Thule  OutPace 2-Bike Hitch Rack

I just got this rack and absolutely love it. The bike rides great with no wobbling around. The rack is compact, light and can even just drop in the trunk. It's literally 1/3 the weight and 1/2 the size of my prior 2 bike rack. The ONLY issue that I have is the hitch bar could have been 1" longer between the hitch pin and the hinge mechanism. It hits my bumper when folded up! BE SURE TO TEST FIT ONE if possible!! and FOLD IT UP!

I purchased the Thule OutPace 2 for my 2017 Honda Civic EX-T because I wanted a bike rack that was secure, easy to use, lightweight, and compact enough for everyday driving. Before this, I owned a Thule OutWay Platform 2, which was also easy to use. However, I was always concerned about the long-term effects of carrying two bikes on the trunk. Since we regularly travel with our bikes, I decided to switch to a hitch-mounted rack for greater peace of mind. I purchased the OutPace 2 during REI’s Anniversary Sale 2026 and paired it with the Thule OutPace License Plate Holder with Light (bought directly in Thule website) so I could relocate my license plate for better visibility. I also installed Curt auxiliary LED light strips for additional brake and turn signal visibility. Another reason I wanted to write this review is that there aren’t many real-world reviews of the Thule OutPace 2 being used on a sedan. Most reviews feature SUVs, trucks, or larger vehicles. If you’re a sedan owner wondering whether this rack will work well for you, I hope my experience helps. First Impressions The first thing I noticed was how lightweight and manageable the rack is compared to many other platform-style bike racks. Installation and removal are straightforward, making it practical even if you don’t leave it mounted all the time. One of the main reasons I chose the OutPace 2 over other racks was its combination of lightweight construction, compact design, and ease of use. Living in an apartment, storage space is important, and this rack folds into a compact package that doesn’t take up much room. The rack mounts easily to my 1.25-inch hitch receiver. There is a noticeable reduction in ground clearance compared to driving without a hitch and bike rack installed—probably a few inches overall. However, even with a fully loaded trunk and back seat during our trip, I never scraped the rack once. That gave me much more confidence when driving through campgrounds, parking lots, and uneven roads. I really appreciate the hitch anti-wobble mechanism. It keeps the whole rack solid and secure once tightened. Even on long drives and rough roads, there was almost no movement at the hitch connection, which made everything feel much safer and more stable. Real-World Road Trip Test Our first trip with the OutPace 2 was a roughly 2,000-mile journey from Nashville, Tennessee, through Michigan and Indiana and back. Our route included: * Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Platte River Campground) * Traverse City * Mackinaw City and Mackinac Island * Ann Arbor * Owosso * Battle Creek * Berrien Springs * Indiana Dunes National Park * Hammond, Indiana * Back to Tennessee One of the main reasons we purchased this rack was so we could bring our bikes to Mackinac Island, and it performed exactly as we hoped. We transported a 2019 Diamondback Hook and a 2018 Specialized Pitch. Loading the bikes was simple and intuitive—so much so that my wife could easily do it herself. The adjustable attachment system held both bikes securely throughout the trip. I’ll admit I was nervous at first because this was my first hitch-mounted bike rack and we were heading out on such a long journey. After the first few miles, however, my confidence grew as I watched how stable everything remained. The rack performed exceptionally well on local roads, highways, and interstates. I did notice the bikes moving slightly when large trucks passed us or when we passed them. This is likely due to the additional wind turbulence and air pressure created by the trucks. The bikes would also shake somewhat on rough roads, railroad crossings, and uneven pavement. However, this type of movement is completely normal and expected with any bike rack. What impressed me was how secure the retention straps kept the bikes throughout the trip. Despite the movement, the bikes always remained firmly attached and never gave me reason for concern. I experienced no rattling, no unusual noise, and no loosening throughout the trip. At one point, I hit a deep railroad crossing harder than I would have liked. I immediately worried that something might have been damaged, but after checking everything, the rack and bikes were completely secure and unaffected. Fuel Economy and Driving Experience One thing I did notice during our trip was a slight reduction in fuel economy. This wasn’t surprising since two mountain bikes mounted behind the vehicle still create additional wind resistance. At times, it felt like the car was working a little harder to accelerate, especially at highway speeds and on inclines. However, the reduction in fuel efficiency was a reasonable trade-off for the convenience of bringing our bikes along on the trip. A Note About the Locking System One thing that initially concerned me was what appeared to be a crack in the locking mechanism. The funny part is that I only noticed it after spending hours installing the wiring for the license plate holder and auxiliary lights. After all that work, the last thing I wanted to discover was what looked like a damaged component right before our trip. My first thought was, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” Fortunately, after taking a closer look and doing some research, I learned that the apparent “crack” is actually an intentional part of the design and not a defect. The split allows the locking mechanism to flex and tighten securely around different bike frame sizes and shapes. It also helps the locking arm clamp properly and operate smoothly. Because it looks remarkably similar to an actual crack, I wanted to mention it here in case other owners notice the same thing and become concerned as I did. Please see the photo. After a 2,000-mile road trip carrying two mountain bikes, I can confidently say that the locking system worked exactly as intended without any issues. Features I Appreciated One feature I particularly appreciate is the tilting mechanism. Being able to access the trunk without removing the bikes was extremely convenient during camping trips when I frequently needed to reach gear and supplies. I also appreciate how compact the rack becomes when folded, making storage easy in our apartment. The Thule License Plate Holder with Light turned out to be a worthwhile addition. Its tilting design keeps the license plate visible whether the rack is loaded with bikes or folded up, while maintaining a clean, compact setup. Another modification I made was adding a wireless magnetic backup camera to the rack. Since the bike rack can partially block the vehicle’s factory backup camera, especially when folded up, the additional camera provided much better rear visibility. It proved especially useful when backing into campsites, parking spaces, and other tight areas. It’s not a necessity, but it’s an upgrade I would recommend for anyone planning long trips or leaving the rack installed frequently. Security and Theft Considerations One area where I think owners should have realistic expectations is theft prevention. The integrated locking system provides a level of deterrence, but like most bike racks, no security system is completely theft-proof. In my opinion, a determined thief could potentially cut the straps or find another way to remove the bikes. For future trips, I plan to add a steel cable lock that loops through both bikes and around the rack itself. I believe this additional layer of security will provide greater peace of mind when leaving the bikes unattended for longer periods. I don’t consider this a flaw of the OutPace 2 specifically—it’s simply a consideration that applies to almost any bike rack when transporting valuable bicycles. Pros * Lightweight and easy to install though initial setup takes a little time to learn * Easy to load and unload bikes * Effective anti-wobble hitch system keeps rack very stable * My wife can load the bikes without difficulty * Secure bike retention system * Stable at highway speeds * No rattling or unusual noise during long-distance travel * Convenient tilt feature for trunk access * Compact folding design for storage * Works well with smaller vehicles such as sedans * Excellent for apartment living due to its compact storage size * Minimal impact on everyday drivability * Excellent for road trips and camping adventures Cons (or Expected Trade-Offs) * Premium price compared to some competitors, though the quality justifies the cost * Slight reduction in fuel economy due to added wind resistance * Bikes naturally move and shake on rough roads, although they remain securely fastened * Additional security measures may be desirable for expensive bikes (These are not specific drawbacks of the OutPace 2, but rather inherent trade-offs of using any hitch-mounted bike rack. Even premium models from Thule or other brands experience similar behavior, though higher-end systems may reduce the effect through improved stability and design refinement.) Final Verdict After a 2,000-mile road trip carrying two mountain bikes across multiple states, I can confidently say that the Thule OutPace 2 exceeded my expectations. The combination of lightweight construction, compact storage, ease of use, stability, and thoughtful design makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking for a hitch-mounted bike rack—especially those driving smaller vehicles like a Honda Civic. Most importantly, it allowed us to bring our bikes on adventures that would not have been possible otherwise, including our trip to Mackinac Island. For us, that’s exactly what a bike rack should do. The OutPace 2 survived its very first trip with us without any issues and gave us the confidence to focus on enjoying the journey instead of worrying about our bikes. If you’re a sedan owner looking for a lightweight, compact, and capable hitch-mounted bike rack, I would absolutely recommend the Thule OutPace 2.

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] If you haul bikes regularly, you know how quickly a “simple” rack can turn into a headache. The Thule OutPace makes that problem disappear. Sleek, solid, and thoughtfully designed, it gets your bikes from driveway to trailhead without the hassle. Compact and lightweight yet impressively capable, it feels like the perfect solution for riders who want security and stability without dealing with a bulky rack. I’ve tried a few hitch racks, and most either wobbled over time, were too heavy, or scuffed up my bikes. The OutPace is simple to use, easy to move and store, and solid no matter if I’m cruising pavement or bumping down a gravel road.

I got the Thule Outpace to use with the latest JackRabbit bike and then realized that it works great for all JackRabbits and my mountain bike too. Since the JackRabbit MG Doble is 52 lbs and folds, it can fit inside a car but throwing it on a rack like the Outpace is quite convenient. And then when not using it, the Outpace folds flat in a smart way to stow away compactly. I love how it fits both hitch sizes and that it is tool-less to install and has nice lock features built in. Super smart design and solid build. Love it! If you use lightweight e-bikes or mountain and road bikes that all weigh less than 55lbs (as all should) then I don’t know why you’d bother using a bigger, heavier, non-folding rack. The Outpace is all you need! Photos show the JackRabbit MG Doble and XG Pro bikes on it. I also verified that the smallest JackRabbit OG2 fits well too. Photo also shows it folded up and tiny in my SUV trunk.

Context: this is my first platform bike rack so I don't have much to compare it to. It was one of the few platform racks I came across that said it could handle a kids bike (16"), but I was hesitant to make the investment on a product with very little in the way of reviews. I'm so glad I did - I am really impressed with this rack. It's very easy to install and remove, and is intuitive to use. It's been great for carrying the bikes (an adult cruiser and a 16" kids bike) locally and on a 750-mile trip. Unclear how well it will hold up long term - it doesn't feel flimsy at all, but in theory the lighter weight and compact-ness is a tradeoff for something. So far tho it's been great

[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The OutPace is super easy to use and feels really solid once it’s set up. There’s barely any wobble, even when you’re driving over rough roads, which is impressive. It’s clearly built well and doesn’t take much effort to load or secure everything. I like that it folds up cleanly when not in use, too — small detail, but it makes a difference. The design feels really thought-out, and you can tell Thule paid attention to all the things that make using it simple day-to-day.

I park in a tight garage where I need to remove the bike rack every time, so I wanted a rack that would install and remove easily. This Thule does not disappoint. It's the size and weight of a medium suitcase. The integral handle makes it easy to carry to the truck and insert it into the hitch. A few turns of the handle and it's tight. Takes literally a minute to install or remove it, no cursing required, and it feels secure with no rattling. The integrated locks allow the rack to be locked to the hitch, and can be used to lock the bikes to the rack. Mounting and dismounting bikes from the rack is also quick and easy, as long as you're able to lift the bike up to the rack. I haven't had the hitch long, so can't comment on long-term durability– but I have no concerns.

This is a great bike rack so far. It's extremely easy to set up, take down, and get bikes on and off (it can go from stowed in the trunk to fully loaded with a bike in less than 5 minutes, with just one person involved). It folds down to a compact size that's easy to keep in the trunk of the car, but it still feels very solid when set up and loaded. I've taken it on the highway, on city streets, on winding roads with potholes, and through a torrential downpour, and the bike has stayed solidly in place every time. I haven't tested it with two bikes at the same time yet, but I've put two different bikes on it (one hybrid and one gravel), and the rack's movable arm allows for a lot of flexibility for various bike styles. I also can't speak to its longevity yet, but I see no reason to worry at this point. Overall a great rack, and I'm very happy with my purchase!

For the cost, I am disappointed that I had to file down the tab on the bottom lock which secures the rack to the hitch receiver. The keyed lock does not turn after the vitically aligned tab inserts into the body of the rack. I chose this because of the compact size and light weight.

I used it to transport my one CTY e2.2 ebike about 300 miles over the weekend. It worked just fine. The real selling point for me is the incredibly small footprint it takes when removed from the car and folded up.