Outpace

The Thule Outpace is a hitch rack for families who want the convenience of a tray-style rack without leaving a 50-pound metal fixture on the car all season.

At about 28 pounds, it is light enough to install, remove, and store without being onerous. That changed how we use it. We can put it on for a park ride, a weeknight race, or a weekend trail day, then take it off when we get home instead of driving around with an empty rack blocking the lift gate.

It also works across more bikes than its compact size suggests. The articulating center arm and sliding strap can secure a wide range of frames, from small kids’ bikes to adult road and mountain bikes, without needing extra adapters for small or odd-sized frames. The wedge adapter fits both 1.25-inch and 2-inch receivers, which is useful if your family uses more than one vehicle.

Loading takes a little attention. It's not as fast as a heavier rack with fixed arms or dedicated wheel hooks. The best method is to secure the bikes at the frame first, shift them side to side until nothing rubs, then tighten the wheel straps. Once you learn the order, it is straightforward, but it is not a throw-it-on-and-go rack.

I love how easy it is to store when not in use. The Outpace folds down small enough to tuck into a garage corner instead of taking over wall space or living permanently on the vehicle. For families already managing bikes, scooters, strollers, helmets, and bins of gear, that smaller footprint is a big deal.

The Outpace makes the most sense for families carrying a mix of kids’ bikes and adult bikes who want a rack that is light, compact, and easy to install and remove. If you want the fastest possible loading or regularly haul heavy e-bikes, look elsewhere. But for regular family riding, kids’ races, trail days, and mixed-bike use, it solves a lot of the usual hitch-rack annoyances.