General Cycling Discussion - Yakima Forklift, anyone?

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View Full Version : Yakima Forklift, anyone?

mjdwyer23
06-04-09, 03:40 PM
Hi Folks-
I'm looking to get a tray that mounts to my factory roof rack (2008 subaru outback), and I have seen the Yakima Forklift online. This rack looks like it will bolt directly to my factory crossbars. Does anyone have experience with this rack? If so, how stable is it, and how is security? Thanks!

MD

demoncyclist
06-04-09, 04:14 PM
Generally, locks on a roof mounted rack will only keep honest people honest. This is further exacerbated by mounting a tray to a factory crossbar, which means that there is some type of common hardware connecting the two. Even my Thule system, which is mounted to the factory rails, could be defeated by someone who is intent on getting at my bikes. As for choice of systems, for an easy to use and well-constructed addition to a factory rack, I would probably go with Rocky Mounts over any of the big name systems.
akcapbikeforums
07-29-09, 02:58 PM
Has anyone used the Yakima Forklift?

mjdwyer23
07-29-09, 02:59 PM
I have one, it does everything I need it to do. I have it on my 2008 Outback aero roof rack.
akcapbikeforums
07-30-09, 03:15 PM
FYI, here's a good review of the Yakima Forklift. (http://www.singletracks.com/blog/mtb-gear/yakima-universal-forklift-bike-tray-what-took-so-long/)

The Yakima Forklift attaches directly to "most" factory crossbars -- much like the Rockymounts Noose SL, only in a slightly more attractive package.


Here's an article on the Yakima Forklift at its introduction. (http://www.feedthehabit.com/outdoors/new-yakima-forklift-bike-rack-and-skybox-lopro-cargo-box/)

As outlined in both these articles, Yakima probably has dragged their feet on this because the product swiftly eliminates the need for another layer of crossbars for your factory bars.

http://www.singletracks.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/yakima-forklift-front.jpg


http://www.feedthehabit.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/yakimaforklift.jpg

Rola makes an attachment for their crossbars that's even more elegant, if
you happen to find yourself down under:

http://www.rola.com.au/rola/prodimages/bcf1bikef1.jpg

Which is, of course, not dissimilar to Yakima's own Boa, which of
course, only fits their crossbars:

http://www.yakima.com/FileRender.ashx?ID=5&ImageSize=Big