Roof rack- Thule or Yakima?
05-28-13, 04:30 PM
#1
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Roof rack- Thule or Yakima?
Deciding on a roof rack, which maker and which type would you recommend.
05-28-13, 04:55 PM
#2
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i've had thule racks for years on two different cars. used both wide mouths and velo vise carriers. they were great, had no issues for nearly 10 years of use. from what i understand, it's just a matter of preference...yakima makes a great rack also.
05-28-13, 05:02 PM
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I have both and prefer thule because you dont have to take out the lock after each use. Yakima is a pain in the ass because of that
05-28-13, 05:30 PM
#4
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It's sort of like a SRAM/Shimano debate. Both work well if properly used. There are some limits in terms of fit (see if the racks will fit your vehicles). Figure out how you want to carry your bikes and what kind of bikes you want to carry. Disc wheel equipped long travel mountain bikes require a bit more than a regular road bike, for example.
Most mounts will fit the Euro standard rectangular bar (Thule etc) and the industry "round bar" (Yakima).
You can even get other brand mounts to fit onto Thule/Yakima base systems. Rocky Mounts comes to mind. INNO is a rectangular bar company that sells systems but they seem more limited in distribution.
Most mounts will fit the Euro standard rectangular bar (Thule etc) and the industry "round bar" (Yakima).
You can even get other brand mounts to fit onto Thule/Yakima base systems. Rocky Mounts comes to mind. INNO is a rectangular bar company that sells systems but they seem more limited in distribution.
05-28-13, 06:01 PM
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I have yakima. wish I had thule. thule is easier to get the front fork into the locks.
05-28-13, 06:24 PM
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How so? I have a Thule Echelon which works great and helped a friend put up his bikes up on the Yakima (not sure which model) this past Saturday. I can't say mine is easier. What I can say is that the Aero blade cross bars on Thule are the shiz. No wind noise and I don't have a fairing.
05-28-13, 07:39 PM
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I have Thule only because 20+ years ago I got a deal on them and it is very expensive to switch sides.
Thule uses a rectangular load bar which is a little easier to set other things on and tie to. Yakima's load bars are round which is supposedly stronger.
Thule is Swedish.
Yakima is American.
In the end, go with whichever you can get the best price for.
Thule uses a rectangular load bar which is a little easier to set other things on and tie to. Yakima's load bars are round which is supposedly stronger.
Thule is Swedish.
Yakima is American.
In the end, go with whichever you can get the best price for.
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05-28-13, 07:48 PM
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I have Thule only because 20+ years ago I got a deal on them and it is very expensive to switch sides.
Thule uses a rectangular load bar which is a little easier to set other things on and tie to. Yakima's load bars are round which is supposedly stronger.
Thule is Swedish.
Yakima is American.
In the end, go with whichever you can get the best price for.
Thule uses a rectangular load bar which is a little easier to set other things on and tie to. Yakima's load bars are round which is supposedly stronger.
Thule is Swedish.
Yakima is American.
In the end, go with whichever you can get the best price for.
05-28-13, 08:09 PM
#12
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I've got an old Yakima setup that works fine, but since I don't really need a rack that often, and having one on all the time is a noisy PITA, and because taking the Yakima (or any full sized, typical roof rack) on and off is a pain, I'm probably going to pick up a Seasucker Talon shortly. It looks perfect for my needs:
https://www.seasucker.com/shop/1187/
https://www.seasucker.com/shop/1187/
05-29-13, 07:13 AM
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I'm happy with my Thule square bars + two Thule Circuit racks for bikes. You have to remove the front tires but they are incredibly sturdy in there.
I also installed a fairing to reduce the noise. I got stickers on it too which I both love and hate.
If I had to do it again I may get the aero bars, but then you're somewhat limited on what attachments you can get.
Hope this helps. I can post a picture later.
I also installed a fairing to reduce the noise. I got stickers on it too which I both love and hate.
If I had to do it again I may get the aero bars, but then you're somewhat limited on what attachments you can get.
Hope this helps. I can post a picture later.
05-29-13, 02:56 PM
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I like Yakima's Whispbars. They are not quiet but are way quieter than most round or square bars. The Yakima frontloader works great with the profile of the bar.
05-29-13, 03:12 PM
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Take the locks out of Yakima? What are you talking about??? I have used Yakima since the late 80s. I like the philosophy of this American company and find their stuff to be very well made and durable. I prefer round bars. I have used my Yak rack for carrying much more then just bikes, boats, etc. I have loaded a lot of construction materials up there and swear by their quality product.
05-29-13, 03:35 PM
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I have Thule aeroblades and Rocky Mounts Euro pitchfork. It's flush mounted so secure and much reduced wind noise due to no clamps around the aeroblades. Great setup.
05-29-13, 04:29 PM
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I have thule aero bars and inno bike racks for my car.
I have a yakima round bars on my old truck. It works good too.
I have a yakima round bars on my old truck. It works good too.
05-29-13, 04:31 PM
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Take the locks out of Yakima? What are you talking about??? I have used Yakima since the late 80s. I like the philosophy of this American company and find their stuff to be very well made and durable. I prefer round bars. I have used my Yak rack for carrying much more then just bikes, boats, etc. I have loaded a lot of construction materials up there and swear by their quality product.
05-29-13, 05:04 PM
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I'm relatively sure I just put square thule bars on my sister's new forester last year....just because they came out with new aero bars doesn't make the square bars obsolete, especially if you have an arsenal of thule mounts and racks for various outdoor activities. With a fairing I can't tell a difference between the aero bars and square bars
05-29-13, 05:14 PM
#20
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Christ, I had no idea this stuff was so expensive, a thule fork mount for a carry is what - 400-500 total?
05-29-13, 08:54 PM
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