Family bike trips are great, but in those first few years of riding and building confidence, finding the secluded paths can often lead to a quick drive to get there. Lugging all the bikes plus kids’ stuff in the car is a lot, and often it’s not doable because you can’t fit everything in. Bike racks are here to elevate that pain. Thule (pronounced ‘too-lay’, would you believe) is a Scandi brand who have been making outdoor life easier for years, and their Thule EPOS 3-bike towbar bike rack is just one of those products.
Purpose-built with e-bikes in mind, the Thule EPOS 3 can hold up to 60kg, which should see you right for up to three full-fat, full-suspension eMTBs, which is mighty impressive. With its 13-pin connector to connect to your car for fully functioning lights. Whatsmore this bike rack has a party trick. Left something in the boot? Don’t worry. With a simple press of a pedal, you can tilt this rack 45 degrees to gain access, meaning you don’t have to take a bike or the rack off.
You would expect it to be all the bike rack you would ever need for the price, so let’s delve into its features, how it works and whether it’s right for you.
Thule Epos 3-Bike Towball 13-Pin Car Rack
£1,099.99 | VIEW OFFER
Pros
Incredibly easy to use
Holds bike with ease
Quick loading/unloading of bikes
Cons
It’s heavy, but then it has a hefty load capacity
Features
– Foot-activated smart tilt function
– Designed to handle even long-wheelbase bikes
– Lockable both to bike and tow ball using standard Thule lock cylinders
– Wheels are securely held in place with pump buckle straps
Spec
Load capacity – 60 kg
Maximum bike limit – 3
Tow bar connector – 13-pin connector for full light functionality
Max Tyre Width – 3.2 inches
Testing the Thule Epos 3-Bike Towball 13-Pin Car Rack
The Thule EPOS 3 has been tested on different types of vehicles, from petrol to hybrid and full electric vehicles, to see if it was detrimental to the vehicles range or mpg while also testing what it’s like to mount and get in and out of the boot while using the rack. It was tested for its ability to carry different types of bikes with varying wheel and handlebar sizes. If you want added security for your bike while in transit, take a look at our best D-locks buyers guide.
What makes the Thule Epos 3-Bike e-bike specific?
Most bike racks cannot cope with the weight of an e-bike. If you have a bike rack and are unsure, you should be able to check its load capacity printed on a label somewhere on the rack. Even if you can get one e-bike on there, the chances of you being able to get three on a single bike rack are slim. The Epos does this with ease. When you consider the weight of a full-fat eMTB being around 24kg, you could carry a couple on the EPOS with space for your child’s bike, too.
The ability to carry big loads makes this bike rack e-bike specific. It won’t charge your bike as you drive away, which would be nice, but it will mean that you can safely and securely travel around with your bikes not being an issue.
How easy is it to load bikes?
Very. Even if your bike is big and heavy and you can’t lift it easily, you can lift the front wheel onto the rack and easily walk it into position. I started doing this after a day on the trails with eMTBs, and with tired arms and legs, it was easy enough to roll the bike up on. The rack can handle tyres up to 3.2”, but you can buy alternatives which give you clearance up to 5”, so it’ll accommodate fat bikes, too.
Once up on the rack, it’s a simple case of strapping in the wheels and holding the bike in place with the extending arm. This also has a rotating head, so it’ll adapt to pretty much any frame you have. Tested on Gravel, road and MTB e-bikes, there wasn’t a frame it couldn’t adjust and hold on to. The straps work on a ratchet system, ensuring your wheels and frame are attached tightly and securely to the rack.
A key can lock the ratchet straps on the head of the attachment arms. This makes it harder for wanton thieves to make away with your bike, while the straps are also reinforced with metal, making it more difficult for thieves.
How well does the Thule Epos 3-Bike carry bikes?
Once loaded, you’ll forget you even have bikes in the car. It carries them easily, but the handlebars can tap on the rear window if you have a wide handlebar bike like an eMTB or a flat-backed vehicle like a van.
The more bikes you have on, the more weight, and the more the rack might wobble, but there was never a point where I thought the bikes or the rack would stay on. Loading the bikes correctly with the lightest on the further rack from the car and the heaviest closest to the vehicle is the way. This reduces wobbling and keeps the rack and bikes as secure as possible.
How well does the rack mount to the tow bar?
A handbrake-style clamp, which is lockable for security reasons, secures the rack to your tow bar – you can tighten and loosen the clamp for a more secure fit, but there is an optimal and twist the tightening method too far, and you won’t be able to secure the clamp.
From experience, there was always a little bit of give on the rack and tow bar but nothing which caused alarm or panic, and it’s super easy to adjust the tightness of the clamp to get it just right.
With the way the rack folds on itself, it’s straightforward for one person to lift it onto the towbar and lock it into place – from here, you can make incremental changes to the tightness of the rack and get it straight.
Storage is made more accessible because the rack can fold in on itself and has a set of wheels you can attach for ease of manoeuvrability in and out of storage.
Any negatives?
The rack itself is heavy, and that’s the only downside I can see. It makes it cumbersome to carry and load onto your tow bar. But you’d expect it to be heavy as it can hold so much weight that it needs the bulk. I never found this as a detriment for MPG or EV range. Where it’s located on your vehicle means that air is moving over the top of it, so it’s not creating drag, but yes, the added weight might have a minor detrimental effect on MPG or range, but not that I noticed.
The weight in carrying is also negated by Thule providing wheels which screw onto the rack, making it easy to roll across flat ground.
The bikes on show here are a Cairn Rambler Edition One, which Cycling Electric has reviewed and a Ribble Gravel AL e with a review coming.
Final verdict
As a bike rack, I struggle to fault it. Having the convenience of it tipping while still attached to your car for access to the boot is just a game changer. It’s easy to tip and then comfortable and lock back into place. No matter how many bikes were loaded, I never found it overpowering.
I couldn’t pick too many faults in it as it was all very intuitive and worked so well, but then you’d expect it to for the price. You wouldn’t want to find a fault in it. It seems durable, reliable and will make those family trips out on the bike so much easier.
Thule Epos 3-Bike Towball 13-Pin Car Rack
£1,099.99 | VIEW OFFER
Other bike racks to consider
Peruzzo Zephyr 3 E-Bike Towball Car Rack
£665.00 | VIEW OFFER
XLC Azura Xtra LED Folding Towbar Rack
£419.99 (RRP: £469.99) | VIEW OFFER
Thule 9708 HangOn 4-Bike Towball Carrier
£219.99 | VIEW OFFER
Thule EPOS 3 Frequently Asked Questions
How many bikes can the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack hold?
The Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack can hold up to three bikes at a time, making it a convenient solution for families or groups of cyclists.
Is the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack compatible with all tow balls?
The Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack is designed to be compatible with most standard tow balls. However, checking the compatibility with your specific tow ball before purchasing is essential to ensure a proper fit.
How does the Thule EPOS 3 secure the bikes in place?
This bike rack features adjustable arms with rubberised grips that secure each bike’s frame. Additionally, adjustable wheel straps secure the bike wheels and prevent movement during transportation.
Can the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack be tilted for rear vehicle access?
Yes, the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack is designed with a tilt mechanism that allows you to access the rear of your vehicle even when the bikes are loaded. This feature is handy for accessing the trunk or tailgate without removing the bikes.
Is the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack easy to install and remove?
The Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack is designed for easy installation and removal. It typically requires minimal tools and can be securely attached to the tow ball using the provided locking mechanism.
What is the maximum weight capacity per bike on the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack?
The Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack has a maximum weight capacity of 30 kilograms per bike. Be sure to consider the weight of your bikes when loading them onto the rack.
Does the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack have a locking mechanism for added security?
Yes, the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack includes a built-in locking mechanism that helps secure the rack to the tow ball and the bikes to the rack. This provides an additional layer of security to help prevent theft. Always refer to the official Thule product documentation and guidelines for accurate and up-to-date information regarding the Thule EPOS 3 Tow Ball bike rack.
Enjoy this content and fancy a newsletter with more shortly? Sign up here for a soon to launch email digest of the latest kit and reviews.
Why should you trust us? At Cycling Electric, we’re passionate about giving people active travel options; we’re respected journalists in our field and follow everything cycling. We test, ride and review many bikes a year and know what makes a bike work and what doesn’t. We work with brands worldwide to bring you the best bikes possible.
