Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
- Stinger Swinger hitch converts quickly from 2″ to 1-1/4″ out of the box
- Hitch Switch quick-release lever for fast storage of bike carrier arms
- Cradles lock down bikes while allowing complete adjustment along the bike arm
- Integrated locking cable stores conveniently in carrier
- Carries up to 4 bikes
Full Featured Hitch has all the bases coveredThe Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack is a full-featured hitch rack that has all your bases covered. The Thule Ridgeline has a four bicycle carrying capacity, and provides you with the perfect combination of security and convenience.
The Thule Ridgeline utilizes Thule’s Stinger Swinger hitch that converts quickly from a two-inch receiver to a 1.25-inch receiver, right out of the box. This bicycle rack features Thule’s Hitch Switch dual quick-release levers for rapid, rear vehicle access and folding arms for storage, and Thule’s T3 Cradles that lock down bikes and cradles while still allowing complete adjustment along the bike arm. The Thule Ridgeline comes with Thule’s 955 No Sway Cage, an anti-sway device that prevents bike-to-bike contact, as well as Thule’s STL2 hitch lock and an integrated locking cable for a complete security solution. The Ridgeline itself weighs 36 pounds, and has a maximum carrying capacity of 140 pounds.
What’s in the Box?
954 Ridgeline hitch mount bike rack, all necessary mounting hardware and securing straps, STL2 hitch lock, locking cable, lock keys, and instruction guide
Manufacturer’s Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
Rating: 
(out of 20 reviews)
List Price: $ 359.95
Price: $ 299.99
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August 24th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Review by Jordan M. Berkley for Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
Rating:
Buy the Roadway, it’s the exact same rack sans the hitchlock, No Sway Cages, and the built-in securty lock. These extras are not worth the money so buy the basic rack. Here’s the deal:
1. Sure, you can secure the hitch pin (mediocre anyway). But, you can remove the upright by loosening two nuts and removing the two bolts.
2. The No Sway cages appear to work. But, you’ll need to strap the front wheel down or it will bound around. So, use a synch strap through the wheels and the hitch, and no more sway! Even with the No Sway cages, you’ll have to do this.
3. The integrated lock is kind of nice. But, it’s not really long enough to go through the front wheel. So, if you want to secure your front wheel, you’ll need another cable lock anyway. So, just buy a cable lock that can go through the wheels, frame, and hitch and your golden.
Save your money.
August 24th, 2010 at 12:11 pm
Review by Antje for Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
Rating:
I would rate this bike rack as my best purchase of the year.
It is very quick and easy to install.
The quick releases work extremely well. I just leave the rack on my station wagon most of the time, taking it only off if I have to put very bulky items into the trunk. So now I can just throw my bike on the car on short notice, without any hassle – which led to a 200% increase in the amount of exercise I get
I had a rack before that didn’t fold down, and I very quickly learned that this is a feature that you simply can’t live without (unless your garage is huge), so I returned it after a week of having to take the rack off the car every evening and got the Ridgeline instead.
I have not transported 4 bikes on it yet, but have loaded it up with 3 bikes regularly. I could imagine 4 bikes being a bit of a hassle to figure out how to arrange them without handlebar conflicts. But the 3 always worked out well. I have used the rack with one bike on it on long drives, which included both interstate and bumpy dirt road use, and had no trouble whatsoever with the bike coming loose. I even had the car parked with the bike on the rack during near-Tornado-level winds, and found absolutely no evidence of the bike having banged against the rack or the car.
So, in summary: Love it, couldn’t imagine life without it anymore!
August 24th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Review by JK for Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
Rating:
If you are looking for a hitch bike rack, this is the one to get.
It’s very sturdy for a folding-featured hitch rack, meaning the arms fold down and the entire rack folds out for easy trunk access. It’s heavy, but it’s only because it’s pretty much all steel. Again very sturdy, and anything lighter and as sturdy would cost a lot more (like the Thule’s helium models). The two folding joints are very solid, and feels like they won’t move once they’re “clicked” into place (down or up).
It comes with locks for the rack and the bikes themselves, which are accessible with the same key (very convenient). You cannot lock the bikes in place without the key, so you’ll won’t forget your lock key. The rack also comes with the anti-sway straps, which works exceptionally well.
If you are to buy all those separately from Thule, you’ll pay much more than the Ridgeline. Even comparing other brand/models, it made sense to buy the ridgeline model.
Other’s have noted that the bike locks can come off and drag. Well, unless the locks break off, which is highly unlikely, they will not drag. When there’s no bike loaded on the rack, and the arms fold down, the bike locks “can” drag off. But if you’re that worried, just pull them out and lock them in place, and you’re done.
I’ve read from another review that the hitch lock is a joke, and can easily be broken off with a hammer or something like that. Well, that’s absolutely true. But unless you weld your rack to the hitch, there will always be a way for a willing person to brake a lock. Any $20 bolt cutter will cut most chains & locks, and any any $20 portable drill will drill through the toughest key pad lock, etc, etc etc. My point is, the Thule lock system is as good as any bike rack will get, and it’s very convenient.
If I had to, I can complain about the fact that the paint on the rack can easily scratch, especially on the 2 folding joints. So if you have moisture on the scratched area, expect some rust. However any can lubricant will cause any further serious rust damage. Also, since it is a folding rack (and has joints), the rack will bounce from front to back, and may be side to side a little bit. That’s normal, and if you have more bikes on the rack it will bounce more. It may appear to be loose, but it’s not. If you don’t believe me, just mount the rack, and jump a little on the rack joint. The entire car will bounce before the joint gives.
Finally, it says Sweden everywhere, but it’s made in USA. Gotta love that one.
Again, I could not find a better value and set of features than this one, and I’ve looked at several others at nearby stores. Hope it works out for you.
August 24th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Review by J. Cassidy for Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
Rating:
Excellent product.
I’ve only put two bikes on it since I got it. I did try to put them close together, but it looked like it was going to be more work than it was worth. I’m sure I’ll have to work through a 3 or 4 bike jigsaw puzzle some day.
I definitely couldn’t get my daughters little Schwinn Mesa on the rack because of the thickness and distance of the rack arms, but I’m guessing that is an issue with probably all bike racks.
The tilt away feature I could not live without. It tilts just enough on my F150 so the tailgate comes all the way down. And I like that I can tilt the rack arms down (when the rack isn’t in use) with the pull of a lever also.
I leave the rack on my pickup and throw the bike on it in minutes. My exercise has increased quite a bit from the ease of using the Ridgeline.
The receiver bolt attaches with a supplied wrench. It would be nice if this was tooless, but even still, I had the rack off within a couple of minutes to wash the truck the other day.
If this rack is in your ballpark for spending, go for it.
August 24th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Review by Cheng S. Chan for Thule 954 Ridgeline 4-Bike Hitch Mount Rack (1.25 and 2-Inch Receiver)
Rating:
I bought a Thule Ridgeline in April. Three weeks later I found inside of one tubing was holding lots of water and got rusted severely. Water came in from where the locking cable was positioned when it was folded. In addition, the other end didn’t have a drain hole to let go the water. I was concerned this rack wouldn’t last, and returned it for an exchange.
This time I was recommended to give Yakima Flipside a try. I took the rack home, opened the box. The first thing I noticed was the locking cable was hanging out and would not go all the way back to the storage compartment. I spent about 10 minutes, and couldn’t figure out how to return the cable back in. Then I un-folded the two arms, found they would NOT get in lock-in position without some work. Played with it for another few minutes, and found the bottom cap of the rack didn’t even have a locking screw. It was just snapped on.
Comparing both the racks, I really liked the Thule design over Yakima Flipside. I went back and got another new Thule Ridgeline instead.
I think I’ll have to live with the water in the tube problem. I may just cut off a small zip bag, and use a tie to wrap the bag on top of the tube where the lock is positioned to prevent water to go in.
September 4th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I notice the rust problem as well with my Ridgeline. It’s a bad oversight on Thule’s part. I’ve only had mine about a month. Here in Vancouver we tend go get a lot of rain, so I can see that this can become a big problem. I think I’m going to drill a large hole in the plastic cap on end of the problem arm, which should allow any water that collects in there to drain out. Either than or go with the plastic zip bag as suggested above.
September 19th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
I believe the top tool I have in my tool bag is the battery charged cordless drill, For my last project I dismantled my dining room and did a complete reconstruction and the tool I used by far the most and was really useful was my battery cordless drill. I do think for every project in the home I had the battery charged cordless drill in my hand. I think the restoration project would have taken twice the time without my favorite hand tool.