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TEST – Tested the Thule Epos bike rack: here are our impressions

The Thule towbar bike rack with platform for transporting 2/3 bikes: a sure thing in this sector.

Thule-epos-bike-rack

Thule Epos is designed to carry up to 3 bikes (available in both 3- and 2-seater versions). This product is fully foldable for easy transport and storage and can be tipped over for access to the trunk.

Let's make a small introduction: at the moment the new rules dedicated to bike racks remain on standby (this is the regulation that came out some time ago and had thrown chaos into the world of cycling). So the use of a bike rack in Italy is not subject to any particular regulations.

In test Epos, the new bike carrier from Thule, a reference brand in this sector. With a weight limit of 60 kg, it adapts to any bicycle, even the heaviest e-bikes. We were able to test it for a long time and we can say, after several months of use, that it was impossible to find any weak points.

Thanks to a rotating telescopic support and reinforced ratchet straps, we can find a way to secure any type of bike: from gravel bikes to e-bikes. The 2-seater bike rack remains 22cm shorter than its 3-seater brother, while maintaining the same distance between the bikes (25cm).

FIELD TEST

The generous 25cm distance between bikes (the same in both the 2-seater and 3-seater) reduces the risk of frames or individual parts touching, allowing you to remove the bikes individually if necessary (without necessarily having to remove the first bike). Thanks to the practical tilting mechanism, the boot is always accessible, even with bikes already loaded. If the bike rack is not needed, it is easily foldable and can be easily stored in the boot.

Assembly is very quick: once in hand, just place it on the tow hook and that's it! Just close the locking lever, connect the electric cable and everything is ready. The bikes, thanks to the telescopic arm, can be "grabbed" in various points given the arm orientable on all axes.

Finally, we find the closure on the wheels with a ratchet strap system: reinforced structure where it is possible to fix even the largest MTB tires. These parts are fixed increasing comfort and not having to pay attention to mini thefts or the loss of them if we do not have bikes to load.

ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES

THULE EPOS BIKE REPAIR HOLDER

Thule Epos Bike Repair Holder, to adjust/repair your bike without stopping. Made for easy adjustments and repairs: attaches to Thule Epos and can remain mounted. Magnetic platform to keep tools solid. Not available in the standard version. Offered at €62.

THULE HIGH GRADE LOCK

Thule High Grade Lock, developed with ABUS, is the way to protect your bike from theft with a high-quality lock: robust cable is 150 cm long and 1,2 cm thick. Compatible with both double and triple bike carriers. Not available in the standard version. Offered at €71.

THULE EPOS FOLDABLE LOADING RAMP

Thule Epos Foldable Loading Ramp for easy loading and unloading of heavier bikes (e.g. e-bikes). Not available in the standard version. Offered at €71.

TESTED AND PROVEN

At the Thule Test Center™ in Hillerstorp, Sweden, products are put through the most extreme tests. Roof rack systems are designed to carry your gear and fit your car as securely as possible. Below are some of the types of tests that are conducted. Discover the Thule Test Center

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

  • Maximum number of bicycles: 2
  • Load capacity: 60 kg
  • Maximum weight capacity: 30kg
  • Size: x 69 126 22 cm x
  • Folded dimensions: 69 x 27 x 73 cm
  • Weight: 17.3 kg
  • For frame size: 22-90mm
  • Maximum tire width: 3″ (with Thule XXL Fatbike Wheel Straps 5″)
  • Maximum wheel size (diameter): 29″
  • Wide wheelbase: 1350 mm
  • Removable frame lock: Distance between bikes 25 cm
  • Compatible with carbon frame
  • Wheel attachment on adjustable supports
  • Pump buckles
  • Also compatible with vehicles equipped with an external spare wheel
  • Rear lights
  • Power connector: 13-pin
  • Compatible with Thule One Key system

HOW MUCH DOES THULE EPOS COST?

The 3-seater Thule Epos is priced at €1.230,95, while the 2-seater version costs €1.127,95.

FINAL VERDICT

You can't go wrong with Thule: top-notch and tested products. Even if this leads to a higher than average price: after all, quality has its price. Thule Epos is an extremely versatile and fast towbar bike rack that allows you to load up to 3 bikes safely without wasting time. Recommended.



Written by

[email protected] I am a fan of everything that has 2 wheels: at a young age I practiced road and track cycling (Italian Allievi champion). At the age of 18 I passed into the cross country competing at national/international level as an Under23. Past Elite, I made the choice to take things more lightly from a training point of view, and my love for gravity disciplines was born, training me as an FCI MTB instructor and guide. Now I have made passion my profession by managing 2 MTB centers on the island of Elba (Bike Center Elba and Elba MTB), creating the FANTAmtb and telling in an ironic but professional way everything that revolves around MTB thanks to 365mountainbike and 365TV (YouTube'PULITI dentro BIKER fuori').

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