Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer
installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Rating: 
28 reviews
Code: TH970XT
Retail:$339.95
Price:$305.95
Shipping Weight: 21 pounds
Shipping Special
This ultra-light aluminum bike rack is the ultimate combination of convenience and functionality. Easy to maneuver, the locking rack tilts away from your vehicle for rear cargo access and features anti-sway cradles on arms that fold down for storage.
Features:
Specs:
The Thule Helium is an ultra-lightweight, simple-to-use carrier and an exceptional choice if you are constantly removing and re-installing bike racks on your vehicle. Versatile and easy to maneuver, it's the perfect pick for just about any application.
The Helium features Thule's patented T3 anti-sway cradles to keep your bikes securely in place on the rack. Each cradle comes with rubber straps to hold the bike firmly and a No-Sway Cage accessory that prevents bike-to-bike and bike-to-vehicle contact.
The rack's narrowly spaced arms allow you to load a variety of bike styles on the rack and reduce the need for a bike adapter bar. It's easy to load and unload your bikes on these narrow arms, and you can fold the arms down for convenient storage when they're not in use by simply pressing a quick-release lever (Hitch Switch).
The Helium has a second Hitch Switch at the base that lets you tilt the rack away from your vehicle for convenient access to your rear cargo area.
The Helium offers you peace of mind as well as convenience, boasting two locking systems on the rack - one for locking your bike to the carrier and the other for locking your carrier to the hitch. The integrated cable lock deploys from the right arm of the rack and stores inside the arm when not in use. Both the cable lock and the hitch receiver lock use Thule's One Key System locks, which can be changed out to make all your Thule locks keyed alike.
The Helium is not only one of the lightest racks on the market but also one of the quietest. This rack has an integrated knob on the shank to promote a user-friendly, no-tool solution to the problem of annoying rattle that is typical of hitch-mounted carriers. Just turn the anti-rattle knob to take the wobble out of your hitch connection.
The Helium includes an easy-to-use adapter that converts it for use with 2" hitches. Simply remove the adapter for use on 1-1/4" hitches.
Video of Thule Helium Aluminum 2 Bike Carrier for 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Tilting - Hitch Mount
Videos are provided as a guide only. Refer to manufacturer
installation instructions and specs for complete information.
Today we are going to review part number TH970XT from Thule. This is Thules helium aluminum two bike rack. This is also available in a three bike carrier as part number TH971XT. First we will cover some of the features of this. This rack will fit either an inch and 1-1/ 4 receiver hitch or a two inch receiver hitch. With 1-1/ 4 receiver hitches, this one works great with a class one receiver hitch. One of the main components about this bicycle rack is it is made out of light weight aluminum and one of the best parts is the anti-rattle feature that we installed in the hitch itself. The bicycle rack engaged into the receiver hitch and it will not rattle. 00:35
What you will notice about the arms is that they are narrower than most. If you have smaller kids bikes or smaller compact frames you do not have to use an adapter bar. Next is the quick-release lever. Also known as a hitch switch which basically allows you to tilt the carrier away from the vehicle and also open up the arms so you can put on the bicycles. This also comes standard with three sliding anti-sway cradles to help the bikes stay in position once it is on the bicycle rack. For security purposes, this comes with an integrated locking cable that allows you to lock the bikes to the bicycle rack itself and also the bicycle rack to the hitch. These are locked together with Thules one key system that is included with this bicycle rack. 01:15
Before we install our bicycle rack we are going to have to remove our two inch adapter and that is this piece right here. It is pretty easy to uninstall. The bicycle rack does come with the tools needed to do that. It will use this little Allen bolt. Next we will show you the anti-rattle device. If you see this silver part, this part actually rides out of the shank itself like this when you tighten up the knob. It takes up room inside the hitch itself so it does not move around. Next we will show you the hitch pin itself. It is not going to use a normal hitch pin. In fact it comes with a special pin on its own and it actually has a little bit of a key built into it. What happens when you install this is you take the handle and turn it one way or the other. It does not matter as long as it can not back out. Since we are going to be using this on 1-1/ 4 receiver hitch we are going to have to use the shim for it and you just install it like that. Lets install this bicycle rack on the class one hitch we have on our Volkswagen. First off when you pick up the bicycle rack you will notice that it is very light weight compared to other bicycle racks. So lets install it. We will put it into our hitch, slide it in, and then install it and line up the hitch pin holes. Now we can install our hitch pin. A few turns of the knob and then you have your bicycle rack engaged into your receiver hitch and it will not rattle. For security purposes this comes with an integrated lock that allows you to lock the bicycle rack to the hitch with Thules one key system. 02:44
Next we will show you how the bicycle rack tilts away from the vehicle. Pull up on this latch and just tilt everything away. Then when you are done with it push it back up and it locks into place. Next we will open up our arms so we can put on our bicycles. First off we will pull on this latch and just pull them up. Next we will show you the arms and cradles themselves. Inside the cradles themselves you will see that there are grooves in there for the cables that are on the bikes. Then you have the straps themselves here. We have two points of contact, one each side, so you can take one strap off and move it to the other side. Now we will go on to the ones forward. This one is different. It has the same cradle but it has added on the anti-sway device. What this does is mount to the seat tube of your bike and it keeps the bicycle from moving back and forth. You can also remove these if you do not need them. They are pretty simple. You pull up on these two latches right here and it comes right off. To reinstall them, we will turn the cradle sideways, you can see this groove to help you line it up. This part will line up with that and just snap the locks back into place. To adjust the distance between the two bikes you can take these cradles and slide them up and down as you need on the arms. Next we will show you the security cables for the bicycles. One is stored inside the post of the rack itself and you pull it out just like so. The other is retractable into this arm right here. Just pull it out and you can connect the two together and then lock it with your key. Lets load up the bike. First off we will get our straps out of the way and we will take our anti-sway device and hold it up in the middle. If your bicycle has bottle cages on there you might have to point this down at an angle first to make it fit. Take your bike and try to balance it best you can on there. We will start off with the anti-sway cradle. We will thread it through the cable here. Then we will do the top of our cradle and you can do it on either side, whichever is easier for you. We will go to the front with this one and in a few seconds our bike is ready to go. Now we will secure our bike. We will pull out our cable. We will open up the lid. We will the key and then we will just put the two ends together and take the key and lock it. With that, that will finish our review of part number TH970XT from Thule.
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Average Customer Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (28 Customer Reviews)
by: David02/29/2012
Is this review helpful?
Product as advertised, delivered as stated (2 days), and easily assembled with enclosed instructions. Took the bikes for a "ride" on the rack and the anti-sway devices worked great. I've been through many racks in my biking life and had never paid this much for one - happy I did. It's light, well made, integral locks on hitch point and cable are very nice, and it even holds the bikes securely.32770
by: Dennis S.12/12/2011
Is this review helpful?
The carrier mounts firmly in my 1-1/4" receiver, and the bike sits firmly in the carrier cradle. There is no sway or vertical bounce. I am very happy with the carrier.27999
by: Kate01/01/2013
Is this review helpful?
Love this rack - gives me access to the hatch on my 2005 Toyota Matrix. Also like the fact that it locks to the car and locks the bike, although the bike lock cable could maybe be an inch or two longer; its a pretty snug fit.62319
by: BruceH12/25/2012
Is this review helpful?
I like the light weight and convenience (quick to attach and detach). It has been very secure with two bikes on a highway trip from Pennsylvania to California (reporting from San Antonia TX enroute). I wish it attached closer to the back of my Subaru Outback (2011, with factory trailer hitch) for better clear on steep driveways (so much clearance now that I don't even need to tilt the rack with hitch switch to open the tail gate fully). The built-in security cable is a bit too short (won't go around the crossbar of two bikes if one is woman's bike with a Thule adaptor, and wasn't designed to go around the 4 wheels anyway. To add security I bought another Thule security cable (with the same style lock as the built-in cable) and use it instead of the blue strap (it goes around the rack and through all four 4 wheels). I also bought some velcro straps (SR26260) to secure adjacent bikes at front and rear for less motion. I think Thule (or E-trailer) should suggest these items for sale with the TH970XT. I also added trailer lights from etrailer (a pair of STL8RB LED lights attached via 4-wire cable to a 4-ft Wesbar 4-pole flat connector trailer end cable). The lights (with taillight, brake light, and turn signal function, visible from back and sides) quickly strap on to bike wheels using metal brackets that I made to hold velcro straps (SR26260); they are attached using bolts provided with the lights.61883
With the built in cable you only have to go around the outer bike. If the outer bike frame is locked, then you cannot get the inner bike frame off the carrier.
Patrick B - 12/27/2012 by: Dennis W.11/30/2012
Is this review helpful?
Outstanding, I never expected this to arrive 2 days after I order it. This rack is everything they say it is, I look at many before buying, I almost bought the other model without the locks, which was cheaper, but decided that the secure system to the hitch, and cable locks that are integrated were a major priority, I have to leave my car at night in a train station parking lot, and someone would have a difficult time trying to take it. I have a trunk mount bike rack (SARIS® BONES TRUNK MOUNT BIKE CARRIER) which I was using. It worked, but taking it off and on was a pain every time I left the car, and in the process of doing so, I fractured a tail light lens. It also strained the hinges, and distorted the trunk lid. It is a good rack for the design, but security was a big issue. This rack is very sturdy, and is very compact. Nothing cheap or under designed. It takes me 30 seconds to secure my bike and on my way. Almost takes longer to take off my gloves and helmet. I have a tendency to get things, and they don't meet my expatiations, finally got something that works beyond better than I expected. A person may pay a bit more for this rack, but I feel it was worth every penny. 60305
by: Lauren09/23/2012
Is this review helpful?
So glad I got the Helium! At 25 lbs, this is one of the lightest bike racks on the market... and it was still heavy! I can't image what the platform rack would have been like to try and get into that little 1-1/4" hitch hole. If you're a girl like me, and want something that's manageable, this is it! Pay a little more, it's worth it.55547
by: TH970XT09/22/2012
Is this review helpful?
Rather crowded for 2 bikes but a good quality product that works well. We secure our bikes wheels with a couple of bungee cords to prevent them from moving and causing any damage to one another.55526
by: Tony S.07/30/2012
Is this review helpful?
Installed and working! Instructions were helpful. My Prius hatchback can open/close even without tilting this rack down. The rack feels sturdy. All the clasps and levers lock into place. Drove with two bikes on the freeway and felt safe.49858
by: Melanie D.07/24/2012
Is this review helpful?
I would give it 4 stars out of 5 because despite "no tools needed for installation" I had to grind some paint down to fit it into the hitch receiver. Great features: it locks to the car and it has a built in bike lock. These were a huge factor in my buying decision. My trunk hatch just clears it without needing to use the tilt-away feature. The tilt-away feature is awesome when loading/unloading large items from my trunk. It looks sharp, too. I have gotten a lot of compliments on it. I am very happy with it.49142
by: Aric B.07/16/2012
Is this review helpful?
The rack is simple to assemble, and light enough that my wife can put it in the hitch and take it off with no issues what-so-ever. The hardest part was getting the box open with all the industrial staples holding it shut...48238
by: Kevin06/23/2012
Is this review helpful?
Love it. Light-weight, easy to mount. Excellent construction and engineering. This is the best carrier made!!!45375
by: Jerry06/08/2012
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Excellent. Easy to install and use. 43398
by: Alan06/07/2012
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This bike rack is exactly what I wanted. It is as advertised in all respects.43183
by: jlab05/19/2012
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excellent quality, great design 40989
by: william D.04/25/2012
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Went together well and allows me to open doors on our E150 Ford Van with or without tilt38363
by: Mark04/18/2012
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I received the carrier reight on time! It was easy to assemble and exactly whT i wanted. Thanks for yopur great service! Mark37622
by: Doctorwax09/29/2011
Is this review helpful?
Very good description by etrailer, no surprises, works well. Could use deeper cable cushion grooves for the cross bar supports. Great for hanging a standard men's bicycle with cross bar, a bit of a compromise with the adapter bar. Hanging the wife's 'Electra Townie' bike with the adapter bar places the front wheel within 7-8" of the pavement (2010 Subaru Outback). Kinda makes be want a platform hitch opposed to a hanger. Someone needs to come up with a different adapter bar, but haven't found one. 24827
by: James A.09/19/2011
Is this review helpful?
Bike rack on my 2010 Toyota Prius. 24231
by: Steve P.08/20/2011
Is this review helpful?
This bike rack is lightweight and very easy to handle making installation a breeze. The antisway cradles install easy and do a good job of keeping your bikes from hitting each other. Minor modification( slight sanding of the paint) to the 1 1/4 inch hitch was needed for ease of installation into a class 1 hidden hitch reciever.22362
by: TimB08/12/2011
Is this review helpful?
Great light weight and sturdy. If its your first bike rack it will also be your last one. The rack arrived in just three days, intact and sealed. Only problem was the lack of assembly manual. Was able to find one online and saved a copy to the pc. Probably a good thing cause I would have missed placed it in the house anyway. The locking for the 1 1/4 hitch tube was quick to attach and remove. The unit tilts and foldes up compact. Loved the locking cable as you can't misplace it. I bought it for use on our Toyota Prius and the 2" hitch will also fit the old Bronco. Overall, may seem expensive compared to cheaper brands, but worth it as everything you need is built in. 21717
by: Tony08/11/2011
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Great product works exactly at describe d. 21618
by: Peder C Pedersen07/22/2011
Is this review helpful?
The Thule TH970XT is an excellent product - well-engineered and sturdy and lightweight. I like the fact that the bike carrier itself can be removed from the car without the use of tools and that the bicycles can be be locked to the bike carrier. While I have had the bicycle carrier less than 24 hrs, it already seems like an ideal (but not inexpensive) carrier to be used with the 3rd generation Prius. It was a pleasure to do business with etrailer: good e-mail communication and very prompt shipping.19946
by: Kevin L06/28/2011
Is this review helpful?
Really light and compact! I store it in the trunk when not in use. After trying Thule raceway platform (trunk mount) that almost damaged my bumper and trunk lid, I am so glad that I got this one instead.18054
by: Judith S.03/11/2011
Is this review helpful?
I just received this rack and am very pleased with it. It is well made, very light, and easy to use. Because I live in a rural area, I am no stranger to online ordering. This is one of the best websites around! They have great prices and product information. The videos for each of the products are extremely well done and very helpful. It now have it bookmarked for future orders.9099
by: Simon T03/09/2011
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Very high quality, excellent design. 8928
by: Alan B01/30/2011
Is this review helpful?
The Thule Helium 2 bicycle rack cannot equal their superlative T2, which carries bikes on their wheels, and is somewhat more easily loaded, but both are fine products, well engineered and carefully manufactured. I own both, having more recently purchased the much lighter weight Helium 2 for a newer vehicle, in order to be able to take the rack on and off more readily, as it is about half the weight of the T2, which I would recommend for anyone who doesn't mind leaving their hitch mount rack in place for the entire cycling season. The cradles on the Helium 2 nicely match the typical oval tube shape of today's carbon fiber bikes. Three thick rubber leashes hold the top tube and seat tube firmly in place. The built-in retractable locking cable allows some security for at least short periods of time, though it is no substitute for taking a bike inside during a travel stop-over. With the bike cradle folded, the Helium 2 is far more compact than the T2, but between bike transports, its real advantage is the ease with which it can be removed, and placed aside in one's garage, or alternatively, stored inside one's house or apartment. Neither of these Thule racks are inexpensive, but they do represent a reasonable long-term investment, particularly relative to the cost of a pair of modern roadbikes, likely to cost ten to thirty times what the rack does. etrailer.com proved very responsive relative to questions I had about the Helium 2, their price excellent, and the delivery via UPS very prompt...in time for the first ride of the season!6383
by: Don F.07/09/2012
Is this review helpful?
I just installed the product and can't really evaluate it. It certainly seems to be solid, well-designed and well-made.47266
by: Jim Hersheway03/31/2012
Is this review helpful?
Its a good rack. But due to the design of my Trek Superfly 100 AL the bike is not secure without inner tube tie downs. I need to return this item for a Thule Doubletrack Platform 2 Bike Style 1 1/4 hitch.35714
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Installation Details
