Discount Saris Thelma 3-Bike Platform Hitch Rack

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $369.99
Sale Price: $320.00
Today's Bonus: 14% Off

The Thelma arrived the day AFTER i ordered it. Now i see why has a 100% satisfaction rating.

The rack works very well on my small car Honda Fit, have used it numerous times already. It is easy and fast to load/unload and put on and take off the car.

The nuts and spacers for the third bike wheels were missing. Called Saris and they sent three complete sets of bolts/nuts and spacers which arrived in only three days.

would highly recommend the Thelma 3, and Saris !!

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I did many months of research on the ideal bicycle hitch rack for my SUV. After I spend almost $300 on the hitch installation, I asked friends and check on website for the hitch that can carry 3 bikes on a platform and stable enough for long ride. Most of my friends who used Yakima and Thule are happy with their bike platform rack but major complain are weight and they can only carry 2 bikes. We need to carry 3 bikes and the Saris Thelma 3 bike was a perfect choice. Price wise they are cheaper because I don't have to get extension for additional bike rack.

The item arrived as expected from the seller in good condition and I was lucky to get FREE shipping. I spend 3 hrs to fix the hitch together and the major problem was the alignment with the quick release pin when you fold or put the holder down to mount the bike. I have to hammer down the pin in order to put in through all the way. When I fold the bike rack, the pin does not go through. I called Saris and they send me new stock for replacement after 3 weeks due to inventory issue. I received it yesterday and this time, it took me 1.5 hrs to install since I am familiar with the instruction.

I am not sure if I consider as an unlucky customer but again the quick release pin does not go through unless I hammer down hard. Removing the pin with hand is almost impossible unless I knock is out using some tool. This is a great product but I am very doubtful with the quality of manufacturing. Saris should at least this test out after manufacturing to make sure everything fit well. There is not much room for error, even a small variance mean customer cannot put the pin through and secure the rack holder. Overall, the hitch rack hold the bike very well during long road trip even up to winding road at high speed. If you bike has a fender (kids bike), it will be difficult to mount it and secure using the cable.

Overall, I would recommend the product but be prepared to get some quality issues if you are not as lucky as me.

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I bought the Thelma 2 bike carrier last week 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.

Honest reviews on Saris Thelma 3-Bike Platform Hitch Rack

After doing quite a bit of research and trying other brand hitch racks, I bought the Saris Thelma 3-Bike Platform Hitch Rack about two months ago and have been using it without any problems on a weekly basis. It took me about an hour to do the initial assembly. I find the design and the use of the rack very practical. It does not take too long to set it up and load/unload bikes. Loading either a road or a mountain bike is very easy and secure. Bikes would not get scratched at all using this rack and you do not need to over tighten bikes with rubber ties or need bungee cords to make sure one bike does not slide or swing to scratch the other. Driving in the city or on the freeway is very smooth and quiet with no rattling or swinging. I highly recommend considering this hitch rack without any hesitation.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Saris Thelma 3-Bike Platform Hitch Rack

I was able to assemble and mount this in less than an hour.

I have it mounted on a Matrix/Vibe. I've carried road bikes, XC bikes and my 35lb free ride bike. I live a good distance from the trails I like to ride, so I speed a lot. So far, I haven't had any problems with anything flexing like a previous poster mentioned. I wouldn't take it 4-wheeling, but it seems plenty stiff for VA roads, pot holes and all.

My only real complaint is the straps are a little short for larger tires. My 2.35" Kendas are barely within reach, and it takes some finesse to get the bike mounted securely. I'm pretty sure 2.5" tires would require longer straps.