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Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack
The new Thule Vertex 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
- Tilt-down design with Hitch Switch™ quick-release lever allows arms to fold down when not in use and tilts carrier away from vehicle for fast rear vehicle access
- New Hold Fast Cradles are shaped to cushion bike frames and provide security
- Anti-Sway Cages with reinforced rubber straps prevent bike-to-bike and bike-to-vehicle contact
- Snug-Tite™ receiver lock (sold separately) locks your rack to the car receiver
- Thule Vertex 4 accommodates both 2 in. and 1.25 in. receiver hitches with included hitch adapter
- Not intended for tandem or recumbent bikes
Please note: Thule products cannot be shipped to Canadian addresses.
Made in USA.
Item 832030
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Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack Customer Reviews
REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviewsPros
- Easy to install (6)
- Easy to use (6)
- Stable (5)
- Durable (3)
Cons
Best Uses
- Reviewer Profile:
- Avid cyclist (5), Casual/ recreational (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (10)
Reviewed by 10 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Fits The Vehicles Well
- Stable
- When Empty Easy Access
Cons
- Must Load 4 Bikes W Care
Best Uses
- Large Cars
- Mountain Bikes
- Road Bikes
- Small Cars
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
This product is well made and does what it was designed for very well. It isn't designed to allow tilt when loaded but might be done if a very small clearance to open a hatch is needed. If fully loaded with 4 adult heavier bikes this would be a load to hold, tilt a little and then lift back into place. Do so with care if you attempt this. If you need full rear vehicle access when fully loaded, you need a side swing mount made for that.
The use of 4 bikes can be done with some planning and careful placing. Bikes with rear racks and other features will eat up valuable room in successfully figuring this out. It can be done but they will be packed tight. Less than 4 bikes are a breeze. If you routinely carry 4 bikes that aren't pretty naked and you aren't the best at puzzles, then consider the 5 bike model. You will be glad you spent the extra 30 dollars
The cradle mounts all work well, easily, quickly and reliably once you realize the mechanics of how the straps work best along with the anti sway vertical mounts. Loading on the 4 bike rack is easy enough for the first few bikes as you reach back with the bike over the arms. The first bike being placed all the way onto the rack might be a little difficult for a lightweight person and a heavy bike. The others follow easier with each.
It is best to plan your loading before starting and to place the cradles about where they need to be. By design they do not move easily. Once in place with a bike they are pretty solid. To move them unloaded takes some twisting and rotating to slide them a little at a time. It is more difficult to do this if you already have bikes on the rack.
We began with the 4 bike version when we had changed cars and had to change mounting abilities. The price seems steep at first but then you see how the product works so well and remains solid over time. The 4 bike rack we have has been in use for a year now and continues to work as when new.
It first was used on a Volvo XC90 SUV. That model has a split rear hatch with 2/3 being the window and door going up and 1/3 being a tailgate. We are lucky with that in that both will just work with the rack in place and unloaded. With bikes on it, a road bike just barely allows the hatch to open still. With a mountain bike, the bars are wider and just block the hatch from opening. If only 3 bikes it can be loaded so this is avoided. THIS IS NOT THE DESIGN intent. Full size hatches aren't going to open. We are just lucky with that on this car.
Our son had to modify his carrying of bikes and began to borrow this carrier. His Saab 9-3 only has a 1 1/4 in hitch. This model can be adapted to both (the XC90 has a 2 in receiver). His hatch back lacks 1/2 inch of clearing the top of the carrier. He regular lifts the latch to release the carrier and accesses his vehicle. It is such a small thing he now leaves the hitch on his car all the time. He is an avid cyclist and is always putting 1-3 road and mountain bikes on it. The latch after a year still works well and isn't a bother.
When loading a bike with no top bar the accessory for putting a temporary top bar works very well. If you are talented workshop person you can make one. If you aren't and have to carry a bike like this regularly, buy this even if you use another rack
It is a heavier piece of equipment to hold and while only needing a simple bolt into the receiver pin area with a wrench provided, we prefer to just leave it on the vehicle all the time.
It also works as a great work stand when other things are available.
Summary:
* Great product, expensive price but glad for the quality of it after regular use after a year. (on a vehicle all the time out in the weather)
*Holds 3 bikes easily, 4 with care in packing and some puzzling over how best to fit things
*Once familiar with the mechanics easily moves out of way when unloaded
*Holds bikes securely
*Design of cradles and straps works well.
*Works well with our SUV XC90, our midsize V70 Wagon and small car Saab 9-3 Hatchback.
Good enough product that when son took it over we bought the 5 bike model for our use!
NCS
- 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 Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Great value in a very sturdy easy to use bike carrier. Only downside is that if you have women's or kids bikes it is recommended you purchase an attachment for each bike so that you have a straight crossbar. I opted to have the bikes be a little crooked than buy three attachments at 60 bucks a piece!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
- Doesn't Fit My Car
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Nice bike rack in general. It doesn't fit older version of Honda CRV (the one with the wheel in the back). You have to remove the wheel to fit the bike rack into the hitch.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy mounting
- Easy tilt
- Height
Cons
- Security
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Bought this rack after 2 other strikeouts with Yakima trunk mount and the Thule ridgeway hitch mount. This rack is great. I ride a 29er so the added height of the riser bar was needed. My wheel on the ridgeway was dangerously close to the ground on my gti. tilt mechanism is solid and I.think this rack looks way better. The anti sway bars work really good. I strap my 29er Hardtail and my buddies 29er full suspension with cheater arm and the rack is flawless. Just wish that it came with security cables and hitch lock. For this price the ridgeway has all that. Also the cradles slide so definitely use the strap which prevents that. Rack is great and thank you rei for the 20% off coupon!!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
I picked this rack up about a month ago during the annual 20% off sale and like it so far. It's very versatile and hold everything from my girlfriend's little 13" MTB to my big honking 20" Pugsley.
On the first trip I didn't use the strap to secure the bikes to the "mast" and the rubber mounts starting sliding down the rack. Fortunately we caught it before the bikes slid all the way off (the end caps MIGHT have caught the rubber mounts). I was a little bummed as this issue was exactly why I had not bought the Yakima Doubledown. But since that trip I have used the strap to hold the bikes tight against the mast (like they say in the instructions) and no more sliding.
The rack looks great and I super-solid. I'd definitely buy it again.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Durable
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Quiet
Cons
Best Uses
- SUV
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Wasn't thrilled getting a 4 bike rack and having to use an adapter for a 2" hitch but it wasn't as bad as I thought. Feels solid and it's extremely quiet while driving; also very easy to operate, handles to tilt/drop arms are great.
Using on a honda CR-V with a class 3 hitch; gives good clearance from back of truck/ground. Had it at highway speeds with my mountain bike and 3 other BMX bikes no rubbing.
Kind of heavy wouldn't want to use it on a smaller hitch. Native model with 2" stinger would be nice but I'm happy with the purchase so far.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Compact
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
- Design Issues
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
The rack does it's main job perfectly. It holds bikes easily and stably, keeping them securely strapped in without swaying much, even on very uneven surfaces. It also feels durable and well made, so I have no doubt it will withstand a decent amount of wear. When folded up, it stands about an inch off the rear tire of my Wrangler, so adds very little additional length to the car. I do have an issue with two design choices. The first is that the extension pieces that help stabilize your frame can come off rather easily, when there doesn't seem to really be a need to do this. You risk losing them or having them stolen, when a simple design change could have allowed these to latch more securely. The second is that the hole in the mount where you could normally use a hitch lock to keep the rack attached to your hitch is intentionally designed to be too small to hold a normal hitch lock, forcing you to buy the Thule brand lock. What a shock, it's $50, when normal locks usually run around $20. This decision just rubs me the wrong way. If you use the provided bolt, the rack will be very stable, but it won't be secure, so you can either cough up the extra money or roll the dice. Oh well. Overall, the rack performs it's job quite well.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Stable
Cons
- No good full susupension
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Did not work for our daughters smaller frame bike and my full suspension. The adapter although in theory is a good idea really makes product less stable.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
- Stable
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
Fits great on my '04 4Runner. 2 inch hitch required the adapter (included), REI assisted with install at no additional cost. No complaints!
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Pros
- Easy to Install
- Easy to Use
Cons
- Doesn't Fit My Car
Best Uses
Comments about Thule Vertex 4 Bike Hitch Rack:
It looks like a great rack, but it doesn't fit an Acura RDX. Make sure your hitch projects well beyond the bumper because the tightening knob is on the side of the rack that inserts into the hitch.
- Was this a gift?:
- No
Displaying reviews 1-10
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