Finding the Right Thule Bike Rack for Your Needs

Thule was founded in 1942 in a forest in Sweden. The company is passionate about making each adventure more fun for you by taking care of every 'but how will I get my gear there?' worry. 

The company offers limited lifetime warranties to the original owner on most of their products – including their bicycle racks, bike carriers, and accessories. Their confidence comes from testing them in the Thule Test Center™ - and in real-life by their Thule crew. The Thule Test Center™ takes products through extreme testing that includes exposure to harsh weather conditions, drop tests, wind tunnel tests, and shock and crash tests.

Thule offers various car bike racks and carriers to make it easy to take all your gear on your next biking adventure.

Roof Bike Racks

Thule UpRide.

The Thule UpRide holds your bike by the front and rear wheels. That means no frame contact, making this bike carrier perfect for bikes with carbon frames or bikes with non-traditional bike styles and frame designs, bottle cages, and rear suspension. The front wheel is secured with a hook, while a ratcheting wheel strap secures the rear wheel. The Thule UpRide fits most bicycles with wheels between 20 and 29" and tires up to 3" wide. If combined with a Thule UpRide Fatbike Adapter, the UpRide can accommodate tires up to 5" wide.

Thule ProRide XT.

The Thule ProRide XT can hold a bike up to 44 pounds and quickly secures your bike by its frame. The torque limiter dial keeps your bike safe from too much force being exerted on it while soft claw pads spread the pressure. The front and rear wheels are held in wheel holders that have diagonal quick-release wheel straps.

Thule ThruRide.

The Thule ThruRide is designed to secure bikes to a roof rack via the thru-axle without the need to use an adapter. It can accommodate bikes with thru-axles between 12 and 20mm, weighing up to 35 pounds. The ThruRide can fit 9mm quick-release hubs with a non-locking adapter. The non-locking adapter comes with the rack, while a lockable adapter can be purchased separately.

The ThruRide has an expanding clamp that attaches to your bike's thru-axle, making bike loading hassle-free. It is compatible with a carbon fork dropout and round frame dimensions. The ThruRide fits Thule roof racks with 20x20mm T-tracks.

Thule OutRide.

The Thule OutRide secures your bike's fork with a lockable skewer with an adjustment lever located on the same side. The OutRide holds standard 9mm axles, most disc brakes, and tires up to 3" wide. An adapter can be used for attaching via the thru-axle. The back wheel is secured with a quick-release wheel strap.

The Thule OutRide can accommodate all round frame dimensions and can carry bikes up to 37.5 pounds. It fits roof racks with 20x20mm T-tracks.

Thule Circuit.

The Thule Circuit has a lockable skewer – like the OutRide. It also has the same-side adjustment dial. The Circuit can accommodate standard 9mm axles, most disc brakes, and hold bikes up to 35 pounds. The rear wheel is secured with a ratcheting wheel strap, and an adapter can be used for thru-axle mounting. The Circuit rack does not require tools to mount and can be attached to Thule rack systems, round bars, and the majority of factory racks.

Thule Prologue.

The Thule Prologue secures the fork of your bike with a stainless-steel skewer that has an oversized lever. It is compatible with standard 9mm axles, most disc brakes and can hold bikes up to 35 pounds. The Prologue can hold bikes with wheelbases up to 48" and tire widths of up to 2.6". It holds the rear wheel with a durable wheel strap, which can even hold high-profile rims. The Thule Prologue fits Thule square bars and round bars. It can attach to most factory racks with the Thule Ride-On Adapter, which you need to purchase separately.

Thule Tandem Carrier.

The Thule Tandem Carrier is specifically designed to carry tandem bikes. It has a pivoting fork-mount design that makes it easy for one person to load and unload your tandem bike. The rear tray can be removed so that you can access your trunk and have hatch clearance while the rack is mounted. It can hold one bike up to 55 pounds with thru-axle mounting possible with the use of an adapter. The tandem bike carrier fits Thule square bars and round bars and is compatible with carbon fork dropouts.

Thule Front Wheel Holder.

Thule's Front Wheel Holder secures your detached front wheel to the roof of your vehicle. It fits 9mm quick-release wheels and can take thru-axle wheels between 12 and 22mm with the use of an adapter. The Thule Front Wheel Holder can hold wheels between 20 and 29" and tires up to 3". The detachable holder arm lets you quickly load and unload your bike's front wheel onto and off of your vehicle's roof.

Hitch Bike Racks

Thule EasyFold XT 2.

The Thule EasyFold XT 2 is a fully foldable trailer hitch bike rack that can carry heavier bikes - up to a total of 130 pounds. The high load capacity and large space between wheel holders make carrying bikes with large wheelbases easy. The EasyFold XT 2 hitch rack has an integrated bike loading ramp that folds into the rack for storage. The foot pedal tilt gives you access to your trunk even while your bikes are mounted.

Thule Helium Platform 1 and Helium Platform 2.

Helium Platform 1 hitch mount rack can hold only one bike of up to 35.5 pounds. The Helium Platform 2 can hold two bikes weighing up to 75 pounds with a maximum individual bike weight of 37.5 pounds. Both models secure bikes without frame contact; instead, they are held by ratcheting wheel loops. The Helium Platform 1 and 2 hitch racks fit wheel sizes between 26 to 29" and tires up to 3" wide. The Helium Platform models can both be tilted down with mounted bikes for trunk access.

Thule T2 Pro XT 2 - 2" and 2 – 1.25".

The Thule T2 Pro XT 2 – 1.25" can carry up to two bikes up to a total weight of 100 pounds, with each bike weighing a maximum of 60 pounds. The T2 Pro XT 2 – 2" can carry between two and four bikes with a total maximum weight capacity of 120 pounds and individual bike maximum weight of 60 pounds. The T2 Pro XT models can accommodate wheels between 20 and 29" and tires up to 5". The ratcheting arm allows for frame-free attachment, making the T2 Pro XT range well suited for carbon frames, e bikes, fat bikes, and mountain bikes.  

Thule T2 Classic 2 - 2" and 2 – 1.25".

The Thule T2 Classic 2 – 1.25" can carry up to two bikes with a combined weight of 100 pounds and individual bike weight of 60 pounds. The T2 Classic 2 – 2" can carry up to four bikes with a maximum weight of 120 pounds and individual bike weight of 60 pounds. The frame-free ratcheting arm carries bikes. Wheel sizes between 20 and 29" and tires up to 5" can be accommodated.

Thule DoubleTrack Pro 2.

The Thule DoubleTrack Pro 2 can carry up to two bikes with a maximum load capacity of 70 pounds and an individual bike weight of up to 35 pounds. The DoubleTrack Pro 2 has cushioned bike frame clams that let you adjust the height at which your bike(s) is held.

You can find more Thule hitch bike rack options here.

Trunk Bike Racks

Thule OutWay.

Thule OutWay trunk rack comes in three models: Platform 2, Hanging 2, and Hanging 3. Platform 2 is a raised platform design. The platform sits higher up than some other models to keep your taillights and license plate visible. It can carry up to two bikes of 33 pounds each.

Thule OutWay Hanging 2 and Hanging 3 can carry up to two and three bikes, respectively. The maximum load capacity for the Hanging 2 is 66 pounds, while the Hanging 3 can take up to 99 pounds. Both have a maximum individual bike limit of 33 pounds.

Thule Gateway.

Thule Gateway comes in two styles: Pro 2 and Pro 3. The Pro 2 can carry two bikes with a maximum weight capacity of 70 pounds, while the Pro 3 can hang up to three bikes with a maximum load of 105 pounds. Both can accommodate an individual bike weight of 35 pounds.

You can find more Thule trunk bike rack options here.



Truck Bed Bike Racks

Thule Bed Rider.

The Thule Bed Rider truck bed bike rack accommodates up to two fork-mounted bikes. It holds your bikes securely inside your truck bed without the need to bolt anything down.

Thule GateMate Pro.

The Thule GateMate Pro comes in two sizes: Small and Large. The Small can hold up to seven bikes while the Large can accommodate up to 8. The rear of the bike is held secure in the truck's bed, with the front wheels being fastened outside the tailgate.

Thule Insta Gater Pro.

The Insta Gater Pro holds one bike securely inside the truck bed. The ratcheting arm means that the bike is not held by the frame and makes this rack perfect for carbon frames or bikes with unconventional frames. The Insta Gater Pro is compatible with wheel sizes between 22 and 29" and tire widths up to 5".

You can find more Thule truck bed bike rack options here.

There is an extensive range of Thule bike racks and carriers designed to suit just about every want and need. Thule products are designed to take the hassle out of getting your gear to where you are going so that you can focus on the fun.