Product 2023
Femme, Homme, Enfant
What a absolute pleasure to test this Thule product! At a time when some brands rush their gear out and settle for bumping up prices season after season, the care Thule pours into its new releases is truly commendable—a genuinely product-oriented approach! Whether it’s roof rack solutions, crossbars, or cargo boxes, the Swedish brand’s commitment to quality needs no introduction.
This Thule Epos bike rack is genuinely exciting because every single detail has been thought through to make the cyclist’s life easier and ensure total transport safety. The overall design is so masterfully executed that awarding it the Test4outside FIRST Award was an obvious choice right from the start.
Indeed, the Thule Epos radiates sturdiness, practicality, and reliability. Let’s address upfront the only two minor points that didn’t fully convince us: the license plate holder feels a bit too wobbly for our liking and comes across as slightly fragile; and the holder designed to store the unplugged trailer plug requires a bit of dexterity to stow, which could be more intuitive.
For everything else, it’s a complete home run. You get a rigid bike carrier that stays rock-solid behind the vehicle without rattling or making any noise. The towbar mounting mechanism is a benchmark in its class: practical, fast, and powerful.You simply pull down the handbrake-style lever. Just a quick heads-up: if you use an adapter to connect a French plug to a German vehicle, for instance, you’ll need to remove the adapter first, as it interferes with mounting the rack.
Once the Thule Epos is mounted and plugged in (all lights work seamlessly and instantly), we tested it using both an e-bike and a standard road bike.
An optional foldable loading ramp is available, which is a great solution for heavy electric bikes. The wheels fit easily into the wheel trays, and the two telescopic arms come into play to stabilize and secure the bikes. Adjustments and handling are child’s play. They attach easily and securely, even on delicate carbon frames. The heads swivel, and you simply press the integrated lock. All straps are tough and simple to operate thanks to a ratcheting mechanism similar to snowboard bindings: the further you push the strap, the tighter it gets. The arms fold down just as quickly. A brilliant feature is that one of the arms can double as a workstand to hold your bike for maintenance. An optional tool holder can also be attached to one of the arms.
Beyond the high-grade materials, smart engineering, and overall durability of the Thule Epos, Thule’s extensive spare parts catalog ensures that replacement parts (such as straps) are widely available everywhere should you ever need them.
This rack is designed to carry two bikes with a total load capacity of 60 kg (132 lbs), making it fully capable of hauling two e-bikes. It accommodates wheel sizes up to 29 inches.
As is standard, the Thule Epos tilts down to allow easy access to your vehicle’s trunk/boot. Simply press your foot on the rear pedal, and it tilts smoothly. A safety cable ensures a controlled stop and reinforces structural integrity.
The lights are generously sized with a sleek design. The Thule Epos is foldable and easy to carry despite its 17 kg (37.5 lbs) weight, thanks to its integrated carrying handles. It stows neatly in the trunk without scuffing the carpet.
Its price tag—which may seem steep at €1,119.95 for the 2-bike version and €1,219.95 for the 3-bike version—must be weighed against the product’s longevity and intelligent design. Our verdict: it’s better to buy once and buy right.
The Thule Epos bike rack is an exceptional piece of kit. It ticks all the boxes and offers a simple, practical, reliable, and durable transport solution for any type of bike. Every detail has been carefully crafted. The high price is well justified by the overall quality. A undisputed FIRST Award.
We used this equipment over a long period of time
These are our thoughts after intensive use:
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