Thule Vero Hitch Bike Rack Review

A new option for heavy e-bikes and versatile riders has hit the market. Introducing the Thule Vero Hitch bike rack, which joins our test ring this season. The Thule Vero Hitch Bike Rack is engineered to bridge the gap between heavy-duty e-bikes – and virtually any other bike. Gravel bike. road bike. Fat bike. Children’s bike.

Oliver Berg, Thule’s international product manager for bike racks, tells GearJunkie, “The primary goal was to create the ultimate bike rack that is capable of carrying almost any type of bike while being easy to use.”

is that.

In short: Thule Vero ($1,300) is an adaptable and high-weight platform hitch bike rack. It is designed for maximum versatility, durability and ease of use. With an 80-pound-per-bike capacity, it offers transportation solutions for everything from heavy cargo e-bikes to featherlight roadies. Each bike is secured with two ratcheting wheel straps and an innovative telescopic arm – which can attach to the rear tire, top tube, down tube or seat tube – with an integrated metal-core strap to prevent theft.

A folding crank easily tightens the anti-wobble knob, and it has an integrated receiver lock. The platform is designed to adapt to almost any ride, from mountain bikes and road bikes to children’s models, bikes with wide fat tires and bikes with fenders.

Check out the range of market leading bike racks in our Best Hitch Bike Rack Buyer’s Guide.

field test

During the first half of summer, my ride partner and I tested the two-bike Vero rack on a GMC Sierra 1500. We loaded one full-powered and one light electric mountain bike, a total of 94 pounds. We took road trips locally and regionally, usually on paved or rough double-track service roads.

Based on the platform, it was clear that this rack was made for different geometries and tire sizes. What immediately stood out to me was how wide and easy to use the release handle is – it’s one of my favorites I’ve tested. I really appreciated the ratcheting wheel straps, which worked easily to tighten the grip. I also liked the folding crank, which made tightening the anti-wobble knob on the hitch easier.

We found that the tradeoff for ultimate adaptability is that attaching the bike to the rack is a bit more difficult than the process with other hitch racks we’ve tested. More details on that below.

Heavy-duty weight capacity

The main feature of the Vero is its heavy-duty carrying capacity. With the capacity to carry up to 80 pounds of weight per bike, this rack is purpose-built to handle the heaviest bikes. This includes electric bikes, touring rigs, and even extended longtail cargo bikes. Its wide tray spacing prevents the bike from hitting the handlebar or hitting the frame.

The wheelbase of your setup must be within 55 inches, otherwise, it will exceed the tray of the rack. My partner and I tested the rack with specialized e-mountain bikes – with S3 and S4 frame sizes – and both fit. To check compatibility we measured from the center of the front wheel to the center of the rear wheel on each bike. For reference, the Specialized Globe Haul LT electric cargo bike has a wheelbase of 53.4 inches.

The rack handled the total weight of both bikes, about 94 pounds, like a breeze.

If you have a long-tail cargo bike, you’ll need to replace the stock straps with a Thule Extra-Long Wheel Strap (sold separately) to secure the rear tire.

Telescopic arm: extends, rotates, rotates

With the Vero, the three-point attachment system is a variable for rack stability and higher weight capacity, Berg told GearJunkie.

First, the rack uses innovative telescopic arms that secure each bike. The telescopic bike arm – originally featured on the bestselling Thule Epos bike rack – can secure a variety of bike styles and frame geometries. An added benefit is independent bike loading: users can load or unload the rear bike without removing the front bike.

The arm can extend, pivot, and rotate, which allows it to attach to various points on the frame – including the top tube, down tube, or seat tube – or the rear tire. Riders can secure their bikes based on frame design, accessories and personal preference.

“The telescopic arm helps control fore-and-aft movement, preventing the bike from moving toward or away from the vehicle. Wheel straps secure the wheels to the tray, limiting side-to-side and vertical movement,” Berg said. Additionally, it is “one of the most versatile retention methods available.”

Each wheel strap (and the strap on the telescopic arm) includes a protective rubber pad, designed to help prevent cosmetic damage to carbon rims or frames. That said, if dirt is on the surface, the rubber pad will rub off on it.

Telescopic Arm: Field Use

Although it was safe to attach the arm to the frame, we didn’t want to risk scratching the frame, especially after a muddy ride. We usually opted to attach the arm to the rear tire instead. The other two attachment points are the ratcheting wheel straps.

While I really liked the ratchet, which was smooth and easy to use, I missed the sliding track for the rear wheel holder, which is featured on the Yakima StageTwo hitch rack. Manual adjustment of the Vero requires more tinkering with the straps. That said, removing the sliding track makes the platform more stable and capable of handling heavier loads.

Ergonomic, easy-to-use handles and loading ramp

One of my favorite features is Vero’s ergonomic hitchswitch handle for smooth tilt, which lifts the platform to a vertical position when not in use. When loaded, it can also lower the rack slightly to get out of the way of access to your truck bed. Technically, the stringer, center beam architecture, and tilt handle were mirrored from one of our team’s favorite hitch racks, the Thule Versus. (If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.)

The rack weighs 56 pounds, so Thule added integrated wheels to the base. Riders can use them to transport luggage such as rolling racks. Made of composite plastic and relatively compact, they roll easily on hard surfaces like concrete or asphalt (which we don’t have). The plush rubber wheels will ride better on rough surfaces like gravel, grass and loose dirt.

There’s an optional loading ramp, making it easier to move heavy bikes into place. however, Folding Loading Ramp ($120) is an aftermarket upgrade that you’ll have to pay extra for.

some criticisms

While the Thule Vero is a powerhouse for heavier bikes, we found that the three-point-contact loading/unloading process and installing the telescopic arm took a little longer than other racks. It wasn’t difficult to use it, although it does require additional steps. Due to the modularity of the system, we counted 10 per bike.

For example, a thin housing keeps the strap on the telescopic arm when not in use, but the location of the housing is not adjustable. Inserting the strap into the housing requires collapsing the arm, adding a step to the loading/unloading process. Other platform racks provide two points of contact and are faster to use.

Despite being optional, we didn’t like the attachment of the telescopic handle to the bike frame. After a ride, especially a muddy one, we had to wipe down the frame first to make sure our bike didn’t get scratched. The compromise seems to be that the center arm stabilizes the heavier load.

When facing the rack, and holding my bike with one hand, I found that the telescopic arm was not the easiest to extend with one hand.

I wonder if adding a release button would make it easier for riders like me, but there would be tradeoffs. Namely, an increase in the number of parts, complexity and potential wear points, Berg said. As such, the telescopic arm involves a cog mechanism and internal friction that prevents it from extending unless the rider actively pulls it out.

Additionally, while the convenient loading ramp option sounds like a game-changer for some riders, it is an add-on accessory that requires additional investment.

conclusion

The Thule Vero enters the market as a premium, rugged option for riders who tow heavy rigs, electric bikes and everything in between. The rack looks neat and folds easily when not in use.

How does it stack up against Thule’s own lineup? currently, thule verse One of the best hitch racks tested by GearJunkie. Priced a few hundred less, the Versus ($1,000) is a highly refined flagship platform rack. It is loved for its zero-frame-contact front-wheel hook and crowned ergonomics.

However, the Versus has a weight limit of 60 pounds per bike. This can be an obstacle for the heaviest modern e-bikes and cargo rigs. Plus, if you’re looking for fork-free connectivity, Vero offers it. And wheel-only retention systems like traditional J-hook racks don’t easily accommodate bikes with fenders, of which many electric cruisers or cargo bikes have.

By jumping up to a class-leading 80-pound capacity per tray and introducing telescopic arms, the new Thule Vero offers a solution where the Verso falls short. If you want a minimalist looking, highly capable, durable, and accessible platform rack that can handle the heaviest e-bikes on the market, the Thule Vero is a stable choice for year-round use.