Xport bike racks were a Performance Bicycle house brand, with most models manufactured by SportRack, a Thule Group company.
If you landed here to learn who stands behind Xport racks, you’re in the right spot. The short version: Xport was the store brand for Performance Bicycle, and the hardware closely tracks SportRack designs from the Thule Group portfolio. That link matters for parts, keys, and load ratings. Below you’ll find the branding history, model crossovers, and a simple path to spares that fit.
Who Makes Xport Bike Racks? Now By Brand Lineage
Performance Bicycle sold Xport as its private label for vehicle racks and travel cases. Retail chatter from long-running rider forums has long noted that Xport racks were “special make-ups” built by SportRack for the retailer. That claim lines up with public company history: Thule Group owns SportRack and has operated it as a value-priced line within the same corporate family since the mid-2000s. You can confirm that SportRack sits inside Thule Group on the company’s own site under its history timeline and brand pages.
Fast Answers: Xport Equals SportRack In Most Cases
In practical terms, most Xport hitch, trunk, and roof units trace to a SportRack pattern. That means you can often match replacement cradles, wheel trays, straps, and lock cores by using the closest SportRack sibling. Thule’s key system coverage and SportRack’s own spares catalog make that process fairly straightforward for owners.
Table 1: Common Xport–SportRack Parallels And What Fits
These pairings come from long-standing owner reports and retailer listings. Always compare photos, part shapes, and measurements before ordering.
| Xport Model Or Feature Set | Likely SportRack Equivalent | Interchangeable Parts/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Xport Flatbed 2-bike, wheel-tray platform, tilting base | SR2901-style 2-bike platform (wheel trays + frame hooks) | Wheel trays, straps, hook assemblies often match; check lock core style. |
| Xport 4-bike hanging hitch with rubber cradles | SR2704-type hanging rack | Cradle straps and anti-sway arms usually swap; verify shank size and pin. |
| Xport trunk rack with arced arms and molded pads | SportRack rear-mount series | Strap kits and pads track to SportRack listings by shape. |
| Xport fork-mount roof block (9 mm QR) | SportRack rooftop fork mounts | Skewer and mounting plates cross-shop by width/bolt pattern. |
| Xport travel hard case with latches | SportRack hard case era accessories | Latch/lock keys may match “N” or “E” series; check stamp. |
| Xport storage stands (Aloft-style) | SportRack garage/indoor storage | Hardware kits substitute by bolt size and tube OD. |
| Xport hitch parts and lock pins | SportRack hitch accessories | Look up by shank size (1¼″/2″) and thread pitch. |
Proof Points You Can Check
SportRack Sits Under Thule Group
Thule Group’s own corporate history notes the acquisition of SportRack and the integration of its distribution. That gives a clean chain from the SportRack designs you see today back to the era when Xport models appeared on Performance Bicycle’s site and shelves. Linking your Xport to a SportRack sibling is the most reliable path to parts.
Keys And Lock Cores
Thule’s “Keys & Locks” support page explains how to order by the number stamped on the cylinder. SportRack’s spare-parts store also sells lock cores and keys. Many Xport units used the same code families, so matching by code usually solves lost-key headaches. You’ll see common series like N001–N200 or the SportRack variants called out in retailer databases. Link directly to Thule keys & locks and the SportRack spare parts page to place an order.
Who Makes Xport Bike Racks? The Answer, Then What To Do
You now know the maker link: SportRack within Thule Group. That’s the practical fix for parts and documentation. Next comes identifying exactly which SportRack model mirrors your Xport. Once you pin that down, you can grab trays, straps, or keys that drop right in.
How To Identify Your Matching SportRack Model
Start With The Lock Code Or Part Stamps
Look for a code on the lock face (N-series is common) or on molded parts. The code helps you source a working key and often hints at the product family. Retail parts catalogues map those codes to replacement keys, so you can open a stuck core before you swap anything else.
Compare The Hardware Shape
Wheel trays, hook shapes, cradle molds, and anti-sway tabs are distinct across product lines. Pull up SportRack’s current bike-carrier pages and look for a visual match. Note the tilt lever style, mast profile, and strap slot count. These cues usually point to a single family.
Measure Before You Order
Two quick dimensions prevent bad orders: the hitch shank size (1¼″ or 2″) and the inside width of wheel trays. Add the distance between cradle slots on hanging masts to confirm strap fitment. If you’re replacing a tray, measure the bolt spacing under the tray. Those four details line up 90% of parts on the first try.
Where To Buy Compatible Parts
Direct From SportRack
Use the SportRack spare-parts store. You’ll find lock cores, keys, strap kits, and more. It’s the most direct option when the part number is known.
Retailers With SportRack Databases
Retailers like etrailer keep cross-references for key codes and common wear parts. If you can’t find an old Xport SKU, filter by the SportRack family you matched visually, then read the listed compatibility.
Thule For Keys And Lock Support
When the lock code exists but the rack family is unclear, order by code from Thule’s keys page. That opens the rack so you can finish the ID process and swap the part you actually needed.
Table 2: Quick Sources For Common Xport Needs
| Need | Where To Go | What To Bring/Check |
|---|---|---|
| Lost keys | Thule keys & locks page | Lock code (e.g., N108) from cylinder face. |
| New lock core | SportRack spare parts | Confirm core style; order core with 2 keys. |
| Wheel tray or strap | SportRack spare parts or rack retailers | Tray bolt spacing, strap length, slot count. |
| Hitch pin/lock | Retailers with SportRack listings | Hitch size (1¼″/2″), thread vs. non-threaded. |
| Manuals/specs | SportRack PDFs & instruction pages | Model family, mounting style, torque notes. |
| Customer service | SportRack contact page | Photos, measurements, and any legacy Xport SKU. |
| Model match help | Retailer Q&A pages | Clear images of trays/cradles; lock code if present. |
Safety Basics When Mixing Old Xport And New Parts
Respect The Lowest Rated Piece
Load rating is only as strong as the weakest part. If your new strap kit lists a lower limit than the original cradle, follow the lower number. The same goes for hitch adapters. A 1¼″-to-2″ adapter can reduce capacity even if the rack looks stout.
Mind E-Bike Weight
Older two-bike platforms weren’t built for heavy e-bikes. If your trays are narrow or the hooks look short, don’t stretch things. Many SportRack platforms carry 35–45 lb per bike. Add bike weight, battery, and any fenders before you commit to a long drive. When in doubt, move to a tray rack that posts the rating you need.
Re-torque And Re-check
After any swap, re-torque bolts, test tilt/lift features, and bounce the rack by hand. Listen for clunks. If the shank wobbles, add a proper anti-rattle device matched to the pin type. Don’t wrap tape around the shank; it compresses and returns the wobble mid-trip.
How To Get A Clean Parts Match In Minutes
- Photograph the rack from three angles: side profile, tray or cradle close-ups, and the hitch or roof clamp area.
- Record the lock code and any molded part numbers.
- Open SportRack’s site and filter to the matching mounting style (hitch, trunk, roof).
- Pick the closest current model by shape, then open its spare-parts list or a retailer’s parts diagram.
- Cross-read dimensions and order the closest match in straps, trays, or cores.
What This Means If You’re Buying Used
Buying a used Xport rack can be a bargain when the hardware lines up with a current SportRack kit. The main risks are missing keys and sun-brittled straps. Both are solvable if the lock code is legible and the strap profile matches a current listing. If the seller can’t share a lock code and the core looks seized, plan on a replacement core from SportRack with fresh keys rather than drilling anything. Their manuals warn against drilling cores and point you to key ordering by code.
FAQ-Style Notes Without The FAQ Section
Are Xport Parts Still In Production?
Xport-branded parts aren’t active on Performance Bicycle’s site today, but SportRack equivalents cover most needs. Retail search pages with “Xport” filters now return empty results, another nudge to use SportRack cross-refs instead.
Do Thule Parts Fit An Xport?
Sometimes, especially keys and some lock cores. Many Xport locks share code families with Thule and SportRack. When mixing brands, match by code and part geometry first, not by logo.
Where The Brand Story Lands
So, who makes Xport bike racks? You can say it cleanly twice: Xport was built by SportRack for Performance Bicycle, and SportRack operates within Thule Group. That tie gives you a path to parts, keys, and support that still exists today through SportRack’s spare-parts catalog and Thule’s keys & locks page. If you map your Xport to a SportRack sibling using the photos and measurements above, you’ll keep your older rack rolling safely and cheaply.
Who Makes Xport Bike Racks? Owner Checklist To Finish Strong
- Write down the exact lock code and any molded part numbers.
- Match the rack visually to a current or past SportRack family online.
- Order keys by code, not by guess. Start with Thule’s keys page if the number starts with “N”.
- Order trays/straps by shape and bolt spacing from SportRack’s spare-parts page.
- Re-torque hardware and test fit with the bike weight you actually carry.