Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
(5 reviews)
Price: $699.95
In Stock
Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount
Item # TH53GC
Retail:$759.95
Our Price: $699.95
You Save: $60.00
In Stock
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- All Info
- Reviews (5)
- Q & A (0)
- Photos
Thule Hitch Bike Racks - TH53GC
- Platform Rack
- 2 Bikes
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Fits 2 Inch Hitch
- Fits 1-1/4 and 2 Inch Hitch
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Carbon Fiber Bikes
- Wheel Mount
- Thule
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Class 3
- Bike and Hitch Lock
Designed with your carbon frame or custom-painted bikes in mind, this premium rack holds your bikes by the wheels - no frame contact. Long trays give you more space to move the bikes back and forth to avoid handlebar contact. Tilts with bikes loaded.
Features:
- Platform bike rack carries 2 bikes using your vehicle's hitch receiver
- Pivoting upright arms ratchet over your bike's wheels
- Cradle-less wheel trays allow bikes to be rolled front to back to prevent handlebar contact
- Front-mounted handle lets you tilt and fold the rack with ease
- Tilts down with bikes loaded to access cargo area
- Tool-free installation with hand-tightening cam system
- Tightens rack inside your hitch to reduce movement and noise
- One-Key System locks deter theft of your bikes and the rack
- Removable sleeve lets you convert rack for use with 1-1/4" hitches
- Durable aluminum construction is corrosion 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: 45 lbs per bike
- Maximum tire width: 3.0"
- Maximum wheelbase: 52"
- Wheel diameter: 26" to 29"
- Distance between bikes: 10"
- Distance from center of hitch pin hole to:
- Closest part of rack: 5"
- Farthest part of rack when folded up: 12"
- Farthest part of rack when folded down: 27"
- Carrier weight: 43 lbs
- Limited lifetime warranty
Note: May interfere with bikes with front fenders.
Pivoting Upright Arms
The Helium Platform XT has pivoting upright arms that grab your bikes firmly by the wheel, so it won't scratch or scuff the paint. These upright arms allow you to rapidly load and unload your bikes. Simply set your bike onto the tray and pivot the upright arms against the tires. Ratchets hold the arms in place, so once you squeeze the arms against the wheels there's nothing left to do.
To remove your bikes, press the gray handles to release the ratchets, then lower the arms.
Grooved Wheel Trays
The Helium doesn't have wheel cradles like many 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 3.0" 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.
Front-Mounted Handle for Easy Tilting and Folding
The rack tilts down with your bikes loaded. So, whether you're at the trail or the grocery store, you don't have to remove your bikes to access your cargo area. It also folds up when not in use. This leaves a smaller footprint, so you can keep the rack on your vehicle to park in your garage. And if you want to remove it, it doesn't take up as much space to store it.
To make tilting and folding easier, the Helium's release lever is mounted on the front of the rack. This means you won't have to reach through or around your bikes with one hand to reach the lever, while supporting the rack's weight with the other, when lowering the rack. Instead, you'll be able to hold the rack with both hands the entire time.
Tool-Free Installation with Anti-Rattle Device
The rack quickly installs in your hitch receiver, without the need for tools. Just slide the shank into your hitch and turn the knob until snug. Turning the knob deploys an anti-rattle wedge in the shank to help take play out of the hitch connection. It also sets the integrated SnugTite hitch pin into place, securing the rack to your receiver.
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.
Complete Security
The rack includes locks to secure your bikes to the rack and the rack to your vehicle. Integrated cable locks thread around your bikes' frames and inserts into the lock at the top of each arm. The cables store inside the arms when not in use.
The lock on the hand knob secures the rack to your vehicle. Once locked, the hand knob will spin freely so a would-be thief can't operate it. The locks are keyed alike, so you only need to use 1 key. Additional One-Key System locks (sold separately) let you make all your Thule products keyed alike.
904011 Thule Helium Platform XT 2-Bike Rack
Replaces TH44VR
Installation Details
Customer Satisfaction Score:
81% were satisfied with this product
19% of customers were not satisfied
- Manufacturer issue
- Arrived Damaged
- Defective
Customer Reviews
Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount - TH53GC
Average Customer Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars (5 Customer Reviews)
Designed with your carbon frame or custom-painted bikes in mind, this premium rack holds your bikes by the wheels - no frame contact. Long trays give you more space to move the bikes back and forth to avoid handlebar contact. Tilts with bikes loaded.by: Alison 02/25/2023
First of all, we love this rack! We bought it to replace our Thule 4bike Ridgeline rack, which still works great, but is not as easy for us seniors to use. The Helium fits perfectly on our 2014 Subaru Outback, with great clearance for the hatch when tilted away. Other things we love about the new rack:
1. It is so easy to lift the bikes and load them into the trays. The Ridgeline required that we lift the bikes up significantly higher, and then jockey them back into position, often fighting against the straps and clamps that inevitably hung up the bikes as we maneuvered them into the right spots. The Helium eliminates all that. We simply set the bikes into the tray, pulled up one arm, pulled up the other, and done. Soooo much faster and easier, and no sore shoulders or back from the awkward lift-load action that the Ridgeline required.
2. The ratcheting arms are super easy to operate - no more battling with floppy straps or bulky anti-sway cups.
3. Like the Ridgeline, this Helium is rock steady: no swaying, bouncing, or rattling.
4. The built-in cable-locks slide away into hidden storage channels in the bottom trays. When extended, they are long enough to loop through the ratchet arm, front tire, and bike frame.
5. The key for the hitch lock and the cable locks are the same, so we only carry one key instead of two.
There are a few things that could be improved on the Helium:
1. The builtin locking cable and lock mechanism are fairly tough to pull out of the storage slot. On ours, one of them is just a little bit tight, but the other requires a two-hand grip and lots of pulling to get the cable and lock to come out of the built-in storage tube.
2. The keys and locks seem to be rough-cut, as they don't work smoothly. They definitely improved after we put a little graphite on them, but the locks are still tough to operate, and the keys have to be jiggled quite a bit to find the sweet spot for both inserting them and removing them.
Honestly, we would have given this rack five stars if the locking mechanisms weren't so fiddly and and difficult. Thankfully, we don't typically need the locks, and we are very happy with this rack. We plan to leave it on the Subie all the time so we can pop the bikes on and go when the opportunity arises.
by: Dave B.04/19/2024
If it carries bikes as well as it looks, should be fine. Instructions terrible. I had to call eTrailers for help but they said call Thule, despite my question pertaining to the lock cores which are used in every single Thule product. The uncut key is used to install the lock cores FYI, when it is inserted into the core it will align all the tabs to one side and then you align that with the cutout in the lock hole. The other issue I had with the instructions is they are not clear at all about which of the two style of arms go where. I had to remove and reinstall 2 arms twice, as they want one arm with the cable lock built-in on each side. Also, one of the bolt cover plugs was broken from the factory and fell out of the bag as I was removing the arms from the box.
by: Chris04/03/2023
Works and looks great. I use it for a Thule Helium bike rack and it's perfect for this application. I did have a little trouble with installation as hitch was probably bent just over 1/4 inch in shipping. I had to use a hydralic jack and 4X4 to bend back (get bolting surfaces separated about 3/8" inch) to fit around gas tank and line up bolt holes. So installation took much longer than expected, but hitch looks and works great!
by: Skystone02/12/2024
by: Gerad03/24/2024
5
5
See what our Experts say about this Thule Hitch Bike Racks
- Can The Thule Helium XT Bike Rack Hold Women's Bikes?Yes, the Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # TH53GC is able to hold a variety of different bikes, including women's bikes. This is because the rack secures the bike by the wheels, not the frame. Just make sure your bike doesn't have large fenders as this would likely interfere with the rack's arms.
view full answer... - Recommended Bike Rack For Carbon Fiber Frame Bike Used in Various Weather CondtionsThe Thule Helium # TH53GC is the best option for your carbon fiber bike that may be exposed to various weather conditions. The Thule Helium is a wheel mount bike rack so it holds the bikes by the wheels rather than the delicate bike frames. The # TH53GC is also aluminum so it can withstand the elements for longer periods of time without rust. This rack also includes the lock for the bikes and the hitch to protect your investments.
view full answer... - Bike Rack Option for 2019 Honda CR-VAny bike rack will require some degree of lifting to seat the bike within the carrier. A hitch mounted platform type rack is definitely the right choice when being concerned about lifting height; especially if you already have a hitch installed on your 2019 Honda Cr-v. This style will require lifting the bike to less height. I suggest the hule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Wheel Mount Item # TH53GC. At 43 lbs this carrier is itself a little lighter...
view full answer... - Solution for a 2013 Subaru Outback Using a Thule Helium Bike Rack that Hits the Rear BumperFor your 2013 Subaru Outback using the Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # TH53GC you'll just need to use a hitch extender like the Hitch Extender For 2" Trailer Hitch Receiver 7" # HE06. This hitch extender will push out your rack an additional 7" so you'll be able to clear your bumper.
view full answer... - Is There a Class III Trailer Hitch for a 2020 Hyundai Kona To Use 2 Bike RackI do have an option for you but there are only class I trailer hitches available for a 2020 Hyundai Kona so regardless of the hitch size, the maximum number of bikes that can be carried is two which has more to do with leverage than weight. The best option would be to install the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver part # C11529 and then a new bike rack, the Thule Helium 2 Bike Platform Rack part # TH53GC would work for any two of the bikes. The final bike could be broken down and stored inside...
view full answer... - Could Thule Helium Platform Bike Rack Fit Jeep Wrangler with Rear SpareThe Thule Helium Platform Bike Rack part # TH53GC has a distance of about 11 inches from the center of the hitch pin hole to the nearest wheel tray. So to determine if this could fit past the spare of your Jeep Wrangler you'd need to measure from the center of your Wrangler hitch pin hole out to the furthest point on the rear spare and if that's less than 11 inches this would fit without issue. In our experience this distance on Wranglers is around 10 inches so there's a good chance this...
view full answer... - Recommended Hitch Bike Rack To Carry 2 E-bikes On A Class I Trailer HitchI did some research on Uhaul's website and your Class I trailer hitch has a maximum tongue weight of 200lbs, so you will not have a problem carrying your two e-bikes. The Thule EasyFold XT Bike Rack for 2 Electric Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount, part # TH903202, is an excellent choice. It comes with a ramp to help you load and unload your bikes. This hitch bike rack will clamp your frame, making it easier for you to carry your bike with fenders. Your Trek Domane + is an aluminum...
view full answer... - Hitch Options And Bike Rack For 1-1/4 And 2 HitchesFor your 2016 Lexus IS350 I suggest the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver Part # C11389. As for your 2017 Acura MDX the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver Part # C13146 will be a great option. Now for a platform style bike rack, I suggest the Thule Doubletrack Bike Rack for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches Part # TH990XT. This will fit both hitches on each of the vehicles. There is an adapter sleeve that will need to be removed when installing on your Lexus. It provides locking frame mount arms, and also has...
view full answer... - Can Thule Helium Bike Rack be Used in Class I Trailer HitchI verified with Thule that the Helium Platform XT rack will indeed fit and work in a Class I hitch with a 1-1/4" receiver, and also work on a vehicle with a 2" hitch. It comes with a 2" sleeve that you'd leave on when using it in the 2" hitch and you'd just remove the sleeve when using it in the Class I, 1-1/4" hitch. So here is what you'd need for the rack and hitches for your VW and Mazda: - Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack for 2 Bikes # TH53GC - Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver - Class...
view full answer... - Will The Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack Fit a 2024 Subaru Outback With OEM Receiver? I reached out to Thule to get their input as the factory 2" hitch for the 2024 Subaru Outback is much different than anything I have ever seen. It appears that Subaru has just cut out the factory fascia rather than just manufacturing a replacement section for the rear fascia. Subaru said they have seen this and because of that none of their hitches like the Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack # TH53GC will fit. So you could possibly either cut out more of the rear fascia to make it work...
view full answer... - Replacement Wheel Tray for Thule Helium Platform XT Bike RackWe do have the replacement right non locking wheel tray for the Thule Helium Platform XT Bike Rack # TH53GC. This is found on our site as part # TH62NH. We also have the other wheel trays available as the following parts: Left Non Locking - # TH32NH Right Locking - # TH92NH Left Locking - # TH42NH
view full answer... - Is There an Adapter to Use a 1-1/4" Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack in a 2" HitchI don't have a great answer for you because of the shank style the Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack # TH23JV uses. The # TH23JV rack uses an AutoAttach system that does not allow for some adapters to work well. You would need to go with a hitch reducer like the Trailer Hitch Receiver Adapter # e58YR, which reduces the hitch size rather than expanding the shank size on the bike rack. This will allow you to use your Thule T2 Pro XTR Bike Rack # TH23JV but it will reduce the weight capacity of...
view full answer... - Does EcoHitch Trailer Hitch X7237 Only Fit Electric 2014 Ford FocusThe EcoHitch Hidden Trailer Hitch Receiver # 306-X7237 will only fit the electric models of the 2014 Ford Focus. For a hitch that fits the sedan or regular hatchback I recommend the Curt Trailer Hitch Receiver # C11158. If you have the hatchback ST then you would need the # C11431. Both of these are Class I hitches with a 1-1/4" receiver. I'm assuming you want to use the hitch for a bike rack. The Inno # INH120 you were looking at is not compatible with a Class I hitch. For a similar bike...
view full answer...
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Alison
2/26/2024
After a year of using this, we still love it, and are very glad we made the investment.