Introducing Thule OutPace - Lightweight Platform Hitch Bike Rack
It’s been a while since I’ve been excited about a newly released bike rack. Prices increase and features are added, but those features don’t always apply to me, and I don’t need super high weight capacities.
Thule OutPace has me excited. This is a frame-grab style platform bike rack that is perhaps the lightest of its class. It’s a little weird looking, but the spec sheet has me intrigued, and it’s one of Thule’s less expensive bike racks for Summer 2025. I unboxed the first OutPace that we received to test out and see if it really is the Goldilocks bike rack I want it to be.
Before putting bikes on the rack, let’s talk about use-case and why I’m so excited about this rack. I don’t like to keep a hitch rack on my car because it can make parking in tight spaces difficult and gets in the way of a rear hatch. I’m a person who uses bike racks occasionally. I like to keep a bike rack on the roof of the car so that I always have the option if I spontaneously need to carry a bike. Otherwise, the hitch rack lives in the garage, only to be installed when I need it. The features I prioritize on a hitch rack are lightweight, quick and easy install, and wide compatibility to fit my bikes with fenders, racks, and big tires.
Thule OutPace weighs an astonishingly lightweight 29 pounds. For comparison, the Yakima HoldUp weighs 49 pounds, Dr.Tray weighs 34 pounds, Kuat Transfer V2 2-bike weighs 35 pounds, and Thule T2 Pro X weighs 49 pounds. So some racks get close, but the OutPace is one of the lightest 2-bike platform racks out there, if not the lightest. Its lightweight combined with a compact footprint and carry handle make it much easier to move around and store compared to other hitch racks.
The OutPace uses Thule’s latest design of tool-free installation into the hitch, making the rack easy to take off and on. There are a couple features of this lever that the pictogram instructions don’t illustrate well. First is that the lever can pull out and rotate freely so that you can adjust the angle to line up the lock; you’re not stuck with whatever angle happens to get it tight. Next is that the pivoting locking lever is held in place by spring actuation, and pulling the lever allows it to clear some plastic nubs and pivot easier.
Bikes are held secure by a plastic strap with a rubber bumper that wraps around the frame, so bikes with fenders and racks don’t have any wheel hooks to interfere with. This frame-grab style is perhaps not the most appealing for those worried about paint scuffs, but a rag or bandana around the frame where the strap contacts can help protect the bike.
These straps also lock, but it’s kind of weird how they work. It’s not depicted as clearly in the instructions as I would like, but you have to push the lock housing down and then turn the key to lock the strap. You can force the key 90 degrees without pushing down, but this will not activate the lock. Once locked, you can still press the lever, but the strap does not release. Epos uses a similar style of locking strap, but that one has metal inside it while this one is just plastic.
I thought that loading the bikes would be awkward since the wheel trays don’t have stops to keep the bike from rolling, but the frame-grab is actually pretty simple to use with one hand, allowing the other to support the bike. I attached the straps towards the front of the downtube, but they can attach anywhere on the main triangle of the frame
The wheel cups hold tires up to 3”, which isn’t quite wide enough for the Pugsley in proper 26x4” fat bike trim, but the 29x3” tires it wears these days fit just fine. Wheel sizes from 16” to 29” will fit, as long as the wheelbase is not longer than 49”. Additionally, OutPace can support bikes up to 55 pounds each, which may not handle the heaviest ebikes, but is substantial given how lightweight the rack is.
Like most platform racks, it takes some practice to get the order of operations and loading procedure down. You have to figure out the angle of the upright and the strap holder, and there can be some contact issues to take into account with handlebars, saddles, and pedals. OutPace allows the bikes to sit off-center if they need to, so I loaded each bike slightly forward of center to keep them from touching. The wheel trays and long straps had no problem accommodating that adjustment on these bikes that have wheelbases of about 43”. If you’re loading two bikes, make sure you unfold both upright arms all the way before loading the first bike, otherwise its pedal will keep the upright from rotating where it needs to go.
Some other unique features include a handle at the back of the rack to make tilting it away from the car easier. This rack uses a new cable actuated tilt mechanism, which allows you to pull or push the cable to release the rack for tilting. Most racks have either a pin at the base, a handle at the end, or a foot pedal, all of which can be awkward in different deployments. This cable makes it easy no matter how the rack is oriented or loaded. It’s weird, but it works well, and I appreciate this new feature on an otherwise “budget” rack.
Once loaded, the bikes are quite stable. There is some inherent movement in the rack, but it feels sturdy and the bikes don’t sway around too much. It tilts out of the way with the bikes loaded with plenty of space for me to be able to open the hatch, made easier by the handle and tilt cable. Of course, this clearance will vary by vehicle, but it appears generous.
Best of all, once I’m back home, the rack is quick and easy to remove. It folds up into a compact package that is easy to store in the garage, and isn’t a pain to lug around.
Thule OutPace is available as one model that fits both 1.25” and 2” hitch receivers, and is limited to carrying two bikes. As of August 2025, it is available for $599.95, locks included, ready to go. Check it out here, or feel free to send us a message if you have any questions!
