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Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack
The Thule Apex Swing 4 bike hitch rack carries up to 4 bikes and is easy to load and unload with the unique arc design that provides better ground clearance and creates greater distance between bikes.
- Increased mast height improves ground clearance and a unique arc design in mast and arms offers easy bike loading and carrying
- Swing-away design allows a fully loaded hitch rack to swing away from vehicle providing access to rear of vehicle
- Tilt-down design with Hitch Switch™ quick-release lever allows arms to fold down when not in use
- Included Snug-Tite™ Stinger receiver lock secures your rack to the car receiver; 4 walls of fastening contact within receiver eliminate vertical and horizontal movement
- New Hold Fast Cradles are shaped to cushion bike frames and feature Thermal Plastic Elastomer (TPE) road damping pads that absorb road forces and vibrations to protect bikes
- Anti-Sway Cages with integrated soft-touch TPE strips protect bike frame finishes and prevent bike-to-bike and bike-to-vehicle contact; reinforced rubber cradle straps
- Thule Apex Swing 4 accommodates 2 in. receiver hitches
- Integrated locking cable secures bikes and stores conveniently in the rack's support arms
- Easy mounting of hitch rack requires no tools; push rack into receiver until auto-pin engages, tighten knob and lock the hood of the housing
- Not intended for tandem or recumbent bikes
Please note: Thule products cannot be shipped to Canadian addresses.
Made in USA.
Item 831925
Or ship for FREE with REI Store Pickup.
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Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Easy to use (11)
- Durable (9)
- Easy to install (9)
- Stable (9)
- Lightweight (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Mountain bikes (8)
- Road bikes (7)
- Large cars (6)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (7), Casual/ recreational (6)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (13)
Reviewed by 13 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-10
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Pros
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
- Tough With Kids Bikes
Best Uses
- Mountain Bikes
- Road Bikes
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
I needed to replace my 13 year old Thule tilt rack so I could get into the back of my Jeep Wrangler without removing the rack. The Apex Swing has been great. Easy to use and install. The only issue is that I ride with my kids and it is a challenge getting the 16" and 20" bicycles on and off of the rack. I use frame adapters to help but it is still a struggle.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
- Hard to Install or Use
Best Uses
- Large Cars
- Mountain Bikes
- Road Bikes
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
We got this because we have a Burley Encore trailer and we wanted to be able to get in the car without removing the whole bike rack. It works really well and allows us unlimited access to the car. We can load the bikes up while the back of the car is open and then move the rack into place. The diagrams and instructions were not particularly clear but we figured it out.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Impracticle
- Unstable
- Weak Construction
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
This rack is so impracticle. The only benefit of the swing mechanism is if you have your bike(s) on the rack more often than you don't because the release process is cumbersome and takes too long.
The cradles are also very shallow. I had two mountain bikes that slid off one of the cradles while in transit. The cradles also shift (slide) very easily, creating more instability.
The straps are also made of more of a hard plastic rather then malleable rubber, so difficult to engage.
The locking mechanism (for the bikes not the hitch) is a joke. It is made of plastic and attached by a tiny rivet. It would be a piece of cake to break off.
I upgraded to this rack from the Thule Gateway 3 which I loved. Surprised that the Apex swing is by the same manufacturer.
I can't figure out how this rack received so many good ratings ... Don't waste your time. I'm just glad I bought this at REI because I know it will be a no hassle return.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Doesn't Fit My Bike
- Does Not Fit With My Bike
- Hard to Install or Use
Best Uses
- Road Bikes
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
I spent an hour assembling this rack, only to find out at the end that it does not fit with my nice mountain bike.
Before I bought it, I spent a good amount of time talking with an REI sales person about the rack, and she never mentioned anyone having problems with the rack fitting a bike. I was surprised since I have a fuji mountain bike, and fuji is a common bike maker.
I'm SO frustrated I wasted an hour of my life, plus time dealing with a return because it does not fit my bike.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Convenient
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Lightweight
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
- Mountain Bikes
- Vans with Dogs
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
I bought this bike rack before a week vacation on Cape Cod. This vacation we decided to bring the bikes and both of our 100 lb. labs that normally get loaded in the back of the van. Found this to be the perfect solution! I was able to fit three bikes on that were boy's bikes. The fourth bike was a girls mountain bike that I just coudldn't seem to fit on. I talked to the sales rep at REI after my vacation and he sold me an adapter for the girls bike made by Thule for about $36.00. I haven't used the adapter yet but he said it goes on the girls bike from the handlebar shaft to the seat tube to simulate a bar stright across. Hopefully this will help! Very satisfied.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
- Large Cars
- Mountain Bikes
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
We got this rack to transport our family bikes on vacation. Easy to use and very stable.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Thule makes fantastic, rock solid products. I've used them for years and was excited to upgrade my Ridgeline 4 rack to this one for the swing away access. It's perfect in every way but one and I will be returning it because of it. The cable lock is not functional if your bike requires the use of a frame adapter. Unlike the older Thule racks, which had cables on the front and rear of the rack that extend out, this one only extends from the rear and attaches to a fixed point on the front. This works great when attaching the bike directly to the rack, since you automatically get the frame in the loop. But with frame adapters, you have to go down and circle the frame below the rack bars and there is not enough cable to come back up and secure it to the rack. Otherwise it is great.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
- Large Cars
- Mountain Bikes
- Road Bikes
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Bought this rack to haul my tri-bike on the back of my Expedition on a trip through Wyoming and South Dakota. I absolutely LOVE the stability of this rack. The design allows you to expand the hitch slide so it fits like a glove and is extremely stable. The extra lock cable doesn't to a whole lot, but the other tie downs for the bike are very tight, but won't harm the bike itself. I got the 4 bike one so I can take my kids' bikes on trips and it holds them with no problem. The swing out works great and I can lift the entire liftgate of my Expedition without having to remove the hitch. Great product.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Sort of lightweight
Cons
- Bouncy
- BULKY
- Rounded bars
Best Uses
- Bikes with crossbars
- Mountain Bikes
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Sort of long... Hope it helps:
I got this rack to transport my family's bicycles, and it does that fairly well. We're no pro-biking family, so we've got a mix: a 1971 Schwinn Suburban, a BMX-style Dyno, and some off brand mountain bike for my daughter. All three fit, but boy is it tight. The Schwinn has to go first, because it's heavy, and the pads/mounts it lays across slide because of the weight. If we put it on the mount to closest to the vehicle, it slides down to the mast by the time we get anywhere. That does leave scratches. We solved that issue by buffering it with another mount, effectively giving us 3 of 4 useable slots.
On a very good note, we are up and down hills constantly and the rack holds the bikes securely. Looking out the back of the Pathfinder, I see the bikes bouncing like crazy off road or on particularly poor roads, but I've taken it pretty quickly over moderate terrain (desert, hard packed) and it was just fine. The construction is legit and it's the rack arms bouncing, not the bikes themselves.
Also, those anti-swing mounts are great. For the heavy bike, we use one on both sides - no issue. The cross bars for women's bikes are expensive, so you know, but they work. My daughter's bike will not work any other way, and my wife's is too old to risk it. Just make sure the bikes are tightened, and well - because all the weight is generally being held with the bolts for the seat or handlebars.
My only other complaint is that it's a lot to have now. We wanted it to toss the bikes on for trips to the beach, park, or back home, which it is perfect for. What I don't like is that it's always in the way. Yes, it's a ten second fix to swing it out of the way, but it gets less convenient over time. I would store it in my garage, but living in a city apartment pretty much means it is on the vehicle or in the vehicle.
Anyway, I don't ding it for that, because I got exactly what I asked for. I do ding it for the sliding, though.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
- Large Cars
- Mountain Bikes
- Road Bikes
Comments about Thule Apex Swing 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
When I first saw it, I didn't think the hitch assembly looked that durable, but the salesman assured me it was. He was right. This piece of equipment is rock solid! Perfect for taking all thebikes out for some trail riding with the family. Thank you REI and Thule for providing the right gear to get the job done, time and again.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-10
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