Best Bike Racks For Jeep Wrangler (2024 Update)

I purchased this rack from REI 2 years ago. Rack itself was at least $100 less and believe that I was able to apply a 20% coupon as well. Cannot believe that this thing now costs $800. Have carried multiple mountain bikes (fat bikes as well) on the highway and never had any concerns with safety of bikes. Integrated locks are nice for quick security while car in driveway, use heavier cable when travelling. I'm a fairly strong guy, and carrying this from my garage to car is a bit of a challenge – this thing is awkward to carry and pretty darn heavy. I have some friends with the 1UP rack which used to be a more expensive option, looks like it's actually now less expensive given the price increase of this Thule. I'd check that out instead.joebloe

I bought this rack recently because I was not satisfied with my previous hanging rack. This rack is very solid construction and works very well for ease of loading bikes. I like the locking cable feature and also the fact that all parts are connected and no loose parts to get lost. All articulating connections work well. Cons- this rack is heavy at 53 pounds. It does have wheels to help transport it from car to shed, but the issue is picking it up to align it with the receiver. The tolerances are very tight, and even after filing the edges of my receiver and guessing both ends of receiver and bike hitch, I still have difficulty aligning hitch and pushing it into receiver. Once it is started, it goes okay, but I think this takes above average strength to manipulate this. My wife is not able to do it. Other than this minor inconvenience, I would give it 5 starsChuck 61

If you have 2 bikes, want to get them on and off your vehicle quickly, and also want them to stay secure on your car without the rack jostling around when off-road, then i think that this is the best rack out there. I have not tried other racks, but I have noticed how much otherws move around while people are driving, and that makes me soooo unsettled. I have dirven way too fast on dirt roads, taking corners with aggression, and i look in my rearview, and there is no jiggle. I have a road bike and a mtb. The one piece with multiple molds front tire holder is really well made so i can put road or mtb on either one without any fussing. The rack is also designed to prevent over-tightening, which would hurt the raack and my wheel. Speaking of wheels, it has wheels on it, so when i take the rack out of my garage to bring to my car, I can just roll it which saves my back. To sum it up, the rack is OBSESSIVELY designed. If you are a believer in the "buy once cry once" mantra, and geek out on features then I would recommend. If you just want something for your old hybrid, then maybe consider something cheaper. Cons: when front tire bar is recessed, it sits over the handle to bring the rack up or down. I try to just leave the bar an inch above, and it stays where I put it. This solves the problem, but I am a gear head so I complain 😉 It is also heavy, which I dont notice much, but its the price you pay for a lifelong tool. Lastly, it can be a tad awkward getting the rear wheel situated without putting it on top of the plastic buckle (the thing with the teeth.) I also fear that this piece is just plastic, and gets pulled around pretty hard, so I fear it will break over time. Also, the little pad on itto protect the wheel is awkward to align bc the buckle moves as it gets tighter. Maybe just a a longer protective piece would work better?By Seth

I have recently purchased this product. More than I wanted to spend on a Hitch rack, but it has proved worth the price. I am very happy with the sturdy construction and the hitch tongue locking mechanism. The Pro's strong well put together, thoughtful design and easy swing away to open the hatch. Straps work well, as with anything you have a learning curve with putting them on and taking them off. When you have them on, they hold very well. I'm not sure about some of the things I have read about the straps, but they are a far better design than most racks in this range and they seem strong enough. The rack itself is built like a brick, very little sway as long as you have the bikes secure on the rack. Easy to utilize once you have put the straps on which is another learning curve. I typically hold two cruisers and I use the straight rods to secure on the rack. I would not be afraid to carry my bikes long distances and I will be doing this very soon. Cons, heavier than you think. Straps are a little tricky to put on and to secure bikes to (again learning curve) Caution when putting bikes on the first position as you have to get the frame through the latches. Can scratch up frames, but each carrier I have owned has lead to some scratches.Mack

I bought this rack in April 2020. There were four of us in lockdown, we all had bikes, and we needed a way to transport them if we wanted a change of scenery. The rack has been a mainstay ever since. Works just like advertised. The swing function is great. Installation is straightforward. Love the locking cable for added security when out and about with the bike on the rack. I read through many of the 1 star reviews as I am recommending this to a neighbor who asked me for the model. The only conclusions I can come up with for the poor reviews are (in order of decreasing likelihood): 1. User error 2. Newer ones are not made as well 3. I lucked out and got a peach instead of a lemon. Obviously, my vote is user error. It does take some effort to lock the stem into the trailer hitch but it is solid for me. Make sure you buy the correct sized product for your hitch. You do have to turn a couple of handle bars 90 degrees when loading up 4 adult mountain bikes. Have never had a problem with the straps. They are easy to use and keep the bike secure. Bottom line: my expectations were exceeded and I have over two years of regular usage with the utmost satisfaction.swmbkrn63

I got the product shortly after I ordered from Thule. Assembly is not very difficult, although there is a step missing as they don't tell you to use the flat key the first time that you need to insert the locks. Functionality is a mixed bag for two reasons: 1. the straps that keep the bikes on the rack are SUPER HARD to operate. You kind of need to choose between leaving them half loose at the risk of the bike falling on the highway or tightening the straps and being stuck as you will not be able to undo them later. I am considering throwing the straps in the garbage and replacing them with bungee cords. 2. The big feature of this "swing away" feature is that you can open the full trunk, unobstructed. This is true, except that when you are done and need to connect the arm back on the hitch, the sheer weight of the bicycles is pushing the arm down and not allowing the main bolt to go back in. You need to be fairly strong and push up the arm + bikes and wiggle with the bolt until you are lucky to find the threaded hole. It takes a ew tries and is a bit exhausting. So paying the extra money to have the swing away feature does not pay off. I would no buy this product again. The positive is that once you are done the bikes stay in place and the thing does not seem to move much.ddgzz

Was looking for a bike rack that wouldn't get in the way of opening my back Jeep door. Read the reviews and found this on sale. Great price. Installed in 15 minutes. Some people say that their bikes don't fit properly on this rack. My answer is get creative. I first tried it at the bike shop where I bought my mountain bike. I hoisted the bike and thought they're right, how's this going to fit? A sales guy approached and lifted the bike up putting one of the brackets on the tube that connects the seat and the other on the front v of the frame. It held tight and was very secure. I used the strap enclosed with the rack to stabalize the bike by wrapping it around the bike and rack. Bike did not wiggle or shake at all while driving. I've had two bikes on the rack several times with similar great results. And I like that the holding bar easily folds down tightly against the wheel when you don't want to use the rack. I love this rack because I can still open my back door without a hitch rack in the way, it was inexpensive, and it works great.Jen in Bend

Have used it only once so far for a long road trip and so far so good ! But I must comment on the installation instructions. They’re so bad and Incorrect. One part specifically said based on your tire size, use these parts. It turned out it didn’t require any of those parts and it took and extra couple hours to figure that out- only discovered after watching a you-tube video. Secondly, the plastic “plug” for the lock portion was completely stripped while simply trying to take it out with a screwdriver, like the Instructions said. We had to completely rip apart the whole piece to eventually get it out, likely partially destroying it in the process. WHY would you make that piece plastic in the first place ?? Anyway once we actually got it on, everything seems fine.Jdon

My son purchased and used this rack for 16 months to transport his bike to/from college, and occasionally to bike trails. Yesterday his bike was on rack for two daylight hours before the included lock was pried open and his bike was stolen. Thule offers no warranty or theft assistance, unlike kryptonite who has a theft replacement clause on their high end locks(which he owns but wasn’t using because it was on Thule rack ready to ride that afternoon.) Don’t trust the included lock as it was pried off mid-day on a busy street. Don’t ever leave your bike on this rack and NOT have your car in motion! Don’t get me wrong, he loved the rack until he found out how easy it was to defeat the lock. Thule takes no responsibility, and said they would send the pried off lock pix to their product department. Do yourself a favor add extra locks if you intend to walk away from your bike, say into a coffee shop to study, that’s what happened to him.Scinquanta

We were a bit apprehensive at first, not necessarily with the bike trailer, but more or less with the 1.25 hitch that we had to opt for as the dealership misinformed us on the size of hitch compatible with outback.I am happy to report we have had no problems with the sturdiness of this bike trailer as we were afraid the 1.25 would result in a wobbly outcome. As other reviews mentioned the trailer itself was a bit difficult to assemble. However once assembled and loaded it was exactly what we needed. We are comfortably and securely able to load our 2 Trek bikes and have no problem with the arms or straps. The only complaint is the thickness of the pin used to lock the trailer to the hitch. Could use a better pin something a bit thicker and sturdier for it to feel very secure.JAAM

First off, I'll mention that assembly was a bit harder than I thought it would be. The long bolts connecting the two pieces of frame together took a bit of finesse (and a rubber mallet) to get them to slide in and line up properly. It helps if you take the part of the frame where they screw in (on the outer rail) off first and line that up separately. Once I figured that out, the rest was a breeze. I really like the ease of use with this thing – bikes go on and off in just minutes. Way easier than it used to be trying to squeeze them into my car. I also enjoy how light it is, and how quickly it comes on and off the hitch. Although the price is a bit high, it is well-made and worth it. Highly recommend.Nate

There are things I like about this rack, but I think it's quite overpriced for what it is. I found it easy to attach to the hitch and I like the overall design – the arms feel secure, I like being able to fold the rack easily, and it does hold my bike well. I was also able to use the farthest rack position as a makeshift bike stand while I did some work on the chain, which was handy since I don't have my own stand. However, for this price point, I expect more than to have to use my own cheap Velcro strap to secure a mountain bike with average/slightly wide tires. I'm not using some kind of niche fat or cargo bike here – why doesn't the Kuat come with an integrated, high-quality strap for this purpose or better yet, a design that doesn't require that extra step at all? I also find the ratchet strap for securing the rear tire to be poorly placed. You can't get the bike on the rack without crunching the strap down and having to yank it out from under the tire manually, which is definitely increasing wear and tear already. Finally, the lock that comes with the rack for securing the rack to the hitch felt very cheap and online reviews suggest it can be broken very easily (a problem when you live in a high-theft area, which is not Kuat's fault), but it did lead to an extra cost to buy a more secure lock. Long story short, I'm glad I have the rack and it gets the job done, but it's premium pricing for an average/good product. I can't give a 4 or 5 star review when the value is skewed like that. Highly recommend waiting until this goes on major sale.liz4500

My mistake – I didn't worry excessively about the quoted weight of the Thule T2, until I assembled it. At 23Kg, it is just too big and heavy for the back of my Tesla Model 3. I believe it is very capable of carrying my two e-bikes very securely, but I have replaced it with a lesser alternative at 16Kg. The T2 appears to be very solidly constructed, and would be ideal for a larger vehicle, especially a larger SUV or ute. For $868 delivered, I was disappointed to find I needed to spend a further $150 on a Thule number plate/light bar, to enable safe, legal carriage of my $40 Aux. Number Plate, with the T2 either folded, or carrying. Ideal for a differing Use Case!Peter G.

I was torn between getting this or one of the big name platform racks for a lot more money, and I ended up giving this one a try. So far, I have put it through several hundred miles of use in Oregon in various conditions (low/high-speed road, gravel, speed bumps, twisty roads/gravel, hilly roads/gravel). Overall: + I really like this rack and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a platform rack. It has most of the features of the high-end racks for a great price. I think this is the best bang for your buck rack at the moment. Pros: + Assembly is simple + Comes with locks (one to secure the rack to the hitch by preventing the removal of the hitch pin, and one to secure the cable lock to the rack) + The tilt-down feature to access the trunk works (2016 Mazda CX-5) + Looks great (the pics show it as all black but it actually has blue trim, which looks great; check out the Rocky Mounts website for accurate pics) + Uses a lockable threaded hitch pin, which prevents most side-to-side sway + The racheting strap for the rear wheels grabs the wheel tightly (vs. the Rocky Mounts SplitRail in which the wheel can bounce around because it is sitting in a giant channel that is designed to hold large wheels; check out pics of the SplitRail to see what I mean) + Each bike platform can be shifted left-to-right to accommodate bikes that hit each other Neutral: * The latch to activate the tilt-down/up feature is located on the bottom of the rack farthest away from bumper (easier to reach). This is better than the racks that have the latch situated between the bumper and the rack because it is easier to get to, but it is a little awkward because it puts you in a position where you're bent over to pull the latch and the bikes swing down towards you. Cons: – While the threaded hitch pin helps prevent side-to-side sway, I think the wedge-style type of the high-end Yakima/Thule brands are better because they prevent side-to-side as well as up-and-down sway. That said, I didn't really notice much sway in my use of the rack but I wanted to list this for someone that might care – The security element of the rack is a separate short cable that you thread through your bikes and then secure to the rack using a lock located between the bumper and the rack. The lock is the same type as the one used to secure the hitch pin. The gauge of the cable is similar to a standard bike cable lock, which is fine for deterrence but I wouldn't trust it in high-theft locations since pretty much all cables are easily cut using bolt cutters. The biggest downside to the cable is that it is too short to thread through both wheels + frame of both bikes. I can only manage to thread it through the frame and one wheel. – Requires a wrench to attach to the hitch. It comes with the wrench but it is something that can get lost. It would be great if Rocky Mounts could use a hand twist system similar to what Yakima/Thule do on their high-end mounts (this would also address any up-and-down sway). That said, this is a small price to pay for a much more affordable rack. – When folding up the rack against the bumper, the rack can actually travel beyond it's locked vertical position and hit your car. This can happen if you pull the latch and lift the rack quickly; the rack won't lock into the vertical position and hit your car). As long as you're careful to make sure the rack locks into its vertical position, you should be fine but it would have been nice if Rocky Mounts put in a metal stopper to prevent accidentsAllister

I got this a few weeks ago and happy I did. I also have a Thule Outride 3 for my hatch back. I cant use the Thule on a carbon bike. This installed on my roof cross bars in minutes, securing a bike and removing it also takes minutes. The only concern are bridge clearances. You need to measure from the highest point on your bike to the ground and then PAY ATTENTION to bridges. I have a small SUV. Probably wont work in the North East if you have a large SUV. Top to bottom for me id 8'8" I will eventually buy a second, It also stores easily in a closet. Unlike my Thule. All the reviews are correct. Easy to use and keeps my bike secure. Its 4 stars because locks should be included. I bought those later and they too were easy to install. Very satisfied with this product.LMNYC

I've been using the highroads four about four months. Excellent for a short vehicle. I drive a Honda fit and two of the Highroads are amazing for hauling two bikes. I can get my bike up on the roof without any issue and reach all the adjustments and systems of the highroad without issue. The ratcheting hoop lock system is strong and I have never once worried about something coming loose or a tire getting pinched. The hoops accommodate very wide tires such as my 650b, 2.5 inch Mountain bike tires and more common 700x25mm without an issue. The locking strap system to secure the highroads to the car rack is also very secure. The user experience is mostly hassle free with this rack. I would or sure recommend this to someone with a sorter vehicle who already use a roof rack. Beats strapping a rack to your rear hatch or trunk lid.David

I combined the 20% off REI Anniversary Sale coupon, some gift cards, and my dividends to get the Yakima Highroad bike rack. I was able to utilize my existing Yakima BedRock truck bed crossbars that I use with my Yakima FatCat6 ski rack in the winter. Unlike my previous MTB fork-mount setup, this allows me to keep my bike's front wheel on, my truck's tailgate to close and not obstruct my rear view camera, still retain all my truck bed space, and is more sturdier/secure for those long MTB roadtrips. Yakima states that the max. bike wheelbase for this mount is 48". My Orbea OCCAM is a Large size and has a wheelbase of 46.18", so I had to move (shorten) the rear tire mount inward a few clicks on it's track from it's maximum position to get it centered under the rear axle. I could definitely see some longer trail/enduro XL/XXL size bikes possibly having issues with their rear tire hanging off the rear mount or not fitting at all. Online ordering and the curbside pickup was a breeze at my REI Fort Worth, TX location!TortillaZ71

Good: Looks stylish (my opinion, subjective) Holds the bike very well if used correctly. Fast bike install ONCE you get used to it. Bad: If you don't have a Thule set of cross bars you need to buy T Bolts for your model unless you use the over clamps. The over clamps can and probably will scratch your cross bars. The T bolts for my car that Thule recommended had to come from a dealer in Europe and could not be shipped to the US. I will keep looking and hope to find them. I am using the over clamps at the moment that are all metal, for a metal on metal fit. I am not sure why the insides are not lined with a non marring material like rubber. It is possible for the two bars to not click together which could lead to a less secure holding of the front wheel. I double checked and found this condition and reinstalled. Very important to listen for the click. If a person is in a hurry or in a loud area its possible to install the bike incorrectly. Best to visually check to assure the pin is in the groove/ Takes a little getting used to. Not intuitive. Easy once you get used to it. Not the easiest to get your bike into but to be fair This is my first roof rack. My SUV is not tall but I need a step ladder. The lock for the bike to the rack needs to be purchased separately. The lock for rack to the cross bar needs to be purchased separately.By Pat

Since, we have Aeroblade/Wingbar Evo bars for our vehicles already, we didn't want to go to a hitch rack. We were originally looking at the drop wheel roof racks, but we ended up choosing this one instead, since we don't have quick release axles on our bikes. It was really easy to install the bike racks onto the bars – they slide onto the bars with the T-nuts and then put back on the end caps. We found them really quick & efficient to load/unload bikes onto the Upride racks & locking them to the rack. We drove almost 2000 kms in sun, rain, and headwind with 2 Upride racks and 2 gravel bikes attached on this trip on a sedan.JoL99

Good solid rack, real pig to assemble, especially installing the wheel hammocks on the frame. Only BIG disappointment was I ordered this rack as it was supposed by American, "made in Taiwan" is written all over the box.Nigel B

I wanted a non-hanging hitch 3 bike rack w/o breaking the bank. The hanging racks are less expensive, yet many have issues adjusting to female and child bike frames (you have to purchase additional attachments). Therefore I wanted a top mounted one. My bikes hold well, even over rocky mtn roads- in the San Juan Rockies of the Westslope 😉 The frame is well made. I still need to buy a cable lock to lock the bikes + rack to my car's hitch. This was one of the best values for this type of mount made by a great local company. I love the fact that it folds up vertically when not in use. I can still open the hatch for the dogs if I tilt the rack down. Thanks Rocky MountsrockyMTnhigh

As new, this is a very solid and sturdy mounting system. I have now had two highway-speed trips with the mount and it doesn't rattle or bounce. The retention arms rely on brazed on bits and one bolt each so I am concerned that over "years" this will be a weak point — I've used plenty of lithium grease in these areas to try to minimize chance of rust. This is my second Rocky Mount product and I'd recommend it.M

I have bikes that have both the standard 9mm skewer width, and a 15mm thru-axle width, so I wanted a rack that could handle them both. I didn't want a holder that kept the front wheel on because they don't feel as secure as a fork mount to me, they all look goofy when not in use, and they create a ton of wind noise when not being used. I actually tried the "Yak" rack that you don't have to remove the front wheel, and it wasn't bad, but it took a while to get the bike on the rack and secured, and I didn't feel like the bike was really 100% secure. It was also a bit awkward to get the bike on the rack, and people shorter than me said they had to use a step "booster" to be able to reach high enough. The "TH" brand solution for a low profile, multi-use rack marred my thru-axle on it's first use, so that was out. Installing the Trio is pretty easy, and come with a five-sided "allen" key to make mounting relatively simple and secure. Changing the mount from 9mm to 15mm to 20mm is very easy, and they give you a tool to do it. Getting a bike up and onto the rack is easier than a front-wheel-on rack, and when secured you KNOW it's secure. One suggestion I have is to put some WD-40 or petroleum jelly on the threads of the 9mm skewer they provide as it will start to get rusty if you don't. Overalll I think the Kuat Trio rack is simple and elegant, looks good when not in use, works well for a wide variety of bikes, and creates minimal wind noise when not carrying a bike. All boxes checked.!canecreekfreak

It’s well made and easy to install, great quality! The price is cheaper than other brands with the same quality. Overall recommend this product!Fabio

I purchased this rack, and after assembling it, I discovered that I can’t insert my locking pin into the receiver. Kuat offset the hole so the rack can fit into either a 1-1/4” or 2” receiver. You have to use the pin that comes with the rack, but you can’t lock the rack into the receiver. They give you a cable lock to lock your bike to the rack, but without a way to lock the rack to the receiver, a thief can just remove the rack, and a bike if it’s on the rack. What an idiotic system. I’m not a big fan of Yakima because their overpriced and the quality has gone downhill, but at least their adapter collar allows their 1-1/4 rack to properly fit into a 2” receiver so you can lock the bike rack into the receiver. You’re better off buying a Yakima.RadBean

I drove 200 miles to pick up my Transfer V2 two bike rack for my Prius, so I needed the 1.25-2" shank. There was one left, being held for me which was good service by REI. Upon returning home and assembling the rack (the instructions are good so it is easy, though takes time) I discovered that the shank, which is the male end that slides into the receiver hitch, was 2" and not what the box said. I called Kuat and explained the problem to Angela in customer service. She's sharp and grasped the problem, saying that somehow the incorrect rack was put in the box and she would have the correct shank sent overnight, not the usual "you should receive the package in two to three weeks" from too many companies, while you do without whatever it is. This was astoundingly great service from Kuat and by Angela. She is obviously a 'people person', as had been other customer service reps at Kuat when I had called for rack advice previously. Not just polite, but happily volunteering information and advice, no doubt reflecting management and owners. I chose the Transfer V2 on the advice of a Kuat rep and am very happy with it. The build quality is good, it is easy to use, and the built-in system to stabilize the rack in the hitch works solidly. I once owned a bike shop and have had numerous racks over the years, so have experience. I highly recommend this rack for a person who doesn't, for some reason, need the features of one of the other Kuat racks, but if they do choose another model I'm sure they will be just as happy.LouisG

Bought this today thinking I would be able to use it this weekend. One of the front tire cradle bolts was cross threaded when trying to tighten the puck. Called support and they were very responsive. A replacement cradle assembly and hardware is on its way. Also noticed rust coming out of the non-locking end on the U arm. Quite disturbing considering I’ve paid for a brand new unit in a sealed box. QC must have missed this one completely and wonder about factory’s storage (outdoors?). Non-locking end cap also broke at the screw hole as I tried to make it fit onto the U arm. Extremely tight fit. Not a pleasant assembly experience, and must say I enjoy putting IKEA products together!SignalCPT

I bought two of these after my roof rack and 599 big mouth bike holders were damaged by a tractor trailer. I own a small minivan, mazda 5, and the rack is just high enough that I can just reach so there's always the potential for some difficulty putting a bike up there and this carrier exacerbates the issue. Without a decent tray the front wheel wants to turn and fall off requiring the fork to be held while leaning the bike to get the clamp past the stays and crank, but if the tray is remotely damp the rear wheel will slip out instead. The big issue is the tray really doesn't keep the wheels in place. I've since bought replacement 599s with proper trays and use these two as backups, I've had a lot of thule over the years but with the tray style these use, they're awfulruss

I am an avid cyclist and have used Thule products over the years along with others but keep coming back to Thule. My cycling has moved away from straight road and mountain biking towards gravel cycling. This rack is excellent all the way around and works well with a little prep; put the pedal facing you at the 4-5 o'clock position, push the straps behind the wheel holders, lift the arm up to about 40 degrees. I grab the seat tube and front fork on my BMC Road Machine and it goes right up and drops into place. I don't worry about it either as its stable as a rock at 70mph on the highway and off road at least up to our drop in points. I would not have mountain my prior mountain bike up top…its just too heavy for me to navigate…fit for purpose…hitch mount. It is sad to read the review where the bike shop installed this rack on a Subaru Crosstrek incorrectly, yea read and follow the simple instructions if you are going to mount it driver's side [reverse the jaw/holding arm first…]. Not that difficult. The jaw always opens facing you. In my opinion for a roof rack that lets you keep your front wheel on, especially those of us with Thru Axle's its the best. Keep ridin!MadmanXWater

The pro ride XT is slick and holds onto the bike very tight. It is very easy to use when you actually read the instructions and put it onto the right side! Who knew?! And when lined up properly and tightened right it had no wobble cruising at 100km/h and 80km/h with winds, other than small shakes. Very impressed. Unfortunately It seems THULE decided that security should cost so you have to but the locks separately which just added to the already huge price. But it should last me a long time. It comes with T-slot adapters and square bar too so it can be used on different rigs. Also it grabs meaty MTB tires with room to spare. She's a banger of a rig overall.That guy with a kona

We’ve used this rack through two seasons of kids MTB racing and family rides. One season on a pickup and one on a mid-size SUV. As mentioned in other reviews, it barely fits 4 bikes, and they really need to be just the right size and frame shape. Probably 4 road bikes with flat top tubes fit best. In the real world, we barely squeeze 3 MTBs (S, M & L) onto it, but must carefully wrap forks and chainstays with homemade pool noodle foam and Velcro to prevent damage from vibration, etc.. And you need to buy Yakima’s top-tube bridge things if you have any kind of funky top-tube or tight frame size. Top-tube/bridge and seat post are held securely in place by Yakima’s provided loose plastic clips which can be easy to misplace. The rack does swing away nicely from even a dropped pickup tailgate, but you must unscrew the swing securing bolt each time you need access to the rear and redo it once closed. Hitch fit is pretty good and seems more dependent on small hitch receiver variations than the rack itself. Some minor fading of the plastic parts after 18 months outside. Metal parts are still glossy and nice. Overall, this is really an OK rack for occasional 3 bike family use, especially if you’re not fussy about your bikes. A 3-4 bike family with higher end bikes will probably want to look elsewhere. I’m probably moving on to a 4-bike tray rack.YetiEvo

This is not a 4 bike rack. I tried to fit 4 mountain bikes on it and there is no way to get all 4 on. I was able to cram 3 bikes on, though I had to remove 2 of the front tires to do so. Also one of the bikes we had would not fit on the rack at all, even by itself. It is a standard Trek mountain bike but I could not get the frame over the rack arms. I thought maybe if I added a top bar to the bike that would work, but it did not. The arms are too thick to fit. Actually it is the holder for the bikes that is too big to fit through the frame. Overall this was a huge disappointment. On the plus side, the swing arm does work well. I did have to get a drop hitch extension to make it work on my Jeep though, because the spare tire would hit the rack. If you are looking for a 4 bike rack, do not buy this one.Gregrm

The rack is strong, and quite heavy, which I hope means it will last long. I bought it for my Silverado 2500 truck which has a 2.5 inch hitch, thinking that I would mount the rack in a reducer sleeve in the hitch. However, the rack is solid, with no hole for a pin and the sleeve requires a pin to stay in place. I solved using a hitch extension/drop inside the sleeve and mounting the rack to the extension/drop. It all works fine, but important to know if you have a hitch receiver larger than 2 inches.Nhaf

User friendly and very well built. I would suggest this product for anyone who doesn't want hitch style system. Thank you for another good product.Jimbo

Just used it for the first time yesterday and it was exactly what I was looking for. One thing that drove me away from 5 stars was two days after the purchase Thule had it $50.00 cheaper online for a Memorial Day special. I called and asked if they would honor it, I got a no from customer service and they said maybe a bike store will honor it and you can buy it from them and send back the one you are receiving which was very unfortunate. Lastly, one thing I would have liked to see is maybe rubber pieces on the bottom of the product.Luke21

I finally got to use my Thule insta Gator bike rack and it worked like a dream. I have Chevy Colorado and had to secure the rear wheel in the bike rack with the front wheel turned to the side. Had no problem with bike fitting in the truck bed. I will put a strap across the bike frame next putting just for extra stability.Tone

Good quality rack with some heft. Overall, easy to install. The built-in lock only works when there are two bikes mounted. I wish there were better instructions or video for when "anchor mode" is required. Didn't come with a wheel strap. Love the bottle opener!Danny D

I decided to purchase this rack because of the two security features – the ability to secure the rack to the car via a reinforced strap thru the trunk and a cable that extends from the end of the rack to lock the bike to the rack. Despite doing all the necessary research to ensure that the rack was compatible with my car (a standard issue 2018 Subaru Crosstrek) before buying this, I had to return it because while the rack fit the car, the security features did not work. The reinforced strap with a loop on one end and a plastic/foam barbell on the other, is supposed to secure the rack to the car by sliding between the two hinges on the hatchback. No matter how hard I (or multiple friendly REI staffers) tried, this strap does not fit through the gap between the vehicle and the hatchback. That means that while the rack itself is compatible with my vehicle, the security strap is not. One security feature down. When fully extended the cable lock, which retracts into the right-hand tube where the bike rests, is so short it really can't even wrap around the outermost bike frame to properly secure the bike. Again the friendly REI staffers confirmed what I had tried dozens of times on my own – it just wont lock because its too short. Second security feature down. I did like the hub feature, and the fact that it store standing up on its own. It seemed like the ZipStrip Cradle system was easy enough to use (although you can definitely lose ZipStrips as they are fully removable). This is a very solid bike rack that is in fact quite heavy. Trying to put this on a hatchback is difficult but doable as long as your strong and have long arms. Just don't expect the security features to work.Maryette

I bought this spring/summer this year, and I love how my bike is held solidly in place with no bouncing around. It takes 3 ratcheting clamps, simple to put on and take off. There is also a locking cable which is a little short, not impossible to secure, can't seem to use ratcheting clamp an locking cable simultaneously. At least I had trouble. They are at same area. The rack is a little heavy, but I like it just the same. It folds up and I keep it in back of vehicle.kc1620

Easy to install with the exception of being able to switch from left/right loading. The end cap was almost impossible to remove to make this happen. Fits fairly well on my mini, but needs to go back wheel to the front of the car so I can open my hatch.Amy P

Getting the rack on and off is simple. I wish it came with the locks but those are extra. Getting my bike on and off quickly couldn’t be easier.JohnB

Easy to use however, the accessory locks have to be purchased separately AND Thule can't seem to locate it's own cable and locking mechanism that secures the bike to the rack despite repeated emails to Customer Service. They just keep pointing back to the rack lock (which secures the rack to the roof rack cross bars). Pretty frustrating.Ted

I really loved my old Thule so bought this one when I needed a hitch mount. The cradle and strap design are terrible. As a mechanical designer myself, someone should be embarrassed at this engineering. Cradles are to shallow. An hour into a 3 hour drive, I had to stop and put the bike back on the cradles. And this was with it tied down as a safety precaution. The straps are horrendous. There is always one that will take 10 minute to undo. They stretch, they become crooked and when you press down to unlock them, you are folding the strap onto itself making it impossible for it to release. I finally started bending it backwards, knowing full well it will eventually break to get it to release. I will be selling this as soon as I find one that had deeper cradles and different straps and, unfortunately, it doesn't look like it will be a Thule unless it's an older used one.MJeff

I had to replace my Thule helium rack that was stolen. It was a great rack. This rack is low quality by comparison and overpriced. The securing straps are cheap, and the plastic seat tube cradle is flimsy. I expect to need replacement parts in less than a year.MITCH

Well, I thought I'd take a chance on this even though there are nothing but terrible reviews online. Ended up just wasting my time. Funny thing is, my issue was not related to the other customers issues. I thought the strap system was fine, will it last forever? No. But they lock in nice and snug and looked like they would no doubt survive at least a few years before needing to possible replace any of them. Spacing was fine, I could adjust the distance between the bikes to make room for two to fit. If your bike has a top tube mounted brake cable it will likely be clamped in an awkward position (not the end of the world). My problem was that the dang rack was loose! Using the 2" hitch adapter that was included, as well as the "anti-sway" bolts. The whole rack still had too much "wiggle" for my comfort. I thought it might be because there was only 1 anti-sway bolt included as there are 2 spots for what would appear to be 2 anti-sway bolts. So I emailed Thule in hopes of solving my issue and it took a week to get a response, it was an automated response. I took the rack back (make sure you buy this somewhere you can return it!). Funny enough, a week after that, I got another email from Thule, thinking it might actually a real person that had an answer to my question, but it was not. It was another automated response telling me someone will message me soon. TL;DR – Buy a different rack, Thule should really just discontinue this model if they hope to keep their reputation of making stellar products.StillNeedARack

I was recently involved in an auto collision where my car was rear ended by an inattentive driver. On the back of my car was the T2 and on the T2 was my beloved C60. The impact of the collision was severe enough to deploy all of my car's interval safety devices. After I had settled down I went to check up on my bike; fearing the worst I was prepared to see a mangled up bike. I was not prepared for what I saw. The T2 was bent at a severe angle, the unused carrier trays were disloged and badly damaged BUT the trays where my bike sat were nearly intact. Except for some cosmetic damage, a mangled rear wheel and a broken rear derailleur hanger (my shop is currently inspecting the bike just to be sure) the bike appears to have escaped largely unscathed. Moreover, the body repair shop person told me that with the T2 absorbing the brunt of the impact, my car avoided more severe damage. So thank you Thule for making such a great product and thank you T2 for giving up your "life" to protect me, my car AND my bike.Just another cyclist

I recently bought the T2 Classic pre assembled from my local bike shop. My friends have the same rack on their trucks. I've used them many times. I love the fitment of the bikes. My wheelbase is 47" with 26" tires. After installing the rack on my truck, I found that my bike wouldn't fit. The back tire was sticking way off the back of the rack and the locking arm was nearly vertical. I checked the manual and it said that it will fit up to 48" bikes. I again checked the manual for fitment and noticed that the front wheel support cup was reversed for both bikes. So I promptly removed them and reversed them. My bike fits great now BUT one of the holes was stripped out during initial installation of the front tire cup by the dealer. Bolting into plastic isn't really the strongest support system. So now I need to either get a replacement piece or try to repair the one I've got. A simple solution would be to manufacture a third mounting hole which is not equal spacing from the other two holes. Then this problem would never happen. The wheel cup could never be reversed. But since this product has been manufactured for years, it's not really an option to change it. If the front wheel cup had a better mounting system, I would give this rack 5 stars. Easily adjustable rack. Such a nice addition to my truck.Colin

I recently bought the T2 Classic pre-assembled from my local bike shop. My friends have the same rack on their trucks. I've used them many times. I love the fitment of the bikes. My wheelbase is 47" with 26" tires. After installing the rack on my truck, I found that my bike wouldn't fit. The back tire was sticking way off the back of the rack and the locking arm was nearly vertical. I checked the manual and it said that it will fit up to 48" bikes. I again checked the manual for fitment and noticed that the front wheel support cup was reversed for both bikes. So I promptly removed them and reversed them. My bike fits great now BUT one of the holes was stripped out during initial installation of the front tire cup by the dealer. Bolting into plastic isn't really the strongest support system. So now I need to either get a replacement piece or try to repair the one I've got. A simple solution would be to manufacture a third mounting hole which is not equal spacing from the other two holes. Then this problem would never happen. The wheel cup could never be reversed. But since this product has been manufactured for years, it's not really an option to change it. If the front wheel cup had a better mounting system, I would give this rack 5 stars. Easily adjustable rack. Such a nice addition to my truck.Colin

Typical Thule quality and design. The only drawback that I could find is that there doesn't appear to be a way to mount it to the channel in the top of the Aerobar that I was able to find. It seems to require using the "universal" brackets which interfere with the operation of the sunroof. otherwise, it's a great product.gand5303

I just bought a 2018 Subaru WRX, I'm an avid cyclist and wanted a rack system to fit multiple discipline's. I shopped multiple websites and found that Rack Attack was the most useful. My only complaint would be that I thought I ordered BLK AERO bars, but they showed up silver.jorde

I bought this because I thought it was an improvement on my old Thule Circuit, which always had issues with the lock tumblers. I like how the new lock works, but quite frankly, unless the skewer is tightened when unlocked, anyone can remove the skewer and walk away with your bike rack. I also didn’t realize they’re discontinued. I kept it because the color matches my new truck.HikeBikeSki

This is my second rack, same model. I gave my original rack to my son which worked well for 16 years. Awesome product and very sturdy.RAY

Easy to install, holds 3 bicycles securely. It's lightweight and can be stored standing up in a small area. No complaints!Steven1985

Easy to install, holds 3 bicycles securely. It's lightweight and can be stored standing up in a small area. No complaints!Steven1985