Velovise V2, a real winner for bikers with disc brakes!
Written: Aug 07 '03 (Updated Aug 07 '03)
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Pros: Looks sleek, low wind noise, much more stable than other rack styles, easy to lock.
Cons: I haven't found any...
The Bottom Line: The best system available to transport bikes hands down. Even if you have a Yakima rack, the self centering skewer on the V2 gives it an edge over Yakima's system.
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| openroad's Full Review: Thule 589 - Velo Vise |
----- Product Info -----
I have owned several rack systems by Thule for various cars over the years. Their base rack systems have always worked flawlessly for me, and still look like new. My first purchase for my new rack was a 599 Bigmouth bike rack. The idea of leaving both wheels on the bike while transporting seemed like a good idea to me at the time. I soon learned there are drawbacks to everything, and I became quite familiar with Bigmouth problems.
About a year after I started using the Bigmouth, I picked up a used low quality rack that copied Thule’s VeloVise rack. The VeloVise system is a fork mount rack that requires you to remove your front wheel. The advantages to this system are: Less weight to lift up to the roof, more stability in side winds and at higher speeds, and a lack of paint damage from jaws that clamp your frame like the Bigmouth rack.
Since my new Specialized bike had disc brakes, the standard VeloVise rack will not work. The front brake caliper will hit the tray of the Velo and prevent the forks from locking securely. Those of us with disc brake equipped bikes need not worry, as Thule has come to the rescue with the 590 V2 VeloVise. This model has a cutout on both sides of the tray to eliminate clearance issues with brake calipers. The V2 model operates exactly like the standard VeloVise and is very simple to use. First you must lift up the locking lever at the front of the rack. After removing the front wheel from your road bike or mountain bike, simply insert the front forks into the rack head and lock the forks by pushing down the locking lever. When the vise head tightens it automatically sizes itself to your dropout size. (Dropouts are the notches where your quick-release axle is seated) Mountain bikes have much thicker dropouts and road or touring bikes, so the Velo's extra wide skewer opening for clearing oversize forks is very useful. After several uses you will REALLY appreciate the self-centering skewer for quick and easy bike mounting.
The rear wheel is secured to the Thule tray with a ratcheting strap. With the vise in front and strap at the rear, there is much less swaying in windy or bumpy conditions, and also less wind noise. The only drawback to this system is the extra storage needed for the front wheel while in transport. This is easily solved by investing in the Thule 545 Wheel carrier.
----- Rack details ----
The V2 fits a wide range of disc brake/suspension fork combinations.
It features bomb-proof construction with all metal head.
Dual-locking design, locks bike to carrier and carrier to rack.
Improved opening and closing with longer cover/handle that is lined with rubber for comfort.
The satin silver wheel tray can be customized with Thule Tray Skins.
Redesigned wheel strap is both easier to use and longer to accommodate high profile rims.
New wheel strap design fits tire widths from 20cm road tires to 2.3 inch MTB tires.
----- Final Comments -----
For almost any bike whether road or mountain, the Velovise V2 is the best rack you can buy. It will give you years of service and security, and at a price that's reasonable. If I ever have the need of a 2nd rack, it will be a Thule V2.
http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/default.asp
Thanks for reading, and feel free to comment!
Openroad
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 100
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