17.3.2016

Note - UPDATE ADDED AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS REVIEW FOLLOWING 500 MILE / 5 DAY TRIP IN STORMY WEATHERSo I bought this carrier having read both the good and bad reviews on Amazon. The bad reviews seem to focus on the risk of the tilt mechanism coming loose during use and depositing the bikes onto the road. There are also a few mentions of bikes being difficult to fit or having to buy frame adaptors at (£20 each). I found none of this to be an issue.RISK OF TILT? - First and most importantly the alleged issue (on some posts) with the clamps for the tilt mechanism coming undone and allowing the bikes to tilt while driving - I'm really unable to see how this can happen,the bolt heads have a square section beneath the head and this retains the clamp in place in the bracket even if they come slightly loose. They still can't slide-up and allow the bikes to fall (see picture). Also they need to be unscrewed a considerable way to allow the tubes to spring-out of their recess in the bracket before they can actually tilt. All I did was what I always do when carrying bikes on a car, drive a few miles and re-check the tightness of all fastenings/straps as things do bed-in a little and loosen when you first go over bumps. I've been carrying bikes for over 20 years on all kinds of racks and always do this - things always need an adjustment on any carrier, the security of the load is the responsibility of the driver. I also check the load every-time I stop for breaks etc. On my test drive with this rack and four bikes there were no issues. I suspect anyone having the bikes fall would have not tightened the fastenings in the first place, and certainly not having safety checked the load after a few miles. Anyone who is a little on the weak side should invest in a grippy gardening or workshop glove for a few pounds to get a better purchase on the head of the fastening, it will make all the difference. As a belt and braces-approach you could also run a Cycle Toe Strap under the protruding pivot and over the clamp to prevent it from rising if it did come loose. Easy to fit and release in seconds.FRAME ADAPTOR BARS. NEEDED? - Without the use of additional frame adaptor bars (£20 each) - we were able to mount 4 different size Mountain Bikes (see picture), An adult bike with full suspension, an adult hybrid bike without suspension, a 9 year old's 24 inch wheel mountain bike, an 8 year old's 20 inch wheel mountain bike with rear suspension. As suggested in other's posts on here, it takes a little bit of fiddling and experimenting the first time you load, twisting the rubber bike mounts on the tubes as required, but the bikes all fit snug and safely without sticking out the sides of the car. The first time loading the bikes took me about 1 hour to decide how they should all go on. I then took a photo so I have it memorised. The second time loading (once I had a system) took around 15 minutes. I had to remove a clip-on mudguard or two - which I would have done in any case as 70mph would probably have seen them unclip themselves.DOES TOW-BALL MOUNTING SYSTEM WORK & IS IT SECURE?: Simply YES & YES. It was with a degree of doubt I followed the instructions and cleaned the tow ball before fitting the rack, tightened the bolt with the provided wrench and knowing my weight is a little over that of the four bikes I would mount I jumped-on the end of the rack and did push-ups. I got off, pulled and jiggled. This tow-ball clamp is rock solid.LIGHT BOARD NEEDED? - Yes, you'll need to invest in a light / registration board if you don't have one. 4 bikes obscure the cars number plate and lights for sure.OTHER TIPS:LOADING: As mentioned above experiment when not under time-pressure to get loaded and try the bikes in different positions and sequences. Twist the rubber bike mounts on the carrier to the angle you need them. Don’t think about simply mounting under the cross-bar, be creative (but safe). When you have the perfect solution….. Take a Picture so you will remember.BIKES WITH REAR SUSPENSION - These were the trickiest to mount until I found that instead of trying to get both rack tubes under the crossbar - mount the rear rack tube behind the frame just under the seat post clamp. Strap it down diagonally around the seat post / over the frame. The seat post clamp takes the vertical weight and the bike sits centrally on the carrier. This was the key discovery for me to getting all four bikes-on. You can see in the pictures I've done this on the yellow bike. You can see the rubber strap passing around the frame just under the seat post pin.I also found on a more conventionally framed hybrid, it was better to mount the diagonal down tube rather than through the frame under the crossbar.CARRIER SECURITY / SAFETY: I'm also buying the additional Thule tow ball lock thing that is supposed to prevent anyone undoing the bolt on the tow-ball fitting. Even though this extra does (as commented elsewhere) look a little flimsy it will stop the casual thief / tampering. If the thing is missing I’ll know to suspect tampering.BIKE SECURITY: As for bike security I never rely on the locks provided on a carrier. I use a long Kryptonite motorbike chain and two small u-locks passed through the bikes and locked at one end to the tow-bracket or cars own tow loop, and at the other to the last bike on the carrier. I happen to have one chains of these lying around, but you get the principle. I’m pretty confident that the bikes will still be there after a motorway-break. Sometimes I also use a bike cable lock to hold onto quick release wheels etc.BIKE DAMAGE AND SCUFFS: I’m old-school so still remember toe-clips with straps. I always keep a bunch of cheap cycle toe-straps handy when biking, I use them to strap parts of different bikes together on the carrier so they don’t rub or bash each other, or preventing wheels or handlebars from turning, keeping unnecessary scuffs and damage to a minimum. You can buy them on Amazon for less than £1.50 a pair.EXTRA LOAD SECURITY – If in doubt about the security of one of the rubber mountings / straps you have used, put a cycle toe-strap (Use the internet if you are too young to understand) around the bike carrier tubes & bike frame, it takes a few seconds. (Belt and braces).CYCLE TOE STRAPS – in-case you didn’t get it from the above, always have some cheap cycle toe straps around as they enable you to make everything that bit more secure, take seconds to fit and remove them, and are cheap as chips. You can buy them on Amazon for less than £1.50 a pair. They are like having large re-usable cable-ties.CHECK THE SECURITY OF THE RACK AND BIKES AFTER THE FIRST FEW MILES - Re-tighten everything. Every trip it takes seconds. On long trips check again whenever you stop-off, or stop half way specifically.BICYCLE WORKSTAND – When I lifted the first bike onto the carrier I realised it was pretty much at the right height to work-on. supports the bike under the frame leaving everything else free to work-on. This is now my work-stand. It only takes a couple of minutes to fit the rack to the car. Perfect!FURTHER TESTING - I’m doing a 400 mile fully-loaded round-trip over Easter and will feedback any issues.PS: I don't work for Thule, and am not in any-way connected to Thule or the sale of Bike Accessories, or the cycle industry. I'm a manufacturing/engineering consultant in non-related industries.--------------------------------- UPDATE BELOW --------------------------------------- FOLLOWING 500 MILES in WIND/RAIN (over 5 days) ---------Just got back from a five day trip from Staffordshire to the New Forest / Lundhurst / Bournemouth, with the rack mounted 100% of the time, night and day. The first thing I need to address is the accusations of the clamps for the tilt mechanism coming undone. I saw no evidence of this on my trip and spent the first 300 miles monitoring these clamps very closely every 50 miles or so (as I was a little dubious / suspicious having read some of the negative reviews) - they did not come loose the whole trip! I can understand how an issue may arise though - and that would be if you didn't fully tighten the clamps BEFORE loading the bikes. The clamps squash the tubes into their recesses and their is no way anyone would be strong enough to do this with the weight of the bikes on the rack. They MUST be fully had tightened before loading. I suspect anyone who had problems didn't do this.In-fact I had no problems with the rack during the whole trip - except for a creak developing (after a few days/nights of rain / use) which I was able to cure with mild lubrication of the tubes where they pass through the tilt mechanism recesses. This also made tightening them easier as the slippery tubes sank fully home in their location more easily.The tow ball mounting was rock solid the whole time, and again needed no tightening - even though I tested it frequently.The reports on here of the whole rack 'bouncing around a bit' interested me, so loaded with four bikes I gave mine a wobble to replicate the movement I could see in the rear view mirror. Almost all of the movement was a result of the car's tow-bar flexing - not the bike rack.I used the tools supplied / bare hands to tighten all fittings as directed in the instructions, the rubber straps worked without a problem. I'm now very confident in the safety of the rack when fitted correctly, and that I have the ability/skill to do-so. It is very quick to install, and once you've loaded / unloaded it a few times and developed a standard system loading the rack with bikes is a doddle also. I've made one more adjustment to how I load the bikes as they were originally all hanging out a few inches to the passenger side of the car (still within the width of the car and mirrors. I altered one bike's position to hang out of the drivers side by the same amount - just to balance wind pressure on the bikes / rack at motorway speeds.This was half the price of the other four-bike racks I could find and is totally fit for purpose. Moreover, loading the bikes onto the back of the car was much easier than the roof-bar loading option which I used on my last car, and no need to carry a step-ladder.NOTE - testing conditions: Mixed roads (South Staffordshire to Hampshire) including extended motorway driving (70mph) into similarly strong head winds / gusts of storm Katie on Easter Monday 28/03/2016, plus some A roads, and a lot of bumpy country roads along with no-end of speed-bumps. The rack was on the car from Sunday night to Friday night and the bikes were loaded and locked (chains / U-locks) onto the carrier the whole time (when not riding). Temperatures were between 0 and 12 degrees C. and included torrential overnight rain and overnight snow.

13.6.2016

Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room first; this cycle carrier is at the top end of how much a hang on cycle carrier can cost. There are plenty of other 3 bike carriers that cost half (or more) of the price of this Thule model but the question that you really need to ask yourself is whether or not you would trust a budget carrier to adequately hold your bike without it flapping about or worse. Personally, I’ll take the premium brand over a budget brand any day of the week if my bike is going to be well protected.So, is it any good? For the answer, please read on . . .FIRST IMPRESSIONS:The bike carrier comes in a pretty big cardboard box although in my opinion it was very poorly packaged (see pictures below)as the carrier was nowhere near the size of the box and there was no protective padding in the box to stop it from banging around inside. Thankfully there wasn’t any damage but for an Amazon Prime delivery I do expect products to be better cared for throughout transit. In fairness, this is an issue for Amazon and does not impact on the assessment of the product itself.The packaging issue has been referred to Amazon for further comment.The carrier is fairly compact when folded and weighs approximately 7.5kg. Despite its relatively light weight it’s very well constructed and the hang-on bars lock tightly into place either when it’s ready to go or when it’s folded away.IN THE BOX:- The cycle carrier- An instruction manual- A security manual- An allen key for maintenance tightening of bolts- A large tightening bolt for securing to towball- A large heavy duty closed and open ended spanner for the towball boltWHAT’S GOOD ABOUT IT:- Lightweight- Bikes are held very securely with minimum wobble- Sturdy construction- Built in frame straps (reflexes)- Built in bike strap with strong clasp- Fits to towball within 5 minutes (max) and takes even less time to remove- Secure mounting on towball using a single tightening bolt.- 5 year manufacturer’s warrantyAt the moment I only need to use it for two adult bikes and a junior one but it’s handy to have the extra space should I need it.Word of warning/advice #1: MOST mountain bikes don’t have horizontal bars and you have to manoeuvre the bike frame carefully into place to get it on the bar. There is, of course, a Thule accessory of a bar adapter but not surprisingly that’s quite expensive and with some careful positioning and twisting you can probably do without it.Word of warning/advice #2: You will almost certainly need a lighting board to use with this cycle carrier or risk getting a £60 fine. Thule sell one but I bought one from a high street bike/car retailer, which begins with H and ends with Alfords, for £20 and it’s perfectly acceptable.FEATURES:- Folds away when not in use- Quick tilt, even with bikes attached, giving boot access- Easily carries 2 adult bikes and a junior bike (would require careful positioning for 3)NEGATIVES:- A bolt lock (separate accessory) needs to be purchased to prevent opportunist thieves from removing the carrier from the towball and pinching your rack and bikes- If you fold down the mount without bikes the top of the carrier touches the floor. After three or four times of doing this I’ve noticed that the frame is already scratched. It would have helped if Thule had put some rubber protection on this area to prevent it from being damaged.- Poorly packaged, but that’s Amazon’s fault.- The fixing strap could do with being a little longer.SUMMARY:I’ve done about 8 journeys, covering approximately 400 miles, with two bikes on the back in rain, hail, wind and shine and it’s done me proud. I’m very happy with my purchase and I’m sure that it’ll last me for a good number of years.I review a lot of products as a hobby and all of my reviews are based on my experience and use of the product. Unlike some other products I’ve reviewed I paid full price for this bike carrier and I am more than happy to recommend it.I hope you've found this review to be Helpful and if you have any questions please don't hesitate to let me know in the comments box.

22.7.2013

OK, so I don't "do" reviews - I selfishly read them and never post any...until now...this is a **seriously good product** and I cannot recommend it enough.If you're like me, you'll have read the reviews and perhaps have some doubts about whether it can take "modern" bikes without a crossbar, whether its secure and whether its robust. Let me put those to rest for you...It easily takes four bikes and they don't need a standard cross bar. We have two adult bikes (1 typical "male" frame and 1 typical "female" frame) and two kids mountain bikes, both without cross bars and a modern sloping/diagonal frame. So, that's 3 bikes out of four without a crossbar - they all fitted with no hassles or problems and are rock solid on the carrier.

22.4.2018

If you have a tow bar and want to carry bykes (and don't need the tow bar for anything else - caravan/trailer etc) then look no further. This is so simple to fit and use. One bolt to attach the clamp to tow bar ball with a provided spanner. Rock solid when on. The rubber clamps and housings for the byke cross bars to sit in are large and strong. Apart from the one strap to stop front wheels flapping provided, no other straps were required It does fold down to the size of one of those old aluminum rucsac frames if you can be bothered to undo, by hand, the two bolts to fold it up. I managed with no effort or folding to just throw it in the boot of the car. It took 5 minutes to fit it to the car...

3.11.2017

I bought this rack after reviewing multiple options including Thules more expensive tow bar options. I carefully read reviews of the Hangon rack as well as watching videos on other sites. I planned on carrying 2 29er mountain bikes, an adult road bike and a 20 inch childrens bike. I had concerns about the stability of the rack and the bikes. Those concerns were unfounded as the rack is very stable, and the bikes well fixed.Fixing the rack to the tow bar is straightforward. A supplied wrench is used to tighten the large bolt. As it tightens the rack positions itself automatically, so it is not possible to mount it in an wonky position.Once secured, it is easy to mount the bikes.

2.6.2013

I looked far and wide for a rack that would take four bikes and this was one of the few that did. In principle it's a great idea, atached to the tow ball it keeps the bikes away from the car and the individual rubber straps help to separate the bikes from each other too. The downside is that a single point of contact with the vehicle (towball) means that it looks very wobbly in the rear view mirror, which can be a bit worrying.I've so only had the chance to use it once since purchase and it has performed satisfactorily. a 35 mile round trip on A and B roads, some quite bumpy. Despite appearing to jump around in an alarming fashion the rack and bikes all stayed fixed in place.

5.8.2016

Having come from a hatchback mounted carrier which would take at least 20 minutes to fit and now owning an estate car with a tow bar this is fantastic. Once you tighten the arms in the 90 degree position (I leave it like that but you may not want to if you need to store it somewhere) you simply put it over the tow bar ball and tighten. So so simple. I was expecting to do this AND have to faff about with straps etc but no.My (limited) experience with cycle racks is that '3 bikes' means '2 comfortably, 3 at a push') but that's fine. I recently transported mine and my son's very cheap and heavy mountain bikes on a 600 mile motorway trip to the French alps no problem. As others have stated,

25.8.2018

It's a job to understand why this thing doesn't just fall off as all you have is a clamp on the tow-bar ball. It is very robust. all the accessories are very expensive.I have a couple of issues with this item. They may think you don't need it but there is no locking nut to secure the fixing nut. I would have thought this should be a standard idea. The fitting bolt itself has a completely non-standard thread so I wasn't able to get another even from a specialist local nut and bolt shop. It is imperial of some sort.The spanner that comes with it has an open ended end (as well as the enclosed end which is fine)

14.9.2012

After much research I decided to plump for the Thule hangon 3 bike rack - I was hesitant at first due to some reviewers stating it wobbles around and poor security.To attach to the car is simplicity in itself, slot rack over tow bar, a large bolt is then tightened against the tow bar thus securing the rack to the car.Yes it does move when driving. Remember, this is only marginal, your rear view mirror amplifies the movement!! how do i know this? I thought my bike had received a mysterious large scratch from the kids which I kept looking at whilst driving down to Cornwall but once there it was merely a small bit of mud, sorry kids ;)Further, the marginal sway is via the arms holding the bikes,

10.11.2017

Solid product, and does feel heavy but it sits on tow hitch solidly, I had no problems with it moving sideways or tilting in use.I did need to tighten it further after intially tightening as it moved slighlty as I fitted the bikes.As suggested on other reviews, worth checking after short distance.BEWARE- My problem was with the rubber straps. I hadn't used them correrclty.You do need to place the straps on the square notches, Thule manual does show this, using the loop on the bottom of the rubber strap does not provide enough grip to retain bike in all conditions. The loop appears to me to just holds the strap on and allows you to move the strap along the carrier more easily.My bike worked lose on M4,

13.4.2012

I've just done my first 200 odd miles with this rack and 3 bikes fitted (2 mountain bikes and a small child's bike) and must say its a very good product. The fitting is easy and quick and its very sturdy once fitted to the tow bar. The only thing I will say is that the supplied strap is a little too short for my liking but this doesn't detract from the overall quality. I was a little apprehensive when I first drove off with everything fitted as the rack does seem to wobble a little when driving but I made an conscious effort to ignore this and it was fine at motorway speeds and up and down country roads. The tilt function is a great help,

15.9.2013

Needed a bike rack to take 3 bikes to Switzerland. This product works a treat and very simple to use. One of our mountain bikes had to be moved around a little to make it fit but easy enough to do. It looks, works and is very well made. Good or bad,,, I completely forgot that the bikes were on the back of the car!!Bad points..No, this product does NOT come with any form of lock. Not to lock your bikes but to lock the rack to your car.. With several thousand ££ worth of bikes on the back leaving them unattended in France would be a worry.DO NOT buy the lock that they sell for this rack, it is plastic and jokingly I kicked it to show my kids what a piece of rubbish it was AND it broke off!!!

7.9.2014

Astonishingly good. No, really!Actually DOES only take a few minutes to install. One tool needed, which is provided. No fiddling or adjustment necessary, not like those carriers with all the straps (of which I've had and broken several, and the straps are forever coming off while you're driving, scary). This one holds bikes simply and securely. Yes it bounces a bit when you go over bumps but not much and not in a worrying way at all; I never concerned for a moment that anything was going to come loose or fall off. Holds 4 adult bikes including those with women's frames, with careful positioning.It feels really solid (and heavy!), which is reassuring. It doesn't feel like it's going to bend or break.I was really skeptical,

16.8.2011

I recently fitted a towbar to my Skoda Yeti so I could use a towbar mounted carrier on the car. After looking around a bit I settled on the Thule Hangon as it ticked all the boxes without being too pricey. Well made with decent build quality. It's dead easy to mount to the car and only takes a second or two to remove it using the supplied spanner. Rack folds up and fits nicely in the boot whilst I'm off pedalling the trails. Tilt function is really handy when you want to get access to the boot and the bikes are already loaded. Thule sell a lock which fits onto the mounting bolt but by all reports its pants so I didnt opt for it. To be honest I never really park up and leave the bike(s)

16.5.2015

Despite my trepidation of connecting the weight of 4 bikes to a single towbar, the Thule Hangon 4-Bike is solid as a rock. It is a surprisingly chunky and reassuring weighty bit of metal which locks in place on the towbar quick and easy with a single tool which is provided. I have done a number of long distance '4 bike' journeys and its proved stable even when at motorway speeds or bouncing on a poor road surface. As for comments about bikes not fitting on, I have had 4 gents, ladies and kids bikes (both MTB and Road bikes) on and have not had a problem- you just move them around a bit until you have the best fit - its not rocket science! As for the connectors to the bike,

Thule HangOn 3-Bike 972 - Reviews

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