Thule T2 Classic Review
Our Verdict
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Thule T2 Classic | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | ![]() | |
Price | $549.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $540 List $499.95 at REI | Check Price at Backcountry Compare at 3 sellers | $399.95 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $60 List $51.33 at Amazon |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Low loading height, relatively affordable, high weight capacity | Reasonably priced, highly versatile, solid construction, user-friendly tilt release, comes with locks | Very secure hold, no frame or fork contact | More security features than other trunk racks, comes in 2 and 3 bike versions, lightweight, folds small for transport or storage, more stable than other trunk racks | Very inexpensive, no assembly required, lightweight, folds small for storage |
Cons | Heavy, Tools needed for install and adjustment, no remote tilt release | Sits slightly closer to vehicle than some, some assembly required | Design seems a little over-complicated, limited to vehicles with low roof height, you have to lift bike to height of roof to load | Some assembly required, 33 lbs per bike weight limit, may not be compatible with all frames styles and shapes | Not adjustable, support arms may not work with all frame shapes/styles, no security features |
Bottom Line | This rack has been around forever but is still as functional today as it was 10 years ago | A versatile hitch-mount rack that provides a high price to performance ratio | A roof-mount rack with an exceptionally sturdy and secure hold of your bicycle with no frame contact | A quality trunk mount rack that stands out for its security features, stability, and adjustability | A very affordable, bare-bones trunk rack for the infrequent rack user on a tight budget |
Rating Categories | Thule T2 Classic | RockyMounts MonoRail | Thule UpRide | Thule Outway Hanging 2 | Allen Deluxe 2-Bike... |
Ease of EveryDay Use (20%) | |||||
Ease of Removal and Storage (20%) | |||||
Versatility (20%) | |||||
Security (20%) | |||||
Ease of Assembly (10%) | |||||
Durability (10%) | |||||
Specs | Thule T2 Classic | RockyMounts MonoRail | Thule UpRide | Thule Outway Hanging 2 | Allen Deluxe 2-Bike... |
Style | Hitch (tray) | Hitch (tray) | Roof | Trunk | Trunk |
Bike Capacity | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Lock? | Yes | Yes | Available but not included | Yes | No |
Rack Weight | 56 lbs 2 oz | 44 lbs 2 oz | 17 lbs | 17 lbs 1oz | 7 lbs 9 oz |
Max Weight Per Bike | 60 lbs | 60 lbs | 44 lbs | 33 lbs | 35 lbs |
Other Sizes Available? | Yes, 2" receiver | Yes, 1.25" reciever, single bike add-on sold separately | No | Yes, 3 bike | Yes, 3 and 4 bike versions |
Cross Bar Compatibility | NA | N/A | Round, Square, Aero, Most Factory | N/A | N/A |
Our Analysis and Test Results
As the name implies, the Thule T2 Classic has been around for years and helped to set the bar for tray-style hitch mount bike racks. Now that a new crop of competitors has joined the fray it doesn't quite top the charts from a performance standpoint, yet the T2 Classic remains a highly functional and worthy option.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Everyday Use
This rack comes close to our Editors' Choice Thule T2 Pro XT or previous Editors' Choice, the Kuat NV, regarding ergonomics, but lacks some of the refined features found on the latest hitch racks such as a remote tilt release lever.
A low loading height and easy-to-use ratcheting arms make loading and securing bikes a simple task. When loading and unloading bikes multiple times a day for shuttle runs, no other type of rack can equal the tray mount style of the T2 Classic and the T2 Pro. Tilting down this contender when loaded with bikes is a much more complicated process than the T2 Pro XT or the RockyMounts MonoRail because it requires the user to briefly un-weight the lowering mechanism by lifting up on the rack while pulling the release lever. Not a huge deal, but we have to give other models the nod for ease of lowering, due to the user-friendly load release handles on the end of the main support arm.
Ease of Removal and Storage
Like most of the hitch racks we tested, the T2 Classic is relatively heavy; it weighs 56.1 lbs. It's not a model that you want to carry too far. Thule relies on the old threaded hitch pin design to remove wobble and secure the rack, it works, but is much more time consuming and difficult to manipulate than the expanding wedge designs found on most of the new high-end contenders like the T2 Pro XT and the Yakima Dr. Tray. Like most similar racks, the T2 Classic is an awkward shape and takes up a fair amount of space in your storage area.
Versatility
More versatile than a support arm style hitch mount rack, this model receives top scores for versatility/capacity. It has a weight capacity of 100lbs, (note: the 2" receiver version has a 160lb capacity) less than the 120lb capacity of the Kuat NV, and the Thule T2 Pro but this is due to the 1.25" receiver not the construction of the rack. The T2 will accommodate almost any bike with a wheelbase of 48" or less and wheels from 20" to 29". The only limitation is tire size. Fat bike tires and some of the new 29" plus tire and wheel combinations are too tall, or wide for the ratcheting arms to clear.
The Thule T2 Pro XT has design features that address tire width issues. Otherwise, the Classic secures the bikes with no contact with the bicycle frame. The bicycle trays are adjustable both fore and aft and side to side on the hitch base, allowing the trays to be positioned in an offset manner to eliminate bike-to-bike contact. The adjustable trays allowed us to configure the rack in a manner that prevented the handlebar/saddle interference that was an occasional issue on other models.
Ease of Assembly
This model comes out of the box in multiple pieces and requires a bit of time and patience to assemble and properly adjust. The directions for assembly are excellent, and Thule includes two wrenches and a 5mm hex key. In addition to the included tools, you'll need a ½" socket for assembly of the wheel trays and a flat head screwdriver. Set aside a little time and patience and the T2 Classic comes together with relative ease.
Attaching the T2 Classic to a vehicle is a bit more involved than some of the other models we tested. With a weight of 56.1 lbs, it is heavy and a bit awkward to carry around. The rack slides into the receiver, and a threaded hitch pin must be tightened with the included wrench to eliminate wobble in the receiver. Both the threaded hitch pin and the expanding insert anti-wobble systems are very capable, but our top-rated models require no tools to take the rack on and off the car, which makes them easier to use.
Security
This contender comes with a locking hitch pin, as well as cable locks that deploy from the wheel clamp arms. Both the hitch pin and the cable locks take the same key, and Thule includes two keys and a blank key that allows you to pull the lock cylinders for replacement if necessary.
The T2 Classic utilizes individual cables and locks for each bike. The cables pull out from the wheel clamp arms and are designed to be looped through the front triangle of the bicycle frame. We wish that the cables were long enough to be looped through the front wheel for additional security, but that is not the case. The cables are thinner in diameter, but they are substantial enough to act as a deterrent to opportunistic thieves. We would consider these cable locks to be little more than a deterrent, however, and we would recommend using a tough aftermarket lock to secure your bikes further.
Durability
This competitor is a well-constructed, durable rack. The body of the rack is steel with long-wearing black paint. The trays are sturdy, and despite the use of plastic wheel trays, we had no issues with durability. The design of the rack allows for easy replacement of the individual trays should one become damaged. Some of our testers have been using previous versions of this rack for several years with no durability issues.
Value
This rack is the blue-collar answer to the higher-priced and slightly more refined competition. You get most of the function and save a significant amount of cash. This rack is a good value, although we found the RockyMounts MonoRail to provide more bang for the buck and have awarded it our Best Buy.
Conclusion
The Thule T2 Classic is a solid, durable product, with a time-tested design. Few products retain relevancy for more than a year or two in the cycling world, but this rack bucks that trend. Despite strong competition from nearly every rack manufacturer, the T2 Classic remains a quality option.
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