Manufacturer: Thule
Model: XPress 970
Attachment Type: Towbar
Max Weight of Bike: 15kg
Max Total Weight: 30kg
Max Assembled Weight (minus bikes): 4.3kg
Additional Features:
Overview
The Thule 970 XPress is capable of carrying 2 bikes of all frame sizes and attaches to the towbar on your car. This two bike rack system arrives pre assembled and has what is reported to be one of the easiest systems for attaching to the tow bar on the market. Bikes sit on soft mountings, protecting your beloved bikes.
When not in use, the XPress can be folded up and stowed in the boot.
Ease of installation
The system works on a simple scissor action which, when opened over the ball on the tow bar is extremely stable. The makers claim it is the only ISO approved tow bar attachment of its kind and reviewers were unanimous in mentioning how easy it was to fit. There are no straps needed to attach the carrier to the car. When not in use it folds down to 57.4 X 52.8 X 26 cms.
Reviewers claim that this is one of the easiest bike racks to install, making it ideal for regular use, e.g. commuters. Once you arrive at your destination it can be easily removed, folded and stored in the boot to prevent tampering while you are away from your car.
Ease of Installation: 95%
Build quality
Made from steel with rubber coated carrying arms to protect bikes and secure straps for holding them in place. Steel has great fatigue properties and there have been no reports of build issues with this bike rack. It is seen as a stable, reliable bike rack.
Build Quality: 90%
Design
An impressive design that looks good when in use.
Once fitted, bikes are held in place by rubber attachment straps which can be twisted to alter the holding position on the bike. It comes with one nylon strap for securing the bikes once they are mounted and some reviewers felt this strap needed to be longer when carrying two bikes. The carrier is very stable even with two bikes on and one or two reviewers had travelled over rough ground and still had positive comments to make. Once the lock down bar of the carrier is pushed down there is a very simple system by which the carrier can be locked to the car with the use of an ordinary padlock (Not supplied).
One of the downsides of this bike rack is that the arms cannot be adjusted. So if you have bikes with a dropped cross bar, e.g. some mountain bikes and ladies’ bikes, you will struggle to attach these bikes to the Thule XPress. It is possible, however, to get a frame adapter, such as the Thule 982. However, this means spending more money.
Some reviews complain that the nylon strap that comes with the rack isn’t long enough to fit round the second bike, but that is easily sortable with a second strap.
You will have to provide a lock mechanism to both lock your bike to the XPress, and a padalock to lock the rack to your towbar. However, for the price this is a small quibble and most cyclists will have a bike lock already.
No lightboard was included in the package, so if required, this will be an additional expense.
Design: 85%
Price
At around fifty pounds and with a five year warranty this carrier was considered good value for money by all reviewers and for a lasting product is worth buying. If you don’t have a towbar fitted though, you need to factor this in.
The amazing price more than makes up for the requirement to buy extra accessories, e.g. cycle lock, frame adapter etc.
Price: 90%
Editor Rating
- Outstanding
- Thule 970 Xpress
- Reviewed by:
Review Summary:
For the price, this is a good sturdy bike rack which is extremely easy to install to a towbar. It is slightly let down by the requirement to use a frame adapter in order to fit certain bikes, but this is reflected in the price.