Thread: 2012 hitch rack thread

Although Thule is not one of the new cool brands these days, we have the T2. It is BOMBER. It does not move a bit...totaly solid in my 2 inch hitch. The only downside I can think of is its weight. Kind of unruly to put on for the wifey.

Me thinks you be happy with the NSR-4. Had mine for a year now, take care to tighten/check the anti-slop bolt once in a while at the receiver hitch.

Yakima top tube swing rack just isn't doing it anymore because I have zero bikes with normal top tubes and always have to use the adapters, which is a pain.

So, Thule T2 vs Yakima Hold Up?

Originally Posted by Summit

Yakima top tube swing rack just isn't doing it anymore because I have zero bikes with normal top tubes and always have to use the adapters, which is a pain.

So, Thule T2 vs Yakima Hold Up?

for tray racks, you should consider the 1up and Kuat as well.

I'm a pround owner of a Kuat NV. I love the rack. It is solid.

Originally Posted by Danno

for tray racks, you should consider the 1up and Kuat as well.

I don't doubt that those may be better solutions, but for my situation, I can only consider Thule or Yakima.

Between the T2 and the Holdup, I would generally go T2. However, if it is going on a smaller vehicle, where the rack would stick out the side when not in use, the Holdup folds up a bit more tidy.

Thule>Yakima for tray racks IMO, admittedly I've never used the Yak myself, just inspected at the trailhead. My Thule T2+2 is in it's it's fourth year now and while it has held up well, it's looking a bit rough these days and the reports of failure are a little scary.

Kuat and 1up are definitely superior and also more expensive. I think 1up is probably the king of tray style now that they have a 2" bar and endorse their rack for four bikes.

North Shore are the best value IMO, definitely bomber and four bikes for $550 shipped, six bikes for $670. Unless I hit the lottery this will prolly be my next rack.

I only needed to hold 2 bikes so I went with the Kuat NV Core. I love it.

I've had my NSR4 since 2009 and it's been bomber. So easy to load four bikes, and they are very secure.

I'll never use another style rack no matter what.

Originally Posted by grabtindy

I only needed to hold 2 bikes so I went with the Kuat NV Core. I love it.

I was just chatting with the owner at my LBS. He sells Kuat and just bought himself a core. He loves it too. I figure if the guy who sells these goes with that one, then perhaps that's the way to go. I'm running roof racks at the moment but I'm ready for some hitch love.

What is the T2 advantage? Anything major for DH bikes? XC bikes?

Going on a 4Runner with a 2"

All my summer rack stuff is Yakima, so I have keys and extra cores. Only winter stuff is Thule box, but not a huge deal there.

I fondled a Yakima several years ago before I got the T2. The only reason I didn't get it was because it didn't swing down, out of the way of the rear gate. The newer ones do swing down, don't they?

I've seen the carnage from a T2 failure. Mine never failed, and it may be super rare, but I'd still be inclined to go with the Yakima if your choices are limited to those two brands.

Originally Posted by Summit

What is the T2 advantage? Anything major for DH bikes? XC bikes?

Going on a 4Runner with a 2"

All my summer rack stuff is Yakima, so I have keys and extra cores. Only winter stuff is Thule box, but not a huge deal there.

Are these your only options because you get some giant discount, or is related to the lock issue? because if it is the locks, that's not a reason to get a Thule or Yak.

Unless they've changed it since I had one (3 years or so ago), the built-in locks on the Thule T2 are useless. They use the interchangeable lock cores in the ratcheting-down arm, which tightens down onto a tire in order to hold the bike in place. All the lock does is prevent someone from pressing the lock-release button on the ratcheting-down arm.

If you let the air out of the tire, you'll be able to remove the bicycle from a "locked" T2. Use a cable lock, forget about the lock cores on a T2.

I don't know whether the Yak Holdup locks bikes in place.

Lock cores are a convenience issue that would make me lean Yakima over Thule, all other things being equal. I think I'll just get a Holdup.

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Unless they've changed it since I had one (3 years or so ago), the built-in locks on the Thule T2 are useless. They use the interchangeable lock cores in the ratcheting-down arm, which tightens down onto a tire in order to hold the bike in place. All the lock does is prevent someone from pressing the lock-release button on the ratcheting-down arm.

If you let the air out of the tire, you'll be able to remove the bicycle from a "locked" T2. Use a cable lock, forget about the lock cores on a T2.

I don't know whether the Yak Holdup locks bikes in place.

Or you could just take the skewer/axle out of the front wheel too. Either way worked.

There's a reason Sportworks (who designed the T2) didn't bother to add a lock to the design. Anyway, Thule got rid of that stupid, useless lock and added a retractable cable to the arm instead. A thief with a wrench could just unbolt the arm now though.

No matter what rack you buy, you're going to need to buy a decent separate lock. The NV probably has the best built in cable, but it's really short. My favorite cable solution is to get a MasterLock Python and buy a longer cable for it. It's still a cable though, which means it's only going to deter the casual thief.

If a thief wants your bike, they'll just use a bolt cutter or a hacksaw, quicker than a screwdriver. Locks are to keep honest people honest.

T2 vs Holdup, will one make the difference for rear hatch clearance on a 2007 Toyota 4Runner with two bikes mounted? Or are their clearances equal when tilted down?

Originally Posted by Summit

T2 vs Holdup, will one make the difference for rear hatch clearance on a 2007 Toyota 4Runner with two bikes mounted? Or are their clearances equal when tilted down?

I have an 06 Sequoia with a T2 so take this for what it's worth but the hatch hits my handlebars when tilted. I just have to push the bikes a little further down and the hatch opens all the way. I looked at the Kuat NV and they were sweet but pricey and I think they might be a bit overbuilt/engineered. I'm happy with the T2.

I just got a Yak Holdup after about 20 years of roof racks. Totally love not having to take wheels off!! It's pretty stable laterally, and bounces just a bit. Mine is a 1.25" receiver. Super easy to use, installed my own hitch bar, and bought the rack on pro form.

My only gripes so far: the rear wheel tray cracked the first time I put a bike on it. My guess is a manufacture flaw, but it was about 100 degrees that day, and the tire was a narrow, high pressure road tire, and it did ratchet it down pretty good. The heat coupled with a possible flaw was likely the issue. That said, I called Yakima up, and had a warranty replacement on my doorstep 3 days later. The other issue is that I don't think I'll be able to put my fat bike on it - the trays just aren't wide enough.

Beyond that, awesome rack. I was looking pretty hard at the Kuat with the built in work stand, but having pro access to Yakima made the choice pretty easy.

Just chiming in as a satisfied North Shore Rack-4 owner for 3 years now. I would like to get a hitch riser to improve my departure angle on steep water bars. But the departure angle is much better than all of the other 4 bike hitch racks I've seen.

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Unless they've changed it since I had one (3 years or so ago), the built-in locks on the Thule T2 are useless. They use the interchangeable lock cores in the ratcheting-down arm, which tightens down onto a tire in order to hold the bike in place. All the lock does is prevent someone from pressing the lock-release button on the ratcheting-down arm.

If you let the air out of the tire, you'll be able to remove the bicycle from a "locked" T2. Use a cable lock, forget about the lock cores on a T2.

I don't know whether the Yak Holdup locks bikes in place.

the current T2 has a cable lock in each armature as well, so you wrap each frame to lock them up. The Holdup comes with a long cable lock which is designed to be wrapped through both bikes, and locks to the rack. Both as safe as cable locks are, but better than the previous iterations.

I am looking at buying a used Thule T2 today

is there anything I should look at, specifically?

I've heard of them failing? bushings get trashed?

Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Update:
It's surprisingly compact side-to-side -- doesn't block tail lights on vehicle.

Can you see the license plate through 4 bikes on the NSR? Does anyone know if with 6 on there you can see tail lights?

We've gotten pulled over with the T2 and given a warning that they couldn't see our plates through 2 bikes. The cop said we needed to get another license plate for the rack. Our T2 + 2 is still going, but has gotten super creaky and has tons of play. We've replaced parts and modified it to work better, but we are on our 2nd rack after a warranty of it and can't imagine getting more then a couple more years out of this one.