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Thule T2 Pro Bike Rack
Finally a true backcountry skiing helmet thats light and compact enough to pack on any ski tour. It’s so breathable that you won’t ever need to take it off and robust enough to do double duty at the resort. The Salomon Mountain LAB Helmet wins our Gear of the Year for oh so many reasons.
The Backcountry Skiing Canada Team.
The Thule T2 Pro 2-Bike Hitch Rack is a locking high-end, durable, efficient and easy to use rack with the capacity to hold 4 bikes (add-on sold separately - 2” receiver only). It combines a ratcheting rear-wheel strap and an adjustable front hook arm which are used to secure the bike without damaging or scratching the frame of the bike. Each of the two mounts can be adjusted laterally to prevent frames and handle bars rubbing against each other when transporting. The Thule T2 Pro can accommodate bikes with wheels ranging from 20-29 inches and nearly any type of bike regardless of wheel size, fork dropout style, or frame design. The channels within the wheel trays are shaped so that everything from fat tire bikes down to skinny road bike tires will fit within the wheel trays.
Installation and removal of the T2 Pro is made easy with the Auto Attach system, eliminating the need for tools to secure the T2 Pro into 2” or 1 ¼” hitch receivers. Once the stinger (rack attachment point) is aligned with the hole in the hitch, it’s just a matter of turning the hitch knob clockwise to tighten. A built-in expanding metal wedge inside the receiver ensures a snug and secure fit to the vehicle with every turn. If the rack is loose in the receiver, simply further tighten the knob. The Hitch Switch lever conveniently located at the end of the rack makes it easy to access the trunk or rear hatch of your vehicle, tilting the rack down approximately 35 degrees or folding it upright when not in use so it is out of the way and you maintain optimal rear clearance on your vehicle.
The Tule T2 Pro Rack can easily carry one bike,...
Or two.
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There's two integrated cable locks that extend out of the ends of the adjustable stabilizing arms and provide security for your bikes when you need to leave them unattended. There’s also an innovative hitch lock which secures the rack to your vehicle. Once the hitch is snug in the receiver (as described above), use the “change key” (included) to install the lock cylinder into the hitch lock knob to lock the rack to your vehicle.
This is what the T2 Pro looks like pre-assembly.
After about 10 minutes it will look like this and your fully assembled Thule T2 Pro Rack is ready to use.
Features:
- Carries 2 bikes
- Carries up to 4 bikes with the Thule T2 Pro Bike Add-on (sold separately, 2” receiver only)
- Compatible with 2” or 1 ¼ “ hitch receivers
- Ideal for all types of bikes with the exception of tandem bikes
- Easy to install, remove or swap the rack between vehicles
- Quick and easy installation with Auto Attach system
- Carrier easily folds out of the way when not in use
- Carrier tilts away from vehicle for access to the rear of your vehicle with the one arm Hitch Switch lever
- Built-in hitch lock
- Built-in bike cable locks
- Secure bikes quickly without frame contact by using the adjustable front hook arm
- Adjustable wheel trays slide side to side to optimize bike spacing and the ratcheting rear-wheel strap ensures your bike is secure
Verdict:
Over the years I have experienced a few bike racks; roof racks and hitch mounted racks. Due to the fact that I’m a short petite women, it’s a requirement that I find a bike rack that is easy to use that doesn’t require a lot of strength for loading and unloading my bike. That is why I prefer a hitch mounted rack because I can access my bike quickly and effortlessly and found it was worth the extra money to install a hitch receiver. This rack is also low to the ground making it easy and effortless to mount bikes. If you forget something in the back of your vehicle it’s easy to use the one arm lever to tilt the rack down and out of the way. As well you can tilt the Thule T2 Pro completely vertical when not in use. There are many hitch mounted bike racks currently on the market where bikes have to be taken off before accessing the rear of your vehicle – not the Thule T2 Pro!
One thing I noticed when transporting my bike along a really bumpy, dirt road was the front tire wanted to bounce a bit at the base of the wheel tray. A strap (see picture) held it down and in place for those trips that I went on really long, bumpy logging roads to access the bike trails. I also would recommend Thule make the built-in bike lock cable a bit longer to make sure it went around the frame of the bike vs. the fork. However, I would only use the bike lock when going to grab groceries, or a quick coffee and then unlock the bike when driving so the cable doesn’t rub against my bike fork.
All in all this bike rack is fully loaded with all the bells and whistles and it looks good to boot!
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PROS:
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CONS:
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SPECS:
Price: $679.95CAN
Weight: 25.5kg / 56.2lbs
Length: 138cm / 54.3”
Width: 31.75cm / 12.5”
Height: 38cm / 15”
Weight Capacity: 27kb/ 60lb per bike (2-Bike expansion add-on increases capacity to 160lbs total)
Maximum tire width: 12.7cm / 5”
Warranty: Limited lifetime
Distance from centre of hitch pin hole to:
- pivoting bracket: 15.9cm / 6.25”
- end of bike rack when folded: 52cm / 20.5”
- end of bike rack unfolded: 105cm / 41.5”
RATING: 9/10
Innovation 2/2
Function 1.5/2
Aesthetics 2/2
Features 1.5/2
Quality/Price 2/2
Did we miss something? Are we totally out to lunch? Let us know what you think. People like/dislike gear for different reasons so chime in below and we'll get a well-rounded evaluation.
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