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Submitted by
chrisharjes
a Weekend Warrior
from Asheville,NC
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Kitsuma | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$420.00 | | Purchased At: | Diamond Brand Outdoo | | Strengths: | Looks cool, lots of neat little accessories | | Weaknesses: | Falls off cars on the interstate | | Similar Products Used: | Thule | | Bike Setup: | Trek Remedy 6 | | Bottom Line: | I've used Yakima products to haul bikes, kayaks and couches for years and years. They've established a reputation for dependability, but have lately allowed their quality to slip substantially. I bought a full Q-tower setup for my 2008 Honda Civic early ths summer, meticulously installed it per factory directions, and used it for only six weeks before the entire system flew off my car at 70 MPH with no warning whatsoever, destroying my wife's and my surfboard. I borrowed her car the next day, also with Q-towers, and noticed the rack slipping off as I tied my new(ish) mountain bike on for a ride.
I asked around, and was amazed to hear that several friends in the southeast (eleven so far) have had the exact same thing happen with Yakima Q-towers on Hondas and other sleek, low-profile vehicles. The clips they use attempt to fit multiple car models, and do so poorly. The Q-tower locking mechanism has an inherent flaw that allows road vibration to gradually loosen its grip, resulting in catastrophic failure.
When I contacted Yakima, they lied. "Q-towers work excellently, even on Hondas- We have had very few reports of failure." They weren't happy that other folks were telling me about these common failures, and continued to deny them despite more incoming reports. Yakima asked me to send the rack in for analysis, at my expense, then refused to offer restitution for my surfboards or vehicle damage. They have even failed to refund my money for the defective product. If you choose to buy a Yakima rack, be ready to get the cold shoulder when your bikes get rag-dolled across the interstate! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
slow learner
a Cross Country Rider
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: September 22, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Versitile! Fits both my vehicles. Carries bikes in the summer and skis in the winter. | | Weaknesses: | expensive!! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Hardtail MTB | | Bottom Line: | Solid rack. Several parts (e.g. hinges on ski rack) corroded and I had to replace with stainless components. In fairness, my rack is 10 years old.
I have had two (I guess I'm a slow learner) encounters with my garage. The Q-Clips bent slightly some of the plastic covers broke. Additionally, the Raptor clamp broke. However, damage to my car was far more costly. The rain gutters sustained some damage, the rack feet dented my roof in 3 places, and bolts from the Yakima caused a 3 inch gouge in the paint and a 1/2 inch deep dent in my roof. I can't really fault the Yakima for my stupidity but it sure would have been nice if the rack would have seperated cleanly from my car. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
George Kaplan
a Weekend Warrior
from L.A. , Ca.
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Westchester Parway | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Sun and Ski | | Strengths: | Nice fit with good instructions. Carry the bikes well which means they do what they were designed for. | | Weaknesses: | A little pricy and the Yakima faring is way over priced. The rack system and faring is an advertisement for Yakima going around town on my car. I peeled off the Yakima stickers and faced the faring backwords so it is just black in front. I don't care if anybody knows I has a Yakima. Only I need to know. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Frame, 2 wheels, handlebars, brakes, gear set and a seat | | Bottom Line: | Got racks! Now I can take my bike with me. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Maurice
a Weekend Warrior
from Fort Mill, SC
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$300.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles East Matthews NC | | Strengths: | Durability, ease of installation and removal | | Weaknesses: | Noise without fairing | | Bike Setup: | GT MTB | | Bottom Line: | Well I've been using my Yakima rack for about 13 years. The only thing I've had to replace were the rubber feet that sit under the Q towers, because I lost them during a moved. The towers aren't as dark as they used to be, but the whole system still works just fine -- even the lock cores I purchased. In this case I think I got what I paid for -- they weren't the cheapest product but turned out to be more than worth the price. | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a Cross Country Rider
from Birmingham, AL
Date Reviewed: January 4, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Rack performs well. Good instructions, easy to install. I have used YAKIMA bike carriers as wekk, but THULE will work. Decent locking system. I am sure you could probably punch one with a screwdriver and make it work, but hey you could do the same with your car. | | Weaknesses: | Cannot get Q clips for newer vehicles. | | Bottom Line: | I travel quite often with my job. I get a new company vehicle every 12 - 18 months. I try to always take my bike because you never know when you will get a chance to ride. I chose a roof rack because you can move from vehicle to vehicle by changing the Q clips. Much cheaper than installing a hitch on every new car. At any rate, I have a 2007 Impala. Had this vehicle for four months. I have contacted YAKIMA 5 times over the four month period, and they still have no clips identified for the 2007 Impala. I have been told by Chevrolet that there are basically no changes from the 2006 model, and asked YAKIMA to check the fit......still nothing.
To make a LONGGGGGGG story short, I have been without a way to take my bikes with me for four months now. Bottom line...if you pan on keeping your vehicle for 4-5 years and can find a fit, buy it. If you plan to change vehicles every year or two and need to get new clips...BUY A THULE.
If I could get parts to move this rack between vehicles I would give a much higher rating. Because I have a rack I cannot use with one of the best selling vehicles in the US (a car that has been out for 6 months)...it sux. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Cross Country Rider
from Plano, Tx USA
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Grapevine North Shore | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$150.00 | | Strengths: | Simple Design | | Weaknesses: | Replacement Straps | | Bottom Line: | I purchased this carrier 5+ years ago and have been looking everywhere for replacement straps (World Strap). I finally emailed Yakima and they sent an automated response with a phone number. I called the number and they told me they had the straps and would send me the 6 straps for free. I had found serveral distibuters who's website claimed they had them and sold for $3.00 to $7.00 per pair plus shipping which usually worked out to $25 or so. Of course they didn't have any in stock, and several told me that they were no longer available from Yakima. I was very impressed with Yakima's customer service and would highly recommend them to everyone. This is a company who know's what customer service is all about! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
benjamin
a Weekend Warrior
from atlanta
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Great rack if you don't plan on buying a new car. | | Weaknesses: | Yakima salesman said "there are clips for every car on the road." I didn't believe it, and now I can prove they don't make them. | | Similar Products Used: | Saris roof rack | | Bike Setup: | Specialized S-Works FXR XC | | Bottom Line: | I echo the reviewer below.
"One of the reasons I purchased the rack was with the idea that I would upgrade the clips and put it on my next vehicle. Unfortunately, when Yakima changed towers they stopped supporting the old product."
I purchased a new car and they don't make the Q Clips. I now own a $450 (including crossbars, QTowers, Clips, locks, bike mount, fairing) waste of space in my closet. It was so expensive that I'll hold on to it with the hope that Yakima makes clips for my next car.
My car isn't overly common (1990s 300zx) but Nissan made thousands and thousands of them in the US. Yakima does not make Q-Clips for them.
It was a great rack when it was on the car. Now I wish I had held on to my substantially less expensive Saris roof rack because they make clips for my new car.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Weekend Warrior
from Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Date Reviewed: May 11, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Roadie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$159.00 | | Purchased At: | Rack Warehouse | | Strengths: | - Very secure
- Ease of use
- Very well made
- Looks good | | Weaknesses: | - Had to have 90 degree hitch attachment
replaced because pin holes were not aligned (defect) | | Similar Products Used: | - El Cheapo Bell strap-on rack | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Kona Jake The Snake (Stock)
2003 Trek 3500 | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Yakima Kingpin 4. Initially I had a problem where the alignment holes for the swivel pin on the bottom post would not line up. That was replaced and things are working well. Very nice design, sturdy and nice-looking. I purchased the optional "deadlock" which locks the rack to the hitch and the bikes to the rack. Don't know if I'd entrust my JTS in this "secured" setup. If you pop a lock ring the rack lock is no longer secured and your bike is gone. If you're one for locking your bike to a rack, I'd suggest purchasing additional lock(s).
I like the fact that it does locks the rack to the hitch.
The rubber strap system is nice and really secures the
bikes to the rack. Even though the cradles are rubber and
padded, I place a length of pipe insulation on the cross bar of the bike(s). I like the fact that the mast folds down as well so you can leave it on your vehicle at all times. The SwitchBlade anti-sway bike cradles are sweet.
My children now fight to see who gets to lower the rack (without bikes secured) to get into the rear of my van.
Easy enough for an 8-year old to use. I would have rated 5 Chilis across the board except for the initial problem with the bottom pin holes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Colorado
Date Reviewed: April 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Captian Jacks-Chutes | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycle Village | | Strengths: | -Very Secure
-Doesn't interfeere (at all!) with door mechanism
-Sturdy
-Looks Good
-Awesome customer service. | | Weaknesses: | -Price (but you get what you pay for) | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 2004 Ram XT1500. Azonic 50mm stem. Swinger 3-way w/6" of travel. 5" fork (rock shox) | | Bottom Line: | Very good product. I have the Viper fork mount bike holder with the Q towers and Q stretch kit since I have a Honda Civic Coup. The rear tower covers that I recived with the kit did not fit the Q towers. At first I was puzzled but I later found out that other people were having the same problem. Turns out that some dealers have older tower covers that aren't compatible with the new 2005 towers. A quick, friendly call to Yakima on Monday resulted in brand new (compatible) covers on Friday. All of it was covered under warranty and thus didn't cost me a penny. Excellent customer service and a fantastic product. I absolutley recommend Yakima to anyone looking for a high quality bike rack with fantastic customer service backing it up. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Chalet | | Strengths: | Stong, secure, and most importantly, looks good! | | Weaknesses: | Price. | | Similar Products Used: | Putting bike in the backseat of a 2 door Ford Focus. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Specialized Enduro | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Q-Towers with the stretch kit.
This rack is easy to install and very strong, if you follow the instructions carefully.
When I tried putting the rear cam covers that came with the stretch kit, they wouldn't fit so I called Yakima. They said that some of their dealers were selling an older model stretch kit and that the only difference were the covers. They sent me the new cam covers for free.
The only downside I've found so far is the price. But when you think about how many roofs Yakima had to destroy to get a rack like this to fit right, it justifies the cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Weekend Warrior
from San Diego, CA
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Noble Canyon | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$370.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Chalet | | Strengths: | Stong, secure, and most importantly, looks good! | | Weaknesses: | Price. | | Similar Products Used: | Putting bike in the backseat of a 2 door Ford Focus. | | Bike Setup: | 2005 Specialized Enduro | | Bottom Line: | This review is for the Q-Towers with the stretch kit.
This rack is easy to install and very strong, if you follow the instructions carefully.
When I tried putting the rear cam covers that came with the stretch kit, they wouldn't fit so I called Yakima. They said that some of their dealers were selling an older model stretch kit and that the only difference were the covers. They sent me the new cam covers for free.
The only downside I've found so far is the price. But when you think about how many roofs Yakima had to destroy to get a rack like this to fit right, it justifies the cost. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John M
a Weekend Warrior
from Columbia, MD
Date Reviewed: December 12, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Still looking | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | REI | | Strengths: | Rack is secure on the car and is strong. When properly installed, this rack holds the bikes well. Mine is the older version with the Y towers and not the Q towers. | | Weaknesses: | Yakima nolonger supports the "Y" clips. One of the reasons I purchased the rack was with the idea that I would upgrade the clips and put it on my next vehicle. Unfortunately, when Yakima changed towers they stopped supporting the old product. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Varies | | Bottom Line: | Yakima makes a good roof rack. Even the plastic loops that hold the tire to the roof are strong. One time I did not adequately tighten the clamp that connets to the downtube on my Fuji. The thing came loose at highway speed and the bike fell sideways. When I pulled over, the pedal dented the car, but the plastic straps held the bike-no damage to the bike. Two chills for value since they don't support the product for the long haul (I know it would be expensive) and 4 for the quality of the product. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Lawrence
a Cross Country Rider
from Lakewood, Ca, USA
Date Reviewed: May 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Turnbull | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$250.00 | | Purchased At: | Jax Bicycle | | Strengths: | Availabilty, Yakima has cornered the market in bike rack land. The fit kit is solid. | | Weaknesses: | The recommended bars are too long, doesn't look good on my car. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Marin Rift Zone, stock except saddle and pedals. | | Bottom Line: | This rack fits my car very well. Is there any other way? The thing clamps down solid. Be sure you understand and follow the instructions, make the proper measurements. Take a little extra time and get it right. This is the first rack I have intalled on the roof of my car 2004 Mazda 3 5 door. I chose Yakima, because I can find product anywhere. So sad Thule isn't really in the game. One knock against Yakima, they recommend the cross bar that is too long. Not only does it not look good, but it is a hazard having 5 inches over hang above each door. My wife kept bumping her head, especially when helping our kids out of the back seat. I took a hack saw to the bars and shortened them up, no more bumps on the head for my wife. Yakima could have done better by recommending a shorter bar or creating an in between length or simply suggesting in their instructions that cutting the bar is permissable and in many cases necessary. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
CL
a Cross Country Rider
from S. CAL
Date Reviewed: February 5, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Rock-it | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$230.00 | | Purchased At: | Mtbr classfied | | Strengths: | strong, versatile, easy to install (make sure you have the specific instuction for your car), great customer service. looks good on my car with new style fairing. a lot better for FS bike than trunk rack. easily find parts in Ebay. | | Weaknesses: | addition wheelfork sucks, price | | Similar Products Used: | Yakima trunk rack. | | Bike Setup: | Q-towers with Copperhead fork mounts, new style wheelfork, new style fairing. | | Bottom Line: | Very quiet and stylish for my Chevy Prizm, don't know why the other guy complained about the noise - it's probably caused by the design of your car, not the rack. I bought used without menu so I email Yakima several times, and they always reply next day. Follow their instruction sheet you should have no problem at all.
Wheelfork is not that convenient at all, I rather put my front wheel into the trunk. Copperhead fork mounts are great and I couldn't be happier. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ellison Smith
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenville, SC
Date Reviewed: October 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | still searching | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Strengths: | Sturdy, versatile, holds my bike perfectly, fits pretty much any bike, and looks cool on the top of my car! | | Weaknesses: | Prone to rust | | Similar Products Used: | cheesy trunk racks | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Paragon, RockShox Judy-R fork, Bontrager Jones a/c tires | | Bottom Line: | I love this thing! It's wonderful! I bought it used in the paper, so I got a great deal. It is an older rack, but works the same as a new one.
Setup: Q tower-like towers, wind fairing, 48" crossbars, 2 wheelforks, 2 old full-tray fork-mount racks, 1 short-tray fork mount rack.
First of all, it was very easy to install on my car. Very simple to move parts around and lock them down. And it holds anything you could possibly need to carry! The bike trays are also very nice. I was a bit skeptical at first about having my bike on top of my car on the interstate and bumpy dirt roads, but it takes anything I throw at it. It is very easy to lock the bikes down on my short volvo, but I can see it being a bit of a challenge on an SUV.
I hear complaints about noise, but I have an old volvo, so it pretty much drowns out any noise from the rack. The fairing helps with that too. and it gives me a cool place to put my stickers!. The only real downside to it is that is seems to attract rust. If you get a little cut in the rubber coating on the bars, you'll get rust. I also just had to order two news skewers because the old ones were rusted in place! 50$ each! ouch! Yakima products have high price tags, but if you buy used, you'll thank yourself for it. Even if you do have to replace a couple parts, you'll still be getting a great deal. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric Jewett
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | El Prieto | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Purchased At: | Sport Chalet | | Strengths: | Well built, easy to use, holds bikes solidly | | Weaknesses: | NOISY! My nice quiet Passat now roars with wind noise from this thing on the roof. It's really unbearable. | | Similar Products Used: | Barrecrafter roof rack. Hollywood trunk rack. | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Bullit | | Bottom Line: | Don't buy this rack unless you have earplugs or a really loud stereo. Even then you'll need earplugs. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dax Grantham
a
from Boston, MA
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | wamputuck park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$200.00 | | Purchased At: | www.agees.com | | Strengths: | Nice looking rack that is easy to attach and stays put. Components are easy to attach. Rack is sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | A bit noisy unless you get the fairing. | | Similar Products Used: | Thule | | Bike Setup: | n/a | | Bottom Line: | I have to recomend this rack, it looks good and works great. The price is reasonable and accessories go on and come off easly. Security is not an issue, as lock cores are sturdy and secure. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave S
a Cross Country Rider
from St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Urban | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$380.00 | | Purchased At: | RackWarehouse.com | | Strengths: | It's versatile as hell, looks great, and holds your bikes on securely. | | Weaknesses: | The initial cost. Also, I can't use my sun roof which opens up and back, because the air flow over the wind fairing causes it to flop around if it is opened, but without the fairing, the wind noise is extremely loud and annoying. Oh yeah, IF you can find the old style wind fairing, buy it. The new one really sucks and doesn't do it's job effectively. | | Similar Products Used: | My trunk and back seat. Generic trunk racks. | | Bike Setup: | '02 Kona Stuff and '01 Fisher Kaitai; Rack with old style wind fairing, copperhead bike sled, and sks lock cores. | | Bottom Line: | If you can afford the steep price of this rack, it will definitely pay off over time. The amount of accessories you can attach to the main frame is amazing. The initial cost to just get the rack frame on a car without a factory rack installed will cost about $200, depending on where you buy it. I researched prices for a month before buying it, and the best deal I found was on Rackwarehouse.com . If you ever plan on having disc brakes or you already have them, spend the extra bucks and get a Viper. Otherwise, get the steelhead if you don't mind spending $20 more than the Copperhead. If you are serious about biking and other outdoor sports and you want to transport your gear securely, safely, and in style, buy this. If the cost of the rack is more than your bike, save yourself the money and get a nice Yakima trunk rack for $40, which is what my girlfriend uses and it works fine for her. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JT
a
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: March 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Various Places | | Strengths: | Ease (and speed) of use ... security ... stability ... looks really, really cool! The ability to key everything off of the same key is great too.
| | Weaknesses: | A real pain to install.
You have to buy each and every piece separately ... locks cores, accessory lock housing, feet, etc. Yakima is great but you pay for everything!
| | Similar Products Used: | Generic trunk rack | | Bottom Line: | Set up with this was the biggest pain: I finally broke down
and had REI do it and it was well worth it. My rack is secure on my car and has withstood highway speeds (and more) in rain and wind with no problems at all!
Once set up, I can load my bike on my roof faster than my friend can put his bike on his trunk rack.
Spend the money ... get the Steelhead trays and you'll be set!
4 chilis only because I got tired of having to buy things separately ... why can't Yakima package lock cores along with items that need to be locked (and then also sell the same stuff without locks)?
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew Marcucci
a Weekend Warrior
from Pomona, Nj
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The Next One | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$440.00 | | Strengths: | (With Fairing)-->Looks, Low wind Noise, Ease of assemble. Your Bike is very secure and that's what you want with $1840 Dollars on the roof! | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | Giant AC Air Lite | | Bottom Line: | Buy It, it's worth it! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
hanoverfist
a Weekend Warrior
from LA
Date Reviewed: January 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Redbox | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$450.00 | | Purchased At: | Helen's | | Strengths: | Ohmigosh! After using this rack for 2 years it finally happened... I drove my bikes, rack and all, into the top of my garage! This rack is balls on strong. The Qtowers are designed to break away and did just that. This spared my bikes and my roof. The entire setup peeled off the top of the car and hit the floor. With the exception of a very small scratch in the paint, I was spared damage to my beloved ride. | | Weaknesses: | None. Easy setup, excellent engineering. | | Similar Products Used: | Thule | | Bike Setup: | blah blah blah | | Bottom Line: | Get it. Get it now. I was able to purchase a new set of clips and reinstall the rack on my car as if nothing had happened. The modular design is perfect for MTB riders who are hard on their gear. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marty
a Cross Country Rider
from Cleveland, OH USA
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | who's askin'? | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$800.00 | | Purchased At: | Wilderness Outfitters | | Strengths: | Tough, easy to install, great looking | | Weaknesses: | small paint chip, where the rack claps on, I was kind of expecting that, a dab of touch up paint and I am back in business. No problem | | Similar Products Used: | Older yakima and Thule racks my freinds had, this is my first roof rack of my own. | | Bike Setup: | 99 Ibis Alibi, Zook Superfly, King headset, Race Face cracks, Magura hs 33's, wheelsmith wheelset Hugi hubs/ Bontrager Valiant rims, Seven cycles ti Bar, XTR drivetrain, custom built. Darth Vader Mojo | | Bottom Line: | the reason I put the full description of my bike above is to give you a good idea why I wanted the rack I bought to be the best. If anything were to happen to my bike (outside of the 8-9 hundred dollars damage a year, i do to it), I would be devistated. I dread my bike even leaning when I go around turns in my car. I had a 86 Ford Econoline van before and it protected my bike well, I wanted that kind of security. Once locked down to the steelhead tray my bike may as well have been welded to my roof. I grabbed my fork and the whole car would rock without the bike even close to swaying. I love the rack, get the fairing, it will cut down noise, and help milage. It made the car look great. I have it on a 2001 Focus hatchback.
As for install, take your time, read the directions carefully and you should be fine. It took me 3 hours to install it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian good
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver, bc
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | boogieman | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Besides the weakness mentioned below, the rack seems good. | | Weaknesses: | My Yakima rack damaged the roof of my 98 honda civic. In between each of the q-towers my car has small dents. I have never dropped or damaged that area in anyway, infact there is not even a scratch on the paint. I felt it was from torsion or stress created by the rack. However, Yakima denies that as a possibility. My friend had a similar experience with a different rack from a different manufacturer. I'd really like to know if anyone else has had this experience so I can further my discussion with Yakima. Please reply to my email if you know anyone else in my boat | | Bike Setup: | brodie bigshot w qr20 | | Bottom Line: | I'll decide when I have had some better customer service from Yakima. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
brian good
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver, bc
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | boogieman | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$400.00 | | Strengths: | Besides the weakness mentioned below, the rack seems good. | | Weaknesses: | My Yakima rack damaged the roof of my 98 honda civic. In between each of the q-towers my car has small dents. I have never dropped or damaged that area in anyway, infact there is not even a scratch on the paint. I felt it was from torsion or stress created by the rack. However, Yakima denies that as a possibility. My friend had a similar experience with a different rack from a different manufacturer. I'd really like to know if anyone else has had this experience so I can further my discussion with Yakima. Please reply to my email if you know anyone else in my boat | | Bike Setup: | brodie bigshot w qr20 | | Bottom Line: | I'll decide when I have had some better customer service from Yakima. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
BIKE/RACK THEFT
a Cross Country Rider
from Somewhere near you
Date Reviewed: September 13, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$88.00 | | Strengths: | USE STEELHEAD TRAYS, NOT COPPERHEAD!! Your bike can be EASILY *stolen* with Yakima Copperheads! | | Weaknesses: | DO NOT USE COPPERHEAD TRAYS!!!! I feel Yakima has done a tremendous diservice to its customers by selling a bike tray that, while lockable, presents no significant challenge to thieves either trying to steal the tray or the bike on the tray. | | Bottom Line: | If you're buying Yakima bike trays, pay the extra $20/pop for the Steelheads. They are FAR more secure than the Copperheads. I know this from experience. The Copperheads can be easily and quickly compromised by a thief with a simple adjustable wrench. All s/he has to do is unscrew the black nut on the end of the skewer, then just yank out the skewer. Boom, your bike and your tray are **GONE**. The Steelhead system is far more robust.
If you DO have a Copperhead, make sure you Loc-Tite the bolt, crip the hell out of the threads, or otherwise make it impossible to remove the skewer. You won't be able to remove it, but neither will the thief. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Todd
a Cross Country Rider
from Fowlerville
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month |
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