Thule's New T2 Pro Rack - Interbike 2015

Sep 17, 2015 at 18:24
by Mike Levy  
Interbike 2015


The T2 Goes Pro

Thule's original T2 hitch rack was released back in 2005, and while it has certainly seen some updates and changes over the last ten plus years, Thule rightly thought that it was time to re-think the design. The result is the T2 Pro that, while being based on the same tray-style layout as the original T2, is really an entirely new beast altogether. First, the whole thing now tightens into your vehicle's hitch by way of their 'AutoAttach' expanding wedge system that can be accessed from the underside of the rack, and the dial itself is protected from the ground and debris by a skid plate. No more wrenches, sockets and fighting to get the rack and hitch connection to be wiggle-free as tightening the wedge should take care of it. The folding mechanism itself has also be completely re-designed to have a much wider stance, and the release mechanism is actually on the end of the rack rather than the base, meaning that you don't have to reach over or under in order to access it.


Interbike 2015
You no longer have to reach through the rack when it's folded up to access the release lever.
Interbike 2015
Re-designed wheel trays hold everything from a skinny road bike tire to the fattest of fat bike rubber.


The trays themselves are still adjustable side-to-side so you can keep handlebars from poking holes in seats or scratching dropper posts, but they're much larger in diameter and home to a re-designed bike attachment system. This includes folding arms that now have more clearance so as to not scuff up forks, and a front wheel tray that is shaped to work with everything from 23mm wide road bike tires to massive fat bike rubber. An adjustable and multi-position strap for the rear wheel is equally accommodating.

My number one complaint with most racks is how little clearance they afford in almost every regard, be it between the bikes themselves or between the rack and the ground, and it seems as though I'm not the only one out there who thinks that. Thule has added an extra inch between each bike that should limit the chance of contact while also making loading and unloading easier, and they've also increased the gap between the rack and the vehicle by 40%. This number, combined with a 35% increase in clearance when the rack is folded down to provide access to the back of your car, should make life easier.


Interbike 2015
Rear wheel holders can be adjusted to fit the widest of wide tires.
Interbike 2015
The T2 Pro's folding mechanism is much beefier than what the old rack used, and the whole thing can be installed and tightened up without tools thanks to an expanding wedge system.


Rough British Columbia fire roads tend to make short work of most racks that we've used, but it looks like the sturdier and more adaptable T2 Pro could be up to the challenge. The two-bike T2 Pro will be available in January to fit 1 1/4'' and 2'' receivers, both of which retail for $529.95 USD, and a two-bike add-on is can be bolted into the 2" version for an additional $399.95 USD.

Author Info:
mikelevy avatar

Member since Oct 18, 2005
2,032 articles
Must Read This Week
[UPDATED] Elite Finals Results & Overall Standings from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
158408 views
Semi-Final Results from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
105015 views
Elite Qualifying Results from the Fort William DH World Cup 2024
82553 views
Extra Tech Randoms: Fort William DH World Cup 2024
51676 views
Bike Check: Greg Minnaar's Norco Prototype DH Bike at Fort William World Cup
49622 views
More Tech Randoms - Fort William World Cup 2024
46283 views
4 Tech Takeaways From the Fort William DH World Cup
46221 views
Timed Training Results: Fort William DH World Cup 2024
44256 views
Sign Up for the Pinkbike Newsletter - All the Biggest, Most Interesting Stories in your Inbox
PB Newsletter Signup

102 Comments
  • 58 14
 That Thule looks okay but it's not where I would spend my money . Seriously guys - the best rack on the market is from these guys:

www.1upusa.com

Most secure, fastest loading, aluminum construction. It's the gold standard for hitch-mount bike racks.
  • 18 4
 1up and done...unless u can get ep on thule.
  • 7 3
 It's amazing to me that other hitch rack manufacturers are still in business after buying a 1up two years ago.
  • 6 0
 ...too bad it might not be allowed on other countries' roads because of regulations and stuff
  • 9 0
 Let's see....life time warranty. Life time replacement if your rack is stolen. They believe very strongly in their "keyed" Allen system. Rack tightens to one corner very securely so the possibilities of wiggling is gone. I have two bike trays on mine mounted to the front hitch on my van with close to 30000 miles. Sun, snow, ice, rain, mud....have never touched the rack and works just like the day I bought it. Rack never comes in contact with your bike what so ever, only holding by the tires.

$$$ but compared to the cost of a kuat or this thule it's a no brainer
  • 7 0
 Thanks for actually telling me what the hell those things are. I keep seeing them on cars but they don't have any writing on them (that I could see). My 3 year old Kuat is falling apart so it's time to start shopping for something else. This looks ideal.
  • 5 2
 As much as I love 1up, this updated Thule is looking really nice. I like the single hand release lever for folding and the deep wheel wells for holding the tires from wobbling. It also looks cleaner. Didn't like the front wheel wobble I got on my 1up(no matter how tight I made it) and not having any easy locking system for quick stops. The biggest positive for me was being to run only one on my car. Great racks for many, but not for everyone.
  • 4 0
 I bought a 1up roof tray and years later sold my car and went with a single hitch setup. I was able to convert my existing roof tray for an additional $50 to serve as an add-on for my single hitch.

I love me some well-designed, dependable, modular gear.
  • 2 0
 They have conversion kits for roof racks? Oh, yes I would buy it now - could use it as third tray if needed.
Is conversion removable?
  • 4 3
 North shore all the way
  • 16 0
 $576 USD = 6 bike hitch rack. NORTH SHORE. i dont even see a debate! $95 a bike, compared to $265 per bike for a Thule or Kuat, neither of which can handle sh*t for offroad use.
  • 5 0
 Go 1-Up and don't look back.
  • 3 0
 1-Up is the best bike rack product out there...BY FAR. Many more options and better prices.
  • 3 1
 I'd take a North Shore rack over a 1-UP any day of the week. You get a 6 bike rack for the cost of a 4 and it's more compact since the bikes go across instead of out.
  • 4 0
 Has anyone actually paid retail for a bike rack? I have an older T2, and while not the most glamorous rack out there, I paid $250 new, and it's pretty much bullet proof, and Thule is excellent with warranty stuff from what I understand. You will eventually find the Thule on sale at REI, floor model at your lbs, etc. You will usually always pay top dollar for Kuat and 1up. I think that paying $400 plus for a bike rack is asinine.
  • 1 0
 I can't find a 4 bike rack on the 1-Up site
  • 6 2
 Are people sponsored by 1-up? Why are so many people pushing this product like they have some kind of interest in the company?
  • 6 0
 I wish I was sponsored by anybody.
  • 1 1
 I bought the swagman 2+2 from MEC for ~500 CDN and I've been pretty happy with it. You essentially get the extra 2-pack tray for free compared with other brands. I looked at the NS but there's no way my wife could use it plus you sometimes have trouble fitting road bikes or small kids bikes on the vertical style racks. Some vehicles (like mine) have pretty low hitch weight limits too, so a giant rack for 6 bikes would be iffy.

I backed into a car and swagman sent me the new parts (from Vernon) for 12-bucks in postage, so I was pretty happy with their service. The insurance company on the other hand charged me *quite* a bit more...
  • 2 2
 Yes, 1Up is totally the way to go at this price range.
  • 7 4
 The one thing everyone fail to mention about the 1up is how hideous it looks. I'm not putting that anywhere near my SUV.
  • 3 0
 @Axxe Yep, but its not on their website. You need to email and ask. It works like an add-on, except that it doesn't fold in half for storage, since the roof tray is one piece.
@tbubier People are really happy with them. Customer service is great, too.
  • 2 0
 @tbubier - I don't think 1-up sponsors anyone. They don't even have any dealers. But, when you spend $400-$600 on a Thule, Yakima or Kuat only to have every joint rattle loose after just a year of on/off road use, you start to look elsewhere. With 1up, you get a great design and true premium quality components and construction in a product that really lasts. Throw in the fact that you are supporting a small company that hand manufactures each rack in Wisconsin and why would you spend the same on an average quality mass-produced rack? When you buy a product, you're paying for a blend of materials costs, labor costs, and profit (i.e. branding). I bet that 1-up gives you almost double the value in materials and labor costs of the other brands, which means a better product and way less cost into the sticker on the back.
  • 2 0
 I'm not an advocate for violence, but I can admit that there are weapons that please my eyes; the industrial raw look overcomes it's lack of "flair." It just works, and looks like it does, nothing more.

PS - it comes in ano-black if color is what puts you off?
  • 5 2
 @mangood That's a matter of taste. I think all the plastic bits on every other rack looks cheap, especially when it inevitably fades.
  • 1 0
 @scvkurt03 did you mean me?
  • 1 0
 @hamncheez No, but you'd need to buy a double and two add-ons. Or a single and 3 add-ons. I think for 1-3 bikes, the 1up is the best. If youre consistently hauling 4+, I'd look at the North Shore rack.
  • 2 0
 1up rack is the best biking related investment I've made aside from my bike itself. Waay better than any roof rack system (which gets pricey too). Best hitch rack on the market.
  • 3 1
 Another vote for 1Up. I've put 3+ years of bike hauling into mine and it still works and looks just like it did on day 1.

And no, I'm not sponsored. I just really like a solid product made with domestic labor with excellent support if you need it. (I have not needed it).
  • 7 1
 Sorry the 1-up is $929 for a 4 bike rack, if you want black not silver it's $1100. You call that value?

NorthShore is $569 for a four bike and the 6 bike rack is $759.

Oh and it's black for free Wink
  • 3 1
 Yes, I call that value - that I do not have to haul around all 4 racks all the time, and if my wife needs to install one tray, she easily can. It lasts, and is very functional. It fits kids bikes, 29r, fat bikes - with adapters, it is far easier to put bikes on and off.
  • 2 1
 I guess you guys haven't heard of KUAT then. Best rack in my opinion. Tad pricey but they have literally thought of everything
  • 4 0
 Most of us have heard of Kuat. Glad you like yours. 1up is in a different league of build quality and durability.
  • 3 0
 My yakima roof rack actually suicided just yesterday! Cheap piece of shit. Too bad it wasn't actually cheap..
  • 2 0
 Paid full retail for my 1UP rack. Money well spent.
  • 2 1
 I won't buy this rack simply because it DOES work with fat bike tires.
  • 3 1
 That is the most idiotic reason one can imagine.
  • 2 1
 @blb326 Agree with Axxe, but FWIW, you do need an adapter to make that happen.
  • 13 5
 Just buy a 1upUSA. The quality difference is absurd. I've put 12,000 miles (3,000 dirt) in the last three months alone and there's literally not a single loose point in the rack.
  • 2 1
 Truth. I have old 1up - single and one expansion. Bulletproof. Easy to use. Option to use single tray.
  • 5 2
 I can't believe I or others spent money on Yakima, Thule or even Kuat. There just is no comparison to the 1-Up. The rack gets far more attention than any of my bikes. As a older man said to me at a trailhead recently after discussing the 1-Up, "I never thought I would say this to another man in my life, but you have a really nice rack." Classic.
  • 1 1
 LOL I guess if attention is what you care about...... hahah ohhh mtn bikers. funny af
  • 8 1
 Have a North Shore rack on the back of my Hilux... Best rack ever, comes from a family business making bike racks in North Van. It's indestructible, loads in seconds, and gives a ton of ground clearance where all the tray style ones don't. It handles 6 40lb (ish) DH bikes no problem. Would like to try a 1upUSA though. Seems like a neat idea, especially for one or two bikes.
www.northshoreracks.com
  • 3 0
 I see so many North Shore racks around that it's hard to believe other racks are still around. Seriously, only rack I've seen take six bikes easily.
  • 2 0
 For the price though, seems like they could give you something more than an "intuitive use of rope". From my perspective, a cheap-ass use of rope.

I definitely like the way it stacks the bikes though.
  • 1 0
 NRS racks are the best! Love the clearance and durability. Really easy way to load lots of bikes without making your car/truck that much longer.
  • 2 0
 A 1-Up is perfect for 1 or 2 bikes, and I love mine. For more than that, I'd get a NSR 4 or 6. More than 2 bikes on a tray-style rack sticks out farther than I want.
  • 2 0
 The Recon Racks out of Bellingham have North Shore beat in every aspect.
  • 2 0
 I don't think the focus of this post is on the NS6. I'm more interested in how you acquired a Hilux. I've asked at several dealerships and got laughed at.
  • 1 0
 Recon Racks may have quality product, but with a shit web site, forget it.
  • 1 0
 Problem with Recon is the tray for the front wheels, the way NSR work keeps the bikes closer to the vehicle.
The Recon sticks out too far.
Also the swing out feature is another $250, so you're back at $975 compared to $569 for a NSR 4 bike rack.
  • 1 0
 Valid points but it also only contacts tires, not fork crowns, more solid than a NSR, and compatible with more bikes. I personally have a 1Up but at work, and my buddies have a recon, if you need to carry 4 bikes or more I think the Recon is the way to go.
  • 2 0
 Wow @meesterover! I checked out the recon website and you were not kidding. That website is a joke right? It can't be real. I felt like I stepped back in time. Holy sheet.
  • 1 1
 I don't understand the website hate @tetonlarry @meesterover ...... youre not buying the website are you??? super funny imo. also 1ups are absolute shite. recon ftw
  • 2 0
 It shows a serious lack of professionalism for their company. How can I trust their products if they cannot create a decent website? Did you look at it? It's not just a little bad; it's terrible.
  • 1 0
 @rockymountainsrule Some people are pickier than others. "If you are going to do something son, do it right, or don't do it at all" - Dad.

well I am not going to repeat the same thing @tetonlarry just said.

Looking at their site leads me to believe that their company is run by a bunch of monkeys, which leads to a complete cluster f*ck, which leads to lack of customer support, which leads to a horrible experience should I ever have a problem with their product.

Would you hand over your money to your financial adviser if he showed up wearing shorts and flip-flops to the meeting? I would simply leave. It is all about the presentation of your company on the Internet. Simply put, present it that way and you do not get my business.
  • 1 0
 Haha...perhaps because the builder of the racks builds racks and not websites? Just a guess. If it takes a flashy website to sell a product then the product isn't that great.
@theoriginaltwotone... the wheels sit in the same place, the racks sit at different angles. The racks are designed to do so much more than just carry bikes. You want a bike rack? I wanted a lifestyle rack. Pull a car trailer, tools, a friggin wheelbarrow.
If you need a great website to buy a Recon, i do not want you to want one. I do no advertising, my current customers have all used or at least put their hands on one and then decide they want one. That's how i like to sell a product. No pushy car salesmen chasing you down in a parking lot trying to convince that you want this.
Sooooo many options out there, do your homework before you spend hard earned money!
  • 1 0
 I will build him a nice site in exchange for a rack. It's really not that difficult.
  • 1 1
 The words of someone with something called "spare time"... lol!

I already have people lined up waiting for the chance. I just don't really give two turds about a website. I agree it's pretty horrible and at least needs new pics. Maybe if it slows down, until then I'll still be welding my ass off.
  • 12 4
 wow what a rack!
  • 3 2
 It's not some kind of bust
  • 4 2
 That rack is real and spectacular
  • 1 1
 How is it that I had to scroll to the bottom to find that RACK puns?!
  • 9 4
 Looks like Thule has handled the issue on the release lever for tray racks!
  • 5 1
 Modified my old T2 to fit my side by side. Super sturdy rack.

ep2.pinkbike.org/p2pb12678566/p2pb12678566.jpg
  • 1 0
 i own a 1up. It is great. My only issue is that the bike sways in the rack enough for the bars to smack the back of my hatchback glass. It's not an issue with the rack but the kindof vehicle it's attached to. A simple nylon strap holds it fast. Takes maybe 45 seconds to rack up 2 bikes. I do like the release lever at the end of the rack on this Thule though. Wish my 1up had that.
  • 1 0
 I've used my brothers NorthShore rack a number of times and as far as mounting bikes goes, you can't beat it. Bikes don't move and the clearance from hitch to ground is the best I've seen.

Their hitch mounting system is the WORST I've ever seen though. The locking pin always comes loose because unless you jam a washer between the hitch and the tongue of the rack, it rocks back and forth in the hitch. NorthShore rack even states movement as being a problem with some hitches and recommends using a washer and duct tape as a fix?!? Really?!? If you know there's a problem NorthShore fix it! By some hitches I mean I haven't found a hitch where the rack doesn't rock back and forth in the hitch. The rack is a problem in me brothers Jeep JK, it was a problem in our Santa Fe and it's a problem on our Tacoma. NorthShor racks should really include a washer and roll of duct take with with all their racks. Not sure why they don't use a compression system like everyone else the fix the slack between the tongue and hitch. This problem alone is stopping me from getting one of their racks and everyone I talk to knows about the problem.
  • 1 0
 Bought one and it can not carry 2 Fat bikes. What an absolute fail for a company that sells them as a fat bike carrier. Will return it tomorrow. It is beyond that the company can launch a product that does not work. Tried to load my Fatboy Comp and Wifes Helga on it and the arms touch the bike rear to where it would damage the bike if I ride it like that. '
How can you design a product launch it without checking are you sitting at the desk with CAD and think it's good?

They should made the arm longer that carries the bikes by 2 inch and the with I think with blunto will also touch frame.
  • 1 0
 I thought my Kuat NV2 would be the end all solution. I like it, but it still leaves something to be desired, namely trying to fit 4 (I have the add-on) mountain bikes with wider bars... it never happens.

This looks promising.
  • 1 0
 I kind of had the same issue with my Kuat 4-bike set up. The old hanging 4 bike beat the bikes up. I got the Kuat trying to end the damage. We're all about the same height in my family, so it seemed to go from banging bikes to banging bars. I mixed and matched bikes in different order on the rack and they don't hit at all now. 700mm is the narrowest bar, but they all overlap handlebars by quite a bit. I was pretty bummed the first time I tried to load the bikes. Maybe your bikes are more identical than ours. I love the rack.
  • 2 0
 Yeah, usually I'm hauling bikes with 740mm-760mm bars. A dropper is mad helpful when hauling them, but sometimes the bars still get into each other
  • 1 1
 ummmmmm this is why you stagger the trays.......... come on people, use your heads
  • 1 0
 I have the new T2 pro... don't waist your time. It's a giant pile of crap. All the "innovations" they put into this thing and you can't fit two bikes on at the same time. Unless 1. you have a dropper post or 2. neither of them is a fat-bike.

f*ck you Thule. I want my $550 back
  • 1 0
 *update... the new version of the T2 Pro has spaced the mounts on the scorpion farther apart... now the question is will thule recall the older ones and replace the scorpion to loyal thule owners or continue to be douchbags
  • 1 0
 No complaints about my Thule 591 roof carrier. Sure those 1Up racks looks nice but without a UK distro screw paying import taxes on one. Paid about £60 for my Thule and it's solid.
  • 4 1
 This is interesting as we've been using a release lever like this for a decade on our city buses here in Vancouver...
  • 5 0
 I got truck!
  • 1 0
 I've had numerous t2's. Love it. Easy. Simple and a great warranty. But can they make one that doesn't rust to pieces inside 2 years of being exposed to rainy North Van winters?
  • 1 1
 I'm a fan of Thule (they were the first bike rack I purchased more than 20 years ago) and I still own a number of racks and accessories by them. But seriously - looking at paying almost $1000 with tax to transport 4 bikes? That's simply absurd.
  • 2 0
 I have an older version of this, it's been abused for about 10 years and still going strong. Currently hitched to the back of a Land Rover being battered about.
  • 3 1
 How about more security for the bikes, come up with a great way to lock the bikes on!
  • 1 0
 This, if your lock that's built in doesn't secure my bike in not buying your rack when I was selling racks I would NEVER sell lock cores with a t2 because they do nothing to protect against theft
  • 2 1
 I own a people carrier. 2003 Seat alhambra. 50mpg and my bike is secure inside along with all my spares and tools. Best bike rack I ever bought.
  • 2 0
 I hope its lighter than the previous T2
  • 2 1
 Great stuff always from Thule. If anyone is lookin for a roof top tray the 535 is sick..
  • 1 0
 ITS ABOUT TIME!!!! literally every improvement that should have been made to this rack has been done. so stoked
  • 2 0
 Northshore Bike racks are tops!
  • 1 0
 I hope they cut down the weight on the new version. The current T2 roughly weighs a cumbersome 56lbs!
  • 2 1
 So they stole ideas from 1upUsa rack. But better buy 1up. Modular and better made.
  • 3 0
 1up best bike rack ever.
  • 3 1
 1up and you'll never look back.
  • 2 0
 stupid EFFING thule rack, rubbing a hole into the lowers of my Fox 40s!
  • 2 1
 The old one is on point so this one better be amazing!! I wanna see one
  • 2 1
 looks like Thules version of the Kuat
  • 2 1
 Looks sweet, a little pricy, but nice! I wanna see one too.
  • 4 2
 Nice rack!!!
  • 1 0
 Get a recon rack, one of the best out there!
  • 1 0
 looks good.
  • 1 4
 looks like a kuat
  • 5 0
 hopefully more durable.
Below threshold threads are hidden







Copyright © 2000 - 2024. Pinkbike.com. All rights reserved.
dv65 0.033148
Mobile Version of Website