Taking your bike with you on vacation is a great way to make sure that you can easily exercise and allows you to travel through an unfamiliar city in a safe and enjoyable way.
While taking a bike on a trip can seem like an easy idea, actually transporting it can be very difficult, especially if you are bringing more than one bike for other family members.
If you are ready to go on a trip and want to take your bike with you, then you need to make sure that you invest in a great Thule bike rack.
This will ensure not only that you can easily transport your bike, but that it will be safe when you’re on the road.
There are a few things that you need to consider to ensure that you opt for the best bike rack on the market:
- Bike rack location
- Number of bikes
- Type of bike and its weight
- Rack security
Table of Contents
Thule Bike Rack Overview
Here are some of the most popular Thule Bike Racks and their stats.
Swipe the table!
| Position | Number of bikes | Max Bike Weight | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Thule Gateway
|
Rear | 2 - 3 | 35 lb |
|
Thule Apex XT 4
|
Rear | 4 | 37.5 lb |
|
Thule UpRide
|
Roof | 1 | 44 lb |
|
Thule T2 Classic
|
Rear | 2 | 60 lb |
|
Thule T2 Pro XT
|
Rear | 2 | 60 lb |
|
Thule Vertex XT
|
Rear | 2 | 60 lb |
|
Thule Passage
|
Rear | 2-3 | 35 lb |
|
The Details
Thule Gateway Bike Carrier
Not only is this a really affordable Thule bike rack, but it’s also easy to put on the vehicle, which is great for people who like to take last-minute vacations and want to bring their bikes.
It features a hold fast cradle that is designed to perfectly cushion the bike and ensure maximum security so that there isn’t any concern over the bikes being damaged. Thanks to the anti-sway cage on this rack, bikes won’t shift position and sway when on the road, which minimizes their bumping each other.
The quick-fit lever on this rack allows users to adjust it quickly and easily to their vehicles for a perfect fit each time the rack is used. This, in addition to the cinch-level, allows users to adjust the rack in a short period of time.
Even bikes with unique frames can easily be held on this type of rack, thanks to the cinch-level. This makes is a great option for couples or families who use different style bikes that may not all fit on a traditional rack.
Thule Apex XT Bike Rack
This is a great bike rack option for a family who all love to bike and want to be able to do so together on a vacation.
It’s not only designed to prevent the bikes from becoming damaged on the trip by stopping them from knocking into each other and into the car, but it also is very easy to attach to the vehicle. This rack folds down when it is not in use, which means that bike owners can keep the rack on their vehicles at all times.
The ratcheting cradle strap on this bike rack makes it really easy to quickly secure bikes on this rack. This means that even bike owners who are in a hurry will be able to keep their bikes safe when on the road and won’t have to worry about them being stolen.
The advanced cradle design of this rack was made specifically to hold different sizes and styles of bikes. From toddler bikes to larger adult bikes, this bike rack easily holds them all and will keep them safe on the road.
Thule UpRide Upright Bike Mount
Some bike owners are understandably concerned about the frame of their bikes being damaged when they are transporting it, which is why this is a great option.
While it can only hold one bike at a time, it is a great choice for users who want to keep their bikes protected on the road. The unique design of this bike rack has it securely grip the front wheel of the bike, which means that there isn’t any contact with the frame of the bike.
Even bikes with non-traditional frames can easily fit on this rack. The design of the rack makes it easy to switch it from one side of the vehicle to another, and it can easily fit a wide range of sizes of bikes.
While the original bike mount can hold bikes with tires up to 3”, an optional adapter is great for mountain bikes. This adapter makes it possible to hold tires that are up to 5” without any danger of damage to either the bike or the vehicle.
Thule T2 Classic Hitch Mount Bike Carrier
This Thule bike rack is a great option for anyone who owns a hatchback vehicle and doesn’t want to block the free and easy motion of the door.
While many bike racks hold the bikes up next to the vehicle, which means that opening the hatch without removing the bikes is impossible, this Thule rack is designed a little differently. The latch easily and securely tilts away from the vehicle, allowing users to easily access the back of their car.
Additionally, while this rack only supports two bikes, it’s easy to buy an add-on that will increase the capacity to up to four bikes. This is a great option for any family who likes to bike together as well as for anyone who wants to be able to take their friends’ bikes with them.
Thanks to the frame free ratcheting arm, it’s easy to secure bikes to the rack without making frame contact. Additionally, the rack easily folds up when it is not in use, making it easy to maneuver the vehicle when the rack is empty.
Thule T2 Pro XT
Thanks to the tool-free attachment of this bike rack, it’s never been easier to put a rack on a vehicle for transporting bikes.
The hitchswitch lever on this Thule rack allows the rack to easily tilt up and down so that users can put their bikes on it without much trouble and so that bikes can easily be removed from the rack when in a hurry. This design also allows the rack to tilt up and store in an upright position when not in use, resulting in a compact rack that is out of the way.
The rack easily tilts down when owners need to get into the back of their vehicle. This means that bike owners don’t have to take their bikes off of the rack to open the hatch. There are fully integrated cable locks in this rack that are designed to secure the bikes to the rack.
These cables retract into the rack’s ratcheting arms when they aren’t being used, which keeps them securely out of the way and helps to prevent them from being damaged. The locks are 24” long, which is great for users who are looking for a lot of safety.
Thule Vertex XT Hitch
The arc design of this bike rack really sets it apart from some of the others on the market. It is designed to make it easier than ever to load and unload bikes and to ensure great carrying when on the road.
The integrated handle on this bike rack makes it easier than ever to control the rack and to install it on the back of the car. Thanks to the ability to add a separate receiver lock, users will enjoy locking the rack by the car to eliminate any movement when on the road.
This bike rack also includes an integrated cable lock. Thanks to how heavy-duty this cable is, it is almost impossible for anyone to be able to cut. This means that bikes are completely safe when on this rack, even if they are left there for an extended period of time.
The cable lock is fully integrated into the bike rack, which means that it can’t be removed. It is stored inside the rack when not in use, ensuring that bike owners always have access to it when needed and that they don’t have to hunt for an additional cable for security.
Thule Passage Trunk Mount Carrier
There are high-quality rubber cradles on this affordable bike rack, which serve to cradle bikes and keep them safe on the road.
Not only is this bike rack designed to perfectly cradle and support any bikes stored or transported in it, but the rack itself is very easy to install, making this great for people who are in a hurry.
The narrow cradle arms are able to support an incredibly wide range of bike frames, which is great for users who like to choose a specific bike for their trip. It offers plenty of clearance between bikes to prevent any damaged and also is very secure.
There is a 6-strap system that secures the rack to the vehicle, reducing problems with the rack rocking back and forth on the road or with the rack accidentally coming loose. Thanks to the easy-access to bikes that this rack offers, it’s a great option for families who love to bike together.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a number of great options on the market for anyone looking for a Thule bike rack. Choosing the best one for you and your vehicle is important so that you can be sure that your bikes will be safe when you are on the road.
While it can be overwhelming to find the best option for your needs, doing so will ensure that your bikes are safe during transport and that you can easily take them with you on any vacation.
