which should be enough to convince me, but I have received a few emails from users that tell me that is not the case, that the wheel can be locked easily without making any contact with the front brake.
Most of the photos I have seen of bikes mounted on a T2 are mountain bikes which have disk brakes.
Any experience with the Thule T2?
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Mine served me well on a 5 hr trip to Arkansas and back this week:
Though it was loaded with mountain bikes. I've never had trouble with the road bikes though. Just got back today and the rack is still in the hitch. I'll try and take a photo for you tomorrow so you can see what it looks like with the road bike.
It's a pretty darn solid rack. It also holds the bikes solid, firm. Better than the top tube variety. And if someone hits you from behind they'll get a shot of the rack into their bumper before the bikes. Just stay away from roof racks. Trust me. I learned the lesson more than once.
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Nev wrote:
Mine served me well on a 5 hr trip to Arkansas and back this week:
Though it was loaded with mountain bikes. I've never had trouble with the road bikes though. Just got back today and the rack is still in the hitch. I'll try and take a photo for you tomorrow so you can see what it looks like with the road bike.
It's a pretty darn solid rack. It also holds the bikes solid, firm. Better than the top tube variety. And if someone hits you from behind they'll get a shot of the rack into their bumper before the bikes. Just stay away from roof racks. Trust me. I learned the lesson more than once.
Nev,
Thanks for the help. I would very much appreciate a picture of how a road bike is secured by the front wheel.
I am in need of a rack because I have finally convinced my wife to start riding, but now I need to transport two bikes. I have a station wagon which can really only hold one bike.
I had narrowed my rack search down to three racks, the Thule T2, Saris Cycle-On Pro and Saris Thelma. The Thelma is only weighs 25 pounds but I hear it is flimsy. The Cycle-On has a great hold down mechanism but is a foot longer than the T2 and sticks out the back much further. The Cycle-On also will not fold down like the T2 to give access to the back of a car. So, my first choice would be the T2 if it works with road bikes.
I called Thule twice and spoke with two different reps. The first rep told me that I would need to clamp down the front wheel against the brake which I do not want to do. I called the second rep to talk about rook racks and during our conversation she told me that the wheel is suppose to be clamped about two inches in front of the brake on the T2, but that most people clamp down against the brake.
Roof racks really scare me. I have this image of the bikes flying off the roof. I would really rather have a hitch rack. A hich rack will cost more since I have to add a hitch to the car.
By the way, the biggest complaint I hear about the T2 is that it is heavy. Do you find it difficult to put on and take off your truck?
Bruce
Edited by Darby (08/09/08 07:48 AM)
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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Well...here's the fuzzy bike loaded:
You can see the arm is off the brake. I shook it pretty good, it's solid and not moving.
Here's a close up of the same, nothing's touching:
Here's where it gets sketchy. First install above I set the arm off the brake. No trouble. It doesn't move at all. I then intentionally set it back, here. If you look close, it's not touching. I can push it back to intentionally touch the brake. I think if you set it back here, it'll depend on your brake design if there's any contact. But really, all the tension/pressure is on the wheel and tire. So...it depends.
The Sketchy part...of course I checked the instructions online, and found this.
Step 2 says:
B) While holding on to the bike with one hand rotate
the support arm up until it sits within 1? of the brake or
fork. Fig H.
C) Ratchet the arm tightly against the wheel. You
should hear a minimum of 2 clicks. Fig I.
But later on, Step 4 says:
A) Once your bike is loaded shake the bike
to make sure the support arm is seated
correctly.
WARNING: The support arm v-notch
must be firmly seated against the tire
and brake, or fork. Failure to seat the
support arm securely may result in bike
instability. Always shake your bike after
loading to enseated.
So it's up to you. I honestly don't think you have anything to worry about. Importantly, any shop you're thinking of purchasing this from will have a floor demo. Bring the bikes in and check it for yourself.
Oh, and yea, it is kind of heavy. But not in a trouble or bothersome kind of way. Everyone I know swears this is the best rack out there.
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Nev,
Thanks, this is great and very helpful. I think Thule should put pictures of road bikes loaded into a T2 on their website.
There are several threads on Bikeforums.net saying that the T2 needs to be clamped down in a way that makes contact with the front brake. Well, it looks this is a non-issue.
I think the T2 is the best bike rack on the market and even though it is going to cost me more, I think it is a better option than a roof rack.
Bruce
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Nev,
I re-read your post again and saw the contradiction that Thule makes as to where you should lock down the arm. First they say an inch in front to the brake and then say against the brake.
In the first two photos, the arm is clearly not touching the brake or fork at all. Is that how you usually clamp down your road bike? That location would be work fine for me. Even in the last photo, I think it will work fine.
I am planning on getting a mountain bike, some day, and of course it will have disc brakes so clamping down the front well on it will be easy.
Thanks for the help,
Bruce
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Nev
captain
Reged: 05/03/04
Posts: 376
Loc: Never where I want to be
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The tension is going down, not backwards. I really think you'll be fine. Seriously, take your bikes when checking the racks and try them for what you have. And besides, my opinion, not any additional or excessive force on the brake than it would get riding. As long as nothing cosmetic happens to your brake, you're good to go. I think it's a very popular rack (for on and off road riders) for a reason.
I like it.
Nice to hear your wife is joining you. That just means more bike fun/tinkering for you! (As my first photos will show)
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Nev wrote:
The tension is going down, not backwards. I really think you'll be fine. Seriously, take your bikes when checking the racks and try them for what you have. And besides, my opinion, not any additional or excessive force on the brake than it would get riding. As long as nothing cosmetic happens to your brake, you're good to go. I think it's a very popular rack (for on and off road riders) for a reason.
I like it.
Nice to hear your wife is joining you. That just means more bike fun/tinkering for you! (As my first photos will show)
Yes, if I can get my wife addicted to riding then I can spend more money on new toys with less nagging. I have had my eye on a Specialized Stumpjumper 29er FSR for a while. However, if I bought one now, I think I would hear about it for a long time. I don't think the 29ers are catching on all that fast so there may be some year end deals.
Bruce
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Darby wrote:
I think the T2 is the best bike rack on the market and even though it is going to cost me more, I think it is a better option than a roof rack.
What don't you like about roof racks?
They keep your bike out of harm's way in traffic. Even a small fender bender will destroy a bike on a hitch/rear mount.
True, you can forget and drive into a low overhang (garage door is most common) and rip the rack and/or bikes and damage your car in the process. But I trust myself to not forget I have bikes above me much more than I trust others not to hit me! I've recommended to others to place their remote garage door opener in the rear of the vehicle so they must exit their car to use the remote. The hope is that they'll see their bikes and not drive in. :-p
You mentioned that you fear the bikes flying off the roof. Well, some race buddies of mine sent about $10k worth of bikes bouncing down the freeway in the mid 80's (think about those 1980 dollars!) However, we were young and spent all our money on bikes rather than a decent, non-rusty car. The rain gutters on the car were rusting through and tore off like a zipper failing when driving at freeway speeds. But I can't really blame the rack or it's design for that.
On the flip side, I've had four mtn bikes and two road bikes along with all the front wheels on the roof of my car. Cruised along just fine without any problems. ...much better car!
Some other thoughts:
The down side to roof racks are that they're most likely noisier (from wind), increase gas milage, and harder to load for vertically challenged people. The upside is they're safer from theft and damage. I often carry several high end bikes on my car and there total value is greater than my car (my last car anyhow). So keeping the bikes safe is paramount for me.
Rear racks lengthen your vehicle considerably. I don't know where you park, but I don't need an extra two feet added to the back of my car.
Depending on the vehicle, the bikes may be wider than the car with a rear mount.
But I guess that's why they make different kinds of racks; cuz they're are different kinds of folks with different opinions.
--------------------
Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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skuke
captain
Reged: 12/22/03
Posts: 323
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Quote:
Nev wrote:
Just stay away from roof racks. Trust me. I learned the lesson more than once.
...so you didn't really learn that lesson the first (few?) time(s)...
--------------------
Skuke
95 Carbonframes Tetra Pro
92 Bridgestone MB-1
90 Moser 51.151
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
skuke wrote:
Quote:
Darby wrote:
I think the T2 is the best bike rack on the market and even though it is going to cost me more, I think it is a better option than a roof rack.
What don't you like about roof racks?
They keep your bike out of harm's way in traffic. Even a small fender bender will destroy a bike on a hitch/rear mount.
True, you can forget and drive into a low overhang (garage door is most common) and rip the rack and/or bikes and damage your car in the process. But I trust myself to not forget I have bikes above me much more than I trust others not to hit me! I've recommended to others to place their remote garage door opener in the rear of the vehicle so they must exit their car to use the remote. The hope is that they'll see their bikes and not drive in. :-p
You mentioned that you fear the bikes flying off the roof. Well, some race buddies of mine sent about $10k worth of bikes bouncing down the freeway in the mid 80's (think about those 1980 dollars!) However, we were young and spent all our money on bikes rather than a decent, non-rusty car. The rain gutters on the car were rusting through and tore off like a zipper failing when driving at freeway speeds. But I can't really blame the rack or it's design for that.
On the flip side, I've had four mtn bikes and two road bikes along with all the front wheels on the roof of my car. Cruised along just fine without any problems. ...much better car!
Some other thoughts:
The down side to roof racks are that they're most likely noisier (from wind), increase gas milage, and harder to load for vertically challenged people. The upside is they're safer from theft and damage. I often carry several high end bikes on my car and there total value is greater than my car (my last car anyhow). So keeping the bikes safe is paramount for me.
Rear racks lengthen your vehicle considerably. I don't know where you park, but I don't need an extra two feet added to the back of my car.
Depending on the vehicle, the bikes may be wider than the car with a rear mount.
But I guess that's why they make different kinds of racks; cuz they're are different kinds of folks with different opinions.
There are advantage and disadvantages to a roof rack and I am really weighing my options right now to see what will work best. The rack I buy will need to go on my next car as my BMW has 200,000 miles on it. The car runs great but I will be replacing it in the next few years. By 2010 more cars will be available that get better gas mileage or will be electric like the Chevy Volt.
Here are the down sides to as I seem them to a roof rack:
I know this is probably unjustified, but I have this fear that the fork will not be locked down well enough and could lift off the roof. The bike will be subject to 75 mph winds. A hitch mounted rack is sheltered from the wind by the car.
There is the issue with wind noise and gas mileage with a roof rack. A hitch mounted rack wouldn?t experience this issue.
The roof rack requires that I take the front wheel off of the bike, lift the bike over my head and put in on the roof. I could scratch the roof of my car and then, of course, it is just more inconvenient. With a hitch rack, you leave the wheel on the bike and just lift it two feet off of the ground.
I could do something stupid like drive my car under something low and damage my bikes. Although, I agree that the only thing I would be likely to hit would be the top of my garage door and leaving the opener in the back of the car will resolve this issue.
The advantages of a roof rack:
The big advantage, it will cost a lot less. I can probably get by with just one bike mount for the roof and put the other bike in the car. This would cost me about $175.00. If I were to get a hitch mount, I need to have a hitch installed on my car which will cost me between $300 and $400. My car was not designed to have a hitch so it isn?t easy to install and requires cutting a large square hole in the shroud under the bumper. The Thule T2 will be another $350
The roof rack can stay attached to the car all the time. I would probably want to take a hitch rack off of the car and store it which is more of a hassle.
If I were to get a roof rack, the one I would get would be a Thule Echelon.
Bruce
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gutefahrt
new member
Reged: 04/11/08
Posts: 22
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Having moved from a roof rack to a hitch mount, I'm much happier with the hitch mount. My car isn't scratched like it was from the roof mount, it's much easier for my wife to load her bike because it's much lower, when I'm not driving with bikes, there's no ugly empty rack above my car making wind noise, and I like being able to look in my rear-view mirror and see that my bikes are OK.
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
gutefahrt wrote:
Having moved from a roof rack to a hitch mount, I'm much happier with the hitch mount. My car isn't scratched like it was from the roof mount, it's much easier for my wife to load her bike because it's much lower, when I'm not driving with bikes, there's no ugly empty rack above my car making wind noise, and I like being able to look in my rear-view mirror and see that my bikes are OK.
Do you leave the rack on the car or do you take it off when not in use? Whick rack do you have? A roof rack is cheaper, but I really want a Thule T2 hitch mounted rack.
I too would like to see my bike when I look in the rear view mirror.
Bruce
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ndr
friend
Reged: 08/10/04
Posts: 27
Loc: Los Altos, CA
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Not directly in answer to your question but thought this would be of interest. Saw a card hanging from the rear view mirror in a car that could save some major damage:
"Bike on Top"
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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I found a roof rack that I like--the Yakima HighRoller. The front wheel stays on and the bike is locked down by the front wheel. I think this is a solution I can live with. Of course, I will still get worse gas mileaqe, have wind noise and need watch for low hanging objects; but, I can leave the rack on the car all. I hitch mount I would need to take off the car and just use it was needed.
Bruce
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justchows
new member
Reged: 08/14/08
Posts: 1
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check out http://www.raxterracks.com/ for the bike rack. good reviews for a new rack.
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
justchows wrote:
check out http://www.raxterracks.com/ for the bike rack. good reviews for a new rack.
This is worth looking into. However, the thumbnails are too small to see how the bike is secured. The website is not very helpful at selling their rack. I will call them.
Bruce
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
justchows wrote:
check out http://www.raxterracks.com/ for the bike rack. good reviews for a new rack.
Thanks for the link to this rack.
I think this rack just went to the top of my list. It holds the bikes by the wheels, has a small foot print, can hold any bike including tandems and recumbents and weights 32 lbs.
I read more than 20 reviews and everyone loves it. I have yet to see any weaknesses with this rack.
Bruce
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gutefahrt
new member
Reged: 04/11/08
Posts: 22
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I take the rack off when not in use. I have a Thule, but I can't remember the model. The bikes hang from the top tube, so when I get my Calfee, I'll be upgrading. I look forward to your review when you get your rack.
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Don_Ventura
new member
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 10
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Quote:
justchows wrote:
check out http://www.raxterracks.com/ for the bike rack. good reviews for a new rack.
That's the hitch rack I would get. I particularly like that it will carry touring bikes with front racks on their forks.
One drawback to hitch racks to be aware of, if you go on dirt roads, the bikes get VERY dusty. All that fine dust you see on the rear window has to go through the bikes to get there.
I also use an old Yakima Boa roof rack system and have few complaints. It does reduce gas mileage by about 10% when carrying bikes, but the fork mount is safe and secure.
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
gutefahrt wrote:
I take the rack off when not in use. I have a Thule, but I can't remember the model. The bikes hang from the top tube, so when I get my Calfee, I'll be upgrading. I look forward to your review when you get your rack.
When I do get a rack, and it will probably be the Raxter rack, I will put together a detailed review with photos. The reviews I have read so far have been very positive.
Bruce
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Don_Ventura wrote:
Quote:
justchows wrote:
check out http://www.raxterracks.com/ for the bike rack. good reviews for a new rack.
That's the hitch rack I would get. I particularly like that it will carry touring bikes with front racks on their forks.
One drawback to hitch racks to be aware of, if you go on dirt roads, the bikes get VERY dusty. All that fine dust you see on the rear window has to go through the bikes to get there.
I also use an old Yakima Boa roof rack system and have few complaints. It does reduce gas mileage by about 10% when carrying bikes, but the fork mount is safe and secure.
I think the Raxter rack has more positive attributes than any other hitch mounted platform rack. I realize that dirt is one of the potential negatives with a hitch rack, but I would think roof racks pick up there share of bugs and dirt as well.
To me, a hitch rack is more convenient, does not affect gas mileage, does not increase road noise and I just feel that they are safer for both the bike and the car.
If I were to get a roof rack, it would be either the Thule Eschelon or the Yakima HighRoller; but so far the Raxter rack has them beat.
Bruce
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Don_Ventura
new member
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 10
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Did anyone buy the Raxter rack by now, and how do you like it?
Any thoughts on the folding vs the non-folding version?
BTW, Raxter will ship for free if you order directly from them via telephone (talk to Kelly).
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Don_Ventura wrote:
Did anyone buy the Raxter rack by now, and how do you like it?
Any thoughts on the folding vs the non-folding version?
BTW, Raxter will ship for free if you order directly from them via telephone (talk to Kelly).
I have been planning on buying one but haven't yet. My car needs a hitch installed which is a little expensive. I may wait until I get a new car.
However, I put a link on another bike forum about the Raxter and someone has sinced purchased it and wrote up a review.
Here is the review:
web page
As far as the folding vs no-folding versions. The non-folding version weighs 4 lbs less. If you are going to take it on and off of the car each time you use it, the non-folding version would be fine. However, I would go for the folding version just to get it out of the way in case I wanted to just leave it on the car.
Just my two cents.
Bruce
Edited by Darby (09/27/08 06:13 PM)
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Don_Ventura
new member
Reged: 06/09/08
Posts: 10
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Quote:
Darby wrote:
Quote:
Don_Ventura wrote:
Did anyone buy the Raxter rack by now, and how do you like it?
Any thoughts on the folding vs the non-folding version?
BTW, Raxter will ship for free if you order directly from them via telephone (talk to Kelly).
I have been planning on buying one but haven't yet. My car needs a hitch installed which is a little expensive. I may wait until I get a new car.
However, I put a link on another bike forum about the Raxter and someone has sinced purchased it and wrote up a review.
Here is the review:
web page
As far as the folding vs no-folding versions. The non-folding version weighs 4 lbs less. If you are going to take it on and off of the car each time you use it, the non-folding version would be fine. However, I would go for the folding version just to get it out of the way in case I wanted to just leave it on the car.
Just my two cents.
Bruce
Thanks Bruce. Regarding a hitch, you might look here:
http://store.uhaul.com/hitches.aspx
http://www.etrailer.com/
U-Haul is actually less expensive for some hitches than Etrailer, and both ship for free.
I'm getting a hitch installed on Monday, and ordering the Raxter, but still debating folding vs non-folding. The folding option can always be added later for $82, which is $22 more than not getting it originally. Seems like the biggest advantage to the folding is if the rack stays on the vehicle all the time, or your garage is too short for car+rack. I'm trying to envision my usage in advance.
Don
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Darby
sage
Reged: 08/03/06
Posts: 441
Loc: Orange County California
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Quote:
Don_Ventura wrote:
Thanks Bruce. Regarding a hitch, you might look here:
http://store.uhaul.com/hitches.aspx
http://www.etrailer.com/
U-Haul is actually less expensive for some hitches than Etrailer, and both ship for free.
I'm getting a hitch installed on Monday, and ordering the Raxter, but still debating folding vs non-folding. The folding option can always be added later for $82, which is $22 more than not getting it originally. Seems like the biggest advantage to the folding is if the rack stays on the vehicle all the time, or your garage is too short for car+rack. I'm trying to envision my usage in advance.
Don
Thanks for the links. I have a BMW station wagon with 200K on it. The car runs great but I am not sure if I want to put a hitch on it or just get a new car. I cary my bike in the back all the time and I may be able to haul two bikes which would eliminate the need for the rack. I haven't decided yet.
As far as folding vs non-folding. As small as the Raxter is, I would be probably just leave it on the car all the time. If I were to do that, I would buy the folding option. I think the folding option is more future proof than the non-folding version.
Bruce
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