Thule Doubletrack Pro XT 2-Bike Hitch Rack

Well I haven't had it out on the road yet, but it looks like a sturdy design that is well thought out. it had all the features I wanted at a reasonable price.Now the bad news, the instillation instructions were awful. They are all pictures and sometimes you can't really tell what they are saying. For example my bikes are road bikes with very thin tires that didn't fit in the default instalation. So I played with it for some time and finlly found a way to make everything fit properly, but I have no idea if it is actully set up correctly. Hmmmmm.... maybe an instalation video would help.Second, I have a 2 inch hitch on my vehicle and the wholes for the receiver pin are a bit large for the provided hardware. I am going to have to rig something a bit better.So all ... MoreWell I haven't had it out on the road yet, but it looks like a sturdy design that is well thought out. it had all the features I wanted at a reasonable price.Now the bad news, the instillation instructions were awful. They are all pictures and sometimes you can't really tell what they are saying. For example my bikes are road bikes with very thin tires that didn't fit in the default instalation. So I played with it for some time and finlly found a way to make everything fit properly, but I have no idea if it is actully set up correctly. Hmmmmm.... maybe an instalation video would help.Second, I have a 2 inch hitch on my vehicle and the wholes for the receiver pin are a bit large for the provided hardware. I am going to have to rig something a bit better.So all my complaints are on setup, however once you work though that, I think the unit is great.

Does Not Work With “Virtually All” Bikes

We live in Florida and have 2 adult, 7 speed, 26 inch very popular bikes - Electra Townie (not electric) one male and one female. Neither bike fit this rack. The rack requires the frame to have a horizontal bar for it to snuggly keep it in place and lock it. The female frame in particular was completely impossible as the frame was too low at the point where it had to connect to the rack. The male bike frame was not horizontal enough - it had a slope which caused it to not work. Bottom line, be very careful.When we asked REI to waive the $21.95 extra shipping return fee (overweight) because I felt the REI web site misleadingly stated the rack “Fits Virtually All Bikes”, REI refused. I am very disappointed as a long time member. When I suggested REI at least update ... MoreWe live in Florida and have 2 adult, 7 speed, 26 inch very popular bikes - Electra Townie (not electric) one male and one female. Neither bike fit this rack. The rack requires the frame to have a horizontal bar for it to snuggly keep it in place and lock it. The female frame in particular was completely impossible as the frame was too low at the point where it had to connect to the rack. The male bike frame was not horizontal enough - it had a slope which caused it to not work. Bottom line, be very careful.When we asked REI to waive the $21.95 extra shipping return fee (overweight) because I felt the REI web site misleadingly stated the rack “Fits Virtually All Bikes”, REI refused. I am very disappointed as a long time member. When I suggested REI at least update their website to better reflect the limitations of this rack, the customer service rep basically said REI takes the Thule description and uses it. I thought REI was adding value to their customer base ? Anyway, as a result, we’ll be looking elsewhere for our replacement bike rack.

Go to YouTube and do your homework before buying!

This is my second Thule rack. The first one gets a 5 rating. My issues here are with the lack of instructions and "cautions."First, the instructions are entirely pictorial and difficult to follow, at least for me. Example, instead of "tighten securely with provided wrench" we get a bulging bicep. After the fact, I found a few comprehensive 10-15 minutes videos on YouTube that were helpful but too late. Start here, not with the provided instructions.Second, the rack does work with a step-through bike. Would have been a nice cautionary note in the product description. But for $40 more, Thule will sell you a cross bar to make the rack functional. Even with this cross bar, it is difficult to get both vertical supports tight using a step through cross bar bike and a ... MoreThis is my second Thule rack. The first one gets a 5 rating. My issues here are with the lack of instructions and "cautions."First, the instructions are entirely pictorial and difficult to follow, at least for me. Example, instead of "tighten securely with provided wrench" we get a bulging bicep. After the fact, I found a few comprehensive 10-15 minutes videos on YouTube that were helpful but too late. Start here, not with the provided instructions.Second, the rack does work with a step-through bike. Would have been a nice cautionary note in the product description. But for $40 more, Thule will sell you a cross bar to make the rack functional. Even with this cross bar, it is difficult to get both vertical supports tight using a step through cross bar bike and a standard bike.Third, the rack does not have a serial number, which precludes the buyer from registering the warranty. This lack of serial number, supposedly from not being produced in the USA, was also noted on various web postings, but not by Thule, which simply instructs the buyer to enter it to register the rack. Still unclear how to register.Finally, never start your bike unload process without the vertical bar being tightly in place to secure the bikes.. I loosened the vertical bar and left the wheel straps secure. The bike, being held in place by only the wheel straps tilted and snapped both the "shoes" where the bike sits. Given I cannot register the rack to explore replacement parts, appears my best option us to buy two replacement "shoes" for $40 each on Amazon. So, my "usable" rack will cost an additional $120 with much aggravation in the middle.I understand the costs saves of universal packaging materials and instructions to avoid multi-language manuals. That said, I would have gladly paid an extra $5 for better instructions and FAQs to avoid these pains.If you are thinking about buying this rack, do your homework first.

Good rack, right price

Feels solid for two bikes. Fits the Prius well with a Curt Hitch. Can still open the hatchback even when the rack isn't folded up. What could have been better: I bought this at Dick's and was unaware that I was sold the non-Pro model, so there are no locks with mine, even at the same price. The directions could have been more clear, had to redo a couple steps - be mindful of the position of the top tube arms, one is longer than the other. The last unnerving part is with the hitch bolt, when it's tightened all the way, the bolt does not go through the hitch to the other side, so it seems that all the pressure is at one point on that bolt. Now I feel that I need to spend the extra money and get the locks plus a longer hitch bolt that locks.

Good value and great customer service

I purchased this to replace a similar Thule product purchased 10 years ago which unfortunately was stolen (not on the car at the time). I prefer the old design to be honest with a track for each bike as it offered more fit options, But overall the design is similar, simple to operate and install and is one of the best on the market at a good price The assembly instructions are not that clear but I was able to figure it out especially as pretty similar to the old one. The kit did not come with locks or a hitch lock which surprised me for a premium product like Thule. I contacted customer service who replied within 24 hours and they send me lock cylinders and a hitch lock which I received a few days later. Great tp get such good servicThank you Thule! Hopefully this ... MoreI purchased this to replace a similar Thule product purchased 10 years ago which unfortunately was stolen (not on the car at the time). I prefer the old design to be honest with a track for each bike as it offered more fit options, But overall the design is similar, simple to operate and install and is one of the best on the market at a good price The assembly instructions are not that clear but I was able to figure it out especially as pretty similar to the old one. The kit did not come with locks or a hitch lock which surprised me for a premium product like Thule. I contacted customer service who replied within 24 hours and they send me lock cylinders and a hitch lock which I received a few days later. Great tp get such good servicThank you Thule! Hopefully this rack will last as long and be as durable as my previous Doubletrack. Recommend this product and this company.

I like it

Bought this a couple months ago, one of the parts (the lock for the hitch) was not machined properly, so I had to call Thule to sort it out. After a short phone call, a week or so wait, I got the part and was able to use it on a regular basis. Good customer service.This works well, some parts seems cheap due to the plasticy nature, but it is holding up well. I put this on a Ford Ranger, which is what they recommended, but when I open the tailgate it hits the rack, even when I have the rack at the lowest setting where it should be out of the way.I also like that Thule gave me time to use the carrier before asking me to review. So many companies ask for a review the day you receive it.

The best bike rack I have found

I like this bike rack. It fits both of my vehicles. It is very easy to install. It holds two bikes. It is priced very well. The Thule DoubleTrack Pro XT 2 is designed with cyclists in mind.It fits 1.25" and a 2" trailer hitch. Plus this girl's. Which in my opinion is great especially for loading and unloading the bikes. It makes it a lot easier. Plus if you drive a vehicle with a hatch having the tilt on this bike rack allows you to open your hatch without having to remove the bike rack.To me the bike rack is not too heavy. The box says it weighs 37.5 pounds. It is very easy to move around and hold when placing it onto your vehicle. I did not have any difficulty. I was able to do it by myself. However, for some people it may take two people.Overall, I feel ... MoreI like this bike rack. It fits both of my vehicles. It is very easy to install. It holds two bikes. It is priced very well. The Thule DoubleTrack Pro XT 2 is designed with cyclists in mind.It fits 1.25" and a 2" trailer hitch. Plus this girl's. Which in my opinion is great especially for loading and unloading the bikes. It makes it a lot easier. Plus if you drive a vehicle with a hatch having the tilt on this bike rack allows you to open your hatch without having to remove the bike rack.To me the bike rack is not too heavy. The box says it weighs 37.5 pounds. It is very easy to move around and hold when placing it onto your vehicle. I did not have any difficulty. I was able to do it by myself. However, for some people it may take two people.Overall, I feel this bike rack is great for people that need to transport their bikes. I know it can be a headache transporting bikes because I used to hate loading and unloading my bikes. But, this bike rack has made it a lot easier. My bikes fit perfectly. I am not worried about them falling off. It has made me want to take my bikes with me to more places.I would say if you're looking to buy a bike rack, stop here. It is the best one you will find. I am fairly certain you will like this as much as I do. This would make a perfect gift for yourself or anybody.

Thule DoubleTrack Pro XT 2 Bike Rack

Lots of good features here. The tilt function is great for SUV hatch doors. Able to adjust bike positions with ease (left and right) and lock them down securely. My only complaint is the 2 inch hitch receiver; it steps down to a smaller size with quite a lot of sideways wobble. I've tightened it down using the provided wrench but there is still some play. Despite that shortcoming, I feel confident that the product secured my bikes and that the bike lock is the best for peace of mind. I wouldn't leave your bikes unattended but it's good if you are making a quick stop. I would recommend this rack.

Thule DoubleTrack Pro XT; best features for 2 bike

The Thule Double Track Pro XT is a great in-between platform rack for 2" or 1 1/4" hitches for two bikes based on cost. Heavy duty enough for bike stability and durability but not too heavy to carry from the storage area to the hitch. It has well built plastic cups (wheel trays) for both front and rear wheels with straps to hold the wheels extra securely while the user is locking down the frames. The straps ratchet tightly and include a sliding pad to protect the rim finish. They can be laced into the wheel tray one way to allow for fat tires or laced another way to fit narrow road bike tires. The center mounted mast has ratcheting arms with cushioned hooks to hold down both bike frames and both lock to prevent theft. There are no locking cables to bother with and ... MoreThe Thule Double Track Pro XT is a great in-between platform rack for 2" or 1 1/4" hitches for two bikes based on cost. Heavy duty enough for bike stability and durability but not too heavy to carry from the storage area to the hitch. It has well built plastic cups (wheel trays) for both front and rear wheels with straps to hold the wheels extra securely while the user is locking down the frames. The straps ratchet tightly and include a sliding pad to protect the rim finish. They can be laced into the wheel tray one way to allow for fat tires or laced another way to fit narrow road bike tires. The center mounted mast has ratcheting arms with cushioned hooks to hold down both bike frames and both lock to prevent theft. There are no locking cables to bother with and the single key works for the 2 bike locks on the ratcheting arms and the lock on the hitch bolt. The hitch bolt is 19mm and secures the rack tightly in the receiver preventing excessive wobble. The rack comes ready to use for 2" receiver hitches, but there is a set screw that can be removed to slide off the sturdy shank adapter that fits over the 1 1/4" core. This makes it usable for both typical hitch receiver sizes. The wheel trays adjust easily side to side with cam locks to tighten and there is a tray for each wheel for extra stability. The instructions guide the user to install them so the curved opening is facing away from the mast which adds to the secure hold on the tires. The mast hooks that press down on the bike cross bars can flip either direction. This was helpful when my wife's step through frame required the hook to be moved farther left of the mast to press down on the lowest and most flat portion of the cross bar. The wheel trays allowed adjustment so the mast arm came down very close to the seat tube part of the frame. The round center button at the base of the mast is very large and unlocks the mast from the down or up positions. I found that when I needed one hand to hold the bike and one to pull up the mast, I could hit the mast button with my knee or a foot to release it.The HitchSwitch lever lets you tilt the rack away from the vehicle with bikes loaded to access cargo area. When bikes are not loaded, the same lever allows the user to fold the platform up and closer to the back of the vehicle. There is plenty of room between the rack and the hitch to access the HitchSwitch or the receiver bolt.I am grateful that a company like Thule made this intermediate platform rack with sturdy plastic trays for the tires. I did not like what I saw in less expensive platform racks that had simple, slighlty curved wire rectangles to hold the tires. I would have preferred this rack be availible with a one or two bike add-on system. I could not justify a $900 2-bike rack then have to add-on an additional $500-600 for 2 more bikes. There were some Thule platformn racks like the T2 Classic that were $550 + $400 for the two items.

Works well

I was going to do a car top bike holder on my Thule roof rack but with an SUV, that just seemed like it would be tough with a large bike. Went with this instead. Fairly simple to put together and holds the bikes really well. As someone else said in a video, the locking mechanisms for the bikes themselves could be removed (while locked) by someone with an Allen wrench, but it’s a deterrent, not a fail safe. Don’t leave bikes unattended for long. The locking mechanism for the rack to the hitch, however, is solid. No easy way to get past that so I don’t worry about the rack disappearing overnight, even parked on the street.One negative with Thule, though, is their utterly abysmal customer support. I lost my keys on the first ride. That meant I couldn’t even remove ... MoreI was going to do a car top bike holder on my Thule roof rack but with an SUV, that just seemed like it would be tough with a large bike. Went with this instead. Fairly simple to put together and holds the bikes really well. As someone else said in a video, the locking mechanisms for the bikes themselves could be removed (while locked) by someone with an Allen wrench, but it’s a deterrent, not a fail safe. Don’t leave bikes unattended for long. The locking mechanism for the rack to the hitch, however, is solid. No easy way to get past that so I don’t worry about the rack disappearing overnight, even parked on the street.One negative with Thule, though, is their utterly abysmal customer support. I lost my keys on the first ride. That meant I couldn’t even remove the rack from the hitch. There was no way for me to be sure what kind of key I needed because the Spare parts page doesn’t list it. I emailed and waited. And waited. 8 days later, I got an email response. REI had already helped me out, thankfully, with their set of master keys and advice how to order a new set. But if you need help, CALL Thule. Don’t bother emailing unless you want ti feel ignored for over a week.