Thule Helium Aero Bike Hitch Carrier

Specifications

About this product

Product Description Thule Helium Aero hitch bike rack is designed to easily transport 1-2 bikes in your vehicles hitch receiver. This strong, secure, and easy to use premium hanging-style bike rack easily attaches to either the 1.25” or 2” hitch receiver on your vehicle with simple, tool-free installation. Integrated no sway cages, plus 5.5" of spacing between bikes prevents any contact while on the go. The hitch bike carrier locks the bikes to the rack and the rack to the car with included locks. The travel bike carrier is perfect for long distance travel or the short trip to the local trail head. The light weight bike carrier arms fold down when not in use and the rack folds down for access to the rear of the vehicle. Get your bikes to the destination easily and safely with the Thule Helium Aero hitch mounted bike rack. From the Manufacturer Ultra-Light Hitch Mount Stability for Even the Smallest Vehicles New for 2013, Thule's Helium Aero product line of hitch mount bicycle carriers allow even the smallest of vehicles to take advantage of the strength, stability, and versatility of the popular hitch mount bicycle carrier design. The Helium Aero is literally half the weight of standard hitch mount bicycle carriers currently available in its class. Thule has made this possible by using rugged aluminum construction, paying special attention to carrier and material stress points, and developing the patented Snug-Tite stinger section, which connects to the hitch receiver. The Snug-Tite Stinger virtually eliminates rack movement by removing space in the receiver, dramatically reducing stress on materials. The result is a groundbreaking product line that does not skimp on features. Key carrier features include: 2-bicycle carrying capacity, ultra-light carrier weight, premium road dampening features along bike arms to stabilize bike frames, compatibility with 1-1/4" and 2" hitch receivers, complete locking functionality, and the ability to fold down bike arms and lean the carrier base stem to the rear. Features/Specifications Ultra-light aluminum is nearly half the weight of most hitch racks, for easy handling, installation and removal Ultra-light aluminum is nearly half the weight of most hitch racks, for easy handling, installation and removal Patented Hold Fast cradles with RDT (Road Dampening Technology) secure the bike to the rack while absorbing road shock Patented Hold Fast cradles with RDT (Road Dampening Technology) secure the bike to the rack while absorbing road shock No-Sway Cages with RDT prevent contact and absorb road shock for frame protection No-Sway Cages with RDT prevent contact and absorb road shock for frame protection Integrated locking cable and AutoAttach lock knob lock the bike to carrier and carrier to vehicle Integrated locking cable and AutoAttach lock knob lock the bike to carrier and carrier to vehicle Integrated rear wheel cradle high wall design provides added protection and the perfect fit beneath your wheel Integrated rear wheel cradle high wall design provides added protection and the perfect fit beneath your wheel Sleek Aero-Design improves ground-clearance and increases distance between bikes for maximum protection Sleek Aero-Design improves ground-clearance and increases distance between bikes for maximum protection No-Tool AutoAttach allows you to install and remove the rack from your vehicle quickly and easily No-Tool AutoAttach allows you to install and remove the rack from your vehicle quickly and easily Snug-Tite Stinger virtually eliminates rack movement by removing space in the receiver Snug-Tite Stinger virtually eliminates rack movement by removing space in the receiver Hitch Switch allows arms to fold down when not in use, and tilts the carrier away for rear of vehicle access Hitch Switch allows arms to fold down when not in use, and tilts the carrier away for rear of vehicle access Bike capacity - 2 Bike capacity - 2 Construction - Durable, but ultra-light aluminum Construction - Durable, but ultra-light aluminum Hitch compatibility - 1-1/4" and 2" (with included adapter) Hitch compatibility - 1-1/4" and 2" (with included adapter) Review Thule's Helium Aero 9042 is an ultra-light 2-bike hitch mount carrier that allows even the smallest of vehicles to take advantage of the carrying power and stability of a hitch mount style bicycle carrier. Key carrier features include: ultra-light carrier weight, premium road dampening features along bike arms to stabilize bike frames, compatibility with 1-1/4" and 2" hitch receivers, complete locking functionality, and the ability to fold down bike arms and lean the carrier base stem to the rear. The strength of a hitch mount carrier that is light enough for any small vehicle. View larger Ultra-Light Hitch Mount Stability for Even the Smallest Vehicles New for 2013, Thule's Helium Aero product line of hitch mount bicycle carriers allow even the smallest of vehicles to take advantage of the strength, stability, and versatility of the popular hitch mount bicycle carrier design. The Helium Aero is literally half the weight of standard hitch mount bicycle carriers currently available in its class. Thule has made this possible by using rugged aluminum construction, paying special attention to carrier and material stress points, and developing the patented Snug-Tite stinger section, which connects to the hitch receiver. The Snug-Tite Stinger virtually eliminates rack movement by removing space in the receiver, dramatically reducing stress on materials. The result is a groundbreaking product line that does not skimp on features. Compatible with, and lockable to 1-1/4" and 2" hitch receivers. View larger Sleek Aero-Design improves ground-clearance and improves space between bikes. View larger The 2-bike Helium Aero 9042 model safely and securely accommodates two bicycles of virtually any standard frame size. The Snug-Tite stinger section is 1-1/4", corresponding to the hitch receiver size which is standard for most small vehicles that have one installed. Also included is a 2" hitch receiver adapter, which gives the Helium Aero virtual universal compatibility with the hitch receivers of vehicles like trucks, SUVs, motor homes, etc. Thule Helium Aero models feature tool-free use, which combined with their light weight makes installation effortless. To attach to a vehicle simply remove any lock, cover or cap that may be on your vehicle's hitch receiver, and lift the carrier's Snug-Tite stinger into position. As you release the AutoAttach lock knob adjacent to the stinger, slide the stinger into the receiver until the hook section of the AutoAttach lock snaps into place. A lock cylinder built into the AutoAttach lock allows the Helium Aero to be locked to a vehicle's hitch receiver. Mounting of bikes and use of carrier features are equally simple. The carrier's two support bike arms have integrated Hold-Fast cradles featuring Road Dampening Technology (RDT) that support the top tubes of bike frames. Together with no-sway cages, which hang from the support arms to isolate bike frames by their vertical seat tube, bikes are immobilized and protected from road shock. Bikes can be locked to the carrier via an integrated locking cable along the support arms. An additional benefit of the ultra-light weight of the carrier is the minimal impact it has on vehicle use when left mounted, but empty. In this situation, the touch of its upper Hitch Switch button allows the bike support arms to fold down and out of the way, while an additional button at the base of the carrier allows its entire structure to fold back from the stinger section, allowing access to hatchbacks. Key Features Ultra-light aluminum is nearly half the weight of most hitch racks, for easy handling, installation and removal Ultra-light aluminum is nearly half the weight of most hitch racks, for easy handling, installation and removal Patented Hold Fast cradles with RDT (Road Dampening Technology) secure the bike to the rack while absorbing road shock Patented Hold Fast cradles with RDT (Road Dampening Technology) secure the bike to the rack while absorbing road shock No-Sway Cages with RDT prevent contact and absorb road shock for frame protection No-Sway Cages with RDT prevent contact and absorb road shock for frame protection Integrated locking cable and AutoAttach lock knob lock the bike to carrier and carrier to vehicle Integrated locking cable and AutoAttach lock knob lock the bike to carrier and carrier to vehicle Sleek Aero-Design improves ground-clearance and increases distance between bikes for maximum protection Sleek Aero-Design improves ground-clearance and increases distance between bikes for maximum protection No-Tool AutoAttach allows you to install and remove the rack from your vehicle quickly and easily No-Tool AutoAttach allows you to install and remove the rack from your vehicle quickly and easily Snug-Tite Stinger virtually eliminates rack movement by removing space in the receiver Snug-Tite Stinger virtually eliminates rack movement by removing space in the receiver Hitch Switch allows arms to fold down when not in use, and tilts the carrier away for rear of vehicle access Hitch Switch allows arms to fold down when not in use, and tilts the carrier away for rear of vehicle access Specifications Bike capacity - 2 Bike capacity - 2 Construction - Durable, but ultra-light aluminum Construction - Durable, but ultra-light aluminum Hitch compatibility - 1-1/4" and 2" (with included adapter) Hitch compatibility - 1-1/4" and 2" (with included adapter) Bike arms folds down - yes Bike arms folds down - yes Carrier base folds back - yes Carrier base folds back - yes Bikes lock to carrier - Yes (integrated cable) Bikes lock to carrier - Yes (integrated cable) Carrier locks to hitch - Yes (integrated hitch lock and knob) Carrier locks to hitch - Yes (integrated hitch lock and knob) Limited Lifetime Warranty Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule. About Thule Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life. See more