Thule isn’t one to hurry into issues, typically delaying new hitch racks to place them via longer, extra rigorous testing. It’s why we’ve principally by no means had an issue with something we’ve examined from them, and why their racks typically appear overbuilt.
It’s additionally why they’re (nearly) the final main rack model to enter the vertical hanging bike rack class. Come Fall, that’ll change with the brand new Thule ReVert Vertical Bike Rack. And it introduces a intelligent new function to make it tremendous simple to elevate and decrease.
Accessible in 4-bike ($899) and 6-bike ($1,099), it’s off-road rated and carries as much as 55 kilos per bike. For the 4-bike mannequin, that’s a complete of 220 kilos, and the rack itself weighs 73 kilos.
The 6-bike rack has a most load of 250lbs, so if in case you have it totally loaded, your per-bike weight allowance might be a bit decrease. Rack weight is 88lbs. For 4 bikes, although, the restrict simply permits it to hold light-weight eMTBs.
The distinctive function is the Twin TiltAssist Damper, which makes it extraordinarily simple to elevate and decrease regardless of what number of bikes you could have on it.
The gasoline shock is so robust you’ll must bodily pull the rack right down to decrease it, the place it’ll keep put whilst you entry the again of your car or load bikes. Then, simply give it a nudge and it principally lifts itself up, even when totally loaded.
It’s operated with a big paddle lever close to the highest, so it’s simple to succeed in even when the rack is totally loaded. Pull it right down to launch it and pull the rack down, after which pull it once more and let go and it’ll elevate the rack for you.
The wheel trays are fastidiously angled in order to not put an excessive amount of of a twisting power on the wheel, fork, or body. They are saying some racks they examined ended up damaging the wheels on massive bumps as a result of the angle at which they’re held is simply too extreme. However they wanted a bit little bit of an angle to assist the handlebars nest collectively.
Wheels are held in place with thick rubber straps bolted into the cross bars. They’ll have adapters obtainable to suit smaller wheels for carrying children’ bikes, too. Accessible in September, it has attachment factors for his or her looped cable lock (bought individually).
Thule Santu Hitch Rack-Mounted Cargo Case
The brand new Thule Santu cargo case provides 11 cubic ft of storage to their Epos bike racks. It’s rated to hold as much as 100 kilos. A locking lid retains your items safe.
It straps across the beams on the Epos Rack, making it comparatively fast and simple to put in. Thule says it’s simple sufficient to be sensible, however not really easy that somebody can shortly unstrap and steal it…it takes simply sufficient work to make it an unlikely sufferer of crimes of comfort.
It covers two bike trays, so it’ll go away one bike spot open on your bike closest to the automotive on a three-bike rack.
The straps are bolted to the case from the within, the place you’ll additionally discover tie-down straps to safe the cargo inside. MSRP is $799, obtainable in August 2024.
