Bike racks can be a pain to live with. Many are too heavy to carry down the stairs and too bulky to store without getting in the way. The OutPace is light enough to carry like a suitcase and compact enough to tuck in a closet, trunk, or on a shelf.
If you live in the city, it can feel like you're stuck riding the same streets every weekend. You'd love to get out of town and hit some real trails, but carrying a heavy rack up and down the stairs? That isn't happening. The Thule OutPace weighs about half of what most platform racks do, so getting it to your car doesn't turn into a workout on its own. It also folds up small, so carrying it feels more like toting a suitcase than lugging around a full-size rack. That makes a big difference when you live in a building without an elevator or if you just don't have a straight shot from your door to the car.
That same folding design comes in handy when the ride's over. The trays tuck in and the shank folds up, so the rack can stand upright on its own. It's compact enough to store in an apartment or any tight living space, unlike the big, bulky racks that are always in the way when you're not using them. You can tuck this one into a closet, set it on a shelf in your garage, or just slide it up against the wall where it won't become an instant tripping hazard. You can even stow it in your trunk while you run through a carwash and still have plenty of room left for a grocery run.
The arms pivot to match the angle and position of your bikes' frames, so you don't have to shift things around just to get the clamps lined up. It doesn't matter if one's a step-through and the other's a mountain bike, your bikes load without any trial-and-error positioning. The trays are even staggered, so the handlebars don't smash into each other. Your bikes lock down tight, and you can rest assured they'll stay that way until you unload.
Grabbing gear from the trunk doesn't have to mean unloading all your bikes. You can tilt the OutPace away from your vehicle by pulling the release cable and gently lowering it down with the built-in handle. Need snacks? A jacket? No problem. Grab what you need and get back on the road. And when the bikes aren't loaded, the rack folds up against your vehicle. This takes up less space, so you can keep the rack on your vehicle to park in your garage.
Some platform racks make you line up the shank just right, thread in a long bolt, then tighten it down with a wrench. It's not hard, but it can get old fast, especially if you're taking the rack on and off a lot. The OutPace still needs to be lined up, but it uses a locking hand lever to secure the rack in your hitch, so you don't need any tools or hardware. Just crank it down, lock it up, and roll out while everyone else is still digging through their toolbox.
The bike rack is very light and excellent quality—perfect for light road bikes. Unfortunately, I’m unable to fold it upwards on my 2023 Mitsubishi Outlander. Make sure to measure your vehicle’s clearances carefully to confirm it will fit.
Note: Filtering by vehicle on etrailer’s website does not guarantee compatibility. Also, be aware that etrailer may deduct 20% from your refund if they determine the rack was installed or used. I installed to test clearance and reboxed mine, so we’ll see if the 20% is applied.
Hopefully this helps others. It’s a shame, as the rack itself is a great option if it fits your vehicle.
Hey, it’s Evangeline here at etrailer and I got to try out the new Thule OutPace during a Thule demo day here at the shop. We threw it on the back of my car, and honestly? I could see this becoming part of my weekend routine.
Picture this: You’ve just finished work, the weather’s perfect, and your friend texts, “Let’s hit the trail.” You grab your bike, pull the OutPace out of your trunk, pop it into your hitch receiver, and you’re loaded up in minutes. That’s what stood out to me, it’s so compact and lightweight, I didn’t have to wrestle it into place or do that awkward “is-this-thing-lined-up” hitch dance.
At just 28.5 pounds, I could lift it with one hand. When you're not using it, it folds flat and stands on its own, which is so helpful if you live in an apartment or just don’t want a bike rack living on your car full time.
Mounting bikes was quick and secure using frame-mounted arms with ratcheting straps. And here’s something cool—it shares a lot of its DNA with the Thule OutPost. The design is simplified and repositioned a bit for more casual cyclists like me, but the quality is still there. It can hold bikes up to 55 lbs each, so even some e-bikes are compatible. It’s honestly a lightweight rack with a heavy-duty rating, which you don’t often see in racks this compact.
Calling all Weekend trail seekers, this rack’s for you. At just 29 lbs, it’s light enough to carry solo up to your campsite or trailhead.
Sometimes I like to go riding with my church friends on the weekend and I don't want to deal with a heavy bike rack. This rack is perfect for those impromptu trips with your girls.
I have a lightweight mountain bike but if you’re riding an e-bike you can still use this rack. The OutPace supports up to 55 lb per bike, which handles most e-bikes comfortably. Plus, its independent, pivoting arms fit well on bikes with slanted frame tubes like mine.
Do you have a question about this Hitch Bike Rack?
Condition: Like New
Notes: May have damaged packaging or minor cosmetic blemishes.
Condition: Surface Scratches
Notes: There are scratches on the product. Otherwise, new and unused.
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