Buying guide for best Thule bike racks
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When you travel, you take your essentials. For many active individuals, a bike is one of those essentials. However, there lies a challenge in safely getting your bike to your destination without causing damage to the bike or your vehicle. The solution: a Thule bike rack.
Thule is a company that has been helping individuals on the road to adventure for well over 75 years. Thule’s focus is on developing transportation products that are not only safe, stylish and effortless to use but are also kind to the environment. Thule manufactures some of the most respected and revered transportation products in the industry.
Our favorite is the Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR Hitch Bike Rack, which is a strong, sturdy option that can fit all styles of bikes. To learn how to make the best purchase for your bike transportation needs, keep reading.
Editors’ picks
Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR
Item Dimensions: 54 x 43 x 15 inches | Load Capacity: 120 pounds | Mounting Type: U Bolt
The Thule T2 Pro XTR is a heavy-duty hitch bike rack that can carry nearly any bike style up to 60 pounds each, including fat tires and e-bikes.
One standout upgrade is the integrated wheels, which make moving this 52-pound beast feel a lot less like a workout and more like a smooth pivot around the garage. Real-world features like the HitchSwitch lever for rear-vehicle access and adjustable mounts show that Thule paid attention to the little annoyances riders often face.
Assembly isn't quite as easy as we'd like it to be, but once you have it together, it’s rock solid. For cyclists who take their gear seriously and want something that won’t cut corners, this rack is a winner.
Thule Outpace 2-Bike Hitch Rack
Great Value
Item Dimensions: 31” L x 25” W x 11” H | Load Capacity: 110 lb | Mounting Type: Hitch
The Thule Outpace 2-Bike Hitch Rack is a great choice if you and your spouse enjoy riding together. It supports all kinds of bike frames and tube diameters ranging from 0.8 to 3.5 inches.
It features a head that rotates and slides to fit different bike sizes and styles, keeping your bike's frame perfectly secure. It has a foldable design for convenient storage in tight spaces, and the carrier tilts down so the bikes don’t block access to your trunk. You can also fold it up when it’s not in use to reduce your parking footprint, and it can support two bikes weighing up to 55 pounds each.
Customers love this bike rack for its easy tool-free installation and ability to accommodate two bikes. The tilting mechanism is also a big plus, as many other bike racks don’t let you access your trunk without removing the bikes or the rack.
Thule Apex XT
Best for Families
Item Dimensions: 42.1 x 11 x 37 inches | Load Capacity: 37.5 pounds | Mounting Type: Rack
The Thule Apex XT hitch rack offers a sleek, no-fuss way to haul up to five bikes, making it a solid pick for families or riding crews. Its anti-sway cradles help keep bikes from knocking into each other, and the HitchSwitch lever gives you access to the back of your vehicle without needing to unload everything.
It features a strong integrated cable lock system and bike arms that fold down when the rack isn't being used. While it's not perfect, especially if you're trying to squeeze on four or five bikes with wider frames, for smaller setups, it's a solid choice.
Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack
Best Roof Rack
Item Dimensions: 64” L x 13” W x 4.3” H | Load Capacity: 44 lb | Mounting Type: Roof
A roof rack is a great option if you don’t want your bike obstructing your trunk or increasing your vehicle’s footprint, making parking much easier. The Thule UpRide Roof Bike Rack weighs 44 pounds and makes zero contact with your vehicle, keeping it safe from scratching or denting.
It fits nearly all 20-to-29-inch wheel bicycles with tires up to 3 inches wide, but you can expand it to accommodate tires up to 5 inches wide with the Thule UpRide Fat Bike Adapter (sold separately). It’s easy to mount to your car’s roof with the ratcheting wheel strap and secure hook, and you can easily switch from one side of your car’s roof to the other if you need to.
With a 44-pound load capacity, this roof rack is suitable for bikes with carbon frames, non-traditional designs, rear suspension and bottle cages, making it one of the most versatile racks on the market.
Thule Vero Platform Hitch Bike Rack
Best for Heavy E-Bikes
Item Dimensions: 48” L x 17” W x 12” H | Load Capacity: 160 pounds | Mounting Type: Hitch
If you have a heavy e-bike, a standard bike rack probably won’t cut it. You’ll need a heavy-duty option like the Thule Vero Platform Hitch Bike Rack that can handle the load.
With reinforced aluminum profiles, you’ll get increased durability, and the included locks help protect your bikes from theft. Each rack can support up to 80 pounds, so you can secure most e-bikes without any issues, and it folds up against your vehicle when not in use for a smaller parking footprint. It has 180-degree pivoting arms that allow you to unload either bike from either side, and it works with 5-inch-wide tires and wheelbases up to 53 inches.
This rack works with road, mountain, fat, cargo and kids' bikes, and it even has built-in wheels so you can take it with you on the go. It’s one of the best options for transporting your bike and keeping it secure while parked.
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Item Dimensions: 48.4 x 25 x 26.75 inches | Load Capacity: 130 pounds | Mounting Type: Power Grip
The Thule EasyFold XT 2 hits a sweet spot for riders hauling heavier e-bikes or bulky mountain bikes. With a hefty 130-pound capacity, this rack is built to handle serious weight.
The included ramp is a game changer, making it easy to roll bikes into place without wrestling them overhead. We especially like the fully foldable design, which tucks up neatly and rolls away on integrated wheels like a piece of quality luggage.
The locking system adds peace of mind, and the smart foot pedal tilt is a slick way to keep trunk access hassle-free. If you’re after convenience, muscle and portability, the EasyFold lives up to its name.
How we analyzed
We rounded up the best Thule bike racks to give shoppers multiple options for transporting their bikes. We included different hitching options and considered other key factors, such as how much weight each one can support and ease of installation. We also looked at how easy it is to unload and load bikes from the racks for the best user experience.
Types of bike racks
When purchasing a Thule bike rack, you have four options as to where on your vehicle the rack will be mounted: the roof, hitch, trunk or truck bed.
Roof
A roof-mounted bike rack from Thule can cost between $200 and $300, with a $500-plus outlier for tandem bikes. Each rack only holds one bike, which is fastened in place by the wheels, the frame or the fork. If your vehicle has a factory-installed crossbar system on the roof and you'd like to have access to your trunk or hatchback, this may be the model for you. Just remember to be careful when approaching a low bridge.
A Thule hitch-mounted bike rack can cost between $400 and $1,000. For many, it is the most desirable option because it provides the best protection for the bikes and the vehicle. Hitch-mounted racks can transport up to five bikes at once, but you must already have a Class 1 – 5 receiver hitch on your vehicle (or be planning to install one). This model is the easiest to load and has the most versatility for accepting bikes with a variety of frames. Notably, it also sports the highest price tag.
Trunk
A Thule trunk-mounted bike rack can cost between $200 and $480. This rack works on cars that do not have a roof rack or hitch. It installs quickly and is easy to store when not in use. These types of bike racks can hold one to three bikes and are designed for the casual rider who only needs to transport bikes occasionally. The downside of this design: It’s the most likely Thule rack to cause minor damage to your vehicle.
Features to consider
Bike capacity and weight limits
Thule bike racks list two key numbers: the total maximum weight the rack can hold and the per-bike weight limit. Both must be respected for safety and performance. Even if your rack can hold multiple bikes, your vehicle also has a maximum load capacity (found in the owner’s manual) that shouldn’t be exceeded.
Overloading can stress the rack, damage your vehicle’s structure, and potentially lead to accidents. For heavier e-bikes or mountain bikes, make sure the rack is rated to handle the additional weight.
Frame compatibility
Not all bike racks work with all frame designs. Step-through bikes, fat-tire models, children’s bikes, and carbon fiber frames may require special adapters or alternative mounting styles.
Some Thule racks secure bikes by the wheels rather than the frame, which is ideal for protecting delicate paint or carbon fiber materials. If you ride a specialty bike, verify compatibility before purchasing to avoid fitment issues or unsafe transport.
Ease of loading and unloading
If you plan to use your bike rack frequently, convenience is key. Hitch-mounted racks generally win in this category since bikes are loaded at waist height without awkward lifting. Roof-mounted racks require hoisting bikes overhead, which can be tiring or impractical depending on the bike’s weight and the height of your vehicle. Trunk-mounted racks fall in between but may require more adjustment to get the bikes stable and secure.
Consider how often you’ll be loading and unloading and choose a style that matches your physical comfort level.
FAQ
Q. What is Thule's plan for sustainability?
A. At the top of Thule's list is creating products that last. The company’s position is that “products that last longer are better for the environment." Thule bike racks are also designed to save fuel by creating less wind-drag on your vehicle. In terms of manufacturing, the company is aggressively incorporating renewable energy sources with the goal of meeting 100% of its renewable energy goals by the end of 2020.
Q. Will a Thule bike rack fit my bike?
A. While Thule is a leader in the industry and has designed its racks to be adaptable to a vast number of bikes, there are too many products available worldwide for the company to put out a blanket statement saying their product fits every bike that was ever manufactured. However, Thule bike racks do fit almost every bike. In most instances, you can buy with confidence. If you have any reason to think it might not work for your needs, it's best to talk to someone in the company, voicing your specific concerns.
Q. My bike has a carbon frame. What options does Thule offer?
A. If your bike has a special transport concern, such as it being manufactured with carbon fibers, Thule does offer some options. A carbon frame protector would be best in this example, but the company also has other solutions, such as frameless contact racks. Before purchasing a Thule bike rack, check with your bike manufacturer to see if there are any transportation recommendations or guidelines you need to follow.
