Thule (Tully) ProRide - Best Upright Bike Rack

The Thule ProRide is a rooftop bike rack that allows you to carry your bike on your roof while keeping both wheels attached. It attaches to an existing roof rack creating a secure fit. If you are not sure about which roof rack base system to choose, check out our Roof Rack Buyers Guide.

 

Product Highlights

The ProRide can be fitted to most roof rack cross bars, including round and square bars. It secures your bike using two wheel holders with quick-release straps and a padded frame clamp.

Because there is no need to remove any wheels, it’s suitable for both quick release/open ended and thru-axle/closed end fork types. Bicycles with fenders are also accommodated since the wheel holders attach to the bottom of the wheel.

Thule also offers a ‘Fat Bike Adapter’ (part 598101) to accommodate the transport of bicycles with oversized fat tires. It is easily fitted by sliding the standard wheel pad out and replacing with the Fat Bike Adapter.

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What we like

The Thule ProRide is a well made, secure and lightweight bike rack that’s easy to install to existing roof racks. It’s convenient to load your bike since there is no need to remove any wheels. The frame clamp features an extended lower jaw to prevent the bike from falling over whilst loading.

A torque limiter dial controls the amount of force going onto the bike frame preventing over tightening and subsequent damage to the frame. The ProRide also features a tool-free way of switching the carrier from one side of the car to the other making loading easier when using either a second bike rack or other accessories like a roof box.

What we don’t like

The ProRide itself doesn’t have any obvious downsides as it is a well designed, quality product. The negatives are more related to the type of bike rack instead of the actual bike rack.

Upright bike racks tend to have a much higher load height so drivers need to be aware of reduced clearance when driving. You won’t be able to pull into your garage without first removing the bike. Undercover car parks are also going to be problematic due to their low ceilings.

Loading a bike becomes harder on vehicles with higher roofs as it is not the ideal loading position.

Installation

Installation is super easy when using Thule bars that has a T-Slot design. Simply slide the assembled ProRide into the T-Slot and lock it down with the two levers to the front cross bar and the two levers locking it to the rear cross bar. For added security, these levers can be locked with a key. That is the install complete.

To load your bike, first raise the clamp stay into the upright position. Next lift your bike and place the front and back wheels in the wheel holders. The clamp jaw can now be placed on the bicycle frame and tightened by turning the torque limiter dial. The dial can also be locked in place using the same key as used on the fitment levers. The last step is to secure both front and rear wheels using the quick release wheel straps.

Have a look at the video below to see just how easy it is.

Conclusion

If your car does not have a tow hitch or you need more than just a bike rack, look no further than the Thule ProRide. Quality, ease of use and safety makes it one of the best bike racks on the market.

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