Thank you for purchasing a Thule Echelon! You are right; the locking mechanism doesn’t work as designed. The Echelon, as with all Thule items, was torture tested to make sure that it held up to a wide range of bikes, vehicles and environmental elements so you can trust that your bike is being transported safely and securely. Though the Echelon passed every rigorous lab, street, and off-road test that we threw at it, we overlooked something so simple that even we can’t believe it.
Please understand that the Echelon is an awesome product. We back it 100%, just like we do with everything we make. Please rest assured that the Echelon is a perfectly safe product for transporting your bicycle and that the locking mechanism has no impact on the clamping force of the rack.
If you bought an Echelon, and plan on using locks, you can go back to your Thule retailer and tell them that you read this note and that you would like to get on the list for a replacement head.
For those of you who tried to mount the Echelon on round bars, some of the bottom plates were out of spec and therefore didn’t work as designed on round bars. This problem has been resolved and will work properly on the replacement heads.
Thule is a stand up company and we take pride in everything we make here in Seymour, CT. We can’t claim perfection on this first Echelon production run, but we will make it right so you can continue to trust all Thule products.
Thanks for your continued support!
PRODUCT FEATURES / BENEFITS:
ETC™ - Equalized Twin Cam Technology
Centrally located cam lever and NEW ergonomic adjustment knob allows rapid loading/unloading of bicycle.
Fits all disc/suspension combinations with standard 9mm axles.
Dual-lock design, locks bike to carrier and carrier to rack.
Wheel tray fits tire widths up to 2.6” wide w/ high profile rims.
Submitted by
Kliemann53
a Weekend Warrior
from Bonney Lake Wa. U.S.A Date Reviewed: August 10, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Skookum flats
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$150.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
Looks cool (when there's no bike in it)
Weaknesses:
Poorly enginered, Bad customer service
Bike Setup:
Specialized Epic, Yeti 575, Lemond Buenos Aires
Bottom Line:
The under bar bracket is designed so the screw tention pulls the back tab out of the head and the only thing holding it on the car is two plastic wing nuts on the back bar. I called Thule and they where a little condecsending and said "Nobody has had this problem before". I'm sure REI will take it back,They have god customer service.If you buy this rack remember if comes off on the road and causes an accident your legaly responsible.
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Submitted by
telemark3@live.com
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden,Co Date Reviewed: July 28, 2009
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
The mounting clamp is poorly designed.
Bottom Line:
The mounting bracket attaches to the head unit via a tab in the back and two bolts in the front. If you over tighten the bolts, the tab bends and is pulled out of the head unit. Go down a bumpy road and the bracket will pull entirely out of the head and your bike will bounce off your vehicle and down the road.
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Submitted by
thesober
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Date Reviewed: October 11, 2008
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
Thule is shipping the new heads now, I just received mine and the lock system works. So if you have issues with the system like the reviews below, give Thule a call, their customer service top notch!
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Submitted by
Halvo
a Cross Country Rider
from Chapel Hill, NC, USA Date Reviewed: September 2, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Black Mtn in Pisgah
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$118.00
Purchased At:
REI
Strengths:
SOLID construction, easy to mount, VERY easy to adjust, extremely stable, locking cores work fine! Thule must have figured out the problem (as of Sept '08).
Weaknesses:
None thus far - will update later.
Similar Products Used:
Smaller, independent roof rack co. - years ago.
Bike Setup:
I have too many bikes...
Bottom Line:
I went to REI for a Thule sale they were having and looked at both the 517 (Peloton) and 518 (Echelon). Despite the rave reviews for the 517, and the negative reviews for the 518 (all b/c of the locking core issue), there was no question that the 518 was MUCH more solid/sturdy, and the adjusting/clamping mechanism was much more user friendly. When I got the locking cores, I new there was a chance that there would be a problem and that I would have to return the racks to REI, but THEY WORK FINE! They only work in 1 of the 4 possible directions, but it doesn't take long to figure this out. I guess Thule has figured out the issue. So far, I am very happy with these racks. I feel bad for folks who have had a frustrating time with the locking core issue, but right now the racks seem to be OK.
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Submitted by
Thule has been a PIA
a Cross Country Rider
from NC Date Reviewed: April 19, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$999.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
Easy to use, and holds the bikes well.
Weaknesses:
Noisy. You need an adapter kit to use them on rapid aero bars. The adapter kit is noisy and makes a squeaking sound when driving on anything but a smooth highway. They STILL don't lock!!! Thule posted that message above about how they are a stand up company and are working to make things right.....yeah right.
I have waited close to a year for replacement heads for this tray. Last time I talked with them, which was in 2007, I was told my name was on a list and when the replacement parts came in they would expedite shipping them to me. I just called back a couple of days ago and my name is no longer on any list and they still don't have an idea of when the parts would be available. WHAT A JOKE. My name is on another list though, Marie's, who did a good job at acting as confused about the whole situation as I am pissed.
Bottom Line:
Still don't lock even though they are listed on Thule's website again after being pulled for a while and I doubt they are even available yet. If they are, why don't I have replacement heads that lock? I bought these in June or July 2007 and the issues still have not been resolved.
Here's the bottom line. Thule doesn't care about customer issues. It must not be worth their time or money. Look for another tray.
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Submitted by
deputy
a Weekend Warrior
from Mass Berkshires Date Reviewed: January 30, 2008
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Marketing hype and product looks
Weaknesses:
Locks, mounting
Similar Products Used:
velo vice, rocky mounts
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Scalpel
Bottom Line:
A brilliantly clever design! A little over the top for what it really has to do (clamp a freakin' fork). Too bad Thule couldn't pull it off. Sloppy die-casting and poor component quality and assembly make this thing a nightmare. Locks don't work. Haven't they figured this out yet? Bracket that clamps the head to the load bar looks like it came from some recycled Yugo. A classic case where mfg and quality couldn't execute/produce what was designed. I heard the top designers jumped the company for higher ground and this thing was left abandoned just before launch. Stay away. Go git yourself a conventional skewer fork mount carrier and be safe and happy.
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Submitted by
Thule has been a PIA
a Cross Country Rider
from NC Date Reviewed: September 17, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$180.00
Purchased At:
lbs
Strengths:
They look like they nice.
Weaknesses:
Apparently they don't work as designed.
Similar Products Used:
So far I am wondering why I ever went away from Rocky Mounts. High dollar racks are proving to be a bunch of hype.
Bottom Line:
So far I am p!ssed but I am going to reserve judgment until I actually get to use the fork mounts. I have ordered a whole system from Thule because I figured they were a well respected company and their products were quality. I guess a company is only as good as the people that work for them because so far I have waited over 2 months for missing parts so I can't even install the Echelon's.
I mentioned that I had these trays and locking cores in a email to Thule but nobody thought to mention this issue to me while I waited on the other parts. I could have had different trays or replacement heads by now considering I have waited so long for the other pieces on backorder. I guess nobody there is thinking that far ahead considering these "awesome" fork mounts were designed with such oversights. At least they would have information on their site about this. Maybe I can go their to find out if the fork mounts I purchased were 1st generation, maybe I can find information about how to quickly get replacement heads sent, right? WRONG!! I would have never known this was an issue if I didn't come across this review! Looks like more waiting and wondering for me! So far, I can't see any reason for giving my money to this company. Almost 1K spent and still nothing to show for it.
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Submitted by
Howard Jeffries
a Weekend Warrior
from Natick, MA USA Date Reviewed: August 15, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Vietnam
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$139.00
Purchased At:
On line - Rack and Road
Strengths:
Solid looks and design. Lifetime guarantee Carries my road bike and mtn bike perfectly Good range of adjustability Made in USA
Weaknesses:
I am assuming that the Locks don't work well. I do not use them but it is a definite shortfall. I always use a U-Lock for security but I want a perfect product anyway.
Similar Products Used:
Velo Vise
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Superlight Bianchi pista Indyfab crown jewel
Bottom Line:
Since buying the Echelon I have loved it. After reading the other reviews about the locks did not working I was bummed. I called Rack and Road and they told me that Thule is aware of the problem, that they are fixing it. Thule brags about their lifetime guarantee and it's legit...both Thule and Rack and Road are backing it up.
The shop said that Thule will replace Echelons at no charge and Thule is going to send me a new product as soon as the new one is ready. I am on a list and can keep using mine until a replacement arrives in a couple of months.
I am going to rate the product with an average rating because when the lockable version arrives it will kick ass.
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Submitted by
Marcus
a Cross Country Rider
from Kansas City MO Date Reviewed: August 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
South Mtn Px Az
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$139.00
Purchased At:
Midwest Cyclery
Strengths:
metal (I'm trying really hard to not give this rack too much credit)
Weaknesses:
Locks, Installation failure, poor engineering, lack of packing, all of the above.
Similar Products Used:
Yakima Viper, Rocky Mounts
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz, Cannondale
Bottom Line:
I waited for this "top of the line" piece to arrive at my LBS and when it finally did, i was more than disappointed. First, out of the box you will find it scratched up and marred from the lack of packing. Second, installing the rack on your thule bars (prob yakima ones too) proves to be next to impossible. I had to turn the rack 30 degrees with one bolt in the head just so the other bolt would line up with the clamp tab. Once I finally got the rack secured to the car, I installed the locks and they spun in place and wouldnt even stay installed!! when i "found" the stop to pull out the key, the core came with it!! and don't think that the locked position means locked; i was able to lift the arm with minimal force.
Ive been on the phone with Thule 3 times now to try and figure out what happened and one customer service rep had the balls to say "lets just say that the designers didnt try as hard as they should have on this rack" !!! OMG
I really like supporting my LBS and this isnt helping any of them. On a positive note, the base rack system, there carriers, and hitch mount racks all are high quality in my opinion. But they really need to stop trying to re-invent the wheel with there bike carrier's head designs and try and make a quality product.
bottom line- DO NOT BUY THE THULE ECHELON. EVER.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen
a
from Kalamazoo, MI, USA Date Reviewed: August 5, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Strengths:
Nice brushed silver color
Weaknesses:
I am new to mountain biking and a shop near us does free bike rack installs. So, a guy that has done 300+ Thule installs attempted to mount two new Eshelon bike trays onto the roof of my 4Runner using LB58 Thule Load Bars and 450R Thule Rapid CrossRoad rack system. What happened with the Echelon's you ask... HORRIBLE lock system!!! The lock cores he TRIED to install didn't work on either of the two the Echelon trays I was buying!!!! Then, he got two co-workers who each have installed approx 100 racks to try and help him. So, 500+ combinded rack installs and they said the Echelon is the biggest piece of sh*t they have ever seen!!!!! Not only would the lock core just spin, not catch, and not work in either Echelon but, as he was trying to get the lock to actually work, be sheered off the meer 1mm tip that separates your bike from thiefs! He was only using light/moderate pressure trying to get the lock to work and he broke the security feature off. Some low-life using the heel of his hand could break your sh*tty Echelon rack open with the heel of his hand and steal your bike in 2 seconds!!! Thank God the rack purchase came with a free install... they swapped the Echelon out for two V2 fork mounts and apologized repeatedly. The shop owner was so pissed at Thule and felt so bad he gave me 25% off the V2's. The shop owner pulled the remaining Echelon's from the sales floor and said he was "mailing as these piece of sh*t racks back to Thule"!!! I have never left feedback on any product before but felt compelled to leave feedback on this worthless fork mount. DO NOT buy this fork mount and attempt to install it at home... you will be screwed!!!!!!
Similar Products Used:
Thule V2
Bike Setup:
Specialized Rockhopper Comp
Bottom Line:
Don't buy the Echelon fork mount no matter how cool and silver it looks... it is absolute garbage!!!! This rack sucks! I don't know when you will be more frustrated, when the lock core don't work or when a thief breaks the 1mm security tab with 3 pounds of pressure and steal your bike!!!
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Submitted by
Justin Owens
a Cross Country Rider
from Providence, RI, USA Date Reviewed: August 4, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Ridge in PA
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Heavy all-metal head
Weaknesses:
Incredibly poor engineering, terrible quality control
Similar Products Used:
Older Thule racks - I worked in a shop for 5 years
Bike Setup:
Jamis Dakar & Dakota AL
Bottom Line:
The previous reviewers, unfortunately, nailed this rack dead-to-rights. This is an incredibly pi$$-poor piece of engineering for a high end company. First off, the previous reviewer's complaints about the cosmetic quality-control are true. Thule doesn't bother to carefully pack this tray, so your $100 bike tray comes out of the box with plenty of scratches and mucked-up stickers.
More importantly, the lock is one of the single most poorly designed engineering mishaps I've ever seen. He ain't kidding about the 1mm metal tab - that's ALL that stands between your expensive bike and a thief or bump. One sharp jab upward on the head lever and it's over. Bike gone. Secondly, one of the two trays I bought didn't even have these tiny pieces - it's like the mold screwed up! So that head won't even pretend to lock, the cylinder just spins and spins.
Save your money, get a "lesser" design or a different brand. I'd go Yakima if I hadn't already bought and installed the entire rest of the rack. I'm returning these right away. Echelon my a$$.
p.s. Thule appears to have removed this tray from their website...maybe they got the message.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Stephen
a Cross Country Rider
from Penngrove, CA Date Reviewed: July 26, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Nice looking. Tray and head are more stout that the already stout 590 V2. New lever design is easier to use that the 590 V2.
Weaknesses:
Won't stay securely attached to my Yakima crossbars. Lock function erratic. When open, the gizmos that grab the fork, often stick partially closed and therefore hang up on the fork making it hard to get the bike in or out.
Similar Products Used:
Thule 590 V2
Bottom Line:
Don't buy this rack. If you can find a 590 V2, get it instead.
Thule really scr**ed the pooch on this one. I had these on order since April. The repeated slipping of the delivery date should have been a clue. These are going to have to go back.
This rack attaches to the crossbar with a metal plate. The metal plate attaches to the rack with a tab and two screws. The metal tab may be satisfactory on the Thule square bars, but on my Yakima round bars it bends upward, slowly releasing the rack! I tightened the screws twice thinking that I had not gotten them snug, but after the third time it was loose, I looked more closely to see that the tab was simply pulling out of the slot!
In addition, like the previous reviewer I have had problems with the lock. My problems were not as severe, but the lock is erratic, sticking now and again, and just being a PITA.
Finally, the touted new improved ETC™ (Equalized Twin Cam) clamping system bites. Literally. Damn thing won't let go of the fork. Nothing worse than wrestling with a bike that is up over your head while the rack refuses to let go of it.
Gotta hope that someone formally employed by Thule is currently looking for a new job, cause given that this is their top of the line rack, they really botched it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Seal Beach, CA Date Reviewed: July 22, 2007
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$139.00
Purchased At:
Rack N Road
Strengths:
None
Weaknesses:
Crap engineering
Similar Products Used:
Old Thule bike rack
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Heckler
Bottom Line:
For the record, let me state that I have been using Thule products for 25+ years and have always been happy enough with them - until now...
After waiting since February for Thule's new top of the line bike rack to finally ship, I finally got the call that they had come in after many delays. The overall appearance was not that great as there were many chips in the finish and the Thule stickers were on crooked - signs of rushed production. What has me REALLY angry is the poor engineering of them. The "Lock" mechanism DOES NOT WORK, nor can it because of it's absolutely idiotic design. Apparently the engineers at Thule think that approx 1 mm of aluminum is the basis for a rock solid locking mechanism. I was able to simply lift the cam/release lever with ease whether or not it was "Locked". I returned to my Thule dealer and showed it to them. All the other Echelon's in there stock did the same. (No surprise here as it's a engineering / design flaw). The dealer at that moment removed them from his display and floor stock. I would not trust this design to drive my bike around the block let alone anywhere else for fear of it opening up and jettisoning my bike. It is now obvious why there have been so many delays of this product - there must have been an internal fight among Thule personnel about this very issue and it appears that the Sales/Marketing guys one. NICE GOING THULE!!!! I suggest that you get your legal team ready for whats coming when a bike comes off on the freeway! In my opinion these need to be recalled for safety reasons.
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