Why We Like The Apex XT Bike Rack
Designed for premium travel, the Thule Apex XT Bike Rack provides improved ground and bumper clearance, and makes loading and unloading your bikes easier than ever before. The SnugTite stinger system allows for easy and secure installation without tools, while the the HideAway anti-sway cradles keep your bikes stable when you're on the road.
The compact cradle design accommodates a wide variety of bike sizes and frame styles, meaning there's room for the whole family, and all five bikes sit seven inches apart on the arms to provide optimal spacing and eliminate contact. The reinforced cradle straps are now 25% stronger than the previous version, and Thule even included an Integrated Locking Cable to secure your bikes to the rack. The Hitch-Switch design allows the carriers arms to fold down and the entire carrier rack to fold away when it's not loaded, giving you easy access to the rear of your vehicle.
Details
- Secure, convenient hitch bike rack carries up to 5 bikes
- Easy, tool-free installation with SnugTite stinger and hand knob
- HideAway cradles with ratcheting straps makes loading a breeze
- Fold up design makes it easy to slide bike frames over cradles
- Spacing of seven inches offer optimal spacing between bikes
- Carries bikes at 3 points to prevent bike-to-bike and bike-to-car contact
- HitchSwitch levers let you fold down arms and rack for rear access
- Built-in cable lock secures your bikes to the rack during pit stops
- Item #THU008W
- Bike Capacity
- 5
- Compatibility
- [hitch] 1.25in, 2in
- Locks Included
- yes
- Part Number
- 9026XT
- Claimed Weight
- 35lb
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
3.5 based on 30 ratings
Review Summary
Fits True To Size
Screen reader users: the following list provides a visual scale to illustrate the product fit. Please refer to the heading above for the fit type in text.What do you think about this product?
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageJuly 23, 2024
Wonderful products, amazing service
Order arrived 4 days after placing which was not planned but very welcome. We were able to use the bike rack for a trip where we had planned to borrow one and the Chasm 40L is a truly wonderful bag. Super water proof too! All in all, very pleased and looking forward to ordering more!
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
July 13, 2024
Do NOT buy this
I bought the Thule Apex 5 for my family of 5. We each have adult mountain bikes. It is impossible to get 5 bikes on this rack without damaging the bikes. The bikes do NOT clamshell appropriately. The Apex 5 is best suited for 3 bikes and honestly that is even a bit tight. If you need a bike rack for four or more bikes do NOT busy this product.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
May 26, 2024
Works with risk...
I was able to get five bikes on. However, my bike was damaged by the strap and the peddle from the bike next to it. The cradle does not offer enough cushion and lossens up. I recommend the product if you need a 5 bike rack. It does take a beaten on a road trip from the bikes going up and down.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
October 8, 2023
Don’t cheat your self treat your self!!
Legit super durable & super easy to use for shuttling
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
June 21, 2023
Bike flew off
This product has been awesome but today while my wife was driving down the highway one of the bikes flew off and now i B have s V fairly new trek Marlin 7 that now has two bent rims and probably more damage that we can’t see until the shop looks at it. Had this happened to anyone else? Any suggestions to make sure this doesn’t happen again?
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
June 9, 2023
Thule 5 Bike Hitch Rack
OUTSTANDING!! I just purchased the 5 Bike Hitch Rack and drove 1600 miles from FL to MA. It is outstanding! Easy to load and unload. Very safe and stable during travel. Car was a Chevy Tahoe. All the bikes were medium or large. (2 Hybrids, 2 Mountain, 1 Beach Cruiser) Here’s the trick- 1. Turn all the handlebars parallel to the bike before loading. It can easily be done with an Allen Wrench. 2. Buy and put crossbars on the bikes w no step over bar. Easy to use. We had 2 of these bikes. 3. Wrap rags and duct tape on any places that bikes may rub. Super happy with the purchase.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
June 2, 2023
Great as expected
I bought the Apex one month ago. The shipping was faster than what I thought. Once out of the box, it was easy to install with clear instructions. It fits good in my 2 inches rack on my mini van. It's a system that you need to lock with a screw and then insert a key so it can't be taken off. There's a hook to secure everything, this looks not so sure but as it's made by thule, it comforts me. I only try putting on 2 bikes (one adult/one kid) and it was quite easier than with my previous bike rack. Negative point, the unused straps could fit tighter or smaller so it's even easier to insert the bike, but overall the rack was solid and couldn't guess it was there while driving. The fact that it can be fold super fast to open the trunk or to reduce the space behind the car when it's unused is the completely awesome! Overall, super satisfied!
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
March 18, 2023
Not a 5 bicycle rack
It works OK, it’s the same size of the 4 bicycle one, just added one more spot for a bike. We have 3 large and 2 small bicycles and they barely fit, cannot imagine fitting 5 large bicycles. But there are no other decent options for a 5 bicycle rack on the market. OK for now for us.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
September 29, 2022
Great rack for family of 5 (tire size aside)
We travel to triathlons, or camping trips and we carry bikes with wheel sizes of 700C, 26", 24", 20", and 16". They all fit and load up quickly. We use the rack on a Landrover, a Tesla Model Y, and a 1987 VW Vanagon. It is easy to attach the rack, and it has a non-obstructive profile when driving with no bikes on it.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
September 1, 2022
Plain and simple, NOT a five bike rack
Materials and construction, and features are all sturdy and appear well made, but the arms are too short to fit five bikes. Similar to other reviews here, I had to put our fifth bike for my smallest child into the trunk. Only really holds four bikes and even at that they are all jammed up with handle bars and peddles pushing into the adjacent bike. The guy in the store made a comment after we purchased it that if they made a six bike rack people would really just use it for the extra room for five bikes. The product is aggravating to be honest because I only figured this all out standing in front of my house for 30 minutes trying to load all the bikes onto it only to give up. Also, take note that if you have bikes of different styles, and of different sizes, which pretty much every family of five does, you will likely have even more trouble getting them to fit without damaging each other. Very disappointed. Thule - would it be too much to just voluntarily add another 12” of length so the bikes fit????
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
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