Comparing Thule Helium and Kuat Beta Trailer Hitch Mount Bike Racks for a 2007 Mazda Miata
Question:
Which bike racks do you recommend for my 2007 Miata convertible that has a Hard Dog hitch with 1.25 receiver? Im concerned about weight and clearance. Can speed bumps cause problems? Ive been looking at the Kuat B204 Beta, the Thule 970 XT
asked by: Rita B
Expert Reply:
According to what I found on the Hard Dog site, their hitches are Class I, so you will need to find a rack that will fit a Class I hitch.
The Kuat Beta, part # B202-114, and Thule Helium Aero, part # TH9042PRO, will both fit Class I hitches.
Any high quality hitch bike rack should not have a problem with speed bumps, provided you take the bump at an appropriate speed. Quality manufacturers test their bike racks on the roads and on testing machines in their engineering departments to make sure their racks will hold up to road use. A bike rack is worthless if it falls apart after going through a rough patch of road. Most of them should not be used in off-road applications.
The Hard Dog site says that their hitch can handle a 200 pound tongue weight. Check the owners manual of the Miata and see if the tongue weight capacity of the vehicle is less. If it is, abide by the lower number. As far as weight capacity, you add the weight of the bike and bike rack together, and that total is your tongue weight load. If your bike weighs 25 pounds and you have the Thule Helium, your total tongue weight is right at 45 pounds. The Kuat Beta is lighter, so your total with the same bike would be right at 37 pounds.
You can measure the hitch to make sure they will clear your bumper, but both the Kuat and the Thule should. Lay a yard stick, straight up and down, against the furthest point of your bumper. Measure from the center of the hitch pin hole to the yard stick. That measurement is your minimum clearance. If that measurement is less than 10-1/2 inches the Kuat will fit. The Thule is a bit shorter at 8-1/4 inches.
In all honesty, you could not go wrong with either the Thule Helium or the Kuat Beta. Thule and Kuat both have excellent design on their bike racks. The Thule Helium does have the quick-release switch at the bottom for the tilting feature, whereas the Kuat you have to pull a pin. The Thule build quality is great, but I think I think the Kuat takes things one step further. Aluminum is not an easy material to weld as it dissipates heat so quickly, but the welds on the Kuat racks are phenomenal for aluminum and their finish is second to none.
Either way, you would not be getting a bad rack. If you plan on using the tilt feature a lot, the quick-release switch on the Thule might appeal to you. If you want one of the best built and best looking bike racks, the Kuat fits the bill.
Product Page this Question was Asked From
Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Tilting
- Hitch Bike Racks
- Hanging Rack
- Folding Rack
- Tilt-Away Rack
- Frame Mount
- Locks Not Included
- 2 Bikes
- Class 1
- Class 2
- Fits 1-1/4 Inch Hitch
- Kids Bikes
- Kuat
more information >
Featured Help Information
Instructions
Miscellaneous Media
Continue Researching
- Shop: Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 2" Hitches - Tilting
- Video: How Does the Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes Fit on a 2014 Subaru XV Crosstrek?
- Search Results: thule 970xt helium 2 bike hitch carrier
- Search Results: yakima highlite 2 bike rack hitch
- Search Results: kuat beta 2 bike rack
- Video: Checking Out the Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes
- Shop: Kuat Beta Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" Hitches - Tilting
- Video: Installing the Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver on your 2022 Subaru Outback Wagon
- Search Results: hitch bike racks
- Q&A: What is the Difference Between a Class II and a Class III Hitch?
- Shop: Draw-Tite Max-Frame Trailer Hitch Receiver - Custom Fit - Class III - 2"
- Shop: Trailer Hitch
- Article: Best Bike Racks for Electric Bikes
- Search Results: trailer hitch
- Shop: Hollywood Racks Destination Bike Rack for 2 Bikes - 1-1/4" and 2" Hitches - Frame Mount
- Video: Finding the Right Trailer Wiring Harness
- Shop: Trailer Wiring
- Article: Brake Controller 7- and 4-Way Installation Kit (ETBC7)
- Shop: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness with 4-Pole Flat Trailer Connector
- Shop: Roof Rack
- Q&A: What Bike Rack with a Ramp Should I Get For My 2024 Aventon Step Through E-Bike?
- Video: Installing the T-One Vehicle Wiring Harness on a 2022 Subaru Outback Wagon
- Article: Rooftop Cargo Carriers
- Search Results: bike rack
- Shop: Benton LittleShift Bike Rack for 1 Bike - 2" Hitches - Wheel or Frame Mount
- Shop: Brake Controller
- Q&A: Differences Between Curt, Draw-Tite, and etrailer.com Trailer Hitches for 2019 Subaru Outback Wagon
- Video: Curt T-Connector Vehicle Wiring Harness Review C56040
- Article: How to Choose the Right Trailer Hitch Class
- Search Results: roof rack
on Hitch Bike Racks
