🛒 Order the Thule EasyFold XT Hitch Mount Platform Bike Rack here with FREE delivery: www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-racks/thule-easyfold-xt-hitch-bike/
I purchased this EasyFold XT from Rack Attack. I brought my bike with me (a 2023 Trek Top Fuel 9.7) when I got the rack. The employee attached the C-clamp to the downtube which is 3" wide. On the gentle ride home it was okay... but on the highway, fast city streets, or bumpy street, this attachment point is not good. It requires maximum tightness on the 3" downtube which I had to do on the side of the highway after the bike fell over laying horizontally on the rack. 90% tightness, oh it will fall over, needs to be 100% tightness. It's nerve racking when a bike goes horizontal at 70mph (thank goodness it was in the slot closest to the car). It's also nerve racking tightening the C-clamp to maximum tightness on a 3" carbon fiber downtube. Like WTF?!?!?. Please instruct the employees to use a different mounting point on the Trek Top Fuel (or any Trek mountain bike) and also the wide tubed Specialized mountain bikes. There really is only 1 good mounting point for the Trek Top Fuel. And the employee absolutely should have used it when selling me the EasyFold XT while I'm standing there with my Trek Top Fuel. It *appears* that no damage was done to the frame by tightening all the way to the max. But I cannot even imagine how pissed off I would be if I damaged the frame by doing exactly what the employee who sold me the rack did.
Thanks for review. New to ebiking, I was researching bike racks tailored to my requirements and you hit all the related points, simplifying my decision to purchase the Thule EZ fold.
Thank you for actually showing how to unlock the lever for storing, none of the other videos I watched showed that, and I own this already but couldn't remember how to do that part.
Thank you so very much for the instructions - I would never have been able to learn this on my own -- and the bike stores I have gone to were not able to help either.
Thank you so very much for the information and the teaching on how to work the Thule Bike rack -- I was totally ignorant and did not know how to install and remove and compact and store the rack --
Hello. Thanks for the encouraging feedback. Definitely a rack worthy of serious consideration! Yes, those bikes are too clean and need to be ridden more, ha ha.
I have this rack and enjoy the ease of it and take it off to store it after each use. The tip I enjoyed the most was the grip under the tube not above it. I use it for all three bikes but necessary for the ebike.
Does this offer anything to slow a bike thief down while I'm using the restroom? Looks like once the straps are removed it's just a matter of twisting and rotating the bike out of the clamps without needing to unscrew them.
Thanks for sharing. I just ordered a used but nearly new one from Amazon. The key wasn’t come with the package so I guessed that the key was missing. I tried to order a repair key from the website but I didn’t know the key code of EasyFold XT. Can you share the code with me? Thanks in advance!
Thanks for the review. Regarding the grips for the frame, how well do these grip on the e-bike frames that have an integrated batteries? Do they open wide enough to encompass those frame types? I am thinking about the Aventon Pace 500.3 step through model.
Hello. The clamping jaw will fit diameters slightly over 3 inches (80mm). The jaw could be positioned in several areas to allow attachment to different tubes on the bike. The seat tube may be a good alternative to the downtube where the battery is located. Thanks!
Hello. The 2-1/2" hitch is not an approved fit, even with an insert. Vehicles with extra high payload capability generally have rear suspension too stiff to adequately absorb road shock and transmit the shock into the rack and bicycles.
I have this rack and am struggling to remove it from my hitch. You make it look smooth but when I unlock the knob for the expansion arm, the knob unscrews and falls off without loosening the expansion arm. Also, the auto latch in your video seems to stay automatically in the open position. Mine does not, therefore it's a two person job with one having to hold the lever out while the other person is lifting the rack out of the hitch if they are even able to slacken off the expansion arm. What am I doing wrong?
Hello. Any play in the stinger/hitch interface can usually be minimized by rocking the rack vertically and horizontally while tightening the turn knob, this will help to set the stinger wedge into the corner of the hitch.
Will never buy another Thule product due to terrible customer service. Two bike shops told me Thule was not any better to dealers. Rack was OK, if heavy, but has worn out and I am getting a Roicky Mount.
Clamping on any dirt / grit is a sure fire way to damage paint . Best bet is some Heli tape on the clamped area of the frame once you know where you like to clamp on both bikes
Hello. The Auto Pin does not lock, it is a passive retainer and hitch depth gauge, the locking turn knob and wedge create the ant-wobble and security. Thanks!
What’s your long term experience with the XT so far with a carbon frame bike? It’s currently on sale for REI members and I’m considering this rack since I have a carbon frame Trek Checkpoint and my wife has a Trek Townie step-thru with fenders. This seems to be the only rack I’ve found thus far that can accommodate both carbon framed and fendered bikes together.
Hello. The Checkpoint is designed for rough terrain and will have thicker layers of carbon fiber construction than a pure road bike frame. Still use caution to avoid over tightening the clamp but there's should be little cause for concern with this setup. Thanks.
Hello. The Auto-Pin is used to insert the rack's stinger to the correct depth and is also a passive retainer while the turn knob and wedge serve as the primary anti-wobble and retention into the receiver hitch. Thanks!
Hello. This rack does not fold up against the vehicle as some other platform racks do. Instead, this rack is designed to be easily removed and stored in-between uses. Thanks!
Are there also bike racks with a complete tail light set? Is it possible to get/use a second license plate? The both options I asked for are mandatory here in Germany.
Hello. This model is intended for the US market, similar models for the German market include the lights and license plate holder. On Thule's site the country can be changed and the products will update for that market. Thanks!
Are he clamps limited as to height of the vertical horseshoe bar. As posted below I would be concerned clamping to my E bIke with integrated battery. Or does the Horseshoe bar have the ability to adjust to go higher ?
Hello. The support hoop is fixed, however, the attachment arms are fully adjustable to reattach in various positions on the hoop and angle to reach while the clamps rotate 360 degrees. Thule also offer the new Epos which provides an alternative to the EasyFold XT and may attach in different ways to suit: th-cam.com/video/sI0-UblXlzc/w-d-xo.html
Hello. The EasyFold XT is not specifically RV rated. Consider the Yakima OnRamp, it's RV rated up to 40 pounds per bike: www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-racks/yakima-onramp/ Thanks!
Hello. Thule offers a hitch extension to provide sufficient spare tire clearance, without it the vertical hoop will contact the spare tire before the rack stinger is inserted fully into the hitch. www.thule.com/en-us/accessories/thule-hitch-extender-_-903750
When I was stationed in Germany, I had this carrier. The one I had has turn signals a break lights. The harness plugged right into the plug for a trailer. Do you have this light system as an add on in your shop?
Hello. Thule produces this rack in unique forms for different markets, in the USA the rack has passive reflectors. There is no option from Thule in the USA to add powered lights. There is a solution in the USA for the EasyFold to upgrade to powered lights: bikeracklight.com/product/bike-rack-light-bar-for-thule-easyfold/ Check the store nearest to you to inquire about availability. www.rackattack.com/stores/ Thanks!
I recently got this and it will not work with my OEM Subaru installed hitch, the hitch pin prevents inserting into the hitch because the OEM hitch is flush with the rear bumper fascia. Wish I could remove the hitch pin and use a third party pin. Contacted Thule for a solution and I haven't heard back from them. I can't recommend installing a Subaru dealer OEM hitch on the Outback.
Hello. The position of the end of the hitch being flush with the bumper facia is ideal for rack clearance, however, here are certain hitches that are not compatible with this rack. A class one hitch (1-1/4 inch) will sometimes have a stopper, a tab, that prevents the stinger from inserting completely. Also, there are illustrations in the instruction manual that shows the minimum distance from the end of the hitch to the hitch pin hole must be no less than 1.5 inches. Thanks! www.rackattack.com/public/product instructions/Thule_EasyFold_XT_903202.pdf
@@Lolamack Hello. Check out the Thule EasyFold XT or the new Epos, both are well suited ebikes and the two bike version has an adaptable hitch stinger to work with both 2 inch or 1-1/4 inch hitches.
@@Lolamack I'm working the problem, took the 2023 Outback back to to the dealership and they realized there is no way to insert a locking hitch pin unless more is cut more off the bottom of the facia. Of course you could use a non-keyed pin with cotter pin and hope your load ($$$ rack) is still there after your ride. I told them I can't believe Subaru would sell and install a hitch with this design flaw. They looked into it and discovered there are two cut patterns and that I needed the second cut to widen the space to install a locking hitch pin. Excellent we'll see if this will help but will need a hitch pin with a front side lock. Not the usual extended type, I don't believe the new cut will be that wide. I've bought one let's hope it'll work. But, don't forget, Thule uses a hooked shape pin that extends out by inches. So I ordered a hitch extension the type one would need to extend the hitch away from a rear mounted spare tire. So we'll see once the fascia is cut wider, I'll install the extension, and we'll see. I can't believe Subaru is selling a hitch that doesn't work! I'll have an answer in a couple of weeks or I'll have a Kuat or Hollywood Rack or something other than the Thule EasyFold.
@@rackattack that will not help the hitch stinger can't get to the hitch pin hole because the Subie fascia/rear bumper is in the way preventing getting the pin to the hitch hole. Thanks.
Hello. Checkout the Beacon Light Kit: bikeracklight.com/product/bike-rack-light-bar-for-thule-easyfold/ Check with a store nearest to you for current stock: www.rackattack.com/stores/
Hello. The turn knobs that tighten the grip of the jaws to the bike has integrated security with Thule's One Key System lock cylinders which are key matched to the hitch lock security. Thanks!
@rackattack my knows allow the jaws to open/close whether the lock is turned to the open or closed position. Can you give a little more insight to how the locks are supposed to be used?
Unfortunately Thule electrics are poor.. Additionally at this price the lighting system is still filament lights rather than LED... Too many flaws for the retail price..
How do I remove the 'arms' for relocation? I was traveling with 2 brand new Gaint Liv ebikes, and one of the ebikes fell away from the vehicle, hanging, which caused severe damage to the handlebars and brake. As you can imagine, I was devastated.
Hello. Sorry to hear that. The arms can be repositioned and or removed by loosening the turn knob then pulling back on the collar near the clamp down point, this will allow the clamp to unhinge from the vertical support hoop. Here's the chapter of the video showing this function: th-cam.com/video/-T06_dMcGUg/w-d-xo.html Thanks!
🛒 Order the Thule EasyFold XT Hitch Mount Platform Bike Rack here with FREE delivery: www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-racks/thule-easyfold-xt-hitch-bike/
I purchased this EasyFold XT from Rack Attack. I brought my bike with me (a 2023 Trek Top Fuel 9.7) when I got the rack. The employee attached the C-clamp to the downtube which is 3" wide. On the gentle ride home it was okay... but on the highway, fast city streets, or bumpy street, this attachment point is not good. It requires maximum tightness on the 3" downtube which I had to do on the side of the highway after the bike fell over laying horizontally on the rack. 90% tightness, oh it will fall over, needs to be 100% tightness. It's nerve racking when a bike goes horizontal at 70mph (thank goodness it was in the slot closest to the car). It's also nerve racking tightening the C-clamp to maximum tightness on a 3" carbon fiber downtube. Like WTF?!?!?. Please instruct the employees to use a different mounting point on the Trek Top Fuel (or any Trek mountain bike) and also the wide tubed Specialized mountain bikes. There really is only 1 good mounting point for the Trek Top Fuel. And the employee absolutely should have used it when selling me the EasyFold XT while I'm standing there with my Trek Top Fuel. It *appears* that no damage was done to the frame by tightening all the way to the max. But I cannot even imagine how pissed off I would be if I damaged the frame by doing exactly what the employee who sold me the rack did.
Absolutely one of the best ‘how to’ videos I have ever seen. Excellent narration. Excellent camera work. No ‘fat’.
Thank you so much!!
I tried numerous racks to work with my Aventon e-bike--this one worked right out of the box! Highly recommend.
Thanks for review. New to ebiking, I was researching bike racks tailored to my requirements and you hit all the related points, simplifying my decision to purchase the Thule EZ fold.
Thank you for actually showing how to unlock the lever for storing, none of the other videos I watched showed that, and I own this already but couldn't remember how to do that part.
So glad this helped, Andrea! Hope the rack is working well for you.
Thank you so very much for the instructions - I would never have been able to learn this on my own -- and the bike stores I have gone to were not able to help either.
Thank you so very much for the information and the teaching on how to work the Thule Bike rack -- I was totally ignorant and did not know how to install and remove and compact and store the rack --
perfect video, this guy is a professional, greetings from italy
great job thank you! Looks like a great rack that makes it so much easier to haul heavy bikes, and that makes like so much easier.
Hello. Yes, this design is geared towards heavier e-bikes, the included ramp helps. Thanks!
Very good explanation. Thank you so much, now I’ll buy this model. 👍🏼
Great presentation, I'm strongly considering this rack system. Scott makes such beautiful bikes! 😁
Hello. Thanks for the encouraging feedback. Definitely a rack worthy of serious consideration! Yes, those bikes are too clean and need to be ridden more, ha ha.
Topgun bike carrier #1
I have this rack and enjoy the ease of it and take it off to store it after each use. The tip I enjoyed the most was the grip under the tube not above it. I use it for all three bikes but necessary for the ebike.
Hello. Yes, each bike is unique and the arms an grips are very versatile in reaching out to bikes in unique ways. Thanks!
I wish Thule offered a brake light extension built-in to the rack with a flat 4 connector.
The best review yet!
Great video!! Thanks :)
Does this offer anything to slow a bike thief down while I'm using the restroom?
Looks like once the straps are removed it's just a matter of twisting and rotating the bike out of the clamps without needing to unscrew them.
Thanks for the great video. Do you have any idea if you could open the rear doors on a ford transit van with this rack tilted down?
Good info - thanks.
Thanks for sharing. I just ordered a used but nearly new one from Amazon. The key wasn’t come with the package so I guessed that the key was missing. I tried to order a repair key from the website but I didn’t know the key code of EasyFold XT. Can you share the code with me? Thanks in advance!
Did I miss how you lock the bikes on the rack so that when you're away from the car somebody doesn't come along and steal your bicycles?
Works great - very well made
Hello. Great, thanks for commenting!
Thanks for the review. Regarding the grips for the frame, how well do these grip on the e-bike frames that have an integrated batteries? Do they open wide enough to encompass those frame types? I am thinking about the Aventon Pace 500.3 step through model.
Hello. The clamping jaw will fit diameters slightly over 3 inches (80mm). The jaw could be positioned in several areas to allow attachment to different tubes on the bike. The seat tube may be a good alternative to the downtube where the battery is located. Thanks!
Excellent instructions!
Thanks for the encouraging feedback!
Im afraid to make that move to buy one, my Honda Civic aeems to small😮
Did yours come with the metal license plate backing?
Great video.
Thanks.
I have a 2 1/2” receiver (with a 2” insert, if needed).
Will the auto hitch pin go in far enough to also engage the insert tube?
Hello. The 2-1/2" hitch is not an approved fit, even with an insert. Vehicles with extra high payload capability generally have rear suspension too stiff to adequately absorb road shock and transmit the shock into the rack and bicycles.
I have this rack and am struggling to remove it from my hitch. You make it look smooth but when I unlock the knob for the expansion arm, the knob unscrews and falls off without loosening the expansion arm. Also, the auto latch in your video seems to stay automatically in the open position. Mine does not, therefore it's a two person job with one having to hold the lever out while the other person is lifting the rack out of the hitch if they are even able to slacken off the expansion arm. What am I doing wrong?
Continued : need to know how to reduce forward bouncing. Receiver is cranked tight. Please respond. Thanks.
Hello. Any play in the stinger/hitch interface can usually be minimized by rocking the rack vertically and horizontally while tightening the turn knob, this will help to set the stinger wedge into the corner of the hitch.
Will never buy another Thule product due to terrible customer service. Two bike shops told me Thule was not any better to dealers. Rack was OK, if heavy, but has worn out and I am getting a Roicky Mount.
What kind of bikes, and how many, are you looking to carry? We will gladly assist with looking for the best fit for a RockyMounts rack with you
Any concern that the bracket holding the bikes will rub while driving and leave marks on your bikes?
Clamping on any dirt / grit is a sure fire way to damage paint . Best bet is some Heli tape on the clamped area of the frame once you know where you like to clamp on both bikes
Does the "Auto Pin" lock in when you tighten the knob? Or is it just for determining the hitch DEPTH?
Hello. The Auto Pin does not lock, it is a passive retainer and hitch depth gauge, the locking turn knob and wedge create the ant-wobble and security. Thanks!
What’s your long term experience with the XT so far with a carbon frame bike? It’s currently on sale for REI members and I’m considering this rack since I have a carbon frame Trek Checkpoint and my wife has a Trek Townie step-thru with fenders. This seems to be the only rack I’ve found thus far that can accommodate both carbon framed and fendered bikes together.
Hello. The Checkpoint is designed for rough terrain and will have thicker layers of carbon fiber construction than a pure road bike frame. Still use caution to avoid over tightening the clamp but there's should be little cause for concern with this setup. Thanks.
Does the "Auto Pin" lock when you turn the knob for reducing the wobble? Or is it just for deterring the hitch DEPTH?
Hello. The Auto-Pin is used to insert the rack's stinger to the correct depth and is also a passive retainer while the turn knob and wedge serve as the primary anti-wobble and retention into the receiver hitch. Thanks!
If you want to keep this rack on the car, can it be folded up flat against the car when not in use? (So it doesn't stick out as far)
Hello. This rack does not fold up against the vehicle as some other platform racks do. Instead, this rack is designed to be easily removed and stored in-between uses. Thanks!
Are there also bike racks with a complete tail light set? Is it possible to get/use a second license plate? The both options I asked for are mandatory here in Germany.
Hello. This model is intended for the US market, similar models for the German market include the lights and license plate holder. On Thule's site the country can be changed and the products will update for that market. Thanks!
Are he clamps limited as to height of the vertical horseshoe bar. As posted below I would be concerned clamping to my E bIke with integrated battery. Or does the Horseshoe bar have the ability to adjust to go higher ?
Hello. The support hoop is fixed, however, the attachment arms are fully adjustable to reattach in various positions on the hoop and angle to reach while the clamps rotate 360 degrees. Thule also offer the new Epos which provides an alternative to the EasyFold XT and may attach in different ways to suit: th-cam.com/video/sI0-UblXlzc/w-d-xo.html
I have a Subaru Ascent and Outback as well as an RV with a hitch. Will this rack work for all 3?
Hello. The EasyFold XT is not specifically RV rated. Consider the Yakima OnRamp, it's RV rated up to 40 pounds per bike: www.rackattack.com/hitch-bike-racks/yakima-onramp/ Thanks!
Thanks for the great review! We have a wrangler and 2 e-bikes,would the bike pedal clear the rear mounted stock spare tire ?
Hello. Thule offers a hitch extension to provide sufficient spare tire clearance, without it the vertical hoop will contact the spare tire before the rack stinger is inserted fully into the hitch.
www.thule.com/en-us/accessories/thule-hitch-extender-_-903750
When I was stationed in Germany, I had this carrier. The one I had has turn signals a break lights. The harness plugged right into the plug for a trailer.
Do you have this light system as an add on in your shop?
Hello. Thule produces this rack in unique forms for different markets, in the USA the rack has passive reflectors. There is no option from Thule in the USA to add powered lights. There is a solution in the USA for the EasyFold to upgrade to powered lights:
bikeracklight.com/product/bike-rack-light-bar-for-thule-easyfold/
Check the store nearest to you to inquire about availability.
www.rackattack.com/stores/ Thanks!
Kody Technologies also makes a few different super safe and very bright bike rack lights for the Thule EasyFold.
I recently got this and it will not work with my OEM Subaru installed hitch, the hitch pin prevents inserting into the hitch because the OEM hitch is flush with the rear bumper fascia. Wish I could remove the hitch pin and use a third party pin. Contacted Thule for a solution and I haven't heard back from them. I can't recommend installing a Subaru dealer OEM hitch on the Outback.
Hello. The position of the end of the hitch being flush with the bumper facia is ideal for rack clearance, however, here are certain hitches that are not compatible with this rack. A class one hitch (1-1/4 inch) will sometimes have a stopper, a tab, that prevents the stinger from inserting completely. Also, there are illustrations in the instruction manual that shows the minimum distance from the end of the hitch to the hitch pin hole must be no less than 1.5 inches. Thanks!
www.rackattack.com/public/product instructions/Thule_EasyFold_XT_903202.pdf
We just got this too for our '19 outback and noticed the same problem. 😢 Have you found a solution. We need a rack for our ebikes.
@@Lolamack Hello. Check out the Thule EasyFold XT or the new Epos, both are well suited ebikes and the two bike version has an adaptable hitch stinger to work with both 2 inch or 1-1/4 inch hitches.
@@Lolamack I'm working the problem, took the 2023 Outback back to to the dealership and they realized there is no way to insert a locking hitch pin unless more is cut more off the bottom of the facia. Of course you could use a non-keyed pin with cotter pin and hope your load ($$$ rack) is still there after your ride. I told them I can't believe Subaru would sell and install a hitch with this design flaw. They looked into it and discovered there are two cut patterns and that I needed the second cut to widen the space to install a locking hitch pin. Excellent we'll see if this will help but will need a hitch pin with a front side lock. Not the usual extended type, I don't believe the new cut will be that wide. I've bought one let's hope it'll work.
But, don't forget, Thule uses a hooked shape pin that extends out by inches. So I ordered a hitch extension the type one would need to extend the hitch away from a rear mounted spare tire. So we'll see once the fascia is cut wider, I'll install the extension, and we'll see. I can't believe Subaru is selling a hitch that doesn't work! I'll have an answer in a couple of weeks or I'll have a Kuat or Hollywood Rack or something other than the Thule EasyFold.
@@rackattack that will not help the hitch stinger can't get to the hitch pin hole because the Subie fascia/rear bumper is in the way preventing getting the pin to the hitch hole. Thanks.
What kind of led brake/ turn signal can I use?
Hello. Checkout the Beacon Light Kit: bikeracklight.com/product/bike-rack-light-bar-for-thule-easyfold/ Check with a store nearest to you for current stock: www.rackattack.com/stores/
How do you lock the bikes?
Hello. The turn knobs that tighten the grip of the jaws to the bike has integrated security with Thule's One Key System lock cylinders which are key matched to the hitch lock security. Thanks!
@rackattack my knows allow the jaws to open/close whether the lock is turned to the open or closed position. Can you give a little more insight to how the locks are supposed to be used?
Unfortunately Thule electrics are poor.. Additionally at this price the lighting system is still filament lights rather than LED... Too many flaws for the retail price..
Hello. Thanks for sharing. This particular model, the EasyFold XT, has no lighting option.
watch at 2.0 speed
;)
Hello. Yes, great way to consume content at a rapid pace!
How do I remove the 'arms' for relocation? I was traveling with 2 brand new Gaint Liv ebikes, and one of the ebikes fell away from the vehicle, hanging, which caused severe damage to the handlebars and brake. As you can imagine, I was devastated.
Hello. Sorry to hear that. The arms can be repositioned and or removed by loosening the turn knob then pulling back on the collar near the clamp down point, this will allow the clamp to unhinge from the vertical support hoop. Here's the chapter of the video showing this function: th-cam.com/video/-T06_dMcGUg/w-d-xo.html
Thanks!
Spoiler alert ... it's a $1,000😆
Follow us on Instagram to be notified of up coming sales, Thule usually goes on sale each Labor Day and Memorial Day. instagram.com/rackattack/