Thule T2 Pro XTR Review

Thule could easily have left the T2 Pro alone, but they improved upon its design with the T2 Pro XT and then improved it again with the T2 Pro XTR; each iteration of this rack has gotten consistently better and more user-friendly.

Since we first tested the T2 Pro, Thule has made a few changes that improve the racks function. First, they increased spacing between trays on the XT model, which noticeably decreased the conflict between bikes, especially mountain bikes with wide handlebars. When they released the XTR, the most current model, they added transport wheels to the bottom of the rack. This makes it easy to move the rack from its storage location to your hitch and back.

Tested and Rated

Many of the popular bike rack reviews are populated with sponsored products that have been “gifted” to reviewers or influencers. At GearLab, we buy all of the equipment we test; no freebies and no favors are owed to manufacturers. If we claim this is a great bike rack, it's because our team of die-hard cyclists found it to be the most useful, intuitive, or best value in its class. What I really loved about the T2 Pro XTR is how well thought out the rack is, it's clear that Thule actually used this, and it's not just a product made by designers. When you ride up to your vehicle at the end of a ride, getting shouldn't be a chore, your bike on sh and the T2 Pro XTR is a joy to use.

The T2 Pro XT maintains all of the groundbreaking features that established it as the benchmark hitch-mount rack, remote tilt release handle, and a tool-free vehicle attachment system. Its innovative features vaulted it into the top position in our previous review. We've tested plenty of racks that copy Thule's design features but none of them execute this design quite as well.

Add on the Thule T2 Pro XT 2 Bike Add-On, and this becomes an awesome 4-bike bike rack.

Ease of Everyday Use

The T2 Pro XT is one of the most user-friendly bike racks on the market. Thule was the first brand to bring a bike rack with a remote tilt release handle to market, and despite intense competition from other brands, the T2 still has one of the smoothest and most user-friendly release mechanisms. The two factors that impact the greatest ease of everyday use are the tilt mechanism and the ease of loading bikes. We tilt our rack every day whether we're out riding or running errands, access to the rear of the vehicle is always a priority. The low loading height and easy one-handed front wheel clamps make loading bikes simple and easy. While the Kuat Piston Pro allows you to move bikes fore and aft, the tray spacing on the Thule generally precluded having to adjust the bike's position; interference was rarely an issue.

Ease of Removal and Storage

The T2 Pro uses a tool-free system to secure the rack to a vehicle. Just slide the rack into the hitch receiver and release the stinger pin, which drops into the hole traditionally holding the locking pin. Then, a knob is turned on the body of the rack that secures the rack to the vehicle and prevents wobble. One of the included keys is used to secure the knob, preventing theft. This may seem like a trivial feature, but if you're removing your rack from your vehicle regularly, it can be a huge time saver. Other racks, like the first generation Thule T2 Classic, use a threaded hitch pin to prevent wobble that requires a wrench for attachment and removal. While the threaded pin system works quite well, using a wrench can be frustrating and time-consuming due to the cramped working space.

The T2 Pro XTR takes up a lot of space when stored; luckily, moving it around is a sinch on the built-in wheels. While it weighs 51 lbs, moving about your storage space is far easier than racks like the Kuat Sherpa and the Yakima Stage Two. If limited storage is an issue for you, check out the foldable 1Up USA Heavy Duty Quick Rack , it packs up smaller than any other platform bike rack in the test.

Versatility

The T2 Pro XT is one of the more versatile racks we tested. Wide V-shaped tire trays effectively hold any tire, from skinny road tires up to monster 5" fat bike tires. Other contenders are limited to 3" tires, making them incompatible with fat bikes. Some tray racks will work but may require modification, such as extending the rear wheel straps. The T2's individual trays are adjustable laterally on the main mast arm of the rack, making it easy to avoid bike clearance issues by straddling the trays. Other competitors we tested have fixed tray positions and do not allow for this adjustment. Our only complaint is that the trays, and thus the bike position, are not adjustable fore and aft like they are on Kuat's Piston line of racks.

The first generation Thule T2 Classic and the Yakima Stage Two feature trays that are adjustable both laterally and fore and aft, a feature we've always liked and one of the reasons that the Thule T2 Classic has always been a favorite with OutdoorGearLab testers. That said, the T2 Pro XT has more clearance from the back of the vehicle to the inside tray than many racks we tested, which decreases the likelihood of vehicle clearance issues.

Ease of Assembly

The T2 Pro XTR requires tools for assembly. The trays must be attached to the main support mast, and some work is also required to attach the plastic front wheel baskets and the rear wheel straps. Compared to racks like the 1Up USA, which comes fully assembled, or the Hollywood CrossTrack 2, which requires very limited assembly, this rack is a bit of a project. We assembled this model with one person, using the included tools and the addition of a Philips screwdriver in about 35 minutes.

Attaching the trays is best accomplished with the support arm of the rack attached to a vehicle. Four hex bolts secure each tray to the support mast. If you're averse to assembly, many easier racks are available, but we feel that the end product is worth the extra assembly time with the T2 Pro XTR.

Security

Securing your bikes during transport is a major concern for most riders, and the ability to secure the rack you're using to transport the bikes is equally important. The T2 Pro XT attaches to your hitch receiver with an expanding wedge that is forced against the inside portion of the receiver tube, preventing wobble and the rack from falling out of the receiver. Thule has a novel approach to security for the T2 Pro, the knob that is turned to expand the wedge that holds the rack in place can be disabled by turning a lock within the knob. Once the lock is secured, the knob spins freely, and it's impossible to release the wedge. This system is just as secure as a locking hitch pin and much easier to use.

The T2 Pro XT also comes with cable locks to secure bikes. The cables are housed in the front wheel clamp arms and can be pulled out to wrap around a bike in the rack. While this system is straightforward to use, the short length of the cables only allows you to loop around the front fork on most bikes. When carrying road bikes, we were able to get the cable through the front triangle, but the geometry of most mountain bikes we used in the test prevented us from attaching the lock to anything but the fork. These cables may work well as a theft deterrent, although we feel a determined bike thief would make quick work of them. For an additional level of security, we would suggest adding a sturdy aftermarket lock to the mix.

Durability

We felt that the first version of the T2 Pro was exceptionally durable, and the new XTR version improved on the design with exceptionally durable black paint that has held up incredibly well for the past several seasons of use.

The previous version had a silver finish, which scratched easily. The overall construction of the T2 Pro XTR is stout, and it feels that way, too, at 51 lbs. The T2 Pro has some plastic pieces that are prone to degradation from sun exposure. The moving parts are almost entirely made of metal, and despite some pretty serious abuse, the T2 Pro functioned flawlessly during testing. If anything, we would describe it as being overbuilt; if durability is high on your list of required attributes, then this rack should be on your shortlist.

Value

Like most quality hitch-mount bike racks, the T2 Pro is relatively expensive. Despite the high price, we feel that it represents a good value due to its versatility, ease of use, and durability.

Conclusion

We've tested a lot of bike racks here at OutdoorGearLab. Every time a new model comes out with a host of impressive features, we can't help but get a little excited. Despite having a pile of the best racks on the market in the garage, 99% of the time, the T2 Pro XT is the one we grab. There are lighter competitors, better-looking racks, and racks with better security features. Still, when it comes down to it, this rack is the easiest and most intuitive model we've ever used, and the one-handed tilt feature is better designed than the competition. Frankly, ease of use trumps every other factor for us, and it doesn't hurt that it's impressively durable and reliable to boot. If you want the best all-around bike rack on the market, we think this is it.