Unanswered Best tow bar bike rack

[MattK9441]

Hey everyone
I’ve just had a tow hook fitted to my T5 and am looking to buy a decent bike carrier but just wanted some expert guidance/experience on which one of the Thule models is best for carrying an e-bike. I have a Mondraker eCrusher and the downtube is quite substational so not sure some of the securing arms on the carriers would fit. Any clarification would be great fully appreciated.
Cheers

 

[steve_sordy]

I have the Thule Velospace X2 for two bikes each up to 30kg. It has a longer wheelbase and wider tyre channels. It has the usual tip action so that you can get into the boot. If you order on-line from Halfords (a UK company) and opt for click and collect at your local Halfords, they should give you 10% off. It is not advertised, so I was delighted when it happened.

I don't use the down tube to clamp on to as it is far too big, in fact I never even considered it because the top tube is a better place for rigidity. The jaws open really wide and I use a piece of pipe insulation around the top tube as it's a carbon fibre frame. The wheel ties are excellent in the way they operate. I have two rubber covered flexible ties and I twist one around the top tube and clamp arm. I admit that it is probably totally unnecessary, but I already have them and what's the harm! I use the other to stop the cranks from moving, which I think is necessary.

The frame is 18kg vs the smaller 2-bike rack that Thule do which weighs 14kg. But the lighter version is for normal lighter clockwork bikes with narrower tyres. Check them both out and make your own decision. Both can be expanded to a 3 bike carrier by buying bolt-on bits. (But not a third e-bike I suspect!)

Quality is overall very good, but I do wish that they had spent another 50 pence on the locks! The locks have never failed to lock or unlock, but getting the key all the way in requires some fiddling. Apart from the locks, I would buy the rack again.

 

[MattK9441]

I have the Thule Velospace X2 for two bikes each up to 30kg. It has a longer wheelbase and wider tyre channels. It has the usual tip action so that you can get into the boot. If you order on-line from Halfords (a UK company) and opt for click and collect at your local Halfords, they should give you 10% off. It is not advertised, so I was delighted when it happened.

I don't use the down tube to clamp on to as it is far too big, in fact I never even considered it because the top tube is a better place for rigidity. The jaws open rally wide and I use a piece of pipe insulation around the top tube as it's a carbon fibre frame. The wheel ties are excellent in the way they operate. I have two rubber covered flexible ties and I twist one around the top tube and clamp arm. I admit that it is probably totally unnecessary, but I already have them and what's the harm! I use the other to stop the cranks from moving, which I think is necessary.

The frame is 18kg vs the smaller 2-bike rack that Thule do which weighs 14kg. But the lighter version is for normal lighter clockwork bikes with narrower tyres. Check them both out and make your own decision. Both can be expanded to a 3 bike carrier by buying bolt-on bits. (But not a third e-bike I suspect!)

Quality is overall very good, but I do wish that they had spent another 50 pence on the locks! The locks have never failed to lock or unlock, but getting the key all the way in requires some fiddling. Apart from the locks, I would buy the rack again.

Thank you Steve, very helpful. I probably should have mentioned in the original post that I’m after something that will carry a minimum of 3 bikes (but only one ebike) as the kids will no doubt be bringing theirs on some of our trips.
Will check out the velospace X2 but sounds like a contender. Cheers

 

[cjm_wales]

Thule easybase 949. That's what I have. With fiamma bike rails.

With the rails off and the Thule travelbag it's also handy for carting the camping gear and awning around.

 

[Rostle32]

Thule easybase 949. That's what I have. With fiamma bike rails.

With the rails off and the Thule travelbag it's also handy for carting the camping gear and awning around.

Thule easybase 949. That's what I have. With fiamma bike rails.

With the rails off and the Thule travelbag it's also handy for carting the camping gear and awning around.

 

[Rostle32]

I bought the atera strada ebike rack for our motorhome, and works a treat , German build , not cheap but..... link below ?Bike Rack Rear Carrier Atera 022684 Strada Sport M2 for Cycle or E-Bikes 689848544299 | eBay

 

[DarkBlueSheep]

I have the Kuat NV2.0 and its a great bit of kit. Easily carries 2x Giant Trance E+, I take the batteries out to be on the safe side. You can also get an extender to carry up to 4 bikes. Its not cheap but its a quality product.

 

[MattK9441]

I have the Kuat NV2.0 and its a great bit of kit. Easily carries 2x Giant Trance E+, I take the batteries out to be on the safe side. You can also get an extender to carry up to 4 bikes. Its not cheap but its a quality product.

Thanks, but unfortunately over here in the UK we don’t have the ‘hitch’ towing option, only the tow ball.

 

[DarkBlueSheep]

Ah ok, I have seen these before if you think they could help you...

50mm TOWBAR TONGUE TOW BALL MOUNT HITCH PIN & BALL For HAYMAN REESE 2Inch DROP | eBay

 

[Carrot Cruncher]

Hi @MattK9441, I bought a 2 cycle Westfalia rack for my T4 last year. Great German build quality with usual tilt function and carries our 2 ebikes without any problem but an issue which I'm sure you will also encounter is due to the size of T4/T5 tailgates they will not pass the rack even after tilting. That may not be the case with Thule racks but I have seen some that tilt then slide a little to ensure clearance but not sure of their make or model. Worth doing lots of research!

 

[sarnie63]

Another vote here for the Thule Velospace X2.
I’ve just recently swapped from an Atera Strada which didn’t ever seem to hold the bike very secure.
The Thule is far better built. Also available in a 3 bike option + a 4th bike add on....

 

[Blue Moon]

I have an Altera Strada DL3. It's brilliant. I have the optional 4th rail. It has a 60kg capacity and I have had 3 ebikes and a clockwork bike on it without any issues. It does come with 2 additional brackets and straps that hook onto the tailgate on my VW T6 Caravelle. It makes it that bit more stable. I can highly recommend it ??

 

[sarnie63]

I have an Altera Strada DL3. It's brilliant. I have the optional 4th rail. It has a 60kg capacity and I have had 3 ebikes and a clockwork bike on it without any issues. It does come with 2 additional brackets and straps that hook onto the tailgate on my VW T6 Caravelle. It makes it that bit more stable. I can highly recommend it ??

I think you might want to check the weight of 3 ebikes & clockwork.....

 

[Blue Moon]

I think you might want to check the weight of 3 ebikes & clockwork.....

Yeh it's about 73kgs without the batteries. Took them to southern Germany and Austria last year without any issues. The additional straps from the top of the tailgate make a real difference with stability.

 

[verysideways]

Thank you Steve, very helpful. I probably should have mentioned in the original post that I’m after something that will carry a minimum of 3 bikes (but only one ebike) as the kids will no doubt be bringing theirs on some of our trips.
Will check out the velospace X2 but sounds like a contender. Cheers

I've got a Thule 927 velocompact which is built for 3 bikes (but can take a 4th with an adapter).
I've put mine and my wife's Specialized e-bikes on there and put a third (child's) bike on there with no problems. Happy to show you if you like - i'm only a few miles from you!

 

[Morton027]

Got Thule Easyspace XT 3 bike rack, fantastic item and had 3 ebikes sans batteries on it comfortably.

 

[Rusty]

I have a Thule 925 Velocompact and while I like the unit and it was brilliant with 2 bikes, when it comes to ebikes the rails are too close together. Have looked at several other brands such as Yakima and EziGrip finding similar issues.

 

[Forever Wild]

I have the Kuat NV2.0. Carries my two ebikes very nicely.

 

[alan_sh]

I've got the Thule Easyfold XT 2. Works nicely and the 2 x 23kg bikes bikes feel secure. Have to take the batteries out though (I'm still investigating this to see if I can get away without doing that)

 

[Swissrider]

Thule Velospace. Brilliant apart from fidly locks.

 

[Swinnerton]

Thule Velospace. Brilliant apart from fidly locks.

I too have a Thule rack .
I always remove the batteries as a safety measure .

 

[steve_sordy]

Thank you Steve, very helpful. I probably should have mentioned in the original post that I’m after something that will carry a minimum of 3 bikes (but only one ebike) as the kids will no doubt be bringing theirs on some of our trips.
Will check out the velospace X2 but sounds like a contender. Cheers

I believe that they also do a 3-bike option. But I know for sure that you can buy an add-on to the Velospace x2 that allows a 3rd bike. The total weight of bikes is limited though on the x2 and the x3 (to 60kg I believe).

 

[Jirkovo]

 

[Giox]

I have the velospace3+1, the easyfold xt2 and the easyfold xt3. The easyfold xt is a joy to use and even though it is slightly smaller it handles 3 big ebikes way better than the velospace, and it's way easier to store in the trunk when not in use. 3 ebikes without battery, remember that all thule racks have a max load of 60kg. The two is fantasticly compact and can easily handle two bikes without battery. For all of them I ditched the useless arms with a clam and replaced them with these: https://amzn.eu/d/fKwtOs3
Way more secure and easy to use.

 

[d4voh]

I have the buzzrack e hornet 3 towbar mounted rack. Very happy with it.

 

[Prozor]

I've had a Thule EasyFold for years and with my bikes it works quite well. However, if I were to buy a bike rack for the hook now, it would probably be the Thule Epos or the half-priced Spinder TX2. Both foldable (like EasyFold), definitely a better way to lock the bikes.