For over 60 years, Thule has been designing accessories to make car-based adventures easier. In that time, the Swedish brand has become a leader in bike transport, offering just about every mounting style imaginable — roof, boot, towball, hitch, and ute tray included.

Lately, there’s been a subtle shift in Thule’s tone, with a few newer hitch-mounted racks leaning more towards “shuttle day with the crew” than “family road trip with the bikes.”

Racks like the T2 Pro XTR and Helium Platform — both of which we’ve reviewed — show Thule leaning into layouts popularised by brands like Yakima, 1Up, and Kuat. These designs mark a shift away from the more traditional approach seen in earlier Thule platform racks like the VeloCompact 927 and the brilliant new EPOS.

The latest move in that direction is the ReVert — Thule’s first vertical rack, designed to carry multiple mountain bikes and cater to shuttle days and group rides.

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Tailgate pads seem to be less popular, and the DIY shuttle racks of old, built from marine ply and worn-out Maxxis tyres, are a distant memory. These days, vertical racks are the go-to for hauling multiple bikes. They borrow the no-frame-contact principle from modern platform racks, while offering better ground clearance, faster loading and unloading, and greater carrying capacity.

Despite their growing popularity, vertical racks have largely been the domain of smaller local makers, with brands like Single Trail, Dirty Possum, and Shingleback leading the way in Australia. So what happens when one of the biggest names in bike transport enters the game? We spent a month with the Thule ReVert to find out.

Thule ReVert rack key info

• Capacity: 4 bikes (tested) or 6 bikes
• Weight limit: 100kg (4-bike) / 113kg (6-bike)
• Max bike weight: 25kg per bike
• Max wheelbase: 1350mm
• Rack weight: 32.8kg (4-bike) / 39.7kg (6-bike)
• Price: $1,899.95 AUD (4-bike) / $2,299.95 AUD (6-bike)
• Warranty: 2 years, with an extra 3-year extended warranty when registered with Thule

One of the benefits of buying a rack from a bigger player like Thule — or Yakima — is access to a widespread dealer network. From bike shops to auto parts stores, you’re unlikely to have trouble tracking down a ReVert locally.

That’s useful, because the first challenge is making sure it fits your vehicle. We fitted the four-bike ReVert to a 2015 FJ Landcruiser, and found clearance was tight — the tailgate-mounted spare and the hitch receiver placement made it tricky to meet the minimum insertion depth for the hitch.

While it didn’t end up being an issue for us, fitment could be a problem for some vehicles — particularly utes with overhanging trays. If you’re unsure, it’s worth visiting a local dealer to test fit before buying.

Once that was out of the way, setup was a breeze. The ReVert comes with clear instructions and all the tools you need, and we appreciated that the assembly is designed to happen on the car, building up from the hitch — no crawling around on the garage floor required.

As for the build itself, it was smooth sailing. Thule’s usual high manufacturing standards were obvious, with everything lining up cleanly and going together easily. The gas strut needed a bit of a push to get into place, likely due to internal pressure, but otherwise the process was hassle-free.

We also appreciated the integrated hitch lock, which uses a fold-out crank handle to secure the rack and includes a key lock to prevent theft. It’s a small but thoughtful detail that reflects Thule’s experience in rack design. While it’s not necessarily more secure than the chunky U-bolts found on many locally made vertical racks, it’s a far more refined and user-friendly solution.

The Thule ReVert in use

Once it’s on the car, the ReVert is a pleasure to use. The standout impression is just how easy everything feels — from tilting the rack to loading bikes.

Getting it on and off the car, however, is another story. Like most vertical racks, the ReVert weighs over 30kg and is a bit awkward to lift and manoeuvre solo. It’s definitely a job that’s easier with two people, and something to consider if you’re regularly removing it between uses.

Storage is another consideration. The ReVert doesn’t fold down small, so you’ll need a fair bit of space in your garage or shed. This is typical of vertical racks, but it’s still a factor for anyone short on storage.

Some brands — like local favourite Shingleback — offer bolt-down or wheeled stands that let you store the rack upright or use it as a bike rack in the garage. Thule doesn’t offer one at this stage, but thanks to the standard 2-inch hitch design, you could easily pick one up from a third party if needed.

Loading and unloading the Thule ReVert

Once it’s on the car, the ReVert is a pleasure to use.

Loading and unloading is easy, thanks in large part to the TiltAssist Damper — a gas strut that helps with the tilting motion. Paired with a hand-operated lever (rather than the foot levers seen on many other vertical racks), it keeps the process simple and low-effort.

To load bikes, unlatch the lever, tilt the rack down, roll the bikes into place, then pull the lever again to bring it smoothly back to vertical. Shorter or lighter riders might find a bit more effort is needed to overcome the damper, but overall, it’s very manageable. When unloading, the damper slows the rack’s descent, so you’re not dealing with a sudden drop or handlebars swinging at your head. Much appreciated.

With a 100kg total weight limit and a 25kg maximum per bike, the ReVert is rated a little lower than some other vertical racks. Local options like Shingleback and Single Trail allow up to 35kg per cradle, which offers more breathing room for heavier e-MTBs.

Unlike those racks, the ReVert doesn’t tilt all the way to the ground. It still provides enough clearance for upward-opening tailgates or hatches, but access may be restricted if your vehicle has a side-hinged rear door. As always, the final word will come down to your specific setup, so it’s worth trying one on your vehicle if you can.

Living with the Thule Revert

When loaded, the ReVert provides generous spacing between bikes. There’s no contact between pedals, brake levers, or frames, avoiding the usual rub points that come from tightly packed setups. Both wheels are held in place with sturdy rubber straps that felt secure and gave us plenty of confidence.

We tested 29in, 27.5in, 26in, and even 700c wheels in the baskets. While it’s probably overkill for road or gravel bikes alone, it’s great to see the ReVert handling a mix of bikes with ease. For tyres narrower than about 2.1in, we’d recommend adding a bit of padding to reduce movement. Thule also sells an adapter for 24in and 20in wheels, along with a wider basket for fat bikes.

On and off-road, the ReVert felt rock solid. While we didn’t run a long-term test, there were no signs of unwanted movement like rocking, twisting, or bouncing — the kind that can wear out fixings over time.

The tilt mechanism is secured with a sturdy hand-operated lever and a through-pin that locks it in place for transit. The pivot is neatly enclosed in a plastic clamshell, which helps keep out dust and grime and keeps the action smooth.

We did manage to bend a wheel basket during testing, though that came after pushing the ReVert well beyond typical use. While shuttling up Blue Range in the ACT, the rear tyre of a long-wheelbase enduro bike clipped a steep water bar, transferring enough force to tweak the basket. The rack itself is fine, but it’s a reminder that clearance matters when things get rough.

On the upside, we got to test Thule’s after-sales support. Replacing the damaged wheel basket was straightforward, with the spare part easy to source and simple to fit thanks to the bolt-together design.

We also tested a few of the ReVert’s add-ons, with the standout being the bike repair holder. It bolts neatly to the lower rail and folds away cleanly when not in use — clearly designed with the rack in mind.

In use, it supports a bike by the seat and post, keeping the wheels off the ground and allowing enough clearance to turn the cranks. It makes trailhead tweaks quick and easy. The built-in tool holder and magnetic tray are thoughtful extras that help avoid digging through the dirt for dropped parts. At $269.95 AUD, it’s not cheap, but if you don’t already own a portable workstand, it’s a genuinely useful upgrade.

Other accessories were less of a standout, but still genuinely useful. The integrated cable lock, for example, is long, easy to use, and tucks neatly into the rack when not needed. It’s not high-security, but it’s ideal for quick stops or mid-ride park-ups without the hassle of carrying a heavy D-lock or chain. At $189.95 AUD, it’s not cheap — but for something that’s built-in, doesn’t swing around, and won’t damage your bike, it’s a worthwhile addition.

We use this feature all the time on our Thule Epos rack, and we’re glad to see it on the ReVert. It lives on the rack, so you never forget it — and sometimes that’s all the deterrent you need.

Most vertical racks don’t offer much in the way of integrated security, and even the better examples, like Velocirax, still rely on cable systems. For those wanting a bit of peace of mind without overcomplicating things, this is a tidy solution.

The last accessory we tested was Thule’s $199.95 AUD Light Board. Like all vertical racks, the ReVert doesn’t offer much built-in provision for lights or number plates — both of which are legally required on Australian roads.

That makes the light board more of a necessity than an optional extra. But with no dedicated mounting solution and a poor fit for our ACT auxiliary plate, light boards tend to look a little messy. We ended up strapping it to the bikes and doing a bit of DIY to make the plate work, just as we’ve done with other Thule racks.

This isn’t unique to Thule — it’s just a reality of vertical rack design. If you’re after a cleaner, more integrated solution for lights and plates, a platform rack like the Epos may be a better fit.

Things to Consider | Rear Overhang

One thing worth checking before buying any vertical rack is rear overhang. While the exact wording varies by state, Australian road rules generally say that a rack can’t extend more than 60% of your vehicle’s wheelbase or 3.7 metres from the front axle — whichever is less.

We’ve seen police enforce this, and it’s not uncommon to spot someone pulled over with a tape measure involved. Whether your setup falls within the legal limit depends entirely on your vehicle, towbar position, and rack configuration, so it’s worth checking the numbers before committing.

Flow’s Verdict

The ReVert is a solid entry into the vertical rack market from one of the biggest names in the game. It’s well-built, thoughtfully designed, and easy to use, with the kind of quality and refinement we’ve come to expect from Thule.

While it’s not a game changer, it’s definitely a worthy contender. At $1,899.95 AUD for the 4-bike version, it’s competitively priced alongside many locally made options. Thule’s extended warranty (with registration), spare parts availability, and wide dealer support add peace of mind, though to be fair, plenty of Aussie brands offer similar long-term backup.

Where the ReVert has limitations, they’re mostly shared across vertical racks in general rather than being specific to this model. Accessories and an auxiliary light board or number plate holder — whether Thule’s or a generic version — will add to the total cost, and storing a large rack off the car can be a challenge.

Still, if you’re in the market for a vertical rack, the ReVert is well worth a look. Whether you value the backing of an established global brand or prefer to support a local Aussie maker, the ReVert stands out for its ease of use, solid build quality, and refined design — even if it does come with a few trade-offs, like a slightly lower bike weight limit and a less extreme pivot range.