Thule Bike Racks
Bike racks for cars and vans | Thule | USA
Thule bike racks are professionally designed so that you can transport your bike safely and easily. Whether you’re keen on road cycling or a family cycling vacation – Thule has a bike rack for everyone.
Our Top Picks
6 Best Thule Bike Racks Mouse Buying Guide
Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR Hitch Bike Rack
The heavy-duty Thule T2 Pro XT articulated bike rack has been an award-winning product for years, but we didn’t stop there. The new Thule T2 Pro XTR now features integrated wheels that make it easier to maneuver the rack while off the vehicle. Access to the rear of the vehicle is easy with the HitchSwitch lever, which allows you to tilt the rack down for access or up when not in use.
- Versatile design fits almost any style of bike, weighing no more than 60 pounds per bike, with no contact with the frame.
- Integrated wheels help maneuver the frame from outside the bike
- HitchSwitch lever allows you to tilt the frame down for rear vehicle access or tilt it up when not in use
- Fits wheels from 20-29 inches and tires up to 5 inches without adapters, making it ideal for carbon frames, mountain bikes, downhill bikes or fat bikes
- Integrated cable lock secures the bike to the frame and the locking knob locks the frame to the frame
Thule EasyFold XT 2 Hitch Bike Rack
Thule EasyFold XT 2 is a fully foldable, compact and easy-to-use articulated bike carrier for all types of bikes. The large distance between the wheel carriers enables the transport of sturdy bicycles with a large wheelbase. Folded dimensions are 31 x 12 x 26 inches.
- High-quality, high-load capacity bike rack ideal for e-bikes and heavy-duty mountain bikes
- Integrated folding bike loading ramp
- Suitable for 1.25" and 2" receivers
- Quick and effortless tool-free installation
- Quickly mount and secure bikes with torque limiting knob and ratchet strap
Thule T2 Classic Hitch Mount Bike Carrier
The Thule T2 classic is a super sturdy platform bike with frameless clamping security for all types of bikes. Available in models for 1.25″ and 2″ receivers, as well as a 2 bike add-on for 2″ receivers only.
- Use frameless ratchet arms to quickly secure bikes without touching the frame
- Eliminates bike interference by adjusting sideways to create a generous spacing between bike mounts
- Suitable for carbon frames, mountain bikes, downhill bikes, electric bikes and fat bikes as it fits wheels from 20-29 inches and tires up to 5 inches without adapters
- Easy access to the rear of the bike when mounted - the frame can be tilted away from the vehicle with the HitchSwitch lever.
- The bike rack can be locked to the vehicle with the included SnugTite lock. Load Capacity - 120 lbs.
Thule Apex XT Bike Hitch Rack
Quality trailer bike racks that offer superior bike protection and multiple size options for two people or the entire family.
- Premium suspension hitch bike rack for 4 bikes
- Excellent bike stability and fit
- Anti-sway cradle prevents bike contact
- Quickly mount and secure bikes with ratchet cradle straps
- Bike arms can be folded away when not in use
Thule Helium Pro Hitch Bike Rack
The lightweight aluminum hinged bike rack provides excellent bike protection and easy on and off convenience.
- Universal upright bike rack for 1 bike
- Quick and secure mounting dials control the force of entry into the bike frame
- Soft claw pads adapt to your bike's frame to minimize the risk of damage
- Frame brackets and wheel trays automatically position themselves as you secure your bike
- Wheel carrier is held securely in place with diagonal quick release straps
Thule ProRide XT Roof Bike Rack
The Thule ProRide XT is a universal upright bike rack that can be installed quickly, easily and securely. This rooftop bike rack clearly shows proper installation when tightening the soft jaw pads thanks to the torque limiter dial.
- Universal upright bike rack for 1 bike
- Quick and secure mounting dials control the force of entry into the bike frame
- Soft claw pads adapt to your bike's frame to minimize the risk of damage
- Frame brackets and wheel trays automatically position themselves as you secure your bike
- Wheel carrier is held securely in place with diagonal quick release straps
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Thule Bike Racks Reviews
Kindle Customer
Everything I wanted, almost
★★★★★ 5/5
I wanted the newer version, but the price on this one was so good I couldn’t justify the extra money. This rack is great. I do wish they had included locks for the two tire clips, but the rest of it is really well made and I like the design work that went into it. Could it have been made better? Yes, but for the money this is a great rack and I would buy it again.
Juliet Campbell
Great Rack
★★★★★ 5/5
You can lock the bike and the actual frame to the car_very good function. Extremely easy to install and remove. Comes with a ramp if your bike is particularly heavy. It doesn’t move when you install it. It’s a great frame. It even has wheels so you can easily roll it off and store it.
Mark S
Uber heavy duty bikerack
★★★★★ 5/5
Great heavy duty bike backpack. A little too heavy when lifting it onto the frame, but the wheels make it easy to roll. The locking arms protect your bike well. Retractable cable lock adds peace of mind. The mechanism for locking it to the frame is clever, and it makes it rattle-free. Folds up and can also be tilted down for easier loading. Very well designed and very heavy. Worth the money. I have a 50lb ebike and this rack is very sturdy. Highly recommended.
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Things to Consider Before Buying the Best Thule Bike Racks
If you’re looking for the best Thule bike racks, there are a few things you’ll need to consider before making your purchase. Here are some of the most important factors to keep in mind:
If you have limited space in your vehicle, or if you want a more aerodynamic frame, then a roof-mounted bike rack is a good choice. These types of racks are mounted on the roof of your vehicle and can be difficult to load and unload your bike. However, they are very secure and provide a great deal of protection for your bike.
If you have a small vehicle or want a rack that is easy to install and remove, a trunk mount bike rack is a good option. This type of rack mounts to the trunk of your vehicle and can be quickly installed and removed as needed. Trunk bike racks are usually very affordable.
Rear-mounted racks are the most popular type of bike rack because they allow easy access to the trunk of your car. However, they can also be more difficult to install than other racks. Rear-mounted racks are usually attached to the car with two straps that run across the top of the car and around the rear bumper. They usually have additional straps that go around the bottom of the car to provide stability.
If you want a strong, secure bike rack that is easy to load and unload, then Thule’s hinged bike racks are a good choice. These Thule bike racks are usually attached to the trailer hitch on the vehicle, making them very stable. They also tend to be less expensive than other types of bike racks.
Thule Bike Racks FAQ
The type of Thule bike carrier that is right for you depends on your needs and preferences. If you want maximum protection for your bike, then a roof-mounted rack is a good choice. If you want a rack that is easy to move from one bike to another, then an articulated bike rack like the Thule T2 Pro XT/XTR is a good choice. However, if you’re on a budget and don’t need the extra protection, then a trunk-mounted rack will suit your needs.
There are no specific maintenance or care requirements for bike racks, but Thule recommends checking the bolts and screws regularly to make sure they are still tight, as you mentioned. This is a good idea, especially at the beginning and end of each season.
Expert Answer. I have a solution if you frequently need to access your truck, but the bike rack manufacturer does not recommend opening the rear hatch or trunk with the bike rack installed. The door hinges are not designed to hold the extra weight and the rear door may crush the person underneath.
The bike manufacturer does not recommend opening the trunk with the frame because you could damage the trunk door hinges, causing the door to fall down or scratch the paint. Remember, the door hinges are not designed to support the weight of the frame, so if you force the trunk open, the doors may fall down quickly.
5 thoughts on “Thule Bike Racks”
The instructions that come with the rack (which are only drawings) are not very useful, so buying one needs a good level of mechanical talent. The locking mechanism for the lower hinge unexpectedly fell inside the case, which caused me a serious problem. I had to use a magnet to get it out, and I had to carefully figure out how it was supposed to work. Surprisingly, the handbook made no mention of this problem. I put the rack together successfully despite the lack of instructions.
The straps used to secure the bikes to the rack are one component that worries me. Compared to the strong, rubber elastic straps on my previous Thule rack, they seem flimsier. This unsettling quality difference casts question on the straps’ sturdiness and dependability.
Even though I value this rack’s general usefulness, the poor instructions and problems with the straps and locking mechanism detract from the entire experience. To provide customers confidence in the endurance and security of their bikes during transit, Thule should make their instructions more understandable and think about using stronger straps.Show less
I am happy with my decision to buy this rack after doing a lot of research on various reviews. It has demonstrated to be a superb option for caravan mounting. The connection, which has a 2-inch receiver, is easily tightened by rotating the knob, and it is then locked to prevent unauthorised removal. I have no trouble getting to the back hatch of my full-size SUV thanks to the fold-back feature.
The rack’s arms are simple to use because they quickly fold up and down and securely lock into position. Although the rack has a little play where the two pieces are fastened together by a bolt, overall, it seems incredibly sturdy. During a 600-mile trip, I put the rack to the test, travelling a total of 500 miles on the motorway at a top speed of 80 mph as well as many kilometres on rocky dirt roads. Everything remained safely in place every time I looked at the rack.
I discovered no substantial concerns with the straps, in contrast to several assessments. They worked perfectly and showed to be easy to use. They may eventually wear out because they are made of plastic, but so far they have worked effectively. The rack also has a built-in lock to secure the bikes to it with the same key used for the hitch hookup.
Its lack of a lock on the sizable bolt at the joint in the rack is the sole reason I did not give it a flawless 5-star rating. If the manufacturer has gone to the trouble of providing two locks for the three susceptible spots, it only seems sense that they would also provide a third lock. However, it is feasible to increase the security by purchasing a locking bolt for about $20, but it could need one or more washers.
It is important to note that the instruction booklet only contains pictograms and does not include any written directions. Despite this drawback, putting the rack together is not too difficult, however the instructions might be more thorough.
Despite these tiny drawbacks, I am incredibly happy with this purchase. Installation is simple thanks to its lightweight construction, which doesn’t add much to the overall load.Show less
I have been transporting my child’s 26″ bike and my own adult cycles using the 3-bike version of this rack for almost a year, and I must say it has done brilliantly. Since I install and uninstall the rack every time I use it and switch between my wife’s car and mine during the workweek, the ease of attaching and detaching the rack is essential for me. I value the added security provided by the bikes being locked to the rack and the vehicle. Even though it’s possible for dedicated thieves to get around the locks, I try to steer clear of high-theft regions when we take our bikes on road vacations.
My child’s bike has a special frame that prevents me from mounting it to the specified brackets. Instead, I place it near the back of the rack, next to the third row of brackets, and fasten it with the already-present straps. With the exception of a few tiny scratches on the bike frame, this approach has been effective. I am not very concerned, though, because it is a cheap bike that gets a lot of abuse. The adult bike has worked flawlessly for me, and there is space for a third bike in the middle position if needed, however it would be a tight fit with three cycles.
I was initially wary of making such a major purchase without first using it, but I can now declare with assurance that it has exceeded my expectations.
This bike carrier really impresses me! It has an excellent design, a simple installation technique, and astounding stability. We choose to get this updated version over its predecessor after reading several reviews.
The item arrived in top-notch packing that guaranteed its security throughout transportation. I would say, though, that the booklet’s associated instructions lacked a lot of quality. The images made it difficult to understand the stages because they were unclear. However, the installation procedure ended up being simple and hassle-free. The carrier stayed firmly fixed in position after being fastened to the hitch. I first noticed a very tiny movement of the carrier body back and forth. I called customer support out of curiosity, and they told me that a movement of less than an inch is typical. They turned out to be correct. The carrier was quite stable after we carried our bikes onto it and showed no symptoms of moving. The security strap that was included contributed to the sense of security.
I’m happy to report that we had no problems whatsoever on our recent 20-mile drive with our bikes attached. The carrier’s durability over the long term will now be put to the test, and I can’t wait to see how it performs.Show less
I spent a lot of time looking at several hitch mounts before deciding on this particular type. Prior to receiving the product, everything seemed promising at first. Unfortunately, my encounter left me feeling really let down. Poorly written and urgently out-of-date were the directions that were given. They lacked cohesion and clarity, and seemed like they had been written by a child.
And to make matters worse, I had a major setback when I tried to attach the hitch to my car. The locking mechanism of the hitch came into direct touch with the back bumper of my Cadillac XT-5 because of the bumper’s unusual V-shaped protrusion. I was unable to correctly attach the bike rack to the hitch receiver as a result. If the compatibility information had specifically mentioned that this hitch is not appropriate for my particular vehicle model, it would have been incredibly useful.
I had to go out and look for an extension that would allow me to go around the compatibility issue in order to fix this issue. In order to accommodate the installation, I also had to arrange for a second hole to be drilled in the extension. This process was unanticipated and inconvenient.
Overall, I had a really unsatisfactory experience with this hitch. Sadly, it does not fulfil the requirements for my Cadillac XT-5, even if it would be suitable for other vehicles.Show less