Thule sent us the EasyFold XT 2 for our hitch rack group test. We were immediately impressed with how easy it is to mount to the hitch, making it great for beginners. But how does the EasyFold XT 2 fare against the competition and what should you keep in mind? Read on for all the details.

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best hitch rack for eMTBs – 5 models in our group test.

Important Note: Our sister magazine DOWNTOWN has recently conducted a comparison test of the following bike rear racks. This includes a buyer’s guide, clear recommendations, and a standout winner: The best rear-mounted bike carrier – 7 models head to head in our big rear carrier group test

Thule Epos 3 (Read Test) | Uebler i21 Z-DC (Read Test) | Norauto E-FIT 200-2 (Read Test) | Atera Genio Pro Advanced (Read Test) | EuFab ProBC2 + (Read Test) | ORIS Tracc (Read Test) | Spinder TX2 Plus (Read Test)

Of all the hitch racks on test, the Thule EasyFold XT 2 was the most comfortable to carry with one hand and place on the tow hitch. If it’s positioned correctly, all you have to do is push down the lever to secure the rack. With that done, you can unfold the rails. Attaching the frame clamps to the bike is particularly easy thanks to the AcuTight knobs. They automatically limit the torque when you’re tightening them. The clamp arms are easy to use once you get the hang of it. However, we couldn’t find a way of securing the two bikes we selected. The non-adjustable spacing of the arms and the size of the clamps simply didn’t play well with our bike frames. When we asked Thule about this, they told us that the next generation will offer a more flexible system.

Thule EasyFold XT2

€ 779.95 | Manufacturer’s website

TECHNICAL DATA

Weight 17.9 kg
Load capacity 60 kg
Maximum tire width 3″, expandable to 4.7″ with the XXL wheel straps

SPECIFIC FEATURES

Suitable for carbon frames: yes, with the Thule Carbon Frame Protector (optional extra)
Maximum tipping angle: 50°
Lockable: yes

In this case, the Thule clamp arm was too short to reach the top tube of the MERIDA eONE-FORTY

The tire rails can accommodate very wide tires, though the straps supplied aren’t long enough for tires wider than 3″. If you want to go wider, you can buy the Thule XXL fat bike wheel straps as an optional extra.

Conclusion

We loved the handling of the Thule EasyFold X2. The rack makes a high quality impression and the fitting mechanism is well-thought-out. We were all the more surprised to find that the bikes we chose couldn’t be secured with the two frame clamps. We were limited by the spacing between the clamp arms and the clamps themselves. However, it worked just fine with two other bikes we had available. As such, you might need to buy additional clamps from Thule.

Tops

  • very comfortable to carry
  • easy to mount on the tow hitch

Flops

  • the clamps don't work with all eMTBs
  • price

You can find out more about at thule.com

The test field

For an overview of the test fleet head to the group test: The best hitch rack for eMTBs – 5 models in our group test.

All hitch racks in test: Atera Strada E-Bike ML (Click for review) | EAL EUFAB Premium TG (Click for review) | Thule Easyfold XT2 | Uebler i21 (Click for review) | Westfalia Bikelander Classic (Click for review)


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Words: Susanne Feddersen, Manne Schmitt Photos: Manne Schmitt, Robin Schmitt