I purchased this Helium Thule based on good experiences with other Thule products.A year later, I have to agree with other reviewers--this is poor quality and poor quality control. I had to partially disassemble the rack before I could even use it. Trying to contact Thule was a waste of time. One of the pieces was assembled backwards in the factory. When I figured this out, I could then finish attaching one of the wheel trays. A year later, one of the ratcheting arms that holds the front wheel down is stuck with it's button depressed. Won't lock down & hold wheel properly. Buy something else.

Two of the arms do not work so I can only mount one bike at a time. I have had this rack for only a few months. Also yesterday WHILE driving after 50 miles the rack folded down. Fortunately my brand new PIVOT mountain bike was not damaged. It did not hit the pavement. I have tried for months to get help from Thule regarding the arms that don’t work but they do not answer me. Yesterday was the last straw. I do not dare use the rack any longer. We think dirt gets into the arms preventing them from opening. (We think). There is no way to clean out the dirt if this is the cause. Expensive back rack that will sadly go to a landfill. I wouldn’t give this away.

I ordered this on a Friday and received it the following Wednesday. The rack was relatively easy to put together. You don’t need any tools except the Allen wrench that is provided for you. Once you get all of the inner boxes unpacked, all you need to do is put in and tighten bolts and then slip in the locks with the included blank key. The way to tighten the rack onto the hitch makes it very stable without any rocking back and forth like my previous rack. The bikes sit in the trays and very securely with the ratcheting arm that only makes contact with the tires. I’m older and can lift and put the rack on the car easily by myself. Getting the bikes off is just as easy by pulling the release lever and lowering the arms. The rack is solidly built. Don’t forget to ... MoreI ordered this on a Friday and received it the following Wednesday. The rack was relatively easy to put together. You don’t need any tools except the Allen wrench that is provided for you. Once you get all of the inner boxes unpacked, all you need to do is put in and tighten bolts and then slip in the locks with the included blank key. The way to tighten the rack onto the hitch makes it very stable without any rocking back and forth like my previous rack. The bikes sit in the trays and very securely with the ratcheting arm that only makes contact with the tires. I’m older and can lift and put the rack on the car easily by myself. Getting the bikes off is just as easy by pulling the release lever and lowering the arms. The rack is solidly built. Don’t forget to register your product on the Thule website. This rack does block the license plate on the car when in the folded position. Be sure to consider what you need to do regarding ensuring that your plate is not obscured when traveling. When purchased on sale, the rack isn’t any more expensive than other Thule or competitor racks at their regular price. I’m happy with the purchase and Moosejaw!