Thule Helium Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
(59 reviews)
Price: $799.95
In Stock
Thule Helium Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
Item # TH44VR
Retail:$849.95
Our Price: $799.95
You Save: $50.00
In Stock
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- Reviews (59)
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Thule Hitch Bike Racks - TH44VR
- Platform Rack
- 2 Bikes
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Wheel Mount
- Thule
- Bike and Hitch Lock
- Class 1
- Class 2
Designed with your carbon frame or custom-painted bikes in mind, this premium rack holds your bikes by the wheels with ratcheting wheel loops. Long trays give you more space to move the bikes back and forth to avoid handlebar contact.
Features:
- Platform bike rack carries 2 bikes using your vehicle's hitch receiver
- Ideal for bikes with carbon frames and bikes with custom paint jobs
- Wheel loops on pivoting upright arms ratchet over your bike's wheels - no frame contact
- Cradle-less wheel trays allow bikes to be moved side to side to prevent handlebar contact
- Unlike other racks, the trays don't have to be moved to optimize spacing
- Front-mounted HitchSwitch allows rack to tilt and fold
- Tilts down with bikes loaded to access cargo area
- One-Key System hand knob and cable locks deter theft of your bikes and the rack
- Quick and easy installation with SnugTite system - no tools required
- Removable sleeve lets you convert rack for use with 1-1/4" hitches
- Durable aluminum construction with black powder coat is rust resistant
- Made in the USA
Specs:
- Application: 1-1/4" x 1-1/4" (Class I and Class II) and 2" x 2" trailer hitch receivers
- Carrying capacity: 2 bikes
- Weight capacity: 37.5 lbs per bike
- Maximum tire width: 3.0"
- Maximum wheelbase: 50"
- Wheel diameter: 26" to 29"
- Distance from center of hitch pin hole to closest point on carrier (folded up): 5"
- Distance from center of hitch pin hole to furthest point on carrier (folded up): 12"
- Distance from center of hitch pin hole to furthest point on carrier (folded down): 27"
- Carrier weight: 43 lbs
- Limited lifetime warranty
Note: May interfere with bikes with front fenders.
The Helium is a great rack for cyclists with carbon frame bikes or bikes with a custom paint job. It grips your bikes by the wheels so it won't scratch the frame, it's easy to load, and you can tilt it with your bikes loaded for cargo area access and fold it up for storage.
Pivoting Upright Arms with Ratcheting Wheel Loops
The rack uses pivoting upright arms with ratcheting wheel loops to grab your bikes firmly by the wheels, rather than the frames. These upright arms allow you to rapidly load and unload your bikes. Simply set your bikes onto the trays, pivot the upright arms against the tires, and ratchet the loops down until snug. The loops have grooves on the inside that accommodate thin road bike tires, standard bike tires, and mountain bike tires up to 3" wide.
Since each arm moves independently, you can move the bikes forward and backward on the trays so the handlebars don't bump into each other. Racks with wheel cradles or hoops don't allow you to do this, or they require tools to move the trays to create this same spacing.
To remove your bikes, press the gray handles to release the loops, then lower the arms.
Grooved Wheel Trays
The Helium doesn't have wheel cradles like most platform bike racks. Instead, it has wheel trays with grooves that accommodate a wide range of tire sizes from narrow 18c road bikes up to 3" wide mountain bikes. Because the grooves run the length of the trays, you can position your bikes exactly where you want them, rather than in a fixed location. This allows you to optimize bike spacing so your bikes don't bump into each other.
Folding and Tilting Design
The rack tilts down - with or without bikes loaded - so you can access your vehicle's rear cargo area.
Because the HitchSwitch lever is located at the front of the rack, you don't have to worry about crawling through bikes or squeezing between the rack and the vehicle to hit the tilt-release lever. Simply squeeze it then lower the rack. When you raise the rack back up, you'll hear a click to indicate it's secure.
When the rack is unloaded you can squeeze the lever to fold it up for storage. This means you don't have to remove it to park in small lots at the trail head or in cramped parking garages.
Tool-Free Installation with Anti-Rattle Device
The Helium installs quickly and easily with the AutoAttach system. Simply open the SnugTite hitch pin, slide the shank into your receiver, and close the pin so it slides through the pin hole and shank.
Once installed, turn the knob to deploy an anti-rattle wedge in the shank. This helps take play out of the hitch connection.
Complete Security
The Helium includes One-Key System locks to secure your bikes to the rack and the rack to your vehicle. The integrated cable lock threads around your bikes' frames and inserts into the lock that slides along the cable. The cable stores inside the inner wheel tray when not in use.
The lock on the hand knob secures the rack to your vehicle. The hand knob will spin freely when locked so a would-be thief can't operate it. The locks are keyed alike so you can use the same keys for both locks. Additional One-Key System lock (sold separately) let you make all your Thule products keyed alike.
Hitch Compatibility
The rack works with both 1-1/4" and 2" hitches. To use it in a 1-1/4" hitch, simply remove the adapter with the included Allen key.
904010 Thule Helium Platform 2 Bike Rack for 1.25 Inch and 2 Inch Hitches - Aluminum - Tilting
Customer Satisfaction Score:
96% were satisfied with this product
4% of customers were not satisfied
- Defective
- Product did not meet expectations
- Arrived Damaged
Customer Reviews
Thule Helium Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount - TH44VR
Average Customer Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars (59 Customer Reviews)
Designed with your carbon frame or custom-painted bikes in mind, this premium rack holds your bikes by the wheels with ratcheting wheel loops. Long trays give you more space to move the bikes back and forth to avoid handlebar contact.by: Amanda 11/29/2023
Shipped very fast and is a great bike rack! Easy to install, easy to take bikes on and off, and much lighter than our old one.
by: William 01/20/2022
I ordered this bike rack after previous experience with Thule products. Though I have only had it for a few days, the rack seems to be constructed very well, and holds the bikes very securely. etrailer was awesome! They had a great price on the rack, and it shipped out lightning fast!
by: NVV09/08/2023
Rack was broken and this was not evident until I opened the box and began assembling the rack.Trying now to get a refund from etrailer.
by: Ben 08/23/2022
Absolutely love this rack. Fits all of our bikes including tires up to 3" wide. Assembly was ok but after that this thing is a breeze to use. Even getting it on and off the vehicle is simple. I regret buying the Swagman before this and suffering with it for 2 years.
Ben
8/24/2023
Still love this rack. Easy on and off the hitch. Even easier loading bikes.
by: Ivan04/02/2022
Great product! Easy and simple assembly. I have used it 2 times so far and it works perfectly fine for Rav4.
Ivan
4/3/2023
Great product! Reliable and simple to use! Recommended!
by: Thomas05/05/2020
I love this product and love etrailer. 5 stars to both. I did my homework ahead of the purchase and with carbon fiber bikes I selected Thule's Helium 2 bike platform rack. I needed a quick shipment as I was going to use it for the upcoming weekends out of town ride (4 days out). I called on Monday afternoon and talked to Steve Z. The product was in stock and Steve said I would receive it Thursday or the latest on Friday, well I received it on Wednesday. Life couldn't be better. I assembled the bike rack that afternoon, easy assembly, good instructions, all parts fit perfectly and the rack was in my Curt receiver 25 minutes later. The Helium platform rack I received was packed very well no damage to any parts, I laid out all the parts and followed the instructions and 25 minutes later the platform rack was on my Rav4 ready for use. I have since used the rack a number of times and it's super simple to use, the bikes are very secure, the rack looks great. I am extremely pleased with Thule's Helium 2 bike platform and with etrailer's customer service.
by: Charles 06/10/2021
We have owned 4 bike racks and your Thule Helium 2 bike rack is superior in every regard. It is rock solid so our carbon fiber bikes don't bounce around. It is easy to mount and secure the bikes. The profile/design allows me to use my vehicles rear camera with the rack mounted. The design also allows me to keep the rack mounted on my vehicle while parking it in my garage, this is due to only 12 inch rack thickness. It allows use of the SUV tailgate by simply swinging it down out of the way. It's attractive design allows me to keep it mounted full time. Absolutely excellent engineering. On the "Room for improvement" side, the lack of written instructions required us to rely solely on pictorials which proved a mite challenging. Also, I will not be using the bike locking system because it fails to allow locking both bike wheels to the bike frame and rack or vehicle.
by: Tom T02/22/2022
Awesome bike carrier! Super high quality. Easy on, easy off, folds into compact size if you want to leave it on the hitch. Perfect for the boomer biker, no lifting bikes onto rooftop carriers. Wheel mount levers allow you to secure bikes in seconds.
by: Greg 03/26/2021
Service from Etrailer was excellent. The bike rack is great, although the instructions (just drawings, no verbal directions) were difficult to follow, and I had to call the manufacturer for help. Nevertheless, I'm happy with the rack, and delighted with the service from Etrailer.
by: Jill06/26/2021
We really like this rack. But be careful backing out or pulling in to driveways that have a slant. You can rub bottom of hitch and rack which can loosen the bolt and cause rack to come loose and pop off. It happen once to us.
by: Veronica04/05/2022
We love it! And we love the customer service! They helped make sure we ordered the right size for the hitch (also from etrailer.com). Highly recommend!
by: Alexander06/09/2022
love it. easy to connect and disconnect from hitch and its very light.
by: BlueZoom02/13/2022
Only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is the instructions.
So far I've only actually assembled and mounted to my car a few test times. The toolless method seems acceptable and shouldn't give one any trouble. The mechanical advantage of the mounting knob is such that one doesn't need to apply much force.
by: Timothy 09/05/2021
Easy to put on and take off the suv. Even easier to put your bikes on the rack.
by: Elsa05/14/2020
Second time around with this company. Excellent customer support! Very knowledgeable and responsive.
by: Melissa 08/25/2020
Thank you etrailer for being so easy to work with! And yes the product is outstanding (Thule, do I wouldn't expect anything less).
by: David 08/19/2022
Excellent product and very pleased with it.
by: Tom 10/18/2020
Tom M.
10/19/2021
This Thule bike rack is great! Been a year and its held up very well and the locks still work great, even after some mud and other weather. I do keep it clean and lubed, but everything works as if it were new!
Tom M.
10/19/2021
This Thule bike rack is great! Been a year and its held up very well and the locks still work great, even after some mud and other weather. I do keep it clean and lubed, but everything works as if it were new!
by: Ed04/23/2021
The rack arrived earlier than expected and the product is great, was easy to assemble and works great.
by: Lisa03/13/2022
Very happy with this product and with the customer service that I received. Will definitely shop here again.
by: Tara09/26/2021
Love it works great
by: Stacy 06/09/2021
Great product - arrived quickly with great packaging !!
by: Timothy07/02/2021
Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
by: Mark 04/13/2021
Great price, Quick and easy ordering and delivery
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See what our Experts say about this Thule Hitch Bike Racks
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view full answer... - Fit of Thule Helium =2 Bike Rack in Class I HitchThe Thule Helium 2-bike rack # TH44VR will work great in a Class I hitch and is a really nice choice.
view full answer... - Recommended Thule Hitch Mount Bike Rack for Bikes with 27-1/2 Inch TiresThe Thule Helium Bike Rack for 2 bikes will work perfectly with your 27-1/2" wheels. I've attached a review video for you to take a look at as well.
view full answer... - Platform Wheel Mount Bike Rack To Accommodate A 49" wheel BaseWith having a 49" wheel base on your Carbon Fiber Specialized Enduro MTB, the only other platform style wheel mounted bike rack that accommodates a 49" wheel base is going to be the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting - Wheel Mount Item # TH44VR.
view full answer... - Why Does My Thule Helium Bike Rack Have a Lean When In My Hitch? I believe what is happening with your Thule Helium Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # TH44VR is that you may not have the knob tightened down all the way. What you're going to want to do is get the pin in place then tilt it right to left as you tighten the hand knob at the bottom. If you go to the 45 second mark in the attached video you can watch this process to get a better idea.
view full answer... - Does A Hitch Mounted Bike Rack Set The Rear Sensors Off On A 2019 Lexus NX 300Yes, if you have rear sensors they will be set off when the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting - Wheel Mount Item # TH44VR is on your 2019 Lexus NX 300. You can turn your rear sensors off when the bike rack is on the vehicle. How to switch them off is listed on page 213 in your vehicles owners manual.
view full answer... - Thule Helium Platform # TH44VR Leans To One Side When I Install It Into My HitchWhen you put the Helium Pro # TH44VR in the hitch, get the pin in place then tilt it right to left as you tighten the hand knob at the bottom. It seems like you don't have the knob tightened down all the way. You can see what I mean in the video I've included for you. Right at the beginning of the video I do exactly this and it does not learn like yours is. I've used this on many many vehicles in the past and never had this issue when it was secured properly. If this doesn't solve the...
view full answer... - Does AutoAttach Hitch Pin on Thule Helium Platform Bike Rack Lock with KeyThe AutoAttach pin used with the Thule Helium Bike Rack # TH44VR can still be popped open and closed by hand with the bike rack installed as it's main purpose is to make sure the bike rack is inserted properly into the hitch receiver. The locking knob on the end of the # TH44VR is what activates the anti-rattle which essentially braces the shank of the rack inside the hitch receiver and makes it impossible to remove the bike rack without either unlocking and loosening it, or breaking...
view full answer... - How Much Does The Thule Helium Platform Hitch Bike Rack WeighThe Thule Helium Rack for 2 Bikes # TH44VR weighs 43.2-lbs.
view full answer... - How Many Cable Locks are Included on the Thule Helium 2?There is one cable lock included with the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting - Wheel Mount # TH44VR. I went ahead and attached a video to this answer that shows the bike cable at time stamp 2:44.
view full answer... - Bike Rack for 2020 Toyota RAV4 That Allows Access to Hatch While Bikes are on RackThere one outstanding and very user-friendly bike rack that we know will give you access to your 2020 Toyota RAV4 with the bikes on the rack, the Thule Helium bike rack: - Thule Helium 2-Bike Platform Rack # TH44VR I have added a photo for you which shows this rack tilting down with the bikes on so you can see that your hatch can open with the rack on, and also added links to a pair of video reviews of this rack on a 2020 RAV4. The Helium is one of the most user-friendly bike racks you...
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- What Maintenance Should Be Performed on the Thule Helium Bike Rack for 2 BikesI have included the maintenance instructions from Thule for the Thule Helium Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # TH44VR below. - Clean the carrier regularly using warm water or car shampoo, especially when using or after using the carrier in coastal areas (the effect of salt water) or during periods when salt is applied to the roads (winter time). - Lubricate the coupling mechanism (but not the surfaces in contact with the tow ball surface) and other moving parts of the carrier when required. -...
view full answer... - Bike Rack Compatible For A Bike With Front Fender and Rear RackWith the Thule Helium Bike Rack # TH44VR it will depend on the size of your tires as well as fenders and rack if you will be able to use the rack. Since this rack will only fit with tires between 26" to 29" in diameter you will need to compare with your bike. With the larger 29" tires the wheel clamps do not go as far up on the tires leaving lots of space for fenders and racks. I have linked a video below that shows how it fits differently with different tires. This rack will only support...
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view full answer... - Best Hitch For 2019 Hyundai TucsonOf all the hitches we carry for your 2019 Hyundai Tucson I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" Item # C13240 because the safety chain loops do not sit under the hitch receiver like the draw-tite does. This will give you the most ground clearance of them all and it is the most cost effective option. Rob has installed this same exact hitch receiver on your vehicle, check it out! He does a great job explaining the hitch, it's features and of course how...
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view full answer... - Will the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack Work On a Toyota RAV4 2006-2018The Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack part # TH44VR will work just fine on a Toyota RAV4 with a trailer hitch like the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver part # e98864 (2006 - 2018 Toyota RAV4) which is what I recommend using. It can be folded up against the vehicle while not in use and it can be tilted back with the bikes attached for access into the rear hatch.
view full answer... - Bike Rack Recommendation for 2017 Honda Accord thats Easy to Load and UnloadThe perfect solution for your would be a trailer hitch bike rack. Hitch bike racks provide a much more solid connection than a trunk mount, are easier to load and unload than a roof rack mount, and cost much less too. Also no painted surfaces are touched at all too. So for a hitch you'd want to start with the Curt # C11496 which is a confirmed fit. This is a Class I hitch, so the bike rack you use also needs to be rated for use with a Class I hitch. For a bike rack I really like the Thule...
view full answer... - Will the Thule Helium 2 Bike Rack Fit on a 2017 Honda CR-V with the Curt Class III Hitch ?The good thing about the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2" # C13397 is that the hitch opening is exactly at the end of the bumper on your 2017 Honda CR-V. I went ahead and attached a video that shows the hitch on a 2017 Honda CR-V. With that being said, the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting - Wheel Mount # TH44VR will clear your bumper when it is folded up without any bikes. The measurement of the center pinhole of the Curt Hitch...
view full answer... - Will my 2021 Giant Talon1 Fit on a Thule Helium 1 Platform Bike Rack?The Thule Helium # TH44VR will accommodate the 2.40 inch width on your Giant Talon tires. Although, the Thule Helium fits a maximum wheel base of 50 inches and a wheel diameter of 26 inches - 29 inches. If you need a hitch for the Thule Helium, I recommend the etrailer Trailer Hitch Receiver - 2" # e98905.
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- Will Thule Helium Bike Carrier Fit 2019 BMW X1The Thule Helium part # TH44VR would fit great on your 2019 BMW X1 and would not interfere with the rear cargo door opening when it's folded down. You'll see the rack in your rear camera most likely but you'd still be able to see behind you. If you need a hitch the Curt Class III part # C13303 is a mostly hidden option that would work well.
view full answer... - Recommended Platform Bike Rack for Bike With Rear Cargo RackI have a solution for you, but you're not going to be able to use the Thule Helium # TH44VR on a bike with a rear basket/rack like that installed; you won't be able to use a wheel mounting rack on bikes with fenders or rear racks/baskets unfortunately and even when used in the manner you've described I'm not sure that it's going to provide sufficient holding strength to secure the bike safely. Your best bet, and what I recommend, is going with a frame mounting bike rack like the Swagman...
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- Is Thule Helium Bike Rack Good Choice for 2020 Hyundai KonaThe Thule Helium bike rack part # TH44VR that you referenced is a great bike rack and would work well with your 2020 Hyundai Kona as long as you have a hitch installed on it like the Curt Class I part # C11529. This rack would easily clear the rear bumper and also would have great ground clearance due to the rise in the shank and the fact it's not overly long.
view full answer... - Install Video and Instructions for Curt Hitch for 2015 BMW 228i xDrive CoupeThe Curt hitch you mentioned part # C11367 is a confirmed fit for your 2015 BMW 228I X Drive coupe. I attached an install video for this hitch on a 3 Series that will be very similar to your 2 Series as well as a link to the detailed install instructions for this hitch as well. I really like the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack part # TH44VR for a bike rack. This is a platform bike rack that only touches the bike at the tires and comes with an integrated hitch and cable lock for optimal...
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William
1/21/2023
After using the rack for a year we are still extremely pleased. It has been very reliable and securely holds our bikes including built in cables to lock them to the rack. As with most any dual bike rack I was a bit concerned that the view of the brake lights and turn signals on my Tacoma pickup might be obscured by the bikes. I purchased a set of LED strip lights made to plug into the trailer light connector on my truck. Those work great. This might be an inexpensive thing for Thule to include in the future.