Thule Vertex 2 Bike Carrier 9028

Last weekend,  I headed off to NEW HAMPSHIRE for some shopping!! My original plans were to get it from amazon.com and have it shipped to a freight forwarding US address and pick it up from there, but since we were going to a TAX FREE shopping area, I decided to wait.  As you know, or should know, amazon.ca and amazon.com are not the same and do not contain the same items!!!  Welcome to Canada! Good thing I did,  because I wound up purchasing the rack for $192 in NEW HAMPSHIRE at Eastern Mountain Sports.  On amazon.com it's listed as $190.95 this week (new price) which is pretty good, but than you have the customs fee and shipping to pay.  On the Rack Ultra website in Montreal the rack comes out to about $320 tax in.  You do the math!!  I was able to fill up my tank and go on a road trip with the money I saved, adding to my anti-stress and well-being regiment!  To make a long story short, it's nice to break the routine and get away!  Okay back to the rack!

First the features:

Hitch-mounted rack carries up to 2 bicycles

Dual arching arm design allows fast and easy bike loading

Provides more space between bikes than standard dual-arm racks

Cradles are attached at varying heights along the arc, allowing handlebars and pedals to hang at different heights

Reduces scratches and dings when you are loading bikes

Hold Fast cradles with advanced grooves and detachable anti-sway arms (No-Sway Cages)

Gently cushion frames and accommodate cables for proper bike hold

Hold bike frames at 3 points to prevent sway and bike-to-bike contact

Heavy-duty, reinforced straps maximize cradle hold strength

Tall, arching, upright mast improves both ground clearance and clearance from the rear of your vehicle

Ergonomic quick-release levers (HitchSwitches) enable you to fold down the rack in 2 places

Dual arms conveniently fold down for storage

Rack body tilts forward to allow easy access to your vehicle’s rear cargo area

Audible click lets you know that the arms and mast are locked in position

Hitch adapter sleeve (Stinger Swinger) converts 1-1/4″ shank for use with 2″ hitches

Built-in anti-rattle device reduces vibration and noise of the bike carrier in the hitch

Snug-Tite hitch lock (THSTL2; sold separately) secures carrier to hitch

Built-in handle makes it easy to carry, install and remove the carrier

Premium steel construction with black finish and molded covers

Made in USA

Let me stress a few points!! This rack looks awesome!  It has a lifetime warranty for the original purchaser, great craftsmanship all around!  The handles to raise and lower the rack components are very easy to operate.  The anti-sway adapters, prevent your bikes from dancing in the wind.  Great feature.  The rack also comes with a strap, and easily converts for 1 1/4" to 2" hitches.  The construction and engineering feel of the rack are outstanding.  The only lurk that I have about this rack is that it doesn't come with a pin lock to prevent theft!  This is an extra option you can buy from THULE. 

Otherwise you can use the existing bolt which is ratcheted onto the hitch. (Impossible for a thief to remove with his fingers!)

A strap is included which you can use to secure the bikes but the chain and lock is another option from THULE.

I would give this rack a 9.5/10.