Best Roof Bike Racks by Thule | ProRide, UpRide, FastRide & TopRide
Are you considering a roof bike rack for your SUV, Car, or Truck? If you want to make the most out of the space on the roof of your car, you don’t have a hitch receiver or you want to haul other cargo on the hitch, then a roof mount rack can be a good option. This article will compare four roof racks from Thule and rate them based on R score values.
Check out other hitchless bike racks for SUVs.
Which Thule roof mount bike rack is suitable for you?
Most roof racks for bikes attach to the top of the car with the help of roof rails while a few attach by suction cups. Some vehicles such as SUVs come with factory-installed roof rails but do not have crossbars. Crossbars are the bars running sideways that attach to roof rails and these are required for the attachment of some roof mount bike racks. If your vehicle lacks roof rails or crossbars, you can buy them separately.
Roof mount racks are available in three types i.e., fork mount, frame mount, and wheel mount. The fork mount bike rack is attached to the fork of the bike after removing the front wheel. This keeps the bike stable and is recommended for carbon bikes. Frame mount bike racks attach to the frame of the bike but it can be a bit difficult to load and unload a bike from it. Whereas the wheel-mount bike racks grip the wheel and are not very stable.
These racks have the advantage that they do not interfere with the opening of the tailgate. They are more secure for the bikes as compared to other bike racks and you can use the rearview sight easily. But there are also some problems with using roof bike racks. Since the bikes stand upright on the top of the car, there might be some noise and load on the engine due to wind resistance.
R Score (The Rack Score)
We understand how choosing the perfect bike rack for your bike and vehicle can be difficult. To make it easier, we have created a way to score bike racks based on their features, aesthetics, capacity, security, brand value, customer satisfaction, and value for money. Here we will score all these categories from 1 to 10 for the four Thule bike racks so you can make the decision easily.
| ProRide | UpRide | FastRide | TopRide | |
| Features | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
| Value for money | Pricing | 8 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Customer Satisfaction | 8 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
| Brand Value | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Aesthetics (Design and appearance) | 9 | 7 | 8 | 8 |
| Security | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Capacity | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Weighted Rack Score (Weighted) | 8.15 | 7.8 | 8.45 | 8.85 |
ProRide XT Thule Roof Rack for 1 bike
ProRide XT | Amazon’s Choice
If your car lacks a hitch receiver, this Amazon’s choice roof rack can be a good option. The rack is quite simple to attach, prevents damage to the bike because of soft claw pads, and automatically adjusts the bike once it is secured. Like all roof racks, it makes loading the bike a bit difficult and two security locks have to be bought separately.
- Pros: Quality, Design
- Cons: Capacity
The Thule ProRide XT is compactly designed and weighs 11 pounds. The rack can carry a bike weighing up to 44 pounds. It is a wheel mount bike rack along with straps that keep the bike upright. The wheel holders are gripped in a position by diagonal straps. The good thing about it is that as soon as you secure the bike in the bike rack, the wheel tray and frame holder adjust. You can also move the carrier across the vehicle. It is suitable for bikes with tires up to 3 inches but if you own a bike with a wider tire (up to 5 inches) such as a fat bike, then you can purchase a fat bike adapter separately. The rack is also compatible with thru-axle bikes. As far as security is concerned, this bike rack requires two locks, one to lock the rack on the car and the second to lock the bike on the rack.
R score:
- Features: As this Thule roof mount rack adjusts the wheel tray and frame holder automatically, is compatible with thru-axle bikes, and allows one to move to the left or right side of the vehicle it gets an R score of 8.
- Value of money: The ProRide XT Thule roof bike rack is priced at around $200. This price is consistent with other bike racks from Thule accommodating a single bike. Thus, it gets an R score of 8.
- Aesthetics: The ProRide XT is compactly built. It is made of aluminum and is available in black color.
- Customer satisfaction: We value the response from customers while rating bike racks. The bike rack has an Amazon rating of 4.4 out of 5 with 68% of buyers with 5 stars and 165 global ratings. ProRide gets an R score of 8 for customer satisfaction.
- Brand value: Thule is one of the leading brands manufacturing bike racks. They have a range of high-quality sustainable products. Thule has intense testing criteria for its products and only brings out the best in its customers. (R score 9)
- Security: ProRide has a reliable security system with two locks, one to lock the rack on the car and the second to lock the bike on the rack. These locks have to be bought separately.
- Capacity: Since it is a roof bike, it can accommodate only one bike. You can use it for a bike weighing up to 44 pounds. It gets an R score of 7.
UpRide Thule Roof Bike Rack
Thule UpRide
This strap-style rack works for a range of bike types such as carbon frame bikes, bikes with bottle cages, and rear suspension. The rack prevents any frame contact and keeps the bike safe and secure in a position. But the bikes rock around a little in this rack and it is expensive.
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- Pros: Quality
- Cons: Price
The Thule UpRide weighs 18.5 pounds and can carry a load of 44 pounds. This bike rack fits 20 to 29 inches wheel bikes that have tires up to 3 inches wide. You can buy a fat bike adapter to fit a bike with tires of up to 5 inches. It is a strap bike rack with no frame contact because of the hook that keeps the front tire in one position. It is very easy to use and can be switched from one side of the car to the other. It can be used for many bikes even for non-traditional ones, bikes with rear suspension, carbon frames, bottle cages, etc.
R score:
- Features: Since it can be used for non-traditional bikes and has no frame contact, we give it an R score of 8.
- Value of money: Priced around $300, the UpRide Thule roof bike rack is expensive for only one bike. Thus, it gets an R score value of 7.
- Aesthetics: This bike rack is also made of aluminum but has a heavy look for which it gets an R score of 7.
- Customer satisfaction: With a rating of 4.5 out of 5 and 73% of users giving 5 stars, we give an R score of 8.
- Brand value: Thule is one of the leading brands manufacturing bike racks. They have a range of high-quality sustainable products. Thule has intense testing criteria for its products and only brings out the best for its customers. Thus, we give it an R score of 9.
- Security: UpRide has a reliable security system with two locks, one to lock the rack on the car and the second to lock the bike on the rack. These locks have to be bought separately.
- Capacity: Since it is a roof bike, it can accommodate only one bike. You can use it for a bike weighing up to 44 pounds. It gets an R score of 7.
Thule Roof Mount FastRide Bike Rack
FastRide | Roof Rack
This bike rack makes the mounting of the bike super easy for the user. The fork-style rack is carbon frame and disc brake compatible. The only downside is that the user has to remove the front wheel of the bike and the rack is a bit expensive.
- Pros: Quality, CSat
- Cons: Price
FastRide Roof Mount Rack is also a strap roof mount bike rack that weighs 7.3 pounds and can carry bikes weighing up to 40 pounds. This bike rack can accommodate tires up to 3 inches wide and fits on to 9mm quick release. This bike rack makes the users’ life easier by notifying the safe mounting of the bike through the Thule AcuTight torque limiter. This knob clicks when the optimal torque for mounting is achieved. It is also very easy to use and you can shift it between the left and right sides of the vehicle.
R score:
- Features: This bike rack has features such as easy fork mounting for expensive bikes and an AcuTight torque limiter knob. This gets it an R score of 9.
- Value of money: FastRide is priced at around $230. Considering the features offered, it is not overpriced. But adapters have to be bought separately if you have a thru-axle bike.
- Aesthetics: The bike rack is durable and light in weight, made of aluminum with a very fine look.
- Customer satisfaction: With 25 global ratings, 77% of customers have given 5 stars to the FastRide Thule roof bike rack with an overall rating of 4.7 out of 5. Thus, we give an R score of 9.
- Brand value: Thule is one of the leading brands manufacturing bike racks. They have a range of high-quality sustainable products. Thule has intense testing criteria for its products and only brings out the best for its customers. Thus, we give it an R score of 9.
- Security: FastRide has a reliable security system with two locks, one to lock the rack on the car and the second to lock the bike on the rack. These locks have to be bought separately.
- Capacity: Since it is a roof bike, it can accommodate only one bike. You can use it for a bike weighing up to 44 pounds. It gets an R score of 7.
Thule TopRide Roof Mount Rack
Thule TopRide Roof Mount Rack
This easy-to-install bike rack is compatible with both quick-release and thru-axle bikes. It has release levers and a quick-mount indicator that makes loading and unloading the bike easier than other roof racks. The only downside is that the locks are not included and the front wheel of the bike has to be removed.
- Pros: Price, CSat
TopRide Thule Roof Bike Rack is a fork-mount bike carrier that is suitable for both, quick-release and thru-axle bikes. The majority of thru-axle and 9mm quick-release bikes can fit into it via axle adapter. First, the adapter is attached to the bike, and then it is slid into the rack. The rear wheel is kept in place by adjustable straps made of good-quality plastic. Like Thule FastRide, TopRide also has an advanced mounting system incorporated with Thule AcuTight torque limiter knobs. Apart from that, the locking system on the front has a visual cue, green light that means that the bike is locked in the rack. The rack weighs 7.7 pounds and is fairly easy to install on both i.e., right or left, sides of the car. This rack has compatibility with carbon frame bikes and even with bikes having disc brakes.
R score
- Features: TopRide has several advanced features that make it stand out. It is compatible with both quick-release and thru-axle bikes and has a better mounting system ad lock system. This gives it a score of 9.
- Value of money: This Thule roof bike rack is priced around $230 which is reasonable considering the many features. It gets an R score of 9.
- Aesthetics: It is a lightweight versatile design bike rack with a powder coat finish.
- Customer satisfaction: TopRide has an Amazon rating of 4.9 out of 5. This Amazon’s Choice product has high customer satisfaction with 90% giving 5 stars.
- Brand value: Thule is one of the leading brands manufacturing bike racks. They have a range of high-quality sustainable products. Thule has intense testing criteria for its products and only brings out the best in its customers. (R score 9)
- Security: TopRide has a good security system with two locks, one to lock the rack on the car and the second to lock the bike on the rack. These locks have to be bought separately. Apart from that, there is a visual confirmation once the bike is locked into the rack.
- Capacity: It can accommodate only one bike. You can use it for a bike weighing up to 44 pounds. It gets an R score of 7. In case you want to carry a lot of bikes, consider a vertical hitch bike rack
Thule WS2 Wheel Strap
If you are looking for wheel straps to secure your bike on an old version of the Thule roof bike rack, you should check out the Thule bike rack parts for the WS2 wheel strap. This product can be purchased at $35, and the package includes two straps. Since only one is required for fastening through the rear wheel, you will have an extra in case one of them wears out. The straps were designed the times when fat bikes were not very common. So, they only fit tires that are 2.6” wide or lesser. These straps are compatible with Thule V2 Recumbent, Thule Sidearm, Thule Velo Vise, Thule Echelon, Thule Big Mouth, Thule Peloton, and other racks that have been discontinued now. If you want to get them for the newer models, just know that the strap is 8.5 inches long and if that suits your specific requirement, then you can go for it. These straps also have a buckle and a tightening mechanism that makes them easy to install. The best way to install it is to adjust it so that the thinner portion faces towards the tire, for greater protection to the rim.
- Pros: Easy to use
- Cons: Cannot use with fat bikes
FAQS on Thule Bike Rack Roof
How to install Thule bike rack roof?
Thule roof mount racks are quite easy to install. Firstly, make sure that your vehicle can carry the weight of your bike. Roof mount racks come with a few variations and each has a slightly different installation procedure. Thule has a good security feature for its bike racks, requiring a lock to install the rack on the car’s roof. Review the below video which explains shows step by step how to install the rack on the roof rails and also how to put the bike on the roof rack.
How to put a bike on a Thule roof rack?
Mounting a bike on Thule roof racks is simple and does not require any extra tools. If you have a fork-style roof rack, remove the wheel and then mount the bike on the roof. The rack will automatically adjust the bike so it is secured in a position. A torque limiter knob will confirm if the bike is mounted correctly.
How to put a bike into the Thule sidearm roof rack?
Sidearm can accommodate many different types of bikes. Firstly, open the front arm of the Thule sidearm roof rack, pick up the bike and place the rear tire on the wheel tray, raise the ratcheting arm and adjust it on the front tire. This will secure the front wheel of the bike. Then tighten the strap on the rear wheel. You can also lock the bike into the rack, and the rack onto the roof rail.
How to lock your bike on a roof rack Thule?
After successfully mounting the bike onto the roof rack, it can be locked for preventing any theft. The locks are easy to use. Thule sells separate locks for locking the bike to the bike rack and the bike rack to the roof rails.
How to remove the Thule roof bike rack?
Removing the Thule rack is a very simple two-step procedure. First, you have to turn the flip levers, one on the front and the other on the back rail. Then turn the swing away end caps, this will allow you to slide the rack off of the roof rails.
What do I need to buy for a complete Thule roof bike rack?
For installing a Thule rack on the roof of a car, you need to get roof rails. Some cars such as SUVs already have roof rails or crossbars. Once you have bought the roof rails get them fixed on the roof of your car and buy the roof rack that perfectly suits your bike. If you have a thru-axle bike you might need an adapter for it unless you buy a bike rack that does not need one, such as the Thule TopRide. You will also need to buy two locks for a complete roof rack.
In case you want to consider other types of bike racks which do not require roof rails, consider hitch or trunk bike racks. Truck bed bike rack if you own a truck
