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Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack

Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack

Item # 784539
!
This item is currently sold out or unavailable online.

For your reference, this page contains historical product information.

40% lighter than traditional hitch racks, the Thule Helium 3 hitch rack securely carries up to 3 bikes and offers a lightweight construction that's easy to handle when installing and removing.

  • Easy loading dual-arm design with narrow distance carries most bike frames, including women's and kids' bikes, without the need of a top-tube adapter
  • Tilt-down design with Hitch Switch™ quick-release lever allows fast rear vehicle access
  • T3™ cradles lock down bikes and cradles while allowing complete adjustment along bike arm
  • Integrated locking cable secures bikes stores conveniently in the rack's support arms
  • No Sway Cage™ anti-sway device prevents bike-to-bike contact
  • Accommodates both 2 in. and 1.25 in. receiver hitches with included hitch adapter

Please note: Thule products cannot be shipped to Canadian addresses.

Thule Racks

Made in USA.

Item 784539

Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack Specs

Specification

Description

Weight26 pounds

Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack
 
4.4

(based on 5 reviews)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Lightweight (5)
  • Easy to install (4)
  • Easy to use (4)
  • Durable (3)
  • Stable (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Road bikes (5)
    • Small cars (4)
    • Large cars (3)
    • Mountain bikes (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Casual/ recreational (3)

    Reviewed by 5 customers

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    Displaying reviews 1-5

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    Jun

    30

    2009

    (5 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

     
    5.0

    Worth every penny

    By Xylia

    from Baltimore, Md

    About Me Casual/ Recreational

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Added features
    • Durable
    • Easy to Install
    • Easy to Use
    • Lightweight
    • Stable
    • Versatility

    Cons

      Best Uses

      • Large Cars
      • Pretty much everything
      • Road Bikes
      • Small Cars

      Comments about Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack:

      The helium 3 has pretty much taken every upgrade you can buy for a bike rack and put it all together. We have a truck and a civic so the 2" and 1 1/4" receiver combo works really well. To change back and forth you only need an allen wrench that comes with it.

      The added security was the best part of this rack. You have a lock and key on the the insert that goes into the hitch. This makes the hitch impossible to remove from the vehicle unless you have the key. The same key also works on the bike lock that is built directly into the frame so you can lock the bikes to the frame and go grab some lunch after your ride.

      The reduced weight (I would say about half as heavy as an all steal rack) let my wife be able to switch from car to truck by herself without any problems.

      The rack only has three places for bikes and I thought this would bother me, but I must say 99% of the time we only use two slots for out two bikes.

      Also I would really think about spending the extra fifty bucks on the 3 instead of the 2 just for the extra wiggle room.

      Overall this is the bike rack people have been asking about for years.

      • Gift:
      • No

      Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

      (5 of 7 customers found this review helpful)

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      May

      27

      2009

      (5 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

       
      5.0

      Excellent rack.

      By ski

      from Durham, NC

      About Me Casual/ Recreational

      Site Member

      Pros

      • Easy to Install
      • Easy to Use
      • Lightweight

      Cons

        Best Uses

        • Mountain Bikes
        • Road Bikes

        Comments about Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack:

        Love this rack so far. Very easy to install on truck. The arms are closer together than other racks, so kids bikes fit better. The integrated locks are simple to use (rack locks to car and bikes lock to rack). Everything is included with this rack, so there is nothing else to buy.

        • Gift:
        • No

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (5 of 8 customers found this review helpful)

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        Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

        Aug

        8

        2009

        (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Thule Helium 970

        By vladnc

        from San Jose, CAS

        About Me Casual/ Recreational

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Easy to Install
        • Easy to Use
        • Lightweight
        • Stable

        Cons

          Best Uses

          • Large Cars
          • Mountain Bikes
          • Road Bikes
          • Small Cars

          Comments about Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack:

          I purchased Thule Helium 970 in July of 2009. I like the bike carrier because it is light and very convenient.
          I just unsure about the rack anti - theft protection. You can't lock the receiver pin like on previous Thule models. And in locked position the Thule Stinger Swinger hitch knob will spin freely but you could easy release the hitch rotating the tighten bolt using a fine plumbing pliers at the open space next to the knob.
          I think the stinger assembly needs better anti - theft protection or Thule should design a lockable receiver pin for the model.

          • Gift:
          • No

          Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

          (2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

          Was this review helpful? Yes / No

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          Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

          Jan

          18

          2010

          (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

           
          5.0

          Amazing Rack

          By bailey010

          from PA

          About Me Competitive Cyclist

          Site Member

          Pros

          • Durable
          • Easy to Install
          • Easy to Use
          • Lightweight
          • Stable

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Large Cars
            • Mountain Bikes
            • Road Bikes
            • Small Cars

            Comments about Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack:

            Simply an awesome rack. Amazing how a rack that is so light weight can also be so stable. Its weight and ability to fold up make it incredibly convenient. I can find nothing negative to say about it, of the three hitch racks I have owned, this one is by far the best.

            • Gift:
            • No

            Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

            (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

            Dec

            21

            2009

            (1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

             
            3.0

            Review based on set-up

            By cshimer

            from Durham, NC

            About Me Avid Cyclist

            Site Member

            Pros

            • Lightweight

            Cons

            • Hard to Install or Use

            Best Uses

            • Road Bikes
            • Small Cars

            Comments about Thule Helium 3-Bike Hitch Rack:

            These comments are made based on set-up. I'll probably be back for a usage review later...First, be very careful when you remove the 'plug' where the first lock cylinder goes into the hitch tightening wheel. I tried unscrewing it as the picture showed, but it didn't back out. I then tried to pry it out only to have the head snap off. I then had to drill it out before I could put in the lock cylinder. Second, the unit shipped with the rests that the bike frame tube rests on all rotated 90 deg. from their proper position. While this may have made packing in the shipping box easier, it was a pain for me. They are very stiff to rotate (for good reason, they aren't supposed to) and I needed a very large pair of channel locks to do this (and thus marring the rubber cushion). Otherwise, set-up was straightforward and the unit is as light as advertised. We'll see how it performs in use.....

            • Gift:
            • No

            (1 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

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             - You may also flag this review

            Please let us know what kind of issue this is:

            Displaying reviews 1-5

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