Product Description

This premier platform hitch rack is the fastest to load and remove bikes with minimal lifting for ultimate convenience

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Product Details

• Size: 2-Inch
• Color: Black
• Brand: Thule
• Model: 916XTR
• Released on: 2011-04-28
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: 13.00" h x 16.00" w x 55.00" l, .25 pounds

Features

• SecureHook with integrated cable lock secures the bike without making frame contact
• Hitch SwitchTM lever folds and stores platform when not in use or tilts down for rear of vehicle access
• Reinforced tray provides maximum strength and rust-free protection
• Adjustable wheel strap quickly secures backwheel to tray
• Fits 20 to 29-Inch wheel diameter bicycles with up to 3-Inch wide tires

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Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful.
Well made, security features are a nice touch
By James R.
In the market for a good platform rack, I narrowed my choices down to the Thule 916XTR T2, the Yakima Hold-Up, or the Kuat NV. I didn't want to spend more than $400, so the Kuat was out (plus it seemed a little quirky.) I liked the Yakima Hold-Up (used my cousin's for a few rides) but two things bothered me about it. 1 - the lock cable was separate from the actual rack, and 2 - sometimes we would have issues with pedals hitting or seats and handlebars coming together. The Thule 916XTR T2 had solutions for both of those issues: each lock arm had a built-in locking frame cable for each bike, and the rails that the bikes would ride on were adjustable both side-to-side and fore-aft, allowing me to position each rail with as much spacing as I needed.

Assembly took all but 30 minutes, and once I had it on the Toyota Highlander I began to see the features of the unit more clearly - for example, the hinge - it's beefy, using two pivot points instead of one, allowing fo r little if any side-to-side wiggle or wobble. The individual frame cables are a nice touch - not to mention that the included 3-lock set all use a single key for convenience (though I needed 5 - see "Weaknesses"). I don't know about you, but having a total of 5 locks seems to be more of a theft deterrent compared to the single separate cable lock that the Yakima comes with.

The hook arm that grabs onto your front wheel is easy to use and ratchets down tight. The rear ratcheting straps are also easy to use, and is versatile thanks to the sliding rear wheel mount. Loading up two full-suspension bikes is very easy and quick. Oh, and about spacing: the lower rack "legs" that the bikes are held to can be adjusted fore/aft to vary the space between the vehicle and each individual bike. I don't have to worry about my pedals hitting the pedals on my brother's bike anymore, because I was able to adjust the spacing correctly for clearance.

Some people complain t hat the rack is heavy, but for me a good bike rack SHOULD have some weight to it; If I'm loading almost $10,000 of bikes onto it, I would rather load that investment onto something that feels tough and sturdy. I am not a weightlifter, but I have no trouble removing and attaching the rack to my SUV for weekend rides. One thing to be aware of though: There are 5 places to have cylinder locks (two for the locking frame cables, two for the hook arms themselves, and one for the STL hitch bolt); however Thule only gives you 3 matching locks included with the 916 XTR T2. Thule sells matching lock sets in packs of 4, 6, or 8 - and I wanted the entire setup to have matching locks, so I had to spend another $50 for the 6-lock set (since they don't make a 5-lock set). This is the only reason why I did not give the 916 XTR T2 5 stars.

Aside from that, I'm very happy that I chose Thule's 916XTR T2 platform carrier. The ratcheting arms and rear wheel straps make loading up my b ike quick and easy. Being able to adjust the spacing between the bikes is a big plus as well. The built-in cable locks for each bike and as the availability of 5 matching locks adds to the theft deterrence. It barely moves on the freeway at 85mph and thanks to the threaded hitch bolt the rack stays put when driving over bumpy roads and railroad tracks. Great platform rack, good choice.

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful.
Thule is the Rule, but sometimes ....
By J. Foster
On the positive side, Thule is one of the best bike rack makers today I believe. Their products are classy looking, have good ergonomic designs and are well made. This particular type of rack is one of the best kind for general purpose use and for mixed types of bikes because it holds the bikes by the wheels. Thus there is no issue of how the frame will fit on the arms as with the common type of rack. The wheel holders are adjustable as to spacing between the wheels as well as side to side on the main tube of the rack. The spacing between the two bike sections is also adjustable. The rear wheel goes into a strap type holder with a quick release and the front is held by the Thule racheting gooseneck holder. Easy to hookup and it holds very well. Makes on/off an simple and easy task. The rack folds up with the flip of a lever when not in use.

One negative point is that Thule says it will not work on a bike with a fender. That should be stated in the ad for the rack since it does limit use of this rack quite a bit. All my bikes are cruisers and half have fenders so that could be a serious problem. Fortunately, the front wheel holder will work over a fender (IMHO) but you have to be careful to see that the fender is secure to the bike and (note) it may scratch the paint so beware.

The assembly instructions are not as clear as I would like, but I did figure out finally that the completed assembly drawing has one bike holder mirror imaged. Also I was a bit annoyed that the first thing you have to do to assemble the unit is to DISASSEMBLE it from the way it is packaged. There are a couple of half inch bolts that are put in one way for shipping and have to be taken out and put in another way before you can begin the actual assembly process. One of the nuts was so tight I could not budge it with the supplied small wrenches. I had to chuck it up in a vise and use a breaker bar on it to get it loose.

Another c on for me was the way the hitch bar attaches to the hitch receiver (2 inch). Thule uses a 3/8ths inch hitch pin (STL2 Lock pin) that screws into the hitch bar. Common American hitch pins are 5/8ths inch diameter and they just slide through the hitch bar. I have another hitch mount bike rack that I use and I also tow trailers (at different times). The point is that I change what is mounted to my hitch receiver fairly frequently and I like to have common attachment method among the hitch hardware. The Thule attachment method is complicated and works best if you just put the rack into the hitch receiver and leave it there.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful.
Great engineering. Great performance.
By John A. Sylvester
We have used the Thule T-2 rack for 3 years and found it to be a great product. Previously, we have used 4 other racks but never felt that they securely supported our bikes. I needed a top quality rack that would hold my Gary Fisher mtb with 29" wheels. This was the only platform rack that could do this and it does it superbly! I use the Thule Snug-Tite locking pin to secure the rack to the hitch. It, too, works great as do the bike locks. This setup ensures that nothing rattles, rubs or comes loose while driving. Whenever we load and unload the bikes in a public lot we get stares and comments as to how fast and easily we do so. Because of the superior engineering I know that this is the last bike rack I will ever buy.