Saris came out with a new rack they call Thelma. Not sure about the history behind the name but if I find out I will let you know. Â
Thelma is a receiver rack that carries up to two bikes. What I like about Thelma is that the bikes sit on the rack versus hanging from it. This is nothing new in the car rack world but it reduces the height that you need to lift the bikes to get them onto the rack. Â
What is great about this rack is that nothing that secures the bike actually touches the frame. An aluminum arm surrounded in plastic comes up and grabs/cups the wheel. Then you use a few ratcheting straps to secure the bike in place. To remove the bike you simply roll it out of the front of the rack and you are all set to go. This clamping method is ideal for carrying women’s bikes as it eliminates the need for a top tube to secure the bike to.Â
What brought my attention to Thelma was the weight of the rack. She ways twenty-six pounds compared to around forty pounds for a standard hitch mounted rack. My Mom was complaining about the weight of her existing hitch rack and how it was hard for just her to get her rack on the car. Further making the rack easier to use is that the frame of Thelma is constructed out of aluminum in a U shape. This allows someone to walk in between the rack to load the first bike. No fumbling to work the bike over other parts of the rack to secure the bike. Simply walk up the rack and sit in your bike, secure the straps and you are all set to go.Â
When not in use Thelma folds up against the back of the car. When in the folded position it appears that on most cars none of the rack will obstruct the view out of the rear window. Just don’t forget that Thelma is tagging along when you drive! Â
The clamping mechanism of the rack will handle both 26in wheels and 700c wheels but not smaller sizes. I’ve heard unofficially that you can get a 29er wheel to work as well. The down side is that as of right now there is only the option of carrying two bikes. So the rack may not work for everyone. Â
Thelma is going to be an ideal rack for someone that doesn’t want to have to lift a bike very high to secure it to a rack. It is light and easy to handle making it easier to handle when it is not on your car. When not mounted the rack is very flat which should make it easy to find a place to store when not in use. Â
Thelma is available for both receiver sizes a 1 1/4 and 2 inches and retails for $249.99.
I love this rack — thanks son! Very lightweight and easy to carry, and also easy to attach (and remove)from my SUV.
It’s very unusual and when it’s nicely and neatly folded upright on my hitch — without my bike on, of course — it seems that the driver in the car behind me is trying to figure out just exactly what it is thats hanging from the back of my car! I’m enjoying their confusion!
I believe they now are designed to hold 3 bikes.
I was very close to getting one of these until I read they will not accomodate 24″ bikes. I don’t know what they were thinking. A smaller almost senior adult person like me, would love a 26lb rack that I could handle myself and that would accomodate my 24″ wheels. Lightweight and easy to use but not for everyone. I would wait for them to redesign but I can’t. I need a new rack now. I like the ones that hold the bikes by the wheels. This was the best looking and lightest though!
November 21, 2007 – Saris is coming out with an accessory for a 24in and 20in wheel. You should see it by the Spring of 2008 – Ernest
I have this rack and love the lightweight. However, the included straps are too short. My 700×35 hybrid bike won’t fit and my 26×2.2 Mt. Bike fits only with a bunch of pushing and yanking. Saris sent me free extension straps so I can secure my bikes, but these are too long, flap all around and get in the way of loading the bikes. The included straps need to be 4″ longer. That would make it a perfect rack.