Why We Like The Cradle Ratchet Strap Kit
Thule provides replacement ratcheting cradle straps with the Cradle Ratchet Strap Kit. Six ratchet-style straps are included.
Details
- Replacement ratchet-style straps from Thule
- Four cradle straps and two anti-sway included
- For Thule Apex XT, Thule Helium Pro, Thule Camber and Thule Range
- Item #THU009E
- Compatibility
- Thule Apex XT, Helium Pro, Camber, Range
- Part Number
- 536
- Recommended Use
- travel
- Manufacturer Warranty
- limited lifetime
Reviews
Q&A
Overall Rating
1.5 based on 41 ratings
Review Summary
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Selecting an option will reload the available reviews on the pageNovember 29, 2023
Great Rack; Putrid Straps
I have had the Thule rack now going on two years. No complaints about the rack but huge complaints about the cheap plastic straps. I do a lot of biking in cold, icy weather and these plastic straps are a disaster. Simply put they freeze up and are impossible to release. In subfreezing weather they will even break. See photo for such a breakage I experienced tonight (the fourth since I have had this rack). I have been forced to jury rig the bikes on the rack with bungee cords. I would think Thule would care about these customer complaints but they don't seem to. I guess they think we're all idiots for preferring the previous rubber straps, which in my opinion are far superior.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
August 24, 2023
Cheap straps
Drove upstate 154 miles using the NYS thruway, half way there at the rest area, I noticed my right strap loosened , well I tighten it. Good thing I was now aware, I had to repeat 2x more rest of trip, i reviewed directions for ride home in case I did not tighten or strap bike correctlyand i did do all correctly, my last rack on my old car did not loosen ever but doesnt fit my new car. On the way home, the strap on the right side snapped, i had to bungie cord tightly for rest of trip. Cheap plastic straps.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
August 22, 2023
end of a great bike rack system
This will be the end of a great bike rack!! the straps simply are poorly engineered and scratch my brand mew bike.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
May 8, 2023
Cheaped out on straps
Just bought this rack . Straps are cheap and at times almost impossible to loosen. Wish I would have read reviews first. Can’t believe you haven’t changed the straps out the straps after two years of bad reviews . Boo Thule . Would not recommend this rack
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
May 8, 2023
Worst trap ever!
The strap kit for this model is terrible. They hurt my thumbs when I tried to get them off! It took us an hour to get them off, and finally, I got to cut one of them! Is there anything else to replace this kit? I’m frustrated just to think of biking again with this strap kit!
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
December 23, 2022
Ratcheting Straps Went from Simple to Complicated
The ratcheting straps work fine once you're trained in how to release them. However, the removal method is not intuitively obvious and this means that only those who have this skill can remove them. This leads to real problems when others who are uninitiated try to loosen the straps to remove the bikes. I have been transporting bikes on racks for over a decade and I fail to see how the new system is an improvement. It is more complicated. As a result, removing the bikes has needlessly gone from unskilled labor to skilled labor.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
October 11, 2022
Definitely a BAD Design! Can’t trust it!
I had a rough start with these ratchet straps, and then, even after learning more about them, and installing the cradle, so they lock, it’s very tricky, and I would not trust them at all. They are just bad design. FAULTY DESIGN!!! BEWARE!!!!
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
September 8, 2022
Wheel Straps too short for mountain e-bike
The rack works great except that the straps are not long enough for my Rad Bikes fat tires. Works fine for my other ebike. Would like to know where to get some longer straps.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
August 28, 2022
Stuck Strap / Professionally Installed
I can't get my new Schwinn off the rack. Any suggestions are appreciated! Thule please provide a replacement kit to all of your customers that have stuck bikes or had to cut the straps. These are so impossible to manage. A simple task takes MUCH longer than expected. This is ridiculous, read your reviews here! Geez. I got to a location to bike and had to turn back home because I couldn't release the strap. Luckily, I did not have my 3 kids with me, what I disappointment that would have been. This is entirely too difficult.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
August 16, 2022
Horrible design
We took a 4 hr trip to Pennsylvania put 2 bike on the 4 bike rack. They kept shifting and coming off because the ratchet straps kept loosing up and the lock kept reversing. Luckily I had used cable bike lock or I would have lost the bikes on the highway, horrible design. I purchased Thule for the reputation. On my return home I had to use bungee cords to strap down the bike along with the cable lock to secure the bikes. Very disappointed with the design.
Originally reviewed on manufacturer
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