Has anyone installed Thule or Yakima racks on their 7th gen yet? I'm looking at getting a set this weekend and I'm leaning towards Thule at the moment.

Thanks

http://www.thule.com/

http://www.yakima.com/

 

Are you looking to go with Hitch, roof or trunk mount? I contemplated all three for a few months and finially decided on a Saris Bones 3 trunk mount. I chose the Saris do to the arms that hold the bike can be moved closer together than other racks which doesnt interfear with my Full Suspention MTB. Roof mount was out of the questions because i could never reach the bike on top of the car.

 

I was looking at the roof, I figure it makes it easier for me at least to load/un-load and I can always add some of the optional items later.

 

I'm thinking about getting some sort of rack, but I may just go with a trunk mount. Which Thule system were you gonna go with? Any idea on cost? Those roof kits get expensive quick.

 

I'm thinking Thule at this time, they seem to be better built and I like the wind fairing option to help reduce the noise. Total cost with 6 locks, load bars, 4 traverse foot packs, 2 Criterium bike holders about $650.00 retail. REI is a better price (under $600) and they install it the first time for you (free) which is really nice. Buy the best and cry only once...

http://www.rei.com/

http://www.thule.com/

 

Are you worried about the clips scratching the paint? Post some pics whenever you get all set up, if you don't mind.

 

I haul mine in my Frontier so I can't help much.

Just be careful with the roof racks - many folks forget about the bikes since they can't see them and drive into the garage and peel the bikes back - along with the roof!!

 

Did you end up getting the roof mount and do you have pictures of it on there? I am concerned about scratching the paint myself.

 

I'd go roof or hitch. I had a Saris Bones 2 and it worked okay but wasn't stable enough. I switched to a different one that my girlfriend had and it worked great ... until it scratched the crap out of my fin because it wouldn't hold my 30lb MTB up. Needless to say, i'll be buying a hitch rack next time. Forget mounting bikes to the trunk!

 

I agree, I'm an avid cyclist, and there have been some bad reviews with trunk mounted racks, one of them not being very stable. I'm going with either a hitch mount rack or a roof rack.

Does anyone have any photos of their roof racks? I'll probably add the wind deflector and hopefully they make rails that are shorter and dont stick out too much. Looking at a Thule setup.

 

With thule roof mount for 2 mtn bikes + wind deflector = 24MPG hwy
Install hitch, switch to hitch mounted bike carrier = 28MPG Hwy

just some food for thought.....advantage of roof is the other accessories such as roof top carrier or kayak....

 

Is the hitch truly hidden or will a cutout or will maxima need a modification to rear bumper cover? I'd def go hitch mount to save mpg.

Any photos?

 

Sea Sucker bike rack FTW