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(More customer reviews)My vehicle is a 1999 Nissan Maxima sedan, equipped with a Kurt 1-1/4" hitch receiver. Due to the toung weight limit of the hitch receiver, the choice of bike racks is also limited. Thanks God, the THULE 990 is a great solution for me.
Originally, I doubt the capability of an 1-1/4" hitch to bear heavy loads (rack + bikes). After I installed THULE 990 and loaded two bikes, I was so glad that I chose a correct rack. The play was very very small, no matter my car was stopped, on local roads or on the freeway. The rack provides three points to contact to each bike. It is an excellent way to carry bikes. No need to worry about that the bikes would scratch my car or scratch each other.
For the rack itself, the height is pretty easy for me to load bikes. I do not have to lift my bikes too much. Also the rack provides sufficient clearance to access rear trunk and let trunk lid open without any interferences.
For entering/exiting my drive way, THULE 990 provides sufficient vertical clearance so that I could drive in/out drive way without further awareness.
For local road driving, all I need to be aware are the speed bumps. Just drive nice and slowly. Otherwise, the bikes/rack are rock-solid.
For freeway driving, I drove my vehicle at 70mph and the bikes/rack were pretty stable. I could not feel any play or vibration. But the aerodynamic drag is a little bit noticeable. By the way the test drive on freeway was about 20 miles one-way, 40 miles total.
The integrated lock heads are also a great advantage. No need to use additional ugly and bulky locking cables. The two locks on the locking handles are easy to use and efficient. The STL2 hitch lock is also easy to use and very tight fitted.
With THULE 990, I could virtually extend my bicycle rides to anywhere my vehicle could reach. The THULE 990 is really a great bike rack.
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Thule 990 Doubletrack 2 Bike Hitch CarrierThe next evolution in RQL technology at an affordable price, the Thule 990 Doubletrack can transport two bikes regardless of frame design, suspension, or wheel size. The Ratcheting Quick Load (RQL) features hooks for quick bike loading/unloading cradle top tube of bike frame. The independent adjustable wheel hoops accommodate bikes with wheel bases up to 48 inches and eliminates handlebar to seat contact. The Stinger Swinger universal hitch connection makes it easy to attach to your vehicle, quickly converting from 2-inch to 1-1/4-inch right out of the box. The Hitch Switch quick release lever provides rapid storage when not in use. It carries up to two bikes weighing a maximum of 70 pounds.
Manufacturer's Warranty It's backed by Thule's limited lifetime warranty. The warranty is terminated if the purchaser transfers the product to another person. The warranty does not cover normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, or accidents.
About Thule To say that Thule's beginnings in the U.S. were humble would be an understatement. Founding member Ake Skeppner sold products at windsurf competitions on the New England shoreline, exhibited the product line at a number of different trade shows, and even canvassed local retailers in the greater New York area, all from his "office"--a now-famous station wagon. Initial success was found in the small but growing sport of windsurfing where a strong, reliable roof rack was an indispensable piece of equipment. This was quickly followed by success in the ski business where Thule's Swedish heritage certainly helped the product gain rapid acceptance.
By the mid-1980s, the company sold products directly to ski and windsurfing shops but sold through distributors to address the large and growing bike business. A risky decision was made to terminate these distributor relationships and sell direct to retailers through a network of independent sales representatives. Much of the company's market success today can be traced to that decision. Shortly after, Ake hired an engineer and set up a small assembly plant in Elmsford, New York in order to design and manufacture bike carriers that would offer the features demanded by the U.S. consumer and compete effectively with other racks on the market.
The company has since grown rapidly through product innovation, a commitment to quality, and the continuance of a strong entrepreneurial spirit as well as continuing to evolve their products to meet the needs of users.
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