Thule Epos 3 review

Telescopic arms, integrated tail lights and a licence plate holder, on a rack that folds flat.

The verdict: The Epos 3 is a three bike hitch rack with integrated lights and a licence plate holder, which in many jurisdictions is what makes carrying three bikes legal rather than merely possible. Buy it if you regularly carry three bikes or ebikes and want the lighting sorted. Skip it if you carry two, because the two bike version and rivals like the Kuat cost considerably less for the same engineering.

Best Three Bike Rack With Lighting

Thule Epos 3 Bike Rack with lights and licence plate holder, fits 2 inch hitch

~$1,700

A foldable three bike hitch rack with patented telescopic arms, pivoting cradles and steel reinforced straps, integrated tail lights with an illuminated licence plate holder and 9.8 inches between bikes.

Check Backcountry → Check price on Amazon

Specifications

Spec	Detail
Capacity	Three bikes, including ebikes
Hitch	Fits 2 inch
Arms	Patented telescopic bike arms with pivoting cradle and steel reinforced straps
Folding	Fully foldable for installation, handling and storage
Lighting	Integrated tail lights with illuminated licence plate holder
Spacing	9.8 inches between bikes, with extra long wheel holders
Mounting	Tool free AutoAttach system with easy grip lever

Specifications above come from Thule's published specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.

What it does well

Integrated lights and a licence plate holder are not a luxury. In many places a rack that obscures the vehicle's lights or plate is illegal, and buying a rack that solves that is cheaper than the alternative.
Nine point eight inches between bikes is generous and it is the specification that stops handlebars and pedals gouging the frame beside them.
Telescopic arms with pivoting cradles clamp the frame or wheel of almost any bike shape, including step through and full suspension frames that defeat simpler racks.
Tool free AutoAttach means fitting and removing the rack does not involve a spanner in a car park in the rain.

Where it falls short

Seventeen hundred dollars is a great deal of money for a bike rack, and a two bike rack from the same brand or from Kuat costs far less.
Three bikes plus a heavy rack is a lot of tongue weight, and you must check your vehicle's hitch rating rather than assuming.
A rack this long behind the car changes how it parks and reverses, and it will catch on steep driveways.
Even folded it is a large object to store, and it is heavy enough that fitting it is a two person job for many people.

What owners report

Published owner reports praise the loading mechanism and the lighting, and describe it as noticeably better engineered than cheaper racks. The bike spacing draws specific praise from owners carrying bikes with wide bars.

The criticism is price and weight. Reports repeatedly mention checking hitch tongue weight ratings before buying, which is genuinely important with a rack this substantial and three bikes on it.

Who it suits

Families and groups regularly carrying three bikes.
Anyone carrying ebikes, which are heavy enough to defeat lighter racks.
Drivers in jurisdictions that require visible lights and plates behind a rack.

Who should skip it

Two bike households, where the same engineering costs far less.
Vehicles with a low hitch tongue weight rating.
Anyone without somewhere to store a large folded rack.

Alternatives worth considering

Two Bike Alternative

Kuat Piston Pro X LED dual ratchet hitch rack, 2 inch

~$1,589

A hundred dollars less for a premium two bike rack with hydro pneumatic OneTap levers and integrated LED lights. Fewer bikes, and the loading mechanism is the best in the category.

Check Backcountry → Check price on Amazon

Cheaper Thule

Thule Vero 2 bike platform hitch rack, 160 lb capacity

~$1,300

Four hundred dollars less for a two bike platform rack rated to 160 lb with 80 lb per tray, built for heavy ebikes and cargo bikes, with locks included.

Check Backcountry → Check price on Amazon

Gift idea: the Thule Epos 3 is one of the picks in our Gifts for Cyclists guide. See also Gifts for Runners, gifts under $50 and the gift finder.

Common questions

Do I need lights on a bike rack?

It depends where you drive, and it is worth checking rather than assuming. A rack that obscures your vehicle's tail lights or licence plate is illegal in many jurisdictions, and enforcement varies. A rack with integrated lighting and a plate holder removes the question.

What hitch do I need?

This fits a 2 inch receiver. More importantly, check your vehicle's tongue weight rating against the weight of the rack plus three bikes, particularly with ebikes, which can weigh 60 lb each. Exceeding the rating is a genuine safety issue rather than a technicality.

Will it fit my bike?

Telescopic arms with pivoting cradles handle most frame shapes including step through and full suspension. Very long wheelbase bikes, fat bikes and some cargo bikes need checking against Thule's compatibility information. The extra long wheel holders help with long wheelbase bikes.

Hitch rack or roof rack?

Hitch racks are far easier to load, do not affect fuel consumption as badly and do not risk driving into a low garage. Roof racks keep the boot accessible and suit vehicles without a hitch. For heavy ebikes a hitch rack is the only sensible option. Our best hitch bike racks roundup covers the range.

Can I still open the boot?

Most quality hitch racks tilt down to allow access, and this one folds and tilts. With three loaded bikes the tilt takes effort, which is worth knowing if you access the boot frequently on a trip.

Keep reading

This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures and the consensus of verified owner reviews. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.