Head-to-head · Best Bike Racks for Cars

Thule OutWay Hanging 2 Trunk Bike Rack vs Thule Verse 2-inch Hitch Bike Rack

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Thule Verse 2-inch Hitch Bike Rack comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.3 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Riders who want the smoothest premium loading experience for road, gravel, and most e-bikes and value Thule's locks and tilt design. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #4 in Best Bike Racks for Cars

Thule OutWay Hanging 2 Trunk Bike Rack

4.3

3 sources2 derived$358.95as of Aug 1

No hitch on the car? The OutWay Hanging 2 is the answer. Thule's steel security cables make it the most stable hanging trunk rack reviewers have tested, it folds small, and it locks both ways. The compromises come with the format: a 33-pound bike limit, the need for a horizontal top tube, and more movement than any platform rack.

Strengths

— No hitch required, the cheapest way to carry two bikes on most cars
— Steel security cables lock both the rack to the car and the bikes to the rack
— Steel cables stay taut and stable where nylon straps on rivals sag

Watch-outs

— 33 lb per-bike limit excludes e-bikes and heavy mountain bikes
— Hanging design needs a horizontal top tube or a frame adapter for many bikes
— Bikes touch the rack arms, with more sway than any platform hitch rack

$358.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Bike Racks for Cars

Thule Verse 2-inch Hitch Bike Rack

4.4

3 sourcesall derived$999.95as of Aug 3

Thule's flagship platform rack, the Verse, is the ergonomic benchmark of the category. Telescoping no-contact arms, an outboard tilt handle and clean vertical storage make it a joy to live with. Per bike it carries slightly less weight than the StageTwo, and it lists high, yet reviewers named it best overall more often than any other rack.

Strengths

— Telescoping no-frame-contact arms and a single hook make loading fast and frame-safe
— Outboard release handle tilts the loaded rack for trunk access without removing bikes
— Fits tires up to 5 inches wide and wheelbases to 53 inches, covering most bikes

Watch-outs

— 60 lb per-bike limit is lower than the Yakima StageTwo's 70 lb for heavy e-bikes
— Original $999.95 list price is steep, though it is frequently discounted
— 58 lb rack weight is heavy to mount and dismount solo

$999.95 · Buy at abt.com Full review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Thule OutWay Hanging 2 Trunk Bike Rack

The only trunk-mount option here and the budget entry point. It carries less weight and is far less stable than the platform hitch racks: the Kuat Piston Pro X, Thule Verse, Yakima StageTwo, and Kuat Sherpa 2.0 all need a hitch but hold heavier bikes more securely. Pick the OutWay only if you cannot or will not install a hitch.

Thule Verse 2-inch Hitch Bike Rack

The ergonomic benchmark, edging out the Kuat Piston Pro X on price while matching its ease of use, though it lacks hydraulic arms and a light bar. It carries 10 lbs less per bike than the Yakima StageTwo and is far pricier and heavier-duty than the trunk-mounted Thule Outway.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Thule OutWay Hanging 2 Trunk Bike Rack	Thule Verse 2-inch Hitch Bike Rack
Mount Type	Trunk strap (hanging)	2" hitch (tray)
Bike Capacity	2	2 (up to 4 with add-on)
Weight Limit	33 lb/bike, 66 lb total	60 lb/bike, 120 lb total
Rack Weight	~18 lb	58 lb
Locks	Steel security cables (bike + vehicle)	Integrated SKS keyed
Vehicle Fit	Sedans, wagons, CUVs, SUVs	—
Frame Requirement	Horizontal top tube or frame adapter	—
Storage	Folds compact	Tilts vertical to reduce footprint
Material	Aluminum	Aluminum
Max Tire Width	—	5 in
Max Wheelbase	—	53 in

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