Thule T2 Classic Hitch Mounted Bike Rack Review

Last Updated on July 5, 2021

If you are looking for a hitch mount rack for your mountain bikes, then look no further than the Thule T2 Classic bike carrier. Setup, stability, versatility, ease of use, and good quality build, it ticks all the right boxes. You can carry different types of bikes of different sizes on this rack for years and you won’t be disappointed. The reasonable price tag is just the cherry on top.

Pros

• Lateral width is adjustable
• You can fold it up very close to the vehicle to save space while not using
• Fits both thin and fat-tire bikes
• You can extend the bike carrying capacity with an additional bike add-on (sold separately)
• Easy to load and unload
• Reasonably priced hitch bike rack

Cons

• The tilt lever located at the base of the rack makes the tilting process difficult
• The locks you can use on the ratcheting arms is not included so you have to buy them separately

Thule T2 Classic Bike Rack Review At A Glance

Thule T2 Classic is the predecessor of the T2 Pro XTR which is another masterpiece from Thule. The T2 Classic comes with almost all the features that we can expect from a quality rack. As nothing is one hundred percent perfect, this one also has some minor lacking.

Thule T2 Classic can generally carry 2 bikes. It doesn’t matter if it’s a mountain bike, road bike, or e-bike you have, as long as their wheels are in between 20 to 29” range, you can mount them on. Plus, this rack fits with fat tire bikes up to 5” without adapters.

The ratcheting arm of this rack is frame-free, it ensures that the frame of the bikes doesn’t come in contact. There will be a handsome amount of space between the bikes.

This rack comes in 2 versions according to the supported hitch receiver size. One fits with a 2” receiver hitch and the other one fits with a 1.25” receiver hitch. They also vary in price.

Let’s give you a detailed review of this rack now so that all the possible question you have in mind right now vanishes. We will point out the upsides and downsides of this product that we found noteworthy.

Thule T2 Classic Bike Carrier Review

We will only discuss the key points that make a rack worth our time and money. Here we go.

What We Like

1# Easy Setup

In comparison to the other racks in this section, we found that the Thule T2 Classic needs one extra step in the installation process. Since the T2 Classic uses a double hinge folding mechanism, the way it’s assembled for shipment requires a small amount of unpacking until it’s ready to use.

The instructions are simple to follow, and once that’s completed, the rest of the setup is fairly basic. To assemble the package, you’ll need four tools, 3 of which are provided, and just a flathead screwdriver. Although the directions later call for a ½” socket wrench, although the included closed wrench will suffice.

Thule recommends inserting the rack backbone onto the vehicle when assembling, that way it will be easier to work as it will stay above the ground.

2# Stability

The T2 comes with either a 2” or 1.25” hitch. If more flexibility is needed, a spacer sleeve for the 1.25” model can be purchased separately to allow this rack to be shared with a 2” hitch receiver.

If the threaded pin isn’t fully tightened down, the spacer causes a slight wobble at the hitch. Even so, you can fix the wobble with a little up/down which is allowed with this traditional hitch pin tightening method. The pivot arm, which is double hinged, is very stable and does not wobble.

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3# Easy To Use

We found it very easy to mount and unmount bikes in this rack. The T2 release lever is located at the front of the rack (closest to the vehicle). The T2 Classic’s rear-wheel strap can be mounted in two positions: one provides enough length for road and mountain bike tires, and the other provides the length needed for fat tires.

4# Versatility

Up to four bikes can be carried in the 2” edition. You just have to purchase the T2 bike add-on which is not included with the package. To clear seat interference and handlebar, the bike trays themselves can be shifted a few inches forward/backward and left/right. To transport fat bike tires up to 5 inches wide, no adaptors are needed.

5# Features

The double hinge folding mechanism on the T2 is a standout feature, bringing the rack the nearest to the vehicle when stowed. Then you can just tilt it away from the vehicle to access the rear hatch.

The rack locks itself to the vehicle using the SnugTite Lock installed in the rack to make it secure.

What We Don’t Like

There is a spot to use locks on the ratcheting arms to make the stand of the bikes more secure on the rack. That’s not the bad part though. The bad part is that Thule doesn’t provide the lock with the rack. We will have to spend some more bucks to buy that. That’s really disappointing.

Verdict

The relatively minor complaints aside, if you need a solid hitch-mounted 2-bike rack, then Thule T2 Classic is a nice and viable option. You can carry different types of bikes of different sizes on this rack for years and you won’t be disappointed. If you don’t need a bigger rack, just buy this one and relax.