Thule or Yakima roof rack
- Thread starter Kntr
- Start date
hitch rack
Sidearm is pretty much the standard at the local shuttle spots (aside from trucks). Show up with a Yakima and the whole operation really slows down.
as somebody with a low car, hitch racks can be a pita. I like my t2 and all, but if you have a low car then get the roof. just make sure you don't drive into your garage with your bikes on top. Happened to 2-3 customers a year at our old shop. Get home from a long ride, super tired, and drive right into your garage with a big crunch. Seen a couple ruined ~$6K road bikes from that.
I work at probably the biggest thule and yakima dealers in the country. We get highrollers back on a weekly basis because people find swinging the rear arm up, holding the bike, and turning the dial can be a pain. We never get side arms back (that I have seent at least)
That being said, if you are in need of the towers and bars, I would go with yakima. They do allot more testing on their fit kits than thule does. Just get yakima towers and bars, throw the side arm on that (they are compatible)
The sidearm is the only one that will hold up for everything
Yakima rack with Thule Sidearms.
(I really hate roof racks though.)
(I really hate roof racks though.)
I have used the yakima hold up hitch rack, the similar thule one, I think the thule was more secure.
That said, for roof racks I have only used yakima products. I have king cobras, not the high roller.
I like the king cobras, they are pretty secure and I have used them in some pretty bumpy shuttle road conditions and been satisfied.
Look through the "marquette-ness" album on my facebook page for a few pics, I have 3 of the king cobras...no complaints other than the knob to tighten the front wheel in place can be a bit slow (lots of turns to really crank it down)
*edit* Found the picture so you don't have to go looking for it, doesn't really show you much I guess, but with the three bikes on the king cobras they shuttled around on a lot of backroads just fine
That said, for roof racks I have only used yakima products. I have king cobras, not the high roller.
I like the king cobras, they are pretty secure and I have used them in some pretty bumpy shuttle road conditions and been satisfied.
Look through the "marquette-ness" album on my facebook page for a few pics, I have 3 of the king cobras...no complaints other than the knob to tighten the front wheel in place can be a bit slow (lots of turns to really crank it down)
*edit* Found the picture so you don't have to go looking for it, doesn't really show you much I guess, but with the three bikes on the king cobras they shuttled around on a lot of backroads just fine
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How about the 1up USA rack? I don't (yet) have one but will probably get one in the next few months so take this for what it's worth. However, those that have this rack swear by it and don't want to go back to Yakima or Thule. I sent an email to them asking about weight ratings and the response was that it can hold onto a 50 lb. bike; so it will work with DH bikes with up to 3-1/4" tires. And it's aluminum so it won't rust to **** like my T2. The down side is that it's definitely on the pricey side.
http://1upusa.com/rooftray.htm
http://1upusa.com/rooftray.htm
The shuttle service in downieville uses T2s and side arms on the daily for their vans. I also don't think in the 6 years I've been going up there I've ever seen any of those things get replaced
Now that I think about it, the new Yakima system is kind of a PITA compared to the old system.
I had King Cobras (Yakima), and those were way easy to load. The new system kind of keeps you in an awkward position of trying to hold the bike in place while you turn the knob forever. The King Cobra just let you roll the bike into place in one big motion.
I had some roof mount sidearms for a week as well. They also kept you struggling with a bike precariously teetering on the roof for a few seconds while trying to get the "arm" to engage properly.
Maybe it just takes practice with the newer system.
I got a T2 on a hitch rack and still think they're the only way to go.
I had King Cobras (Yakima), and those were way easy to load. The new system kind of keeps you in an awkward position of trying to hold the bike in place while you turn the knob forever. The King Cobra just let you roll the bike into place in one big motion.
I had some roof mount sidearms for a week as well. They also kept you struggling with a bike precariously teetering on the roof for a few seconds while trying to get the "arm" to engage properly.
Maybe it just takes practice with the newer system.
I got a T2 on a hitch rack and still think they're the only way to go.
Hitch mount. But if you're set on a top mount, I can't really help you. Except to say that the locking mechanism on the sidearm is pretty cheezy, if that matters to you. I used to have one, and a firm grasp on the part of the sidearm that cradles the wheel, and a good strong yank is all you need to overcome the ratchet mechanism that holds it down, even when locked. Other than that, it was the easiest rack I've ever used.
Or deflate the tire...
Not "quicker," I think less awkward would be the better term. It's the fumbling around wishing you had an extra half a hand with the yakima, not how long it takes.
The side arm will eventually take a bit of paint of your lowers
Never seent a knob brake.
I've never had an issue with fork rub with my T2. But I have an '08 Boxxer with skinny stancions. I don't recall fox 40s being a problem with any of my friends' bikes.
As for the knob breaking, does that even happen when the rack is being used properly?
Bring your bike to a rack shop and try it out.
Not sure I understand why having a 4 dr car makes a hitch rack useless...
Not mine, but seems to work:
I would have to buy a hitch, then a 2 inch adapter because they don't make a 2 inch hitch for my car. I would feel safer with my bikes on top of the car rather than having a bike rack dangling extra far off the rear because of the adapter. The rack is too heavy for the car too, it's a saris cycle on pro with the two bike adapter.
Not to derail, but most sedans do fine. Buy a $100 Curt hitch and have any local weld shop stick a 2" reciever on it. Sedans actualy do better than wagons because they are lighter and have a stronger front mount. On a wagon, the front mount can collapse the spare tire shell.
My wagon is too low and drags on every driveway, but it has a big ass.
My wagon is too low and drags on every driveway, but it has a big ass.
The rack does come into contact with the side of a 40, however I haven't noticed any wear from it on my roof rack. I have experienced a lot of wear in a hitch mount version because the bike tends to move back and forth a lot more then when it's on the roof.
No red knob failures on my 3 king cobras (all purchased used), no experience with the high roller.
No fork wear.
No contact with my bike anywhere other than the wheels.
No fork wear.
No contact with my bike anywhere other than the wheels.
How the F is that thing worth $529? The economics of racks is beyond my comprehension.
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Sorry I got to looking at their other products and my mind quit working once I saw this... which is what I was referencing at $529.
http://www.1upusa.net/TwoBikeHitch_product.html
But still $189 for a tray?
http://www.1upusa.net/TwoBikeHitch_product.html
But still $189 for a tray?
Their hitch racks are designed and made far better than Thule and Yakima's offerings. I've never seen the roof rack version but I imagine its the same.
Some people are fine with Huffy/Murray/Pacific bikes too - thousands of dollars for a bike?
I don't think you can draw a direct correlation between the price of a bike to the price of a bike rack. A bike has lots of small pieces with much tighter tolerances. Think about hydraulic brakes for example. They are just one part of a bike and the level of complexity is far above what is essentially a stationary tray with some sort of arm.
I do, however, think you can draw a correlation between what bikers will pay for a bike rack based on what they pay for bikes.
I do, however, think you can draw a correlation between what bikers will pay for a bike rack based on what they pay for bikes.
I agree... almost $1000 to hold 4 bikes is a bit much. A North Shore rack or a T2 is a lot cheaper.
Anyone else have opinions on roof racks?
dont look at the Tuf Racks then
I've seen them and talked with them a few times. They are super sweet and all, but too spendy.dont look at the Tuf Racks then
I agree there is no worthwhile advantage on the roof rack mount they sell but their hitch rack system is worth the money - its lighter, better made, and its the only hitch rack that folds up easily to fit in the trunk of even a 2-door coupe.
and for that kind of coin, id want something besides a ratchet strap to secure my bikes
We made my rack for $60 and it holds 3 bikes with ratchet ropes. The car only cost me $500 and its lasted 4 years and 50k miles.
As someone that's had hitch racks on two low cars now, I gotta say this is pretty much a non-issue. Unless we are talking Lambo-low or you have some crazy hidden hitch that ends up only 2" off the ground, most systems are designed to avoid this and the racks incorporate designs that are further up the further they are from the vehicle, thereby preserving approach angle for the most part.
I agree that a 1up is bloody expensive. If I can get 90% of the performance at 1/2 the cost, then that's what I'm likely to do
I have two highrollers on my scooby and love them...have never felt them to be awkward to use...that said the first day I had them I started cranking down the tension dial thinking there would be a safety for over tightening, there wasn't and I broke the dial. Yakima took care of me thoughand I now couldn't be happier. Also I have never used the Thule so I can't compare.
This is good to know. I've heard of a few others breaking too.
I am also more of the 'hitch rack even though it is a car' guy. Probably more for the gas mileage than anything. That being said, my vote is Thule as well. The arm will bump fork lowers but I wrapped the top of the swinging part with an old DH tube and held with a zip tie. It eliminated that completely. To add testament to the holding ability, I watched a sometimes derp friend of mine forget about a cattle guard coming down he hill with the Thule roof rack holding his VP Free. He literally caught air in his Pontiac Grand Am and the bike was held. I was watching this in my rearview mirror hoping exactly what did happen would as I knew it would be as funny as it was. I call his car the "purple nurple" and it came crashing to earth, front end bounced twice before settling. Pulled over to check to make sure it was still driveable and will never let him live it down.
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