thule tour rack

• off.road.cc
• Dealclincher
• Fantasy Cycling

Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

• Sportive and endurance bikes
• Gravel and adventure bikes
• Urban and hybrid bikes
• Touring bikes
• Cyclocross bikes
• Electric bikes
• Folding bikes
• Fixed & singlespeed bikes
• Children's bikes
• Time trial bikes
• Accessories - misc
• Computer mounts
• Bike bags & cases
• Bottle cages
• Child seats
• Lights - front
• Lights - rear
• Lights - sets
• Pumps & CO2 inflators
• Puncture kits
• Reflectives
• Smart watches
• Stands and racks
• Arm & leg warmers
• Base layers
• Gloves - full finger
• Gloves - mitts
• Jerseys - casual
• Jerseys - long sleeve
• Jerseys - short sleeve
• Shorts & 3/4s
• Tights & longs
• Bar tape & grips
• Bottom brackets
• Brake & gear cables
• Brake & STI levers
• Brake pads & spares
• Cassettes & freewheels
• Chainsets & chainrings
• Derailleurs - front
• Derailleurs - rear
• Gear levers & shifters
• Handlebars & extensions
• Inner tubes
• Quick releases & skewers
• Energy & recovery bars
• Energy & recovery drinks
• Energy & recovery gels
• Heart rate monitors
• Hydration products
• Hydration systems
• Indoor trainers
• Power measurement
• Skincare & embrocation
• Training - misc
• Cleaning products
• Lubrication
• Tools - multitools
• Tools - Portable
• Tools - workshop
• Books, Maps & DVDs
• Camping and outdoor equipment
• Gifts & misc

Thule are better known for roof racks, and in the bike world for their roof-, towball- and hatch-mounted bike carriers. They bought the design for the Pack 'n Pedal rack from New Zealand product design company Freeload and have developed a range of panniers around it, some of which we'll be reviewing over the next few weeks.

The rack is made from aluminium and glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene, assembled with stainless steel bolts. It comes with a selection of struts that should allow it to attach to virtually any bike. We used the shorter struts for a fairly standard road bike, and the medium-length ones to get the rack level on a smaller hybrid.

The very longest struts will likely work for the very low stays on some suspension mountain bikes, but we didn't try that. We'd be surprised if you can find a standard double diamond frame the Tour rack won't fit, though you might run into trouble if you're running tyres fatter than 2.5 inches wide. As this is a website mostly about road bikes, that shouldn't be a problem for most of you.

The ratchet strap attachment system works well - much better than you'd expect from looking at it. It really does provide a platform stable enough to hang up to 18kg of luggage off (25kg if you strap it on top).

To fit the rack, you thread each of the four straps through the mechanism and then tighten it up with the supplied 5mm ball-end Allen key. Thule also supplies a security release key to loosen the rack, so a passing low-life can't steal the rack. The key has an offset pin to release the ratchet mechanism, and as far as we can tell it's unique to the Pack 'n Pedal rack, so keep in somewhere safe.

The main selling point of this rack is its versatility and the only situation we found where it ran into trouble was fitting bikes with cables down the seat-stays like some cyclo-cross bikes. If that's your bike, try before you buy to make sure the cables and straps don't do battle.

The rack works best with Thule's own range of panniers. It is possible to use other panniers, but you might run into problems with the fatness of the tubes (Ortlieb), or the solid plastic platform that gets in the way of the hook release (Carradice). Thule sells a pair of side frames that allow you to use 'virtually any type of pannier' and that also have a second rail so you can mount the panniers nearer the ground for a lower center of gravity.

These will cost you another £25 on top of the £85 you've paid for the rack (£22.49 and £76.95 if you shop around). That's the same retail price as the stainless steel Tubus Cosmo. The Cosmo weighs 730g, against the 1420g of the Tour rack with side frames, and will carry twice as much. Tubus offer adapters to coax a rack on to a frame without eyelets too, though Thule's way of doing things is undeniably more elegant.

If you haven't got braze-ons, or your bike has some other awkwardness that makes fitting a regular rear rack difficult or impossible, the Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour rack is a great way to carry luggage. It's well-made, the design is clever and it's surprisingly solid on the bike.

Having said that, it might be worth thinking about why your frame doesn't have braze-ons: it might not be designed to carry loads, and you might run into issues around stability under load and heel clearance. If you do have braze-ons, the Thule rack is still a viable option, but most regular four-bolt racks will be cheaper, weigh less and will be more stable.

It's a good solution for running a rack on a bike without braze-ons, though it's expensive and heavy.

road.cc test report

Make and model: Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack

Size tested: xx

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Our racks can be fitted on virtually any kind of bike. And our bags to any kind of rack. But needless to say, using our racks with our own bags is the best solution. With their combined number of smart solutions, you will get the best, safest and most comfortable ride - no matter what you're bringing.

Patented rack attachment system works on virtually any bicycle from full suspension mountain bikes to commuters and everything in between.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

o Includes rails for mounting panniers.

o Patented attachment system secures easily.

o Works on the rear seat stays and front fork.

o Works with any type of frame material.

o Tough construction allows for variety of rugged riding uses.

o Silent and vibration free performance.

o Weight: 990 g

o Load capacity: 25 kg top/18 kg side

o Materials: Aluminium/Plastic

The aluminium and polypropylene components look well made and are assembled using stainless steel bolts.

Does the rack provide a sturdy platform that stays put and allows you to hang panniers off of it? Yes. Much better than you'd think from looking at it.

I have not had this rack for nearly long enough to comment on long-term durability through experience. Having said that, it's certainly well made and I would expect it to last you a long time, provided you keep all the bolts tightened.

There are lots of comments on the internet from people who question the durability of a 'plastic' the rack on longer tours. Mostly from people who haven't actually seen or used the rack. One review I read was from a lady who had used a Sport on the front and a Tour on the back for 5 months through the Andes and had no problems.

You don't get much change from a kilo, more than 150 grams heavier than the standard Blackburn EX2 (and twice as expensive). If you want to use non-Thule panniers, you'll need the sideframes which add another 430 grams.

Nothing particularly comfortable or uncomfortable about it.

At £85 RRP (£10 discounts can be found online), twice as expensive as the Blackburn EX2. About a tenner cheaper than the Tubus Logo rack. Significantly heavier than both, but more versatile. Bear in mind you'll more than likely need the optional sideframes (another £25) if you want to use non Thule Pack 'n Pedal panniers.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

It's a luggage rack and it does the things a luggage rack does. However, it's a shame there isn't a mounting point for a rear light and the full plastic platform construction on the top can make it difficult to release certain panniers. The Carradice C-hook system proved troublesome for me. The struts have a large diameter which rules out certain panniers, like the Ortlieb classic front pannier for example. The optional side frame (£25 RRP) may well sort some of these problems out - we're testing a set at the moment.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I was pleasantly surprised how well it works.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Although it's billed to work with any pannier, that's not really the case without the sideframes.

Did you enjoy using the product? It worked well enough, but I didn't enjoy using it more or less than any other rack I've used.

Would you consider buying the product? No. Having used it, I'll go back to using a traditional rack. If I wanted to fit a rack to my mountain bike (which doesn't have braze-ons) though, I would definitely consider it.

Would you recommend the product to a friend? If they need to put a rack on a bike without the necessary braze-ons, then yes.

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

The rack works better than you'd expect from looking at it, but works best with the Pack 'n Pedal panniers. Try before you buy if you plan to use your own.

Overall rating: 7 /10

About the tester

Age: 36   Height: 1.78m   Weight: 76kg

I usually ride: All of them!   My best bike is: Cannondale CAAD10

I've been riding for: Over 20 years   I ride: Every day   I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: cyclo cross, commuting, touring, mtb,

Help us to fund our site

We’ve noticed you’re using an ad blocker. If you like road.cc, but you don’t like ads, please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly. As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free, from as little as £1.99. 

If you don’t want to subscribe, please turn your ad blocker off. The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site.

Help us to bring you the best cycling content

If you’ve enjoyed this article, then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99. Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist, independent reviews, impartial buying advice and more. Your subscription will help us to do more.

Add new comment

Here is the Thule pack and pedal pannier/rack system on a Cannondale 2014 CAAD8 105.

I am very surprised at the result. It took me hours of figuring out the ratchet system. But I sorted out the ratchet system it is and proves to be a very strong rack. The rubber oval cleat cushions the rack against your seat stays and this also prevents slippage. It is a good product and very clever.

image_1021.jpg

• Log in or register to post comments

I have tested myself this bike rack and I think that this 85 pounds is too much for what it offers. It looks good, the brand is there but lacks in enginering quality, bike racks priced so high shouldnt slip on the frame.

I experienced slippage also until I realised I wasn't mounting it properly. The oval rubbers are placed between the seat stays and the rack. The straps are fitted as follows. The instructions are not clear so it takes some working out.

1. Work out where the rack is best suited 2. Prepare oval ring and short end of strap to fit between the frame and the rachet system. 3. Once the ratchet system is resting on the oval rubber wrap the strap around the frame and then under the ratchet mechanism. 4. Take the rest of the strap and feed it through the ratchet system. 5. Use the hex key provided to tighten it. As you tighten it the long strap finds around the fitting and becomes shorter.

I struggled initially and took me hours to figure it out. If you need help don't ring Thule write to me and I offer you assistance.

image_1020.jpg

The problem with the Ortliebs I tried was that, without the side panels, the aluminium tube is too fat for the Ortlieb lower hook to go around it.

With the side panels (which I didn't have to test) I expect it's no problem at all.

Before I read the comment from bazzargh, I thought I had seen that before: http://innercitymobility.blogspot.de/2012/01/carrier-for-race-bike-free-...

Currently I use it on a steel frame but still use the textile tape as anti-slip.

I've got a set of these from Freeload (the NZ company who came up with them, before Thule bought them out) Couple more points:

- The front rack will not fit on a bike with canti brakes - the wire yoke of the brake will get in the way. Probably a consideration for anything other than discs, really

- unusual rear stay designs can also be a problem; if you don't have straight stays, you might not have a section to fit this on

- you should have a shake out ride before you set off; it's quite easy to have these set too loose, particularly if the straps get wet. Bring a ball-ended hex key, large enough to get some leverage. (ie not your multitool)

- my ortliebs fit this fine, not sure what the problem is there? (but yes you need the side panels for panniers)

- What I mainly use them for is bikepacking, ie light mtb touring offroad; I wasn't using panniers, but had strapped drybags on these front and rear. Rock solid, plenty of places to attach straps to. Weight not really an issue, my bags are much heavier than the racks.

oh dear, I have a few Thule products which, although not cheap, have proved their worth. But honestly, in excess of £100 for a rack setup on a bike not designed to carry those loads? Sounds like a failed entry from The Apprentice.

Latest Comments

It's because the police are under-funded. It's easier for them to pass the driver off to a third party course provider. I agree that both would be...

I think I have just been lucky. I have bought a great .many thingss on eBay. Amongst them and bigger items have included two Carlton steel bicycles...

Mark Twain had it right. "Get a bicycle. You will not regret it, if you live."...

The answer to your (clickbait) headline is no.

Do the UK’s political parties care about cycling and active travel? ...

Well, we don't even have a TV, so doubly screwed. More concerned about WSB and BSB as coverage of those was excellent. Guess I'll be using uchoob...

It's a road belonging to the Crown Estate, which manages property which belongs neither to the monarch's private estate nor to the government. The...

Or hope that the council thinks twice about pursuing it and rescinds it.

Talking of Exeter, I'm sure there will be many a disability / access campaigner who will be concerned to read this article:...

Um, in the article above?

Related Reviews

Blackburn Central Seatpost Rear Rack

High quality, tough, well made and with a lifetime guarantee – but quite expensive for what it is

Topeak MTX Beam Rack E Type

Good easy-to-fit option that opens up more adventurous riding to people who can't fit standard racks

Seido Stage front rack

Great front rack for both urban and off-road riding, easy to fit if but does require fork mounts.

SKS Infinity Universal MIK Luggage Rack

Excellent universal rack that fits almost every frame and carries bags securely and quietly, but not rated for carbon frames

• Sports & Outdoors
• Accessories
• Bike Pack Accessories

Image Unavailable

• To view this video download Flash Player

Thule Pack 'n Pedal Tour Rack

Customers who bought this item also bought.

Product Description

thule tour rack 2016 it has been designed for those urban and leisure use. designed to fit perfectly with the thule saddlebags with side rails adjustable and flat roof. with a flexible system, tour rack fits most bikes and can be assembled and disassembled easily both in the front and at the rear of the bike. it has been manufactured to be compatible with any model of bag and systems of fastening and securing of other saddlebags. compatible with saddle bags, backpacks, bags, tents, among others. it has a sturdy construction able to support up to 25 kilos in weight. features:-urban and leisure use. -slots for straps of bags or packages. -they fit perfectly with saddlebags, thule. -adjustable side rails and flat roof. -maros side to attach saddlebags (accessory thule, sold separately). -flexible system that conforms to the majority of bicycles. -assembly and disassembly easy and comfortable. -fits in the front and back part of the bike, simply by changing the steel struts. -compatible with any model of bag, although it is designed for saddlebags thule. -compatible with systems of fastening and securing of other saddlebags. -sturdy construction able to support up to 25 kilos in weight. -silent and vibration-free. compatible with:-stands side thule.

Product information

Technical details, additional information, looking for specific info, customer reviews.

Our goal is to make sure every review is trustworthy and useful. That's why we use both technology and human investigators to block fake reviews before customers ever see them.  Learn more

We block Amazon accounts that violate our community guidelines. We also block sellers who buy reviews and take legal actions against parties who provide these reviews.  Learn how to report

No customer reviews

• Amazon Newsletter
• About Amazon
• Accessibility
• Sustainability
• Press Center
• Investor Relations
• Amazon Devices
• Amazon Science
• Sell on Amazon
• Sell apps on Amazon
• Supply to Amazon
• Protect & Build Your Brand
• Become an Affiliate
• Become a Delivery Driver
• Start a Package Delivery Business
• Advertise Your Products
• Self-Publish with Us
• Become an Amazon Hub Partner
• › See More Ways to Make Money
• Amazon Visa
• Amazon Store Card
• Amazon Secured Card
• Amazon Business Card
• Shop with Points
• Credit Card Marketplace
• Reload Your Balance
• Amazon Currency Converter
• Your Account
• Your Orders
• Shipping Rates & Policies
• Amazon Prime
• Returns & Replacements
• Manage Your Content and Devices
• Recalls and Product Safety Alerts
• Conditions of Use
• Privacy Notice
• Consumer Health Data Privacy Disclosure
• Your Ads Privacy Choices