Thule Helium Aero 3-Bike Hitch Rack
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Weighing only 19 lbs., the Thule Helium Aero 3-bike hitch rack carries 3 bikes and features lightweight yet durable aluminum that's easy to handle when installing and removing.
Shop similar products- Sleek aero design improves ground clearance and increases distance between bikes for protection
- 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
- Hold Fast Cradles™ are shaped to cushion bike frames and feature Thermal Plastic Elastomer road damping pads that absorb road forces and vibration 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 Helium Aero accommodates both 2 in. and 1.25 in. receiver hitches with included hitch adapter
- Integrated locking cable and AutoAttach lock knob lock the bike to carrier and carrier to vehicle; bike cable stores in 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; carrying bikes with step-through frames requires the purchase of an adapter (sold separately)
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Cycling |
|---|---|
| Number of Bikes | 3-bike |
| Max Weight Per Bike (lbs) | 36.8 |
| Hitch Receiver (in.) | Fits 1.25 or 2 inches |
| Integrated Lock | Yes |
| Weight | 19 pounds |
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Not for fat tire bikes
I've been using this rack for about a month for my two fat tire bikes. It's a great rack--light, easy to install, easy to secure bikes and hitch--but isn't meant for fat bikes. The bikes (with frame adapters) slide off of the mounts and the mounts slide up and down the bike rack's frame. The pivot mounts (for acclaimed sway protection) literally pop right off while you're driving. This rack could very well be great for road bikes, I haven't tried, but if you've got a fatty, or plan on getting one, this isn't the rack for you.
Might Be Good for Two Bikes
I got this because it was the lightest hitch mount I could find that was supposed to fit three bikes, and it was on sale at a LBS otherwise there’s no way I’d pay full price for it or their accessories. The idea was to mount it on my spouses’ vehicle only when needed since there’s no way she would ride around with that unsightly thing blocking her view and causing her reverse camera alarm to annoy her. Unfortunately, I also had to pick up three overpriced frame adapters (got them for ½ price which made it more palatable) for male and female hybrid bikes and a children’s 24” bike. The first time I used it with two bikes, I loaded the male bike first on the first position near the vehicle with the front wheel towards the passenger side and the child bike in the middle position facing the opposite direction. What a pain it was and thought there was no way I’d be able to get my wife’s bike mounted without concern. On the second and last trip with this carrier, I put the female bike in the second position, child bike on the end and it was even more frustrating than the first experience trying to hack my way into and out of this “3 bike” carrier. I wound up with different placement results each time just because of the way the parts ended up on the carrier along with scratches on new gear. I guess they can get away with the “3” claim if you use three road bikes with no accessories installed and don’t have to use a frame adapter. But I’m sure it will still be a tight fit. Everyone else will have to worry about having pedals poke through another’s bike’s spokes as well as handlebars. Reflectors, lights and accessories will be moved, bent and broken off and paint jobs will be damaged. Better hope gears and brakes make the jolting ride your bikes will be subjected to with even the slightest bump at low speed. You’ll have additional problems if you use the frame adapter because it’s not a one-size-fits-all but larger bikes may fare better. There’s just too much play with smaller frames as they slide down when not mounted and the pole piece never rests over the rubber like it should. You’ll end up moving your reflectors low where they’re not visible because that adapter would easily break them if mounted towards the top of the post. Even if you move them they could still break during the mounting/dismounting process since it would slide down onto them. The locking cable would be an okay deterrent if you don’t use the frame adapter otherwise it’s just way too short to properly route through every bike frame. I guess their engineers haven’t figured out that if you do use a frame adapter and place the cable over them as designed…no one would ever think about taking the frame adapter off the bike and just sliding it off. The only positive things I can say is that I can easily hold the rack with one hand and mount it to the hitch by myself and it fits in the back of the vehicle just fine when packed away. I’m returning this because it doesn’t work for me and sure others with similar bikes would have the same issues. If you only have two bikes then it may work for you. Unfortunately, I’m giving them my money one more time and trying the leave one space theory. I have an Apex 5 coming my way this week (thanks to LBS sale) and hope they’ve updated the rubber parts that some have complained about. Maybe they should put a disclaimer on their packages…tight euro sizing.
Love it!
This really is a nice product. Its easy to install. Its lightweight (compared to other types of bike racks). My back doesn't like heavy things and I can manage this with no problem. I've only put 2 bikes on my 3 bike rack but there is plenty of room for the third. The unit is very stable. It comes complete right out of the box. I use a chain and/or u-lock if I leave bikes on the rack when parked. I've used this on my Jetta, Taurus and a Tacoma. Works great. I love that you can throw it in the trunk if you aren't using it. It folds up nice and the tilt feature is a blessing in disguise. Its priced a little higher than other racks but I think its worth it. I have zero regret.
Excellent Rack
I did a lot of comparison shopping before deciding on the Thule Helium Aero. I find it to be the Best rack to include everything I was looking for-Lightweight, easy install, lock for bikes and for rack included, swings down, and the rubber straps secures the bikes nicely!
Disappointed with performance
From a build prospective, the frame (structure) seems to be very well done. It is lightweight and seems to be able to handle what it needs to. However, my issues at the moment are due to the composite/rubber bike mounts. Due to the drag from wind while driving, the bike mounts are shifting in transit, placing the bike at an awkward angle. Once at this angle, the bike has the potential to free itself from the mounts since the rubber straps are under strain and the bike frame is drifting off the mounts themselves. I currently ride a 27.5 full-suspension mtb that is under the required weight max. I have a high regard for Thule products, so I am hoping for some relief from the store or Thule themselves on a fix.
Thule Helium Aero 3 Bike Hitch Rack
This rack was easy to assemble. It fit right in my brand new Uhaul 1 1/4 hitch that was 48 hours old. My a Novara Big Buzz mounted right on. First problem, even though the bike was properly secured the bike would bounce like a basket ball while driving on main hiways and the Interstate. Second Problem, The Stingner mount would not adjust resulting in the mount getting stuck in the receiver. The adjustment knob would not move up or down. I did with some luck was able to disassemble the adjustment knob. Inside there is nut with a star adjuster. I had to turn the nut up two threads to get the spacer bar to flaten enough to remove the rack from My hitch receiver. . Tip before mounting for the first time make sure the adjustment knob will move the spring up and down freely. Use some kind of silicon lube, or WD40 on the Stinger and the receiver.
Easy to use, good value!
I bought this a month ago and am very pleased. Its light, sturdy, very easy to install, take off, secure, load bikes, move to open tailgate, etc. Used it for 1 or 2 Bikes so far and they mounted/rode securely. Very happy I got this one and not one of those monster platforms!! The main concerns voiced in other reviews almost caused me to avoid, however glad I didn't pay attention to them. While its true the rubber straps can come off that won't happen if BOTH ends are connected even when no bike is being transported. The weakest part of the design appears to be the main anti sway brackets which will come off, however just make sure the rubber strap is connected in both places to the post. I had minor sliding of the rubber mount one time, moved it back easily and hasn't shifted since.
Nice Bike Carrier
Product went together in less than 10 minutes. Attached to vehicle hitch receiver in less than one minute. Bicycles go on or off in less than one minute each. Bike carrier can be removed from vehicle in less than one minute. Bikes seem sturdy while mounted but I have not taken any long trips yet.
Lightweight and easy to use.
I bought this rack to fit on a hitch of a car, not a truck or SUV. It has more clearance than my old Yakima so I don't bottom out on driveways with the bikes and a loaded car. It is also incredibly lightweight and was super easy to install out of the box (took about 20 minutes first time). The bikes are stable and we can easily fit 2 hybrid bikes on the 3 bike rack.
Good carrier but you may neede to modify you hitch
Easy to load folds down with bike on to access rear cargo area. Quick and easy connection to the car. BUT we drive a Subaru (2016) and the hole through the actual trailer hitch is not far enough back (toward the front of the car) in the hitch to meet the Thule directions. I spent about 20 minutes under the car adding a side hole to the hitch to allow the rack to be installed. One new hole in the side of the car hitch to accept the side clamp (bar) which the instructions said needed to be further back in the hitch tunnel. Without that change this rack did not properly fit the OEM hitch.