thule tour rack carbon frame

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Thule are better known for roof racks, and in the bike world for their roof-, towball- and hatch-mounted bike carriers. They bought the design for the Pack 'n Pedal rack from New Zealand product design company Freeload and have developed a range of panniers around it, some of which we'll be reviewing over the next few weeks.

The rack is made from aluminium and glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene, assembled with stainless steel bolts. It comes with a selection of struts that should allow it to attach to virtually any bike. We used the shorter struts for a fairly standard road bike, and the medium-length ones to get the rack level on a smaller hybrid.

The very longest struts will likely work for the very low stays on some suspension mountain bikes, but we didn't try that. We'd be surprised if you can find a standard double diamond frame the Tour rack won't fit, though you might run into trouble if you're running tyres fatter than 2.5 inches wide. As this is a website mostly about road bikes, that shouldn't be a problem for most of you.

The ratchet strap attachment system works well - much better than you'd expect from looking at it. It really does provide a platform stable enough to hang up to 18kg of luggage off (25kg if you strap it on top).

To fit the rack, you thread each of the four straps through the mechanism and then tighten it up with the supplied 5mm ball-end Allen key. Thule also supplies a security release key to loosen the rack, so a passing low-life can't steal the rack. The key has an offset pin to release the ratchet mechanism, and as far as we can tell it's unique to the Pack 'n Pedal rack, so keep in somewhere safe.

The main selling point of this rack is its versatility and the only situation we found where it ran into trouble was fitting bikes with cables down the seat-stays like some cyclo-cross bikes. If that's your bike, try before you buy to make sure the cables and straps don't do battle.

The rack works best with Thule's own range of panniers. It is possible to use other panniers, but you might run into problems with the fatness of the tubes (Ortlieb), or the solid plastic platform that gets in the way of the hook release (Carradice). Thule sells a pair of side frames that allow you to use 'virtually any type of pannier' and that also have a second rail so you can mount the panniers nearer the ground for a lower center of gravity.

These will cost you another £25 on top of the £85 you've paid for the rack (£22.49 and £76.95 if you shop around). That's the same retail price as the stainless steel Tubus Cosmo. The Cosmo weighs 730g, against the 1420g of the Tour rack with side frames, and will carry twice as much. Tubus offer adapters to coax a rack on to a frame without eyelets too, though Thule's way of doing things is undeniably more elegant.

If you haven't got braze-ons, or your bike has some other awkwardness that makes fitting a regular rear rack difficult or impossible, the Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour rack is a great way to carry luggage. It's well-made, the design is clever and it's surprisingly solid on the bike.

Having said that, it might be worth thinking about why your frame doesn't have braze-ons: it might not be designed to carry loads, and you might run into issues around stability under load and heel clearance. If you do have braze-ons, the Thule rack is still a viable option, but most regular four-bolt racks will be cheaper, weigh less and will be more stable.

It's a good solution for running a rack on a bike without braze-ons, though it's expensive and heavy.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack

Size tested: xx

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Our racks can be fitted on virtually any kind of bike. And our bags to any kind of rack. But needless to say, using our racks with our own bags is the best solution. With their combined number of smart solutions, you will get the best, safest and most comfortable ride - no matter what you're bringing.

Patented rack attachment system works on virtually any bicycle from full suspension mountain bikes to commuters and everything in between.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

o Includes rails for mounting panniers.

o Patented attachment system secures easily.

o Works on the rear seat stays and front fork.

o Works with any type of frame material.

o Tough construction allows for variety of rugged riding uses.

o Silent and vibration free performance.

o Weight: 990 g

o Load capacity: 25 kg top/18 kg side

o Materials: Aluminium/Plastic

The aluminium and polypropylene components look well made and are assembled using stainless steel bolts.

Does the rack provide a sturdy platform that stays put and allows you to hang panniers off of it? Yes. Much better than you'd think from looking at it.

I have not had this rack for nearly long enough to comment on long-term durability through experience. Having said that, it's certainly well made and I would expect it to last you a long time, provided you keep all the bolts tightened.

There are lots of comments on the internet from people who question the durability of a 'plastic' the rack on longer tours. Mostly from people who haven't actually seen or used the rack. One review I read was from a lady who had used a Sport on the front and a Tour on the back for 5 months through the Andes and had no problems.

You don't get much change from a kilo, more than 150 grams heavier than the standard Blackburn EX2 (and twice as expensive). If you want to use non-Thule panniers, you'll need the sideframes which add another 430 grams.

Nothing particularly comfortable or uncomfortable about it.

At £85 RRP (£10 discounts can be found online), twice as expensive as the Blackburn EX2. About a tenner cheaper than the Tubus Logo rack. Significantly heavier than both, but more versatile. Bear in mind you'll more than likely need the optional sideframes (another £25) if you want to use non Thule Pack 'n Pedal panniers.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It's a luggage rack and it does the things a luggage rack does. However, it's a shame there isn't a mounting point for a rear light and the full plastic platform construction on the top can make it difficult to release certain panniers. The Carradice C-hook system proved troublesome for me. The struts have a large diameter which rules out certain panniers, like the Ortlieb classic front pannier for example. The optional side frame (£25 RRP) may well sort some of these problems out - we're testing a set at the moment.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I was pleasantly surprised how well it works.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Although it's billed to work with any pannier, that's not really the case without the sideframes.

Did you enjoy using the product? It worked well enough, but I didn't enjoy using it more or less than any other rack I've used.

Would you consider buying the product? No. Having used it, I'll go back to using a traditional rack. If I wanted to fit a rack to my mountain bike (which doesn't have braze-ons) though, I would definitely consider it.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? If they need to put a rack on a bike without the necessary braze-ons, then yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

The rack works better than you'd expect from looking at it, but works best with the Pack 'n Pedal panniers. Try before you buy if you plan to use your own.

Overall rating: 7 /10

About the tester

Age: 36 Height: 1.78m Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: All of them! My best bike is: Cannondale CAAD10

I've been riding for: Over 20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

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Add new comment

Here is the Thule pack and pedal pannier/rack system on a Cannondale 2014 CAAD8 105.

I am very surprised at the result. It took me hours of figuring out the ratchet system. But I sorted out the ratchet system it is and proves to be a very strong rack. The rubber oval cleat cushions the rack against your seat stays and this also prevents slippage. It is a good product and very clever.

image_1021.jpg

I have tested myself this bike rack and I think that this 85 pounds is too much for what it offers. It looks good, the brand is there but lacks in enginering quality, bike racks priced so high shouldnt slip on the frame.

I experienced slippage also until I realised I wasn't mounting it properly. The oval rubbers are placed between the seat stays and the rack. The straps are fitted as follows. The instructions are not clear so it takes some working out.

1. Work out where the rack is best suited 2. Prepare oval ring and short end of strap to fit between the frame and the rachet system. 3. Once the ratchet system is resting on the oval rubber wrap the strap around the frame and then under the ratchet mechanism. 4. Take the rest of the strap and feed it through the ratchet system. 5. Use the hex key provided to tighten it. As you tighten it the long strap finds around the fitting and becomes shorter.

I struggled initially and took me hours to figure it out. If you need help don't ring Thule write to me and I offer you assistance.

image_1020.jpg

The problem with the Ortliebs I tried was that, without the side panels, the aluminium tube is too fat for the Ortlieb lower hook to go around it.

With the side panels (which I didn't have to test) I expect it's no problem at all.

Before I read the comment from bazzargh, I thought I had seen that before: http://innercitymobility.blogspot.de/2012/01/carrier-for-race-bike-free-...

Currently I use it on a steel frame but still use the textile tape as anti-slip.

I've got a set of these from Freeload (the NZ company who came up with them, before Thule bought them out) Couple more points:

- The front rack will not fit on a bike with canti brakes - the wire yoke of the brake will get in the way. Probably a consideration for anything other than discs, really

- unusual rear stay designs can also be a problem; if you don't have straight stays, you might not have a section to fit this on

- you should have a shake out ride before you set off; it's quite easy to have these set too loose, particularly if the straps get wet. Bring a ball-ended hex key, large enough to get some leverage. (ie not your multitool)

- my ortliebs fit this fine, not sure what the problem is there? (but yes you need the side panels for panniers)

- What I mainly use them for is bikepacking, ie light mtb touring offroad; I wasn't using panniers, but had strapped drybags on these front and rear. Rock solid, plenty of places to attach straps to. Weight not really an issue, my bags are much heavier than the racks.

oh dear, I have a few Thule products which, although not cheap, have proved their worth. But honestly, in excess of £100 for a rack setup on a bike not designed to carry those loads? Sounds like a failed entry from The Apprentice.

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While Out Riding

Dirt road cycling adventures across the americas and beyond, review: thule pack ‘n pedal.

I’m still in Huaraz, craving to get back on the road… Unfortunately though, the pain in my back has flared up, so I’m having to delay longer. In the meantime, here’s one of a few reviews I’d intended to post before setting of to Peru.

Disclosure: I was sent this Pack ‘n Pedal rack and pannier by Thule via Bike Bag Shop (of which I’m affiliate) to try out. Generally I request gear I’m eager to take away travelling, or I try and finagle a discount, or end up buying it at full retail. But the guys at Bike Bag Shop thought it would be right up my street, so sent a set to Santa Fe for me to try out.

And it’s true, I’ve long been interested in these racks – back when they were called Freeload and based out of New Zealand, before the design was acquired by car rack giants Thule (who, incidentally, own Chariot trailers too). Nowadays, I tend to see lightweight framebags and softbags as ideal for mountain bike touring – but there are times when the capacity of racks and panniers are better suited to the job at hand.

Versatility

So what’s the big deal with Thule’s gear? Well, the main appeal is that one rack provides an adaptable solution for all manner of styles and materials – from full suspension to carbon, 26in or 29in – and of any frame size too. The same rack can even be fitted at the front or back. As such, it can be moved from bike to bike with relative ease – making the system an appealing gateway into touring and commuting. Clearances are very good, though unfortunately a touch too tight for my 29+ Krampus – and hence a fat bike too.

As with any system that offers such versatility, there’s bound to be compromises. In terms of stability, the racks are considerably better than you might expect. But although the nifty ratchet system cranks down tight, there’s still more side to side play then there would be with a traditional triangulated rack attached with bolts. To handle the quoted 25kg top load capacity, they’re supposed to be tightened down to 15 Nm, but seeing as I don’t have a torque wrench, I just cranked them down as tight as the hex key would let me go – and the rack felt relatively stable. I expect there’d be some scuffing of paint over time, but details like that have never bothered – it’s the same with framebags.

As for panniers, there’s a whole range on offer – geared towards touring and commuting – I particularly liked the look of the Tote Bag for shopping. As it was, I tried a Small Adventure Touring Pannier (16L), sold singly. Compared to the competition, price and weight are definitely up there. At $100 and 2.3lb (1043g) a piece, these are neither light nor cheap panniers in any way. By comparison, the equivalent Ortliebs ( Front Roller Plus ) weighs 1140g for a pair, and cost $153 for two. Still, some nifty features help offset those extra grams and dollars, which are explained below.

Incidentally, there are two versions of the rack – the Tour and Sport . I tried the Tour ($100, 1kg), which includes rails for mounting panniers. The Sport ($90, 0.8kg) is effectively a platform for cinching on a roll bag or similar – without the rails, it’s also 200g lighter. The Sport may well be the better option for bikepacking.

The Thule Tour Rack some with struts of differing lengths, suiting different frame styles and sizes – or whether it’s run at the front or the back.

The ratchet system uses a ball ended allen key to clamp it down nice and tight. The supplied key (don’t loose it!) releases the spring, and allows the straps to then be unwound. After some time being attached to my frame, the rack took a little jiggling around to remove it – but as long as you don’t lose the precious key that releases the ratchet mechanisms, it comes off eventually.

Do not misplace. Tools needed to fit (and remove) the pannier.

Particularly nifty is the mounting system…

… which flips away like a secret door… It makes carrying the pannier, with the supplied strap, a lot more comfortable. My only real qualm is the extra weight for touring.

As well as the length of the struts, their position can also be adjusted, so the rack sits parallel to the ground, whatever frame you’re running. Despite all the plastic, I’ve not experienced any rigidity issues with moderate loads, even on dirt roads. Note: clearances are too tight for a 3in tyre, but ample for anything else.

The top deck has loads of slots for strapping on bits and pieces.

A strong magnet attached to each side of the rack, holding the pannier in place. In use, it’s proved sufficiently tenacious.

Elegant. The panniers are very easy to mount, snapping into place with the magnet – which is strong enough to hold them in place over most terrain. And neatly, even if the panniers do flap around, they soon snap back into position. Note though that the attachment system sits well below the top of the pannier, making it awkward to run a roll bag across them, as many tourers like to do. My time has been fairly limited with the system, and given that I only had one pannier to play with, loading capacity has been a touch one-side too – though with one of the extra side frames , I could have balanced it out with a standard pannier.

Thule calls the pannier material waterproof but also offers optional covers. I’ve not had the opportunity to ride with them in prolonged rain, but I take existence of covers to mean the panniers aren’t monsoon proof – and that water will eventually soak its way through.On the plus side, this means they’re breathable – and gear is less likely to get stinky inside. However, it also means you’ll need the extra raincovers in the event of a prolonged downpour, especially if you’re carrying the likes of a laptop – in which case, expect to fork out an additional $15 per pannier. And while the roll top closure works nicely when the bag is packed, it does have a tendency to unfurl when it’s half full.

The panniers are very nicely made. The Adventure (Small) has a cross strap to cinch it in, but it’s devoid of any inner or outer compartments. What it does feature, however, is a side pouch designed for an LED, allowing the light to shine through. Although the sleeve muffles the light a little, it’s a nice idea – perhaps a slightly clearer material would be better though.

Versatility: the name of the game

So what’s my overall take on the system? All in, it’s a pretty techy setup, and I have to admit to being a little sceptical initially about stiffness and durability – given all the plastic. But it’s definitely grown on me, and there’s some neat ideas for sure.

As far as I can see, it’s a cargo-carrying solution that’s best suited to commuting and general, mid-weight touring – dirt roads included.

Really, the strength of the Pack ‘n Pedal in its versatility. Lash on a rollbag. Use panniers. Move it from your road frame to your suspension rig. Swap it from a 26in bike to a 29er. Fit it to a friend’s smaller bike. And, although I see it being of greater benefit to commuters than tourers, I like the fact that Thule are striving to create a practical solution off the bike – the fold-away pannier mounts are really nicely executed. I would, however, prefer these panniers to be 100% waterproof, given the roll top closure – and their price tag.

With the advent of ultralight soft framebags and matching seat and rollbags, a lot of mountain bikers might find a rackless setup is a better way to go for lightweight, mountain bike touring. But if you do want the extra space of a more traditional setup on your full suspension rig, then the Pack ‘n Pedal racks and panniers are certainly one way of doing it. For multi-month endeavours, I’d still stick with a more specific chromoly rack system though, assuming you’re riding a bike that’s designed for the task at hand.

Normally, I strive to take gear away on a trip before writing about it, but this wasn’t possible with the Pack ‘n Pedal – partly because I only had one pannier to play with, and also because I only had a couple of months to use it. If you have any longterm, hands-on experience with this system, please post your thoughts below. And if you have any questions, let me know!

There’s some interesting feedback here , of a more extreme nature. But it sounds like there may have been some user error involved too.

35 thoughts on “ Review: Thule Pack ‘n Pedal ”

What a great article you have written. I can concur that the waterproof material needs a bit more clarity. From one of the conversations I can remember I had a couple of months ago with Thule they mentioned that the materials have ratings and I think they where 4+ different ones. They previously used 3 where if applicable the zippers being 4. And with this new material it would be rated 2. Which is the second most waterproof material technology could provide while being breathable. Gore-Tex being number 1.

Hi, great review, thanks. I’m just finishing a 5 months trip through the Andes of Southamerica and have been using a Sport version on the front and a Tour version on the back, together with Ortlieb panniers (I do carry some weight unfortunately as I’m traveling solo. I admire your lightweight approach…something to aspire to) I would consider them stronger than the traditional racks cyclists use as I had no problem with their strength and have been on many dirt roads and some very bad road too, while other cyclists seem to have quite some issues with their racks breaking. I used the Sport version only on a trip a couple of years ago in Patagonia and was convinced of its strength than, when I had no problems while other cyclists seemed to have issues with breaking racks on the carretera austral quite regularly. Or maybe I’m just lucky:)

Thanks for the longterm feedback Nina, much appreciated. Seems the Thule racks served you really well. My only concern was the side to side slight flex I could feel, compared to my Tubus racks. But it doesn’t sound like that was an issue for you at all. If you have a link you can send me to your bike, I’d love to see it.

Hi Nina & Cass, until now I have used my Ortlieb Bike Packer Plus on a conventional rack on a hardtail bike. For my next off-road trip in the South-west of Australia I would like to take my dual-suspension bike but keep the panniers because they are simply great: 100% waterproof, easy to handle and I can fit in heaps. I would like to use the Pack’n’Pedal on the rear. So these are my questions: 1. Is the Quicklock system compatible with the rather thick bars on each side of the rack? 2. Will the bags swing very much when riding on rocky terrain? 3. Did you use a side frame with your Ortlieb panniers? Thank you!

Hi Jessica, My brother & I have both used the original Freeload Rack (before they were re branded Thule) 3 times on the Munda Biddi Trail (1000 km of off road trails) in Western Australia. In that time we only had one incident with the rack, my brother picked up a thick stick that destroyed the rear derailleur & damaged one of the plastic holding brackets, we fixed it using cable ties & continued the extra 400 km to the end. No real side to side swivel from the rack, you may need to retention after a day or two & make sure you Loctite all the stainless bolts on the rack otherwise you will loose them. I used Ortlieb bags with the optional rack side pannier supports. No problems mounting them. I did modify the lower plastic swivel holder on the bottom of the bags, replacing the holding finger with an aluminium one (far less flex & stops the pannier jumping off). Rack mounted on rear of 2004 Cannondale Jekyll & 2015 Giant Anthem. The last time we did the Munda Biddi was August 2016, highest recorded rainfall for 50 years! While the Ortliebs are waterproof make sure you have lightweight waterproof sacks for packing sleepinging bag & clothes just in case.

I found this rack to be less flexible between bikes as I was hoping primarily due to cable routing/mounts on the top of the seat stays of one of my bikes (disc brake line and derailleur cable). To fit with existing cable routing would require abandoning the cable mounting points to give enough room for the rack to wrap the stays where the lines ran. This lead me to take one bike not so well suited on an extended gravel route vs. the intended bike. It also did leave some permanent paint scuffs after 75miles of gravel riding as cautioned in this review. Makes for an excellent front rack on suspension forks as well as carbon cross/road forks as well as Surly cross-check/long haul trucker forks. I intended to avoid the cost of frame bags and have a gear platform to suit several of my bikes for prolonged touring. Although this rack seems best to replace a front roll type frame bag, which should also be as flexible between bikes, and lighter. Sigh.

Thanks for the input Eric. As you mention, I can see the racks being particularly well suited to front suspension forks, for sure.

As you say, framebag-style gear is considerably lighter, and easily transferable from bike to bike too, for the most part (sometimes drop handlebars, or a short seat post can be an issue). I do find soft bags need some TLC though, to make sure there’s no cable rub or similar.

I tried a set of these but ended up having to return them as a) they didn’t fit my bike due to the spacing of the cable stops (the rack sat crooked), and b) I found that my Ortleib panniers kept swinging into the spokes. I could have spent another $70 on the extra side frame, but was a bit cheesed off when the retailer told me that these racks were only really designed for the Thule panniers and that I could hardly expect them to work with anything else.

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Hello Mate, just clocking your site again and noticed this rack chat. I’ve used one for several short trips and it is best to say that it’s perfect function is on suss-forks. The Salsa rigid, taper type fork is also fine as long as you keep the bottom tension strap hard up against the brake boss before tensioning the system….to prevent it sliding down. Pretty versatile rack I guess if you only want one rack to suit several frames. Have a jolly down south. Peter

Hi Cass, Is there any risk of damaging the carbon frame of my Canondale Flesh carbon bike with the Thule Pack and Pedal Sport Rack? Thanks for your attention and hints. Marcos

Marcos, no issue with carbon frames or forks. But, pay attention on fitting and it will work wonderfully well. I’ve used mine on White Brothers carbon forks with no problem as the type of carbon used for the fork legs is relatively thick. Make sure you do not over tighten the support straps as they can produce intense pressure on their small fixing footprint. Beware of paper thin seat stays. Check that the rack is secure enough to support your panniers or cargo weight and nip up the strap tension to suit. Contrary to popular belief, this rack is not designed to take elephantine loads, so pack accordingly. Ciao.

I’ve been commuting here in Detroit with the touring rack/commuter bag combo on my Specialized Hot Rock for a month now, and so far I’m not at all impressed with this system.

Both racks were installed by Thule trained bike mechanics at my local bike shop.

The first rack broke at the plastic strap ratcheting fixture while I was trying to snug up the straps because the rack kept slipping down and rubbing on the tire. The load I carry is light; a fleece shirt and my lunch. But it couldn’t handle even that.

The second rack slides down as well.

I’ll keep fussing with it to try and make it reliable, but I’ll probably end up putting it on the front and install a traditional bolt-on rack in back.

Update: Good news!

Last month I bought a new commuter bike, a Trek DS 8.5, and installed my Thule rack on it. No more slipping! The rack stays firmly in place, even while bombing through snow and over snow drifts to and from work every day.

I don’t know if it no longer slips because I installed it better than my bike mechanic or because my new bike’s geometry is better for the rack.

In any case, now I’m happy with the rack. I even bought a second touring rack for the front.

Do you have a picture of it on the DS8.5? I’m picking my new 8.5 up today and am curious about fitment. Thank you

Hi Steve, I threw together a quick post with a few pictures here at DetroitConservationCafe.com. The blog is currently just a rough draft of project I’m working on, but bike commuting in Metro Detroit will eventually be a regular topic.

The touring rack fits great on the DS 8.5, I even have a touring rack for the front. I ride with the Thule commuter pannier most of the time, and I had to buy the little rail extenders (only $10.00 for the set) so I could push the bag all the way back, otherwise my heel kept hitting the bag, and I have a relatively small foot for a guy.

Hope that helps.

Thanks for the help. I installed my rack this past Friday. Tomorrow will be my first chance to commute to work. It’s 8.5mi each way 40% nasty dirt/limestone road and 60% pavement. I don’t have the panniers yet. I’ll be rolling with a kayaking dry sack strapped to the top until I need more space.

Saw your pictures of your rack on your website, thanks for posting those. I’m looking to set my bike up similarly with the pack n pedal rack with similar bag from thule. I was looking at the reviews on various online stores (amazon, REI, etc) and noticed on amazon that there was one that said his mounting hardware completely failed after 2-3 months. How long have you been using the pannier and how is it holding up? Thanks!

After a year of using the rack, the commuter pannier and the trunk for my daily commuting, I can honestly say that the only thing special about this system is the mounting mechanism on the panniers. Everything else you would do far better with other brands. The caveat being that another rack will fit on your bike.

Here are my issues with the system.

The Rear Touring Rack

The rack itself is $100.00. But you will need the rail extenders or else your heels will kick your panniers, so that’s $10.00. Then you will need the plastic side frames to hold the panniers in place, that’s $20.00. Then you will need the magnet to keep the pannier from slapping against the frame when you go over the slightest bump, $20.00. So really, the rack’s actual cost is $150.00. The plastic housings on the strap ratcheting device break easily. The friction they provide is not really enough to keep the rack from sliding down the tube, so it will slide.

This $79.00 trunk is like a Volvo — boxy, but safe. Sort of. You can put a bunch of crap in it and the Velcro straps that hold it down are great. The plastic, opaque pouch that’s designed to hold your rear blinky light, is excellent at ejecting said blinky light out of the pouch and into the street. I’d lost two $45.00 LED rear lights out of it before I wizened up. Besides, the pouch is smoky colored, and it significantly reduces your light’s illumination. Great for the quiet bike paths of Amsterdam, but lousy for the psychos driving American roads who’d rather text than watch the road. Then there is the flooding problem. Yes, flooding. If you get caught in a storm without your trunk’s waterproof cover (sold separately), then you will find about an inch of water in the bottom after a few minutes. That nifty open pocket they put on the side, the one large enough to hold a stick of gum, or the blinky light holder, funnel water right into the trunk. So don’t be fooled by the impressive, dry bag style roll top, because it’s just for show.

The best thing about the whole system is the mounting mechanism that rolls back into the bag for a smooth sided pannier that won’t snag your clothes. It really is a nifty system. My bag is installed and removed around six times a day, five days a week for over a year, and it still keeps on working fine.

My advice is to buy a $30.00 rack from your LBS, and then buy the commuter pannier. You’ll save a bunch of money and frustration that way.

Finally, my new commuting bike is a 2012 Surly, Pugsley, Neck Romancer fat bike. I put a Surly Nice Rack on it and will keep the Thule commuter bag. The rest of the Pack n Pedal system I’m selling along with my previous commuter bike, the 2014 Trek Dual Sport 8.5.

Whew. There, I feel better getting all that out!

Looks like the ideal solution to my wife’s 29er – being 5’7″ it is a tiny 13″ frame and she has a Thudbuster seatpost precluding a seat bag or traditional rack (unless it had 4foot stays at the top!)

This would strap on out the way of the seatpost, and avoiding the disc caliper allowing a 15L dry bag to strap on the top and not hit the seatpost.

Maybe a fatbike version could be offered with just a wider deck? Either Thule or an aftermarket / home made?

Thanks for the ongoing comments and feedback on these racks. It’s always good to hear other people’s input.

I didn’t have any slippage issues myself, but it did take a bit of practise to get the right technique. The guys at Thule said there shouldn’t be any issues with carbon frames.

I just noticed these today while online. I plan the install on a Trek Madone 3.1 [carbon frame]. like anything else… finesse is the key when installing anything onto carbon. MY QUESTION? Does anyone know when & where I can find & purchase the Thule trunk bag for this rack? They are Not readily available as of 3-5-14… Please advise…

Trying to find out of these racks have enough clearance to fit my full suspension Specialized Camber 29r – is it tall enough? Thule is giving me differing answers, and it’s an expensive purchase…

I have the rack installed. Anyway to post pics on this thread?

Not sure that there is with WordPress. Sorry!

Hey Brad, how’d it go installing it on the carbon frame? Thinking of doing the same, but concerned about crushing the seat stays (Madone as well). Any slippage of the rack on the stays? Were you able to cinch the straps down tight enough?

Works great. Adds a buttload of weight on back of bike. Once you torque all 4 ratchet connectors maybe 1-2 clicks, all 4 will hold rack in place. Bag straps on great. Email me [email protected] I’ll send you pics.

Just a follow up on a question that I had earlier. We went ahead and purchased two of these systems mostly because we had no other choice-I am riding a full suspension 29r , and my husband has a full carbon hardtail mountain bike but we wanted to put panniers on them, so this was our only option. There is definitely some tweaking involved. On my husband’s carbon mountain bike of the weight of the panniers definitely let the whole system slip down until the part over the tire was rubbing the tire. Not a great way to start the trip and we had to unload, loosen, move up, and then really crank on the straps to keep everything in place. We are still not sure that we will not eventually do some damage with as tightly as we have this rack mounted on those stays. On my bike my stays are so low and horizontal that I have very little tire clearance as well and have to slide the rack much closer to my seat than I would like. This means that I occasionally have some heel strike although I just saw that I can buy some extenders. One other issue that we did not take into account during purchase was weight-the system is incredibly heavy. I can hardly pick my bike up when fully loaded (I can pedal it, but have lots of trouble just maneuvering it around by hand and/or finding something substantial enough to lean it against so it does not knock things over!) Maybe this is a part of self-supported touring that I am just not used to 🙂 Overall, the system seems to be working okay-our longest trip so far was a three-day journey on some singletrack but mostly dirt roads; we leave tomorrow for a 12 day tour on the Lewis and Clark Trail. Keeping our fingers crossed that everything stays put and all goes well.

They do indeed fit different bikes “differently” I have not loaded as much as you and have had no slippage or movement. I had mine on my road bike for a few months, thought it was always going to be attached… I have had mine off since May of this year… I will use it again if I go on a long ride… So, since I own it, i”ll keep it, use it if needed… right now its on a basement shelf, filled with bike parts…

Do you know if the Side Frames are needed to add the Ortlieb Front and Back rollers to the touring rack?

I believe so.

Greg, you definitely want the side frams as well as the small rail extenders that screw into the top rail. The rail extenders only cost about $10.00.

I’ve been using my Pack n’ Pedal racks five days a week for commuting for over a year now, and I’m pretty happy with them. However, they are not better than a solid rack by any means, at least for touring. I’ll be buying the Ortleibs as well for light touring.

I’ve bought mine 5 years ago (freeload) together with the side frames. Firs I used them in the rear of my fully, next as front system on my 29er, and I just mounted it in the rear of my eBike. I use Vaude bags on both sides, from day commuting to monthlong trips all over Europe. All I can say is that this system is absolutely perfect. Whatever I want to transport can be transported (including a broken bike of my 6-year old son while on tour), with the plate design it even keeps dirt away from me, and I really love it!!! Regarding the key for dismounting: if lost, use a small-blade skrewdriver. Take a good light and look inside, and you’ll see what you have to push sideways. Only thing I fear here in Germany is that it might be stolen one day…….

I have this rack, but went through the trouble to order it from new zealand.

We did ~215 miles over 7 days in the san juan hut to hut trip. 2 bikes. 2 racks, rear mounted. Never a wiggle/wobble/rattle/squeak/etc.

I plan to purchase a Specialized Sirrus Elite Carbon Disc. It does not come with screw holes near the seat to add a normal rack. Can anyone comment on weather this rack would be a good fit for this carbon bike? Thanks in advance for your input.

Can I mount a carbon bike on Thule bike racks?

Dec 19, 2023 • knowledge, information, article details.

Bikes with carbon frames and forks are best used with frameless contact racks, like the T2 line of hitch bike racks, or the Thule UpRide roof bike rack. Some fork mounted bike racks are compatible with carbon bike frames, like the Thule TopRide and FastRide, but older models can exert too much lateral force, causing splintering of carbon forks. Thule also sells a carbon frame protector , which can protect the bike from clamp systems, like the EasyFold XT or ProRide racks. Without it, bike racks that grip the main frame of the bike can cause abrasion to the carbon, or crush the fragile material. Thule always recommends consulting the bike manufacturer or dealer for recommendations for your specific model.

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Why We Like the Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack

Modern bicycles with disc brakes and suspension need a different kind of mounting system when we're amping up to tour. Instead of eyelets, the Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack by Thule uses ratcheting straps to securely wrap around seatstays and fork legs. Aluminum tubing keeps the weight low and it works with just about any bike for long-distance riding or commuting.

Thule rack for touring on modern bicycles suspension, disc brakes
Ratchet straps are utilized instead of eyelets for security
Integrated reflector helps riders be seen
Constructed from aluminum tubing to keep weight low
Comes with rubber pads to protect frame finishes
Features a 50lb maximum weight capacity for gear
Item #THU0410

Overall Rating

4 based on 22 ratings

Review Summary

Fits true to size.

What do you think about this product?

June 8, 2024

The best rack for full suspension mountain bike.

the only rack they fit for a full suspension mountain bike I have a Trek and my wife have a Liv from Giant. fit perfect and good quality.

Originally reviewed on manufacturer

March 20, 2024

Used Once - Don't Buy

Doesn't hold, slips down and wears down on brand new bike tyres as well as the under side of the plastic rack itself. I had to stop constantly to try and reposition it. The small rubber parts barely hold in place once the rack is off, and do not come with anything to store them in, subsequently one of them fell off when I took the rack off and I was unable to find where it went. Will never use again. Please do not buy this it ruined my weekend for myself and for my friends.

September 21, 2023

Not Thule Quality

The good- Cool design and you are able to adjust to about any configuration. Relatively simple, but it mounts easily. The bad- The rack doesn't stay in place. Maybe because I'm using this on a road bike with smaller seat stays? I've had to use gorilla tape on my seat stay to create a bench for the rack attachment points to sit on to keep the rack from sliding down. I'm not even loading much into the pannier. Which is the other problem, twice the Thule Shield pannier went into my rear spokes brining me to an immediate stop. There's nothing to keep the bag from swinging into the spokes when you get a decent bump. Just not a great design.

July 5, 2023

The rack works great for a full float mt bike. I bit tight at the wheel for a 29r with a fender

May 11, 2023

Great bike rack

I like how ressitant and light my pack and pedal rack is

October 14, 2022

New Bike Tour Rack

I have been using this new rack for several weeks and I must say I am definitely impressed. My new bike came without any front braze-ons so needing a front rack, I did not know what I was going to do.. The design is ingenious, Fits perfectly.I check it often before rides and it stays stable and secure. Thank you Thule.

September 27, 2022

Looks good and it works as well

Light weight and sleek. The previous rack I had was very wide so this is a nice change. I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the installation was. Now I have a complete kit with the two Thule saddle bags that I already had.

August 29, 2022

A Super Trifecta Solution For Dirt Bike Riders

This Thule solution to carry bags and baskets is a sure winner in my books. I have a Surron Light Bee X Dirt Bike which I plan to use to make deliveries by where I live. I will note that I did have to remove my front fender in order for this work but that doesn’t bother me as I have tried to make the bike look as little as possible as a Dirt Bike considering regulations by where I live. However if your looking for a solution for carrying bags with your dirt bike- than look no further as this is it. I’ll be honest I did my research and there’s not many choices that work with Dirt Bikes as the manufacturers don’t make or market them for Dirt Bike riders. I am grateful to Thule for making a solution that works hands down the best in carrying bags and packages.

March 30, 2022

Rack is a nightmare to take on and off. Lost straps because it’s hard to set up the correctly and no spare parts are available. I’d avoid unless this is your last and only solution.

July 10, 2021

Texas to California with No Issues

I bought two of these Racks and two sets of the Thule Shield Panniers for my Houston to Sacramento BikePacking trip. The installation was not "Easy" due to the infinitely adjustability of the racks. But after adjusting, they were both sitting perfectly level and balanced. Along the way I removed the racks so that I could ride some trails. The removal and remounting was very easy since the adjustments had already been set. I had 30-35 pounds on each rack and I never had issues with the racks sliding or slipping. I would recommend this rack for anyone who wants a solid rack that is well worth the investment.

Originally reviewed on Backcountry.com

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Thule Tour Rack - Bike cargo rack - Easy on easy off - Front and rear... › Customer reviews

Customer reviews.

Thule Tour Rack - Bike cargo rack - Easy on easy off - Front and rear compatible

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Can I mount a carbon bike on a Thule bike rack?

Dec 2, 2022 • knowledge, information, article details.

You can mount carbon fibre bikes on any of our products that feature torque limiter knobs (e.g. Thule ProRide, Thule EasyFold XT, Thule Velospace XT and bike racks equipped with the Thule AcuTight Knob accessory) in combination with our Carbon Frame Protector accessory. The Thule Upride roof mounted bike rack is also recommended for bikes with sensitive frames such as carbon, since it clamps onto the bike's wheels. You can use our online expert advisor, found in the filtering function on the product category page, to sort out carbon frame compatible carriers. The Thule TopRide and Thule FastRide are fork-mounted roof mounted bike racks that clamps onto the original Thru-axle and can support most Thru-axle bikes made out of carbon.

Lightweight Bike Packing Carrier

$ 239.90

go Explore with a this carrier.

Solution for… The Thule Tour Rack (also known as the Freeloader) is a lightweight, fully adjustable front or rear bike carrier. It is ideal for use on a variety of bikes, for a variety of uses but is a great choice for lightweight bike packing/touring/multi-day riding. Being compatible with full suspension mountain bikes sets it apart in the bike carrier category.

Features: Quality construction and design make it able to withstand rugged back country riding. A rubberised clamping system attaches to your frame and will not slide. Locking mechanism is a great security feature. Fully adjustable meaning you have the ability to mount on the rear or front of your bike. It is compatible with all bikes including 29 inch wheel (up to 29 x 2.5inch) and carbon frames.

Description
Reviews (0)

The Thule Tour Rack is our choice for lightweight bike packing because;

It has a unique clamping system of attachment meaning you don't need eyelets on your frame to attach this carrier.

Compatible with all bikes including full suspension mountain bikes. This rubberised clamping system protects the frame of your bike and doesn't slide

Easy to remove and features a locking key mechanism for security when on your bike (sold separately - Release Key )

Fits all wheel sizes up to 29" x 2.5'"

It is ideal for lightweight touring & multi day riding in back country/secluded environments

Has a rear rack limit of 11.3kg and a front rack limit of 10kg

Made from nylon, steel steel & aluminium

Includes rails for mounting panniers to side. Rear weight limit in panniers - 7kg. Front weight limit in panniers - 6.2kg

Weighs 1.1kg

Everything you need to install the carrier is included - all mounting hardware and locking key. Find out more about how bike carriers attach to bikes by reading our story on this subject

Thule - Pack'n'pedal gives you freedom to move

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Thule Tour Rack (Discontinued)

Works on nearly any bike. No eyelets or adapters required. Mounts to a front fork or rear seat stays. For full suspension mountain bikes, commuter bikes, carbon road bikes and more.

This product has been discontinued.

Not just for touring. Thule’s innovated rack attachment system works on nearly any bike — whether or not the bike has eyelets for attaching racks. No adapters required. Mounts to a front fork or rear seat stays.

Full suspension mountain bikes, commuter bikes — even carbon road bikes. And with the optional Thule Side Frames , virtually any type of Bike Panniers can be used with this rack.

From Thule’s Pack ‘n Pedal™ line of cycling accessories.

Thule Tour Rack User Manual

Includes rails for mounting panniers.
Patented attachment system secures easily.
Works on the rear seat stays and front fork.
Works with any type of frame material.
Tough construction allows for variety of rugged riding uses.
Silent and vibration free performance.
Weight: 2.2 lbs / 1 kg
Top Load capacity: 55.12 lbs / 25 kg
Side Load capacity: 39.68 lbs / 18 kg
Materials: Aluminium/Plastic

Thank you for submitting a review!

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Thule Tour Rack

Rack was easy to install.

Thule Tour Rack The idea looked good on paper (ad) and it worked well for me on a GT Grade I set up as a long distance comfort bike. I would like to add a picture o the set up but this review site doesn't allow it . . Solves a lot of problems for those who want to add a bag to carry clothing and a bit to eat to extend a ride time. Great idea and get the rail extenders and side rails so you can have more flexibility. This is not an expedition rack

I've been using this rack in conjunction with the Thule commuter panniers, and could not be more satisfied with the purchase (especially with the deal for the set of panniers that they have). The rack was incredibly easy to set up and has not given me any issues in the few weeks and 100 or so miles that i've had it on. I'm considering purchasing a second on for use as a front rack.

I have found a solution to my problem and to any other carbon bike owners who would like to use this Thule Tour Rack. I basically turned the disadvantage (downward sliding force) into an advantage. But before that I did try the rack again but this time adding in a rubber padding between the frame and straps. I cut to size an old punctured rubber tire tube. Made it a little longer so it would wrap around the frame 3 times for added cushion. Use a piece of heavy duty double sided tape to keep the rubber wrap in place. Installed the rack and it stayed on perfectly. I placed a piece of tape beside the strappings so if there were any movement a gap would form. I have no idea why Thule do not or stopped including some sort of rubber padding. Think about it-if you want to open a tight jar lid, which material would provide more surface traction? 1) Nylon strap with 20% rubber contact or 2) 100% Rubber strap. There are these rubber wrench you can buy at hardware stores. These rubber wrenches have thick sticky like rubber straps not nylon straps. This is a clean look and would be fine for anyone with a non carbon bike. But carbon bike owners have to worry about unintentional forces being applied to the carbon frame. Especially concerning since the carbon seat stays frame is rather slim/small relative to the rest of the frame. The problem with the above solution for carbon bike owners is that now all the force applied by the weight of the rack, pannier and contents is being transferred 100% to the thin carbon seat stays. To reduce the load on the seat stays I want some of the force to be applied perpendicular to the seat stay but also parallel as well. But this parallel force causes the rack to slide down. So I re installed the rack without the rubber padding as I did the first time because I actually do want the rack to potentially slide down. Additionally, this time I did not tighten the ratchet as tightly the first time because I want the rack to have some sliding force. This is also better because there is now less compression force applied by the straps around the carbon seat stays. To prevent the rack from sliding down I attached a 1" arno nylon strap around the Thule aluminum frame attached to the bottom most nylon strap ratchet. I did this to both sides. To securely attach the arno straps to the Thule racket, I unscrewed the bolts at the bottom of the rack's aluminium rails. I used a eyelit plier and installed an metal eyelit ring on the arno straps. Insert the screw threw the eyelit ring and tighten. I had to buy longer screws to accommodate the width increase due to eyelet rings. The 1" arno straps runs up parallel to the seat stays and attaches just below the bicycle frame's seat clamps. Now this thick strong frame just below the seat clamp holds the rack in place and prevents it from sliding down the seat stays. The bicycle frame below the seat clamp is very strong as its a T joint and designed to bear the weight of a 200+lbs rider. Addin-g the 2 arno straps adds another load bearing point into the equation. The rack is now a 3 point load bearing system. Instead of relying solely on the poor thin seat stays it now has the much thicker and stronger seat post frame to help bear the load. Using the arno straps also lets you apply less compression force by the Thule ratchet around the seat stay. I tested this around the park and it was rock solid. I can feel the tension around the arno straps doing its job of distributing load. The Thule ratchet is tight around the seat stay just enough to provide stability but does not have to be so tight now where it has to not only provide stability but also bear 100% of the load. I tested this with both panniers installed. The weight of the panniers with its content was about 10lbs each. The Thule commuter panniers weighs 3lbs by itself. I think any carbon bike with the rack installed in this manner can safely handle 20-30lbs of total rear rack weight. The Thule Tour Rack and its Communter Panniers are specified for 40lbs load on each side but I would never test that on a carbon bike that has not been designed to carry a rear rack. Installed in this manner, I believe the Thule Tour Rack is the perfect solution for all carbon bike owners who only want to carry light loads. Not because the rack and pannier cannot handle more loads but because the carbon bike is just not designed to handle a rear rack and its load. Any carbon bike that hasn't been designed to carry any rear rack should still be able to handle 20lbs safely. I used to carry 30lbs in my backpack but now I carry a 10lb backpack and 10lbs in both panniers each. This will relieve the soreness in my shoulders, arms, neck, lower back from carrying a 30lb backpack. Its great to have a rack option installed on my bike now. The Thule Tour Rack looks great and their Commuter Panniers looks very stylish and works perfectly. Looks very professional, smart and mature.

rack is totally awesome. Best and most versatile on market. Been using for a few months and so happy I have it. have used on my road bike Trek1500, Giant Trance and ATX860 no suspension bike, works great on all.

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Pack n Pedal Tour Rack

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Rack remains secure under heavy loads with rubberized grips that prevent sliding and protect bicycle frame
Installation and removal is easy with convenient access to mounting system
Tire clearance up to 29" x 2.5"
Stay visible with the integrated light/reflector mount
Pedal comfortably with adjustable deck and rails that provide maximum heel clearance
Load capacity: 10 kg front/ 11 kg rear
Weight: 1.1 kg
Materials: Nylon, steel, aluminium

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9 Best Hitch Bike Racks, Tested and Reviewed

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Hitch bike racks are one of the easiest ways to transport road bikes, mountain bikes , gravel bikes , and even e-bikes . There's no need to lift your rig overhead onto the roof of the car, which is obviously easier on your arms. Most hitch racks swing away from the trunk of your car so you can still access gear inside, and some have side benefits like carrying cargo . And, because bikes are positioned behind the car, they don’t impact gas mileage as much as bikes on the roof.

The cons of hitch bike racks are they tend to be heavier, more expensive, and bikes on the back of the car are subjected to more road dirt and grime than bikes mounted on the roof of the car.

We reviewed an assortment of hitch bike racks from leading brands to find the top choices. The best hitch bike rack we tested is the Kuat Piston Pro . It's dead-simple to assemble and beefy enough to carry up to four bikes, and comes with sturdy security cable locks to keep your precious cargo safe.

Why You Should Trust Me

I'm a Vermont-based writer, photographer, and outdoor adventurer, who reports on gear, adventure travel, and environmental issues. I also serve on the board of Richmond Mountain Trails, Vermont Mountain Bike Association, and Vermont Huts. I've developed and guided hiking and cycling trips in the U.S. and South America, and biked across the U.S. I ride bikes most days and I've reviewed dozens of bike racks on the market with road, gravel, mountain, fat, touring, commuter, e-, and kids' bikes. Not only do I review gear for Men's Journal , but for multiple endemic bike magazines.

The Best Hitch Bike Racks of 2023

If you loved the look and functionality of Kuat’s Piston Pro X , but couldn’t swing the price or didn’t feel like adding a wiring harness to your SUV, Piston Pro should be your next purchase. We love this bike rack because it assembles with two bolts and is easy to use.

Bikes can easily be offset so handlebars and saddles don’t collide. Many racks have some kind of cable lock deterrent. This one has a beefy cable that inserts into a port in the rack to lock. It’s a much more substantial security system than many other racks. Choose among three positions: lowered, carry, and raised. A hand lever allows you to easily move between them, whether loaded or unloaded.

It took me less than 10 minutes to set up. Each side of the two wheel trays clicks into the base, and each set of wheel trails are attached with one nut and bolt. Piston Pro is also exceptionally easy to get on and off the car. The rack comes with a locking hitch bolt that slides in, and the rack tightens onto the car using Kuat’s special theft-proof tool, which is included with the rack, as well as knotted ropes to secure the rear wheels.

The rack uses hydraulic heel holders. Press a lever on the side of the tray (there's one for each wheel holder, so two per bike) and the wheel holder releases to give you space on the rack to set your bike. Once your bike is positioned on the tray, press the wheel holders in from each side to lock the bike in place. Each wheel holder can be adjusted to fit bikes from 18 to 29 inches with up to 5-inch-wide tires and up to a 57-inch wheelbase.

Capacity: 2 to 4 bikes

Weight: 63 pounds

Load: 67 pounds for 2-inch hitch, 60 pounds for 1.25-inch hitch

Hitch racks are typically large. If storage space is preventing you from investing, Thule Epos might be the rack for you. Epos carries three bikes with the stability and security of other high-end wheel tray three-bike hitch racks, and plenty of space in between the bikes to prevent damage. When you remove the rack from the car, the wheel trays fold in so the rack takes up less space in storage. Better yet, the rack rolls on small wheels for easy transport.

Most racks need to be unloaded in the reverse order they were loaded. So if you want to get to the first bike you put on the rack, you have to take all the bikes off. And when it’s mounted on your car and you need to get into your trunk, it releases down loaded or unloaded for access. The rack comes in several configurations. A folding e-bike ramp and tail lights are sold separately, and so is a burly lock.

The rack holds any standard type or size bike, including e-bikes, mountain bikes, and gravel bikes, including bikes with racks and fenders, with up to 29-inch wheels. It’s particularly good for carrying long wheelbase bikes.

When it’s time to put the rack on or off, it’s a tool-free process. Bikes mount to the rack with wheel straps and a strap attached to a telescoping arm that can be shifted to attach to the frame or the rear wheel.

Capacity: 3 bikes

Weight: 51.4 pounds

Load: 66 pounds per bike

Thule T2 Pro XTR is solid, dependable, and all-around awesome. Nothing beats the durability and time-tested ruggedness of this rack. It’s also one of the easiest racks to get to your car, and back to storage. It has an extremely heavy-duty hitch mount system, with robust trays that can easily be expanded from two to four bikes. The rack rolls from garage to car on two rollerblade wheels that we found were rugged enough to handle a gravel driveway.

Trays are wide enough for fat bikes, and the rear ratcheting straps are long enough that they can also accommodate fat bikes. That said, the straps aren’t too floppy for carrying road bikes and gravel bikes. Thule provides two positions for the straps—one for narrow-wheel bikes and one for wide-wheel bikes. And bike trays have theft-deterrent cable locks that, while not the most robust, are thick enough to be meaningful.

This rack holds a bike using a front-wheel hook and a rear-ratchet strap. It's extremely easy to get on and off the car. Tighten the camming tongue by twisting it with your hand. Once tight, lock the knob with the rack key; it spins freely without loosening or tightening the rack until you unlock it. A hook clamps into the hitch receiver hole to position the rack appropriately on the car. It’s tool-free, and much easier to attach than a rack with a hitch pin.

Weight: 52 pounds

Load: 60 pounds per bike

If you need more from your hitch rack than just carrying a couple bikes, this is the system for you. The Yakima EXO SwingBase is built on a swing-away base that can take numerous carriers, including a two-bike attachment called DoubleUp , cargo boxes, a tray that converts to a cart, and even a modular kitchen. If you want to carry multiple things at once, the system lets you add an upper deck, called TopShelf , for a second rack or carrier.

I used this rack with the bike attachment mounted on the SwingBase, and also with the EXO TopShelf with the GearLocker on the base. This was a great place to store a helmet, shoes, bike clothing, tools, a pump, and more. I loved the swing-away function, which let me get bikes and other accessories away from the vehicle for easy access to gear inside the car.

When loaded, Yakima recommends you use an included support underneath the base when it’s swung away. The biggest downside of the EXO System is it’s heavy, so not suitable for all cars. But it is ideal for vans, trucks, and SUVs. With the right accessories, EXO significantly expands a vehicle’s cargo carrying capacity, while also allowing it to carry bikes. And with the bike carrier on the TopShelf, bikes get covered with less road grime during long drives.

Yakima SwingBase (pictured) is the foundation of the system. It has dual arms with slots to receive the system’s various attachments. Place the two-bike rack on top of the arms, then screw the knobs on the ends of the arms to secure the mount in place. The tightening knobs lock with the same key the rack uses to lock onto the car. The bike rack has front-wheel hooks that clamp over the front tires and ratchet down. The rear wheel is held by a ratcheting strap.

Capacity: 2 bikes

Weight: 139 pounds (SwingBase: 68.5 pounds; TopShelf: 33.5 pounds; DoubleUp: 37 pounds)

Load: 50 pounds per bike

For cars with low clearance, or anyone who wants their bikes to ride a little high and away from road grime, 1Up’s tiered Heavy Duty Double positions bike mounts so each is slightly higher than the one before it as they extend away from the car.

I love this rack for its lightweight construction, compared to other racks, ease of installation, and because it was also quick and simple to expand to carry three or four bikes. Instead of big, breakable reflectors on the back, 1Up uses reflective stickers. Folded, the rack sits close to the car, which also makes parallel parking easier.

This is the only rack I tested with a cable lock that doesn’t touch the frame of the bike, so I didn’t worry about leaving bikes locked for long drives. Cable locks rubbing on a frame can damage carbon bikes, so on other racks I removed the cable lock until parked.

There’s no need to line the rack up with the hole in your hitch. The rack secures with an expander ball in the rack tongue that presses against the sides of your hitch when you twist the hitch-tightening knob with 1Up’s custom hex wrench. The expanded ball removes play in the rack. It also lets you position the rack anywhere in the receiver. If you do choose to position the rack to line up with the hole in your hitch, you can use 1Up’s locking hitch pin to further secure it.

Bikes sit in trays on the rack and lock in with ratcheting holders that clamp securely over the tops of the tires. The bike holders release by pressing an anodized lever next to the tray holder that releases the tension. The ratcheting bike wheel holders have holes drilled along their full length. Slide 1Up’s locking skewers through any set of those holes, front and back, and the skewer also passes through the bike's wheel to lock your bike to the rack.

Weight: 46 pounds

If it hurts your back just thinking about lifting a heavy e-bike onto your car rack, you’ll love Saris Door County , which plugs into your car’s seven-pin trailer plug and electrically lowers so you can load bikes sans physical labor. With the rack installed, wheel trays fold out on each side.

Door County is designed for easy transportation to and from your car. It rolls on wheels that navigate pavement well but not gravel. A central handle makes it easier to lift than most racks.

It also comes fully assembled. I used a ratcheting wrench to secure the hitch pin. It comes with a handy cover, but it’s for storage only, not for use when the rack is on the car. Tail lights built into the rack alert drivers behind you that you’re braking or turning.

Moreover, the rack has integrated theft deterrents, including a locking hitch pin and cables to secure bikes to the rack. It’s available for 2-inch receivers only, and not approved for RV use. The wheel trays can fit bikes with tires up to 3 inches. This is one of the best racks for carrying step-through bikes, thanks to the clamping arm. It comes with a one-year warranty for electronics to boot.

With the vehicle turned on, turn the key in the rack to activate the rack keypad, and use the arrows to raise and lower the rack. In my Ford F-150, I also had to press the brake for the arrows to work, so I rigged a piece of wood that braced against the driver’s side seat and the brake pedal. With the rack lowered, bikes roll on and attach with front and back wheel straps as well as a rubber lobster claw clamp mounted on an independent arm that folds down when not in use. This rack works even if your bike has fenders or down-tube batteries.

Saris recommends using an included auxiliary strap to wrap the rack, bike frames, and wheels to further secure the load. Once the rack is loaded, with the car on and in park, use the keypad to raise the rack to full height.

Many tray hitch bike racks don’t securely carry bikes with fenders. The front hook can’t hold the wheel without bending the fender or being too loose. RockyMounts HighNoon FC is able to mitigate that by offering straps for front wheel hooks and rear wheel straps on trays that are tiered for better handlebar clearance. The wheel trays sit on a base that’s angled slightly up for better ground clearance, and the mount also has welded metal hooks to secure strap ends.

To further stabilize bikes, the rack has a front wheel stop that creates a cradle for the bike wheel in addition to a front wheel tray. The hitch rack comes with straps long enough for fat bikes as well as a ratchet strap extender. If you don’t carry fat bikes, trim the straps with scissors so they don’t flap while driving. The rack can carry bikes with 20- to 29-inch wheels, and comes with an anti-wobble hitch pin with a locking bolt and a wrench to install it.

While it isn’t made from as heavy-duty materials as some other tray racks, it expands to carry three bikes and comes with a lifetime warranty. An included cable lock attaches to the frame. And RockyMounts also built in a metal loop for you to thread your own lock through should you choose to use one.

Weight: 39 pounds

Load: 60 pounds per bike (2-inch hitch can be expanded to 3 bikes at 45 pounds)

When your crew wants to shuttle laps on local trails, there's no better rack for the job than North Shore 2023 NSR6 . Made for mountain bikers, this hanging hitch bike rack holds up to six bikes with suspension forks and is the OG when it comes to shuttle racks. The folding NSR6 is not only more affordable than competitors, but it also folds in half for more convenient storage.

North Shore 2023 NSR6 is best suited for cars with decent clearance, and the ability to handle the weight of the rack plus the bikes you load on it. I’ve used this rack on a Toyota Sienna all-wheel drive minivan and on various pickup trucks.

Like many racks, this has several positions: vertical to the vehicle’s rear window, slightly angled away from the vehicle, and significantly angled away from the vehicle. A heavy-duty pin holds the rack in whichever position you desire. The position that’s most angled away from the vehicle gave me tailgate opening clearance when the rack wasn’t loaded, but it didn't allow the tailgate to open with the rack loaded.

North Shore 2023 NSR6 requires ratcheting wrenches and took me an hour to assemble. Though the rack is made in the U.S., the directions required some deciphering, missteps, and do-overs. But once assembled, it’s burly and easy to operate. Load bikes from right to left.

Capacity: 6 bikes

Weight: 72 pounds

One of the most affordable bike racks you can buy, Malone Runaway HM3 is a post hitch bike rack. Bikes hang from arms that extend out from a central mast and are clamped down by rubber straps and stabilized with anti-sway cradles. Made from oversized steel tubing, the rack’s arms fold down when not in use, and the unloaded rack tilts away from the vehicle by removing a pin.

The rack is best suited for road bikes and gravel bikes with a more traditional front triangle frame design. This is an excellent rack for riders on a budget who aren’t concerned with bikes being scratched. As such, I don't recommend this rack for carbon bikes or other high-end bikes, and the rack is not rated for e-bikes. It's available for both 1.25- and 2-inch hitch receivers. The integrated cable lock is flimsy enough that I recommend adding a cable lock to secure bikes. This is also one of the most compact racks, making parallel parking easier.

To mount a bike, slide the front triangle over the two arms, which support the bike from underneath the top tube. Two straps tighten over the top tube, while one strap wraps around the bike’s seat tube. The rack comes with a standard non-locking hitch pin. You can upgrade to a locking hitch pin, and also add a top tube adapter for step-through bikes.

Weight: 21 pounds

Load: 33 pounds per bike

Determine What Size Hitch You Have

If you want to install a hitch bike rack on your vehicle, you’ll need a hitch receiver. If you don’t have one yet, opt for a 2-inch receiver, not a 1.25-inch receiver since nearly all hitch racks are sized for 2-inch receivers. A larger receiver also stabilizes the rack better, which in turn stabilizes your bikes better.

Some cars come with pre-drilled holes for installing a hitch, while others require you or a professional to add some holes in the underside of your car. If you want to have a hitch installed and your car isn’t rated for towing, inform the shop doing the install that the receiver is for a rack only.

Which Hitch Rack Is Right for Me?

Buy a hitch rack that will hold the number and style of bikes you want to carry. But be aware that not all cars are able to carry all racks. If your car has low clearance, choose a tiered rack that lifts the outer bike higher than the inner bike.

While lighter racks are easier to lift on and off your car, you may want a heavier and more durable option. Lightweight racks can get damaged by rough roads more easily, so keep that in mind if you drive over a lot of potholes. Before you invest in any hitch rack, check with the shop or manufacturer to make sure the rack is compatible with your vehicle.

Types of Hitch Bike Racks

1. hanging racks.

Hanging racks, also called post racks, are the most affordable style of hitch racks. They’re best suited for carrying any bike with a standard front triangle connecting the handlebars, cranks, and seat. Using a post rack, you hang your bike on arms that extend out from a mast. On a hanging rack, you secure your bikes with rubber straps that come with the rack. Hanging racks are also the best racks for carrying more than four bikes. Many hanging racks can carry up to six bikes. Some hanging racks are designed for front suspension bikes only, and all are best for vehicles with substantial clearance.

2. Post Racks

A post rack works best for road bikes and gravel bikes. Just note bikes with a rear shock and kids’ bikes may not fit. And because bikes can bang into each other, a post rack is best for riders who don’t care if their bikes get dinged or scratched.

3. Tray Racks

Tray racks, while pricier, are often the best choice if you carry different types of bikes, bikes of different sizes, and expensive bikes. Many tray racks clamp over a bike’s wheels without touching the frame, making them ideal for carbon-fiber bikes. Not all tray racks are compatible with bike fenders, though some offer a specific attachment for bikes with fenders.

What to Know About Load

Every rack is rated for how heavy a bike it can hold. If you ride an e-bike, check the rack’s load capacity to be sure it can accommodate your bike. Hitch size and how many bikes the rack is carrying may impact load ratings (some racks are expandable, but the load changes when you expand them). If you want to put a hitch rack on your RV or Sprinter van, make sure the hitch rack is RV-rated.

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commonswiki Category:Births in Luhansk Oblast

Luhansk Oblast – Vital Industrial Centre with a Flair for Theatre

Before 1938, Luhansk - an oblast in Ukraine - was part of the Donetsk Region . After 1938 Donetsk was divided into two parts, one was called Voroshylovograd and the other was called Stalin. Later, in 1958 the Donetsk Region was renamed and called Luhansk. Today Luhansk Oblast takes up an area of 26.7 thousand square kilometers with a population of about 2.9 million people. Luhansk has a high population density, the fourth highest in the country, with 105 people on every square kilometer.

The Luhansk Oblast is made up of 18 districts, 37 towns and 109 villages situated in urban areas. Altshevsk, Bryanka, Pervomaysk, Krasniy Luch, Lysychansk and Rubizhne are some of the main towns in the region of Luhansk. The oblast borders three Russian regions, namely Voronezka, Rostovska and Bilgorodska, as well as Donetsk and Kharkiv , which are two Ukrainian oblasts. Being so near to Russia , the region has a large population of Russian residents, who make up 41,7% of the Luhansk population.

The Luhansk Oblast plays an important role in the economy of Ukraine and is ranked as one of the top five industrial centers in the country. The Luhansk Region is rich in anthracites, coke coal and natural gas. Anthracite is a type of coal, which is harder than other varieties and burns with little smoke and with a small flame. The region of Luhansk first began using coal in 1795 for the processing of Iron.

The geography of Luhansk Oblast is made up of rolling plains, which eventually become part of the Donetsky mountain range. The soil of the region is made up of fertile black earth, which is great for agricultural crops. Luhansk has a temperate, continental climate with distinct winter and summer seasons. In summer the temperature on average is about +21°C and is relatively hot and dry. Winter has cold winds and frost and can see temperatures as low as -30°C.

Luhansk Oblast is one of the main cultural centers in Ukraine with a high density of cultural sights and attractions to visit and see. One of the first theatres to be established in the region was in 1922. Since then many other professional theaters have been developed, which includes Ukrainian Theater of Music and Drama, Luhans’k State Regional Theater of Puppets and Luhansk Regional Russian Theater of Drama.

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Near the banks of the Rusava river lies a town by the name of Tomashpil, or Tomashpol. It falls under the Vinnytsya Oblast and has an estimated population of approximately 6 000 residents. The town's name, when translated directly, means ‘the city of St. Thomas’, and it is also the Tomashpil district's administration sector. The district has many smaller villages that are located ...

Uman is situated in central Ukraine, at the meeting place of the Karnenka and Umanka rivers. It has a population of about 100,000 people. The city of Uman has very fertile ground and is surrounded by thousands of square miles of beautiful, flat farmlands. When driving through the countryside you will find many farm stalls selling the freshest fruit and vegetables.

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Thule Tour Rack
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Review: Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack
Thule Tour Rack
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Thule Tour Rack

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Thule Bike Protector Demonstration
Thule Tour Rack . Taschen Update
Thule Tour Rack und Side Frame montieren
Bagaznik rowerowy THULE Tour Rack
Багажник Thule Pack’n Pedal Tour Rack
THULE Lift Bike Rack

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Thule Tour Rack
Thule Tour Rack. In stock. Add to cart. or 4 interest-free payments of $34.99 with. Free shipping over $99 (exceptions apply) 30-day returns (exceptions apply) Thule Guarantee. Product Locator by Locally. The Thule Tour bike rack is a patented rack that attaches to the front or rear of most bicycles, from full suspension mountain bikes to road ...
Review: Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack
The Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour rack will fit pretty much any bike - racer, 26er, 29er, whateverer - and is fairly easy to swap between them whenever the fancy takes you. Thule are better known for roof racks, and in the bike world for their roof-, towball- and hatch-mounted bike carriers. They bought the design for the Pack 'n Pedal rack from New ...
Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack Gepäckträger
Amazon.com : Thule Tour Rack - Bike Cargo Rack - Easy on Easy Off - Front and Rear Compatible : Sports & Outdoors ... Thule Pack 'n Pedal Side Frames, Obsidian. $14.96 $ 14. 96. Get it as soon as Monday, Jun 3. Only 14 left in stock (more on the way). Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. +
Review: Thule Pack 'n Pedal
The touring rack fits great on the DS 8.5, I even have a touring rack for the front. I ride with the Thule commuter pannier most of the time, and I had to buy the little rail extenders (only $10.00 for the set) so I could push the bag all the way back, otherwise my heel kept hitting the bag, and I have a relatively small foot for a guy.
Can I mount a carbon bike on Thule bike racks?
Bikes with carbon frames and forks are best used with frameless contact racks, like the T2 line of hitch bike racks, or the Thule UpRide roof bike rack. Some fork mounted bike racks are compatible with carbon bike frames, like the Thule TopRide and FastRide, but older models can exert too much lateral force, causing splintering of carbon forks ...
Roof bike racks
A roof bike rack from Thule transports your bikes securely, and in style. We have roof bike racks for carbon fiber frames, fat bikes, and more here! Free ground shipping on orders over $99 including cargo boxes. ... frame or wheel mounted roof bike racks — all easy to mount on your roof racks. Read more. Filter. products. Hide filter Show ...
Which Thule bike racks are recommended for carbon frames?
The Thule UpRide roof mounted bike rack is recommended for bikes with sensitive frames such as carbon, since it clamps onto the bike's wheels. You can also mount a carbon bike to a ThruRide roof mounted bike rack if your bike has a thru-axle front fork.. Additionally, the Thule T2 Classic and T2 Pro XT hitch bike carriers are great options for bikes with carbon frames because they make contact ...
Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack Thule Bike Accessories TH100090
This patented rack attaches to the front or rear of most bicycles, from full suspension mountain bikes to commuter and road bikes. 1-800-940-8924 to order Thule bike accessories part number TH100090 or order online at etrailer.com. Free expert support on all Thule products. Great prices and Fastest Shipping for Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack. Bike Accessories reviews from real customers.
Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack
Details. Thule rack for touring on modern bicycles suspension, disc brakes. Ratchet straps are utilized instead of eyelets for security. Integrated reflector helps riders be seen. Constructed from aluminum tubing to keep weight low. Comes with rubber pads to protect frame finishes. Features a 50lb maximum weight capacity for gear.
Thule Tour Rack
The Thule Tour bike rack is a patented rack that attaches to the front or rear of most bicycles, from full suspension mountain bikes to road bikes. A bike rack is the best way to load your bike with gear or bike accessories. This heavy-duty bike rack remains secure even with heavy loads and helps protect the bike frame.
Thule Tour Rack Rack rear
Road Bike Aluminium Road Bike Carbon Women's Road Bike Cyclocross Bike ... Features - Thule Tour Rack. ... Thule Pack'n Pedal Tour Rack Side Frame 31,25 € 41,63 € 25% Thule Pack 'n Pedal Bike Basket 57,30 € 72,89 € 21% Last viewed Best-Price Guarantee; Fast Delivery;
Thule Tour Rack
Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Thule Tour Rack - Bike Cargo Rack ... added thule side frames to prevent pannier and spoke, disk brake, and gear interference. ... I like this bike rack, it was easy to install to the rear stays of my steel road bike. I am not sure if a carbon fork can handle the point loads. I wish it was ...
Can Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack TH100090 Be Installed On Carbon Frame
The Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack # TH100090 you were looking at will work on a bike with a carbon frame like your Pinarello Gan Disk due to the rubber coating where the rack contacts your frame protecting the frame from damage. You will need to make sure that your tires are not larger than 29" x 2-1/2" wide. This rack will allow you to carry bags like the Thule Pack 'n Pedal Shield Pannier ...
Can I mount a carbon bike on a Thule bike rack?
Description. You can mount carbon fibre bikes on any of our products that feature torque limiter knobs (e.g. Thule ProRide, Thule EasyFold XT, Thule Velospace XT and bike racks equipped with the Thule AcuTight Knob accessory) in combination with our Carbon Frame Protector accessory. The Thule Upride roof mounted bike rack is also recommended ...
Thule Tour Rack
Details Features. Rack remains secure under heavy loads with rubberized grips that prevent sliding and protect bicycle frame. Installation and removal is easy with convenient access to mounting system. Tire clearance up to 29" x 2.5". Stay visible with the integrated light/reflector mount. Pedal comfortably with adjustable deck and rails that ...
Lightweight Bike Packing Carrier
The Thule Tour Rack (also known as the Freeloader) is a lightweight, fully adjustable front or rear bike carrier. It is ideal for use on a variety of bikes, for a variety of uses but is a great choice for lightweight bike packing/touring/multi-day riding. Being compatible with full suspension mountain bikes sets it apart in the bike carrier ...
Thule Tour Rack (Discontinued)
Thule Tour Rack (Discontinued) Works on nearly any bike. No eyelets or adapters required. Mounts to a front fork or rear seat stays. For full suspension mountain bikes, commuter bikes, carbon road bikes and more. SKU: THUTORA Category: Thule Bag & Rack Archives Tag: Discontinued from Campfire Cycling. Global Trade Item Number (GTIN) : 91021829831.
Roof bike racks
2 roof bike rack black/aluminium. £160.00 £269.00. Continue Filter. A roof bike rack from Thule transports your bikes securely, and in style. We have roof bike racks for carbon fiber frames, fat bikes, and more here!
Thule Pack n Pedal Tour Rack
The patented Pack n Pedal Tour Rack from Thule attaches to the front or rear of most bicycles, from full suspension mountain bikes to commuter and road bikes. Features: Rack remains secure under heavy loads with rubberized grips that prevent sliding and protect bicycle frame. Installation and removal is easy with convenient access to mounting ...
9 Best Hitch Bike Racks, Tested and Reviewed
Many tray racks clamp over a bike's wheels without touching the frame, making them ideal for carbon-fiber bikes. Not all tray racks are compatible with bike fenders, though some offer a specific ...
Luhansk Map
Description: city and administrative center of Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine. Categories: city of regional significance of Ukraine, city in Ukraine, city or town, posyolok and locality. Location: Luhansk Raion, Luhansk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Europe. View on OpenStreetMap. Latitude. 48.5717° or 48° 34' 18" north ...
Lugansk to Venice
Answer 1 of 20: I have a pen friend living in Lugansk. We would like to meet up in Venice. How can my friend most easily travel from Lugansk to Venice? How practical is it? If it can be arranged I would pay for the cost of my flight and that of my friend. Is this...
Category:Births in Luhansk Oblast
Language Label Description Also known as; English: Category:Births in Luhansk Oblast. Wikimedia category
Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine
Today Luhansk Oblast takes up an area of 26.7 thousand square kilometers with a population of about 2.9 million people. Luhansk has a high population density, the fourth highest in the country, with 105 people on every square kilometer. The Luhansk Oblast is made up of 18 districts, 37 towns and 109 villages situated in urban areas.