Piece of mind on the roof of your car
Written: Jul 14 '00
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Pros: Strong, well made
Cons: Somewhat pricey
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| gerper's Full Review: Thule 589 - Velo Vise |
After a few weeks of packing my bike around in the trunk of my Jetta, I decided it was time to buy a rack. I knew that I wanted to spend the extra money and get a roof rack as I was afraid of someone ramming into the back end of my car (and of course, by bike).
I decided to go with a Thule rack system based on a friends' recommendation who worked at a bike shop. Thule is known for producing well crafted racks that are strong and can be trusted to haul around bikes, boats, or skis.
Price - When you buy a bike rack, you are basically buying a "system". As with the options you get, the price will vary. I purchased the Velo Vise system (which included rails, clamps, and brackets for one bike, and a wheel holder) for around $250.00. Pricey, yes. But when you haul around a bike that costs $1,000.00 or more, you don't want it to fly off your car.
Installation - Reasonably easy, as long as you are not in a hurry and have a roomy work area. I would advise a person to lay everything out on a cement floor and then assemble it on top of the car once the pieces are all in place. Most important, read the directions and take your time. Failure to be thorough on something like this could result in a serious traffic accident from a clamp coming undone.
Durability - As I mentioned, Thule makes great racks that are very reliable and dependable. However, they won't last forever if they are not taken care of. If you know that you are not going to be riding your bike for long periods of time, such as the winter, do your rack a favor and take it off your car and put it in the garage. This will keep it out of the elements and prevent it from getting rusted or damaged due to rain. Also, use a lubricant, such as WD40 to keep the clamps from getting stiff and rusty.
If you are in the market for a roof rack, I would highly recommend the Thule. I have had three different racks (on three different cars) and have not had any problems. A really well made product that makes me forget that I am hauling a bike around.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 250.00
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gerper
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Member: gerper
Location: Seattle
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