Yakima or Thule?
06-05-07, 03:07 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Fort Collins, CO
Posts: 69
Bikes: Gary Fisher Marlin
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Yakima or Thule?
Are there any differences between the two companies? I would think their products would be pretty identical, but I thought I would ask before I spend over $500 on a rack system. I need to order a top rack for my car before I move out to Colorado in a few weeks.
The Yakima set-up came out at $519, and the Thule was $579. That includes a mid-level bike mount and kayak mount.
Those are the only two rack companies I know of, are there any others I need to check out?
Thanks!
The Yakima set-up came out at $519, and the Thule was $579. That includes a mid-level bike mount and kayak mount.
Those are the only two rack companies I know of, are there any others I need to check out?
Thanks!
06-05-07, 03:56 PM
#3
Opus
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: North of City
Posts: 223
Bikes: Bianchi Cross Concept, Bianchi Axis, Specialized Crosstrail, Specialized Roubaix, Miyata Sportsrunner, Trek T1 Track Bike, Specialized CrossTrail Expert, Specialized Tricross Comp Triple
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Just bought a Thule! Easy to install and it works really well.
__________________
Go raibh an chóir ghaoithe i gcónaí liom!
2007 Specialized Tricross Comp Triple, 2007 Trek T1, 2006 Specialized Roubaix
2006 Bianchi Cross Concept, 1989 Miyata Sportrunner, 2006 Bianchi Axis, 2008 Specialized Crosstrail Expert
Lullaby Of Foo
Now I lay me down to sleep
Keep my bike safe from the bicycle thief
Keep my tootsies toasty warm
keep my carbon from any harm
Good Night Road Bike
Good Night Moutain Bike
Good night all you Foosters
And good night Moon
Go raibh an chóir ghaoithe i gcónaí liom!
2007 Specialized Tricross Comp Triple, 2007 Trek T1, 2006 Specialized Roubaix
2006 Bianchi Cross Concept, 1989 Miyata Sportrunner, 2006 Bianchi Axis, 2008 Specialized Crosstrail Expert
Lullaby Of Foo
Now I lay me down to sleep
Keep my bike safe from the bicycle thief
Keep my tootsies toasty warm
keep my carbon from any harm
Good Night Road Bike
Good Night Moutain Bike
Good night all you Foosters
And good night Moon
06-05-07, 04:11 PM
#4
Dirt-riding heretic
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Gig Harbor, WA
Posts: 17,413
Bikes: Lynskey R230/Red, Blue Triad SL/Red, Cannondale Scalpel 3/X9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
I've been very happy with Yakima. I've used the stuff through 3 cars now and all I've had to change are the Q clips.
__________________
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
"Unless he was racing there was no way he could match my speed."
06-05-07, 04:12 PM
#5
la vache fantôme
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 6,266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
both of my parents have Thule racks on their vehicles, they've been used many a time and never failed.
__________________
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
06-05-07, 11:24 PM
#6
Footballus vita est
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 2,118
Bikes: Trek 4500, Kona Dawg
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I have a Thule and am happy with it for the most part, but the short roof adapter for my coupe makes it kind of a pain in the butt to put on. (I take the rack off if I'm not expecting to need it for a while for the tiny mileage boost).
Both are good products as far as I've seen. A few pros and cons with each as far as I can tell.
Both are good products as far as I've seen. A few pros and cons with each as far as I can tell.
__________________
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
"The internet is a place where absolutely nothing happens. You need to take advantage of that." ~ Strong Bad
06-06-07, 03:59 PM
#7
negligent.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: White Plains, NY
Posts: 837
Bikes: a few
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
+1 for yakima. Installed it myself just a few months ago. I love it, but on the other hand, I've no experience with Thule..
06-06-07, 04:04 PM
#8
Respect Your Hill
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 236
Bikes: 2007 Colnago CLX Carbon, 2 Cannondale R2000Si's (road), 1 Trek (road), 1 Cannondale (Mtn)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Both, Yakima and Thule racks are on sale 15% off at Eastern Mountain Sports
https://www.ems.com/catalog/assortmen...ssrcid=060607A
https://www.ems.com/catalog/assortmen...ssrcid=060607A
06-06-07, 04:35 PM
#9
negligent.
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: White Plains, NY
Posts: 837
Bikes: a few
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
got mine from rackattack.com, fwiw. I think they're cheaper than EMS/REI even with the 15% off sales?..
06-09-07, 11:42 PM
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Mentioned: Post(s)
Tagged: Thread(s)
Quoted: Post(s)
I have a Yakima system that I carry skis and bikes on. It mounts to factory roof rack. Over the years its been transferred from a chevy suv, to a dodge minivan, to a subaru, to another suv, and has served well.
For bikes, I have the mount which clamps to the downtube, and has core locks on both the bike mounts and the q-towers. I never had any worries, with regards to security, when throwing my old mtn bikes up there, but as I recently upgraded to a shiny new road bike, I sometimes have second thoughts about leaving it up there for hours while parked in the parking lot at work. How easy is it to spring bikes out of those mounts despite being locked? Has any one had a loss with these things?
For bikes, I have the mount which clamps to the downtube, and has core locks on both the bike mounts and the q-towers. I never had any worries, with regards to security, when throwing my old mtn bikes up there, but as I recently upgraded to a shiny new road bike, I sometimes have second thoughts about leaving it up there for hours while parked in the parking lot at work. How easy is it to spring bikes out of those mounts despite being locked? Has any one had a loss with these things?
06-11-07, 10:28 PM
#12
Speed on the Flats!
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Texas
Posts: 14
Bikes: Trek 7.5 FX
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I know you are looking for a roof rack, but I thought I would post my experience with Yakima, even though its on hitch racks...
I am on my second Yakima hitch rack. The first one I bought was a 2 bike rack, which I have outgrown, and I traded it back in for a 5 bike rack. I had the 2 bike rack for 4 months and used it daily without a single scratch on it (It has a very tough finish!). I used the rack lock kit on the 2 bike rack, and I added a second lock kit (matching keyset) to the 5 bike rack (The tube is longer and can take a cable on each side now, but I had to drill a hole on the left tube to take the locking pin and the tube is so tough it dulled out 3 drills in the process!). It works great and the bikes stay safe and stable.
I am on my second Yakima hitch rack. The first one I bought was a 2 bike rack, which I have outgrown, and I traded it back in for a 5 bike rack. I had the 2 bike rack for 4 months and used it daily without a single scratch on it (It has a very tough finish!). I used the rack lock kit on the 2 bike rack, and I added a second lock kit (matching keyset) to the 5 bike rack (The tube is longer and can take a cable on each side now, but I had to drill a hole on the left tube to take the locking pin and the tube is so tough it dulled out 3 drills in the process!). It works great and the bikes stay safe and stable.
Last edited by CAG; 06-11-07 at 11:06 PM.
06-11-07, 11:22 PM
#13
Cheers!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Woodinville
Posts: 1,284
Bikes: Scott Addict R15, Cadd 9
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Both companies make comparable quality products. You'll be happy with either.
__________________
08-20-07, 01:42 PM
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 612
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I recently picked up a yakima Kingpin 4. Two problems:
1. It's not a tight fit between the rack and the car. I have a 2 inch hitch and the rack does not fit in there snug. This means the rack sways back and forth.
2. The pieces holding the bike against the racks bars move. My bike slid down one side of the rack over the bumps and before long my bike wasn't sitting properly on the rack.
I thought I'd take it back and try another type/brand and honestly I would prefer one that held the wheels instead of the top bar, but I was hoping to save a little money.
I'm wondering if it's an issue of you get what you pay for.
1. It's not a tight fit between the rack and the car. I have a 2 inch hitch and the rack does not fit in there snug. This means the rack sways back and forth.
2. The pieces holding the bike against the racks bars move. My bike slid down one side of the rack over the bumps and before long my bike wasn't sitting properly on the rack.
I thought I'd take it back and try another type/brand and honestly I would prefer one that held the wheels instead of the top bar, but I was hoping to save a little money.
I'm wondering if it's an issue of you get what you pay for.
