Spinder TX2 Plus – Our group test of 7 rear-mounted bike racks

According to the Dutch brand’s marketing, Spinder have “something for everyone”. The Spinder TX2 Plus boasts two features that make it stand out among the other racks in the company’s portfolio: it’s tiltable, and has height-adjustable gripper arms. We put the € 600 rear-mounted bicycle carrier to the test!

Spinder’s official website is rather reserved because the Dutch advertise their rear carriers as “modern” and “very solid”. The Spinder TX2 Plus is the most affordable rear rack in the brand’s portfolio at just under € 600, which is below the group test average. At approximately 19 kg, it’s bang in the middle in terms of weight, and you can upgrade it to a three bike carrier for a surcharge of about € 140. But how does it fare against the competition?

You can find an overview of this group test here: The best rear-mounted bike rack – 7 models head to head

On the Spinder, get set, go! – How does the Spinder TX2 perform in practice?

On your marks, get set, go! It’s almost as simple as that with the Spinder TX2. The carrying handle makes it easy to get to the car, though the gripper arms are too close to the handle when the rear carrier is folded, preventing you from getting a secure grip with your whole hand.

The Spinder TX2 is super easy to mount on the tow hitch, using just a single lever to lock in place, just like the Eufab ProBC2 + and the Norauto E-FIT 200-2. We were just as impressed with the bike mounting system: simply fold the gripper arms all the way down, and lift the first bike over the gripper arms onto the last rail. If the bikes are too heavy to lift, you can buy a ramp in the Spinder accessories shop for around € 50.

The Spinder TX2 mounting system works with two centrally placed, height-adjustable gripper arms that have ratchet straps. This system allowed us to attach all of our test bikes easily and quickly. The bike frames and wheels are protected by a rubber coating on the straps – nice! It comes closest to the system of the Thule Epos 3, except that you must lock each of the adjustable arms and grippers manually. On that note, we noticed that the plastic gears of the grippers probably won’t last very long if you haven’t got the patience to open them all the way. Bike number two is just as easy to mount as bike number one, and, just like that, you’re ready to go on holiday!

At 138 cm, the rails of the Spinder TX2 are the second longest on test, and are suitable for tires up to 2.6″ wide, so you shouldn’t have any problem with long-wheelbase enduro and downhill bikes! The wheels are secured via a kind of wedge on which you can cinch down the straps. They can easily be loosened with the help of a wing nut and moved along the rail by hand, adding to the security and compatibility of the carrier’s mounting system. If you want to take a break at the lookout point and enjoy the panorama, the bikes and the rack can also be secured against opportunistic thieves with a key.

Should you buy the Spinder TX2? Who is and isn’t it for?

We recommend the Spinder TX2 to users who want easy handling at an affordable price. The carrier is easy to mount on the tow hitch, and the bikes are easy to secure. The gripper arm and wheel clamping mechanisms are user-friendly. Thanks to the optional third rail, families with children can also find what they’re looking for in the Spinder TX2.

Our conclusion on the Spinder TX2

The Spinder TX2 Plus impressed us with its flexibly adjustable gripper arms, which make it highly compatible and offer easy handling. The brand keep their promise of offering the optimal solution for every need. We only advise taking care with the plastic gears on the gripper arms because they’re likely to wear out quickly with careless use. The Spinder offers unbeatable value for money compared to the competition, making it the well deserved Best Buy.

Tops

• reliable rear-mounted bike rack at a bargain price
• flexible gripper arm system for maximum compatibility
• simple handling

Flops

• gears are likely to wear out with careless use

For more information, visit spinder.com

The test field

You can find an overview of this group test here: The best rear-mounted bike rack – 7 models head to head

Words: Robin Ulbrich Photos: Antonia Feder