This spring, Thule set me up with their Verse hitch rack to test, and after plenty of use and a fair bit of mileage, it has proved itself with basically no functional issues whatsoever.
After a few road trips and months of regular use, Thule’s new Verse hitch rack has made everything easy, including assembly, installation, and loading and securing bikes. The rack will sway a bit with bikes loaded, but it holds the hitch and your bikes securely. See how it compares to the competition in our guide to the best hitch bike racks.
- MSRP: $1,000
- Number of Bikes: 2 (up to 4 with add-on)
- Receiver Sizes: 1.25" and 2"
- Rack Weight: 58 lbs.
- Per Bike Weight Capacity: 2": 60 lbs., 1.25": 55 lbs.
- Max. Wheelbase: 53" or 1,350 mm
- Max. Tire Width: 5"
- Wheel Size Compatibility: 20 to 29"
- Security: Locking anti-wobble cam and 12 mm steel cable lock
Pros
- Super easy to use
- Easily and highly adjustable
- Very stable on vehicle in 2" size
- Secure bike hold
- Sturdy cable lock
- Improved front wheel hook design
Cons
- 55 pound (1.25" size) per bike limit excludes some heavier e-bikes
- Plastic parts may present eventual durability issues
- Expensive
- 1.25" wobbles slightly on vehicle
Assembly
Assembling the Verse rack was a pretty easy job. From start to finish, it took me just over an hour, and I wasn’t rushing while assembling a rack that will carry my precious bikes! I was able to do the job without ever needing a third hand, so you can do it alone.
The instructions are clear, but look closely at them. Thule provides images only, no words, but as long as you’re careful with the left and right side pieces, the instructions are easy to follow. The only tools you’ll need are an Allen key and two plastic clips, both of which are included. Kudos to Thule for providing a ball head Allen key that makes installing the bolts easier.
The hardest part of assembling the rack was pounding the end caps onto the bike trays. They’re a very tight fit, so I used a mallet to tap them into place. Even then, I wasn’t able to get two of them fully into position. The plastic tabs that secure two of the end caps will not click into their slots, but the caps are so snug they have not budged since installation.
The wedge mechanism that tightens the rack inside your hitch is easy to understand and use. Once snug, the ratcheting handle is locked into place, securing the rack to your vehicle. The hitch pin is attached to the rack, and it simply swings closed to secure the rack to your hitch.
Bike Repair Holder
On another day, I installed the Bike Repair Holder. This accessory allows you to hang your bike on the back of the Verse rack, leaving the wheels free to spin for cleaning and maintenance. The repair holder attaches to the rear front wheel arm and flips up when needed. When not in use, the repair holder folds down and sits fairly neatly against the rack. It only protrudes beyond the rack by a few inches.
Including reading the instructions, I had installed the Bike Repair Holder in 20 minutes. It’s a very easy job, and the only tool you need that Thule doesn’t supply is a flathead screwdriver (or similar device) to push in three plastic tabs on a piece of housing.
Operation
I found it very easy to load bikes onto the Verse. You don’t have to lean too far to get the inside bike in place, and you don’t have to lift the bike very high. I’m not a huge guy, and even a full-power eMTB would not be difficult for me to lift onto this rack.
Thule has made it quick and easy to load and secure bikes. Assuming you don’t have to move any parts to avoid contact with a second bike, it takes less than 30 seconds to secure a bike to this rack. You just put the front wheel in place, lift and snug up the front wheel arm on your tire, and strap in the rear wheel. The rack fits wheels from 20-29” in diameter, and tires up to 5” wide. Its maximum wheelbase capacity is 53.14”.
I adjusted one of the front wheel holders a bit, and didn’t even touch the other. My Knolly Chilcotin MTB and a Rocky Mountain Instinct Powerplay SL eMTB fit with no interference at all. There was room to spare between the bikes, so nothing would make contact. On another trip, I had to lower the seat on my commuter bike so it would fit without touching my Knolly’s handlebars, but that’s the only adjustment I’ve had to make.
If you have to adjust the front wheel holders, it’s easy to do – they ratchet along the trays with the push of a button. The front wheel arms are easy to use, and folding the rack up and down is simple. I don’t find the rack too heavy to lift upwards with one hand.
The included lock cable is easily long enough to loop through two frames, which is great. Also, with my car, I can still open the trunk fully with bikes on the rack.
Visibility
Also on my car, the Verse didn’t hinder rear visibility much at all. With the rack folded up, I can just barely see it in my rear view mirror. Even with the Bike Repair Holder installed, it only sticks up a few inches above my trunk.
With bikes loaded, they sit high enough to interfere with at least half your view, but it’s not hard to see what’s happening behind you. You can definitely see well enough, even through two frames.
Stability/Security
I’ve never owned a hitch rack until now, so I had to get used to seeing my bikes sway a little bit on the rack. Even with one bike, you will see the rack moving around from the wind or bumpy roads, but I quickly realized this is normal and nothing to worry about. It’s not that the rack is moving around inside the hitch; it’s just moving with your vehicle. Also, I should note I’m using a 1 ¼” hitch, and 2″ versions are almost always more stable. One of our other editors has the Verse in the 2″ size, and he says it is super stable and wobble-free.
The most weight I’ve put on the Verse was my Knolly (36lbs) and the RMB Instinct Powerplay SL eMTB (45lbs). The rack definitely sways around with this much weight (that’s still well within its 55lbs per tray limit), but it never loosened up in the hitch at all. The front wheel arms and rear wheel straps have both performed perfectly as well, holding nice and tight.
I’ve now used the Verse plenty of times over the summer, including a 12-hour round trip with the Instinct Powerplay SL eMTB, a 4-hour round trip with two bikes, and several shorter drives. On my big road trip, the rack endured roughly paved mountain highways, a dozen construction zones with washboard gravel sections, and high elevation highways exposed to strong winds. The rack performed perfectly all along – I’ve checked but never found the hitch loosening up, and every bike I hauled stayed perfectly secure.
Durability
Over the summer, the Verse rack has spent at least two months on the back of my car. There is no damage or wear and tear to report. Everything works perfectly, nothing has broken, and the hitch stays tight!
Accessories – Bike Repair Holder
The repair holder has held up perfectly fine, it’s easy to operate, and I’ve had no mechanical issues with it. However, I did find one problem with the repair holder: On my car, it’s not tall enough to hold up an MTB with the dropper post raised. With both the Rocky Mountain eMTB and my Knolly, the front wheel rests on the ground. This partly defeats the purpose of the holder, which should allow you to spin both wheels for cleaning or maintenance.
With the dropper posts lowered the front wheels did clear the ground, but I’d prefer not to hang my bike from a lowered dropper post. My car rides at a pretty normal car height, so perhaps an SUV would sit high enough for the repair holder to keep your wheels spinning.
Transport Wheels
Thule’s Transport Wheels are another handy accessory for the Verse rack. The wheels can be easily attached to the rack, so you can roll it to a storage area rather than having to carry it. This rack is not lightweight, so the wheels are a nice add-on for those who expect to remove and install the rack often.
With the rack in its vertical position, the Transport Wheels simply clip into two slots near the bottom of its pivot. While the wheels are small, I was pleased to find they rolled across my lawn well enough to still be helpful. The wheels are not very far apart, so you do have to keep the rack from tipping side-to-side, but this is still much easier than carrying it! Thule even thought of a way to stash the wheels on the rack – You can clip the Transport Wheels to the inside of the rack’s mast, where they just ride along with you, tucked neatly out of the way.
MSRP for the Thule Verse hitch rack is $999.95. The Bike Repair Holder sells for $99.95, and the Transport Wheels retail for $49.95.
