Thule Spare-Me Bike Rack - review

[Bykguy]

Thanks for the info. I ordered the rack and I'll report on how it fits. Just in case it doesn't...where did you find the extension?

[SirVive]

I second the positive review on the Spareme rack from Thule. I love the ease of use. The two arms fold down when not in use, there are no straps in the mounting setup, very solid, no receiver hitch rack to fold out of the way to open the door, FJ rear door opens with bikes, lock on the rack to prevent removal, rear window opens (for what its worth). I use a large version of a twist tie about 8 inches long that I found at Kmart to keep the front wheel of the bike from swinging. I bought from Moosejaw for about $110 and had it on my Jeep Liberty first. Plate mounts on the spare tire mount inside the spare wheel hub and the rack attachment post protrudes thru to the outside of the tire. The rack attaches via a single threaded bolt with a locking knob. Photo in the SirVive photo gallery. Enjoy.

[CowboyCEO]

I have a single "factory" roof rack bike mount made by a company called INNO Racks. ($150) But what sucks about it is that you can't put two of them pointing forward. I had a friend flying in to Nor-Cali for a Moab Bike trip and I went to work looking for a hitch mount. I found a rack on performance bikes called a XXTERA 2 bike mount. (#130) (In Picture) It works freakin awesome but I would not roll thru difficult 4x4 trails with it because I would feel like a retard explaining to Tony E that I smoked another frame while 4x4'n.

[Bykguy]

Just got my 963 mounted. I have the 17 inch tires and the tire height was 1/4 inch too tall for the top horzontal bracket, but I got it to work by slightly flexing the vertical frame. The fit was very tight initially but once on...no problem. I own expensive race MTB and road bikes and I'm very comfortable placing them on the rack for travelling.
No extensions needed by the way.

[extremer]

is there anyone in the salt lake area that has put on a thule spare me? i have bf goodrich 285's. if you know what your doing i would pay to have the mod done right. i dont want to f**k it up. thanks

[TNCruiser]

Is there any rattle from the spareme when not being used with a bike on it?

[SoonerFJ]

TNCruiser previously said:

Is there any rattle from the spareme when not being used with a bike on it?

nope

[dog_tired]

After reading this thread I picked up the Spare Me and installed last evening. I have a 2007 TRD SE, which the stock TRD wheels and BFG's.

At first I was having a heck of a time with the install. Easy enough to remove the spare, install the male end of the fit plate, and re-install the spare. My concern was that I wasn't getting enough "penetration" once the rack with the female end was aligned with the male. I re-read this post and spent some time on the Thule site to see about an "extension", but the only thing close I could come up with was "additional spacers" - those rubber pieces which fit on the rack between the rack and the tire.

No way you can fit the rack on the TRD SE BFG's with those spacers on. I "opened" the rack by raising the bar which the bikes rest on, and lo and behold, I was able to insert the male end into the female on the rack far enough to thread on the locking bolt. Feels pretty snug and I'll take a spin around town before interstate speeds.

Wife and I are taking a trip from Tampa to the Keys in a week with the fat tire bikes. If you all don't hear anything from me, you can take it that the rack worked like a dream...

[Commander Bowman]

I have the same Thule as Sapper. VERY solid and I've bungied my Hi lift to it as well.

Only thing is in renders the back up sensors useless.

[Jo2]

wooow. didn't know such a thing existed. I also don't have a hitch or a roof rack. I'm going to order one of these. Price? Does anyone know if they make a snowboard attatchment also?