Friday, February 4, 2011 Yakima SideWinder Tandem Fork Mount Rooftop Bicycle Carrier Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This rack works well. Essentially:
1.) the fork holder swings out to the side of the vehicle (can be set up to go either way: right or left).
2.) You lift the front of the tandem up and place the fork in the skewer and then clamp the skewer down.
3.) You then lift the rest of the tandem up and place the boom tube in the cradle. At the same time, the arm swings back in line with the rack.
4.) You tighten the arm locking bolt down and attach the straps that go over the boom tube and lock down in the holder.
I routinely load and unload the tandem by myself using this rack - but I prefer to have help. I am not particularly strong, but I am tall. The user has to lift the bicycle up and on to the boom tube holder while simultaneously pulling the front arm straight. If the sidewinder is mounted on the passenger side of the vehicle - you will also have to lift the tandem high enough so that the chain clears the boom tube cradle as well. I'm 6'1" and stand in the rear door sill.
Some people think that the Tandem looks ungainly perched up so high - but the sidewinder's design is very versatile and still lets you open the hatch (if you have one) a little bit when the bicycle is in place. It doesn't stick out to the back at all with no bicycle in place.
The only problem we've had with it is one of the boom tube "buckles" for the strap fell off somewhere - but Yakima shipped us a replacement immediately for free. I have seen other Sidewinders with the same missing buckle - so I wouldn't suggest that you always leave the sidewinder on the car, unless you somehow tie the buckles on to the cradle with a bungee cord or some such.
We use our Sidewinder on top of our '06 Prius and it sure makes transporting the tandem a lot easier. The rack is pretty expensive - but for us it was well worth it.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Yakima SideWinder Tandem Fork Mount Rooftop Bicycle Carrier
Product Description:
Wondering how to take your tandem bike to the beach house? Look no further than the Yakima SideWinder tandem bicycle carrier, which holds a tandem far more securely than racks with wheel-tray designs. The SideWinder boasts a swing-out skewer arm for easy loading. The SKS-lockable skewer arm lets you hook the fork on first, then swing the bike easily into place on the roof. As a result, you can rifle around the cooler for some delicious beverages while your riding partner does all the work. The SideWinder's padded boom cradle and quick-release ratcheting straps, meanwhile, protect bottom-mounted cables. Perhaps most importantly, the SideWinder won't interfere with most hatchbacks or flip-up rear doors, even while dangling a tandem bike over the back edge. Other features include support for any 9 mm/100 mm tandem fork (locks are sold separately) and a handlebar strap for added stability. Compatible with round and square crossbars, the SideWinder carries a limited lifetime warranty.
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Monday, January 31, 2011 Thule Glide & Set - 2 saddles Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I was not sure which type of rooftop carrier to purchase to transport my new kayak.I was expecially concerned because I am 5'4" and have to lift a kayak to the top of a RAV4. The carrier was easy to install on my factory installed mount and my boat slides on and off with ease. (I do carry a small step stool to make it easier to tie-down the boat.) This product comes with quick draw bow and stern tie downs so you do not need to order a separate set unless you want to have a spare. (note: In putting together the rack - the directions indicated using the longest set of screws/bolts - but the shorter ones were much better for my vehicle.) This was a great purchase for me - easy to install and easy to use.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Thule Glide and Set - 2 saddles
Product Description:
Thule's Glide & Set is a combination of their Set-to-Go [THU0026] and Hydro Glide [THU0025] saddles, along with two ratcheting tie-down straps. The Glide & Set can be attached to almost any rack system, factory or otherwise, and has everything you need to carry your kayak right out of the box. Saddle systems are easy to use and eliminate pressure points on your boat's hull, making them the best choice for kayak transportation if you have the roof space.
Product Features
Thule Part# 883
Country of Origin: United States
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Thursday, January 27, 2011 Thule 878XT Set-to-Go Kayak Carrier Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased these racks last December and installed them on my van. After a while I noticed that the arms that support the rubber slings that are designed to support the kayak would drop down, resulting in the kayak resting more or less on the rack cross bars, instead of being supported by the slings. The problem is made worse by the fact that the sling material is very grippy-great for holding the kayak in place, but making it very difficult to actually get your boat into the racks. With 2 people loading a boat, you can drop the kayak from above, but the kayak needs to be raised up off the grippy slings to adjust its position fore and aft. The boat will absolutely not slide while in the racks. The only way to load a kayak by yourself is to put a towel on the rear saddle (slings), so the boat can slide on the towel, and shove the boat forward with a strong heave. Again, to adjust fore and aft, you need to haul down on the rear of the kayak to get it off of the front rack in order to re-position it.
I was pretty much resigned to dealing with these shortcomings using the work-arounds noted above, until the weather turned hot. Now when I strap the kayak down, the ill-fitting racks push into my plastic boat, deforming it. This is a known issue with roto-molded plastic boats, which is why I bought $140 racks in the first place. I have contacted Thule; they said talk to Amazon, because I bought the racks from them! A very conscientious Amazon rep is going to talk to Thule to try to see what can be done. Incidently, I talked with an employee at my local kayak shop, and he just rolled his eyes, "Yeah, I get the same complaint from everybody that buys this rack." I recommend potential buyers look at Yakima products before buying.
And now the rest of the story:
The conscientious Amazon customer service rep called Thule on Friday, couldn't reach the appropriate person, and called me back to let me know that she would try again on Monday. She called me Monday morning, after reaching Thule with the rep's name. I called him, and he seemed surprised to learn of the problem. He said he could not refund my $$$, but would happily send me another of their products. After re-visiting Thule's site,I picked the 835 Hull-a-port Pro as a replacement. Thanks to Amazon and Thule for helping me correct the Problem!
Mike
Click Here to see more reviews about: Thule 878XT Set-to-Go Kayak Carrier
Product Description:
Thule's most adaptable saddle for water-sports equipment. Easily accommodates multiple shapes, so you can use the same carrier for kayaks, rowing shells, surfboards or sailboards. Includes one 15' cinch strap with Buckle Bumper to protect your water-sports equipment and vehicle from scratches. One ratcheting quickdraw tie-down line secures your boat's bow or stern. Use two Set-to-Go carriers to carry one boat or combine with another Thule carrier. USA. . Product ID: 23572, Shipping Restriction: This item is not available for shipment outside of the United States.
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Saturday, January 22, 2011 Thule 575 Snowboard Carrier Rooftop Rack Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)We love this thing!No more flat models for us!It is pretty easy to install and remove as well as putting the boards up there and removing them.We bought a couple of these so we can have a total of 4 boards on our top of our van.The design of this gadget prevents your bindings from being smooshed against the top of the van like flat carriers while maintaining a space saving yet very functional design.We love it!Highly recommended!!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Thule 575 Snowboard Carrier Rooftop Rack
Product Description:
The Thule 575 Snowboard Carrier Rooftop Rack is like the original angled snowboard rack, except that it now adapts to factory bars, as well as round and square-load bars. In addition, the 575 carrier doesn't require the use of any clamp-ons for mounting to factory racks.
The 575 snowboard carrier has the capacity to simultaneously carry two snowboards, and is fully adjustable to accommodate different board widths. The two-board angled design allows more room on top of your roof for a Thule box, or an additional ski carrier. The 575 is compatible with Thule's One-Key System, and includes a lock core to secure your boards to the carrier, as well as theft-resistant hardware to secure the carrier itself to your rack. What's more, this unit now includes Thule's Fat Mouth clamp, for quick attachment to different factory racks.
What's in the Box?
2 x board carriers, 16 x rubber blocks, 4 x tamper-proof button-head screws, 4 x square nuts, 4 x board supports, 2 x keys, 1 x tamper-proof wrench, 2 x locking cables, 4 x bottom clamps, 4 x barrel nuts, 2 x board protectors, and instruction guide
Manufacturer's Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
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Wednesday, January 19, 2011 Yakima RocketBox 11 Rooftop Cargo Box Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I have a subie like the pix and liked the look.I thought it would fit, but it's too long.I can only open the back 2/3 of the way.But no worries, it's not like I keep it on there all the time.It was nice to put all the beach stuff up there, and easy to wash out at home.While driving, no noise, no wobble.Didn't notice any impact to MPG. Box was easy to set up, worked well.Totally happy with buy, Yakima is worth it!
Click Here to see more reviews about: Yakima RocketBox 11 Rooftop Cargo Box
Product Description:
Need a little extra storage space when driving up to the slopes? Turn to the RocketBox 11 rooftop cargo box, which keeps your skis, snowboards, and gear as cozy as you'll be inside your car. The RocketBox 11 measures 22 by 14 by 89 inches (W x H x D), with a total storage area of 11 cubic feet. That's enough for a weekend's worth of gear for you and a couple of friends. At the same time, the RocketBox 11 isn't big enough to hog your crossbars, in contrast to some of the other cargo boxes on the market. And drivers won't need to install a whole new roof mount system to use the RocketBox, as it works with most round, square, and factory crossbars. Other features include quick-installation hardware, SKS locks, and a sweet old-school matte black finish. The RocketBox 11 rooftop cargo box carries a limited lifetime warranty.
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Saturday, January 15, 2011 Yakima Frontloader Rooftop Bike Carrier Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I purchased this roof bike rack from a retailer, so the price on Amazon is about $20 less (each)... so you get a better deal on Amazon.I'm not a bike specialist and this is my first bike roof rack.I also had this rack installed onto the base rack onto my car by the retailer.The process took a little less than an hour.
I would have preferred a hitch rack installed on the rear of my car but I learned my car (MINI Clubman) is a bit difficult to install a hitch.You would have to take the rear bumper off and the two rear tire fenders... install the hitch and put everything back together.I wasn't in the mood to chance it since my car is new and installation of a hitch + bike rack and all its accessories would've got me in the $1,000 range.The hitch would've come in handy though.Here's why:
If you're short like me, having a bike rack on the roof of your car is a bit of a chore.It's certainly possible, but imagine yourself lifting your bike over your head and having to fit it on the rack without dropping it.No room for error on this or else it crashes on top of your car and perhaps does damage on your sunroof.In addition, you'll have to balance the bike (while you're holding from the side of the car) and strap your bike in (using one hand) while your other hand is holding onto the bike frame or pedal.So for me, it's a two-person job.
Onto the bike rack itself...
I was told it's a new model from Yakima.It's a little heavier than a single bike tray since it has two enforcements for the front bike tire.It's made out of aluminum, so it doesn't rust much with a black powder coat.The overall look is nice on my car, since I have a black top.With everything installed, including a wind deflector I purchased separately... my car looks like a pseudo-military vehicle.The wind deflector is necessary because with the bars I have (and this rack), I was told it's not aerodynamic so you hear a little whistling.The wind deflector, which I got for $60, works great.
Before you put the bike on your roof (and onto the rack), you need to pre-determine the measurements of the two enforcements that will squeeze the front tire on the rack.This is determined by the size of your front bike tire.You need to do this before you pick up the bike and place it on the rack the first time - trust me on this.
Once you've got the front fitted and the front tire is firmly in place... there is a simple strap for the rear bike tire, which is strong.So it's important that you get the right fitting in the front and force it tightly so it fits correctly with your front tire size.
All in all, it's not an exact science.It's only as good as you configure your bike into the rack.There's no "snap", "crackle", and "pop" to tell you that it's secure and everything will be OK.You need to put your bikes in tight enough so when you try to wiggle the bike in the rack, there's only a little bit of "give".
There's a bike lock on the rack so you can tie it around your bike frame - but it's only a wire lock.This won't keep your bike secure on the road... only secure it from someone trying to steal your bike when you're parked.
Last, but not least, there's also a lock, sold separately, for the rack - that attaches to your base rack... so people can't steal your rack while it's parked.
My configuration as follows:
- I already had factory installed roof rails on my car.
- I had to purchase a roof base... these are the two bars that run sideways on top of the factory roof rails.These are fastened onto the roof rails.
- I purchased the Yakima Front Loader (2) for two bikes.
- I also purchased the wind deflector separately.This is installed in the front of the rack on top of your car.
- Purchased the locks that fit the bars and racks separately.
I've had this rack for about two weeks now.It's pretty cool looking, only as secure as you want it, but takes your bikes anywhere you want to go.This rack is slightly less expensive than other Yakima racks with a similar design... but more expensive than most racks like it on the market.
One quick note on price... I had a little sticker shock when I came up with the total for the whole bike rack.With labor, it cost me a little less than $850 for two Yakima bike racks, the base racks (2 bars), and the locks for the base rack and Yakima racks, and the wind deflector.Perhaps I got hosed???Aside from that, I'm pretty happy with it.
I'll post updates as I use this rack more in the near future.So far, so good.I hope this helps you.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Yakima Frontloader Rooftop Bike Carrier
Product Description:
Universal fit to most kinds of crossbars - including aerodynamic factory bars - makes the FrontLoader our most versatile rooftop bike mount ever. It goes right from the box onto your car rack system, and then to a very special place in your heart.
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Tuesday, January 11, 2011 Thule 593 Wheel-On Rooftop Bicycle Wheel Carrier Review
Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)This wheel carrier worked well to get the bike wheel out of our smallish car. It definitely worked better than an earlier model we previously tried. The wheel feels secure in the mount and does not spin around while you are driving. I would buy this product again- and I am picky.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Thule 593 Wheel-On Rooftop Bicycle Wheel Carrier
Product Description:
The Thule 593 Wheel-On Rooftop Bicycle Wheel Carrier is loaded with features to ensure your wheel travels safely to your destination, and is easy to remove when you arrive. The 593 Wheel-On replaces the 545 wheel carrier, and fits all quick-release wheels from 24- to 29-inches in length.
The 593 provides you with fast wheel loading and unloading via an easy, drop-in fork design, which also doubles as a wheel security feature. This wheel carrier features a zero-adjustment, anti-spin device, and provides you with maximum versatility with an adjustable carrying angle. The 593 Wheel-On folds down flat when its not in use so it is out of your way, and fits Xsporter, Thule, and Yakima load bars. This unit complements Thule 590 V2, 589 Velo Vise, 591 LT Classic, and 822 Bed Rider fork-mount bike carriers, but user's should note that it does not come with a locking option.
What's in the Box?
593 wheel carrier assembly, 2 x metal brackets, 4 x knobs, 4 x carriage bolts, and instruction guide
Manufacturer's Warranty
Limited lifetime warranty
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