Saris Thelma 2 Bike Universal Hitch Rack - 4202 Review

I bought the Thelma 2 bike carrier last week (but not from Amazon) and took two bikes 650 miles and back over the weekend.

Pros: Very light and easy to use. Easy to assemble. Unlike carriers that strap the top tube, the wheels will not rotate into the vehicle or each other. Loading or unloading bikes is quick and easy.

Cons: The threaded hitch pin is good for keeping the carrier tight in the receiver with no motion, but a hassle to take off/put on, and does not lock. Saris sells a locking, threaded hitch pin separately. You could probably use a standard locking hitch pin, but that would allow the carrier to move a little in the receiver. Would be nice if the carrier had a hole or loop somewhere that a cable lock could attach to in order to secure the carrier to the receiver.

Now the dealbreaker. I assume that on a taller van or SUV, the vehicle would shield the bikes from the wind. But on a car, the bikes are exposed. I was very uncomfortable with the resulting motion of the bikes at highway speeds. I checked the straps and carrier several times and everything seemed to be fine, and I kept telling myself that this is what the carrier is designed for and it's probably normal. But after we got home, took the bikes off, and folded the front wheel holders down to stow them, I noticed that they had been bent backwards some, perhaps an inch at the ends, and no longer lined up with the rear wheel holders. I am taking this back to the bike shop where I got it and upgrading to the Saris Cycle On.

This carrier is probably great for around town use, or behind a van or SUV, but I would not recommend it for long trips on a car.

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Product Description:
She's as simple to use as she is stylish. As easy to install as she is to load. So your only workout is the ride, not racking your bike. Her name is Thelma and she's the newest addition to the Saris family of racking systems. Weighing in at just 26 pounds, Thelma is our lightest, most easy to use hitch-mounted rack ever. Bikes can be loaded and ready to go in less than two minutes and the entire rack can be installed or removed by just one person. But odds are pretty good that once you put her on your vehicle, you won't want to take her off. Unique wheel trays accommodate road slicks right up to Down Hill knobbies. Ratchet straps secure tires. Never contacts the bike frame, just the wheels. Fits bikes with 650c, 700c, and 26" tires. Carries bikes up to 35�pounds each. Rack folds up when not in use. Weighs 26 pounds, making it easy to install or remove from hitch. Universal Hitch fits 1-1/4" and 2" hitches.

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