Is one better than the other? Any thoughts?
Thule vs Yakima Roof Racks
notenoughtime
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Is one better than the other? Any thoughts?
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Twisters vs. Triggers.
I've had the same Thule bars and towers since 1982. I know guys with Yakima stuff almost as long. Both are very good.
Go with what you like best for whatever reason. Price, fit, function, whatever. You can't go wrong with either.notenoughtime said:
I've had the same Thule bars and towers since 1982. I know guys with Yakima stuff almost as long. Both are very good.
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I've been using Thule products for more than 20 years...
and I sometimes joke that I must have every attachment they ever made (bikes, kayaks, skis, etc.). In fact, when my twins were little I set up a way to take a double Baby Jogger with us on camping trips - I'm sure happy those days are gone!
Anyway, last summer I had an unfortunate experience while camping with the family. While on the highway in Canada, traveling at about 65 mph, my Thule hitch rack's pin (the one that allows the rack to be lowered so you can access the back of your car) somehow came out, letting the bikes drop down and drag on the highway. No flames here, please...it was double checked and I know it was fastened correctly.
Someone in the next lane gave me the "Holy sheet, buddy, you'd better pull over and see what's going on back there" and when I pulled over, I couldn't believe that I was looking at! The kid's and wife's bikes were pos's anyway, but my Heckler with the almost new DT Swiss/King Hubset custom wheels on it sure ain't!
Damage to both wheels on Heckler, also other bikes. It certainly could have been much worse...perhaps even causing an accident on the highway if the bikes had let go.
So, I took lots of pictures, got the bikes repaired at the LBS, and, upon returning home from our three week excursion, wrote Thule a long letter explaining the above in greater detail. They soon sent me a check for all of the damage, etc. Now, I'm sure they were just as happy that nobody got killed out there on the highway that day, and were able to wipe some sweat from their brow and write me a check.
So...the original question of whether I would buy a Thule or Yak? Other than this one unfortunate incident, I have always been pleased. And when I had a problem, they took care of me fair and square and never gave me the "I'll bet you didn't have the thing on right" attitude. Besides...what would I do with all of the attachments?
and I sometimes joke that I must have every attachment they ever made (bikes, kayaks, skis, etc.). In fact, when my twins were little I set up a way to take a double Baby Jogger with us on camping trips - I'm sure happy those days are gone!
Anyway, last summer I had an unfortunate experience while camping with the family. While on the highway in Canada, traveling at about 65 mph, my Thule hitch rack's pin (the one that allows the rack to be lowered so you can access the back of your car) somehow came out, letting the bikes drop down and drag on the highway. No flames here, please...it was double checked and I know it was fastened correctly.
Someone in the next lane gave me the "Holy sheet, buddy, you'd better pull over and see what's going on back there" and when I pulled over, I couldn't believe that I was looking at! The kid's and wife's bikes were pos's anyway, but my Heckler with the almost new DT Swiss/King Hubset custom wheels on it sure ain't!
Damage to both wheels on Heckler, also other bikes. It certainly could have been much worse...perhaps even causing an accident on the highway if the bikes had let go.
So, I took lots of pictures, got the bikes repaired at the LBS, and, upon returning home from our three week excursion, wrote Thule a long letter explaining the above in greater detail. They soon sent me a check for all of the damage, etc. Now, I'm sure they were just as happy that nobody got killed out there on the highway that day, and were able to wipe some sweat from their brow and write me a check.
So...the original question of whether I would buy a Thule or Yak? Other than this one unfortunate incident, I have always been pleased. And when I had a problem, they took care of me fair and square and never gave me the "I'll bet you didn't have the thing on right" attitude. Besides...what would I do with all of the attachments?
S-Works is correct
I own both, I've sold and installed both, both are great racks.
Sometimes one or the other will fit a specific car better, if you're talking about roof racks. Yaks go on and off quicker after the initial install on vehicles without roof racks, but sometimes the Thules seem to less finicky when installing alone (sometimes being the key word).
From individual product to product, personal taste is key. I prefer Yaks fork mounts, but thule uprights. I like Yaks top o' the line swing away hitch better than Thule's, but I like thule's boxes, which are also made in the US (not sure of Yaks boxes, but most of their stuff is made in Mexico) better.
You won't go wrong with either for the most part. But truthfully, I worked in a shop that carried both, and there were cars that flat out took one brand better over the other, so if you're lucky enough to deal with that kind of shop and have people who know what they're talking about (and its amazingly how many bike shop employees are clueless about racks and installs) ask if they've got experience with your car.
I own both, I've sold and installed both, both are great racks.
Sometimes one or the other will fit a specific car better, if you're talking about roof racks. Yaks go on and off quicker after the initial install on vehicles without roof racks, but sometimes the Thules seem to less finicky when installing alone (sometimes being the key word).
From individual product to product, personal taste is key. I prefer Yaks fork mounts, but thule uprights. I like Yaks top o' the line swing away hitch better than Thule's, but I like thule's boxes, which are also made in the US (not sure of Yaks boxes, but most of their stuff is made in Mexico) better.
You won't go wrong with either for the most part. But truthfully, I worked in a shop that carried both, and there were cars that flat out took one brand better over the other, so if you're lucky enough to deal with that kind of shop and have people who know what they're talking about (and its amazingly how many bike shop employees are clueless about racks and installs) ask if they've got experience with your car.
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Sounds to me that I'd be fine with either brand.
I'm looking to get a roof rack setup. I don't know if I should have upright or fork mount. My mtn bikes have disc brakes, so whatever tray I get needs to accept that. I also have a road bike, so I want it to be compatible with that too. Is an upright or fork mount better for me, or is it just personal preference? Thanks.
I'm looking to get a roof rack setup. I don't know if I should have upright or fork mount. My mtn bikes have disc brakes, so whatever tray I get needs to accept that. I also have a road bike, so I want it to be compatible with that too. Is an upright or fork mount better for me, or is it just personal preference? Thanks.
Its personal preference
I've always preferred fork mounts, as the bikes have less sway (if you use them correctly, your bikes will be secure with whichever mount you use, I just don't like to see them swaying is all). I've also found them easier to use, as with uprights you have to hold the bike upright and adjust the arm, with how fork mounts work these days you just put the fork into the quick release and if its the same bike always the QR doesn't need to be adjusted. However, if you've got kids bikes in the mix, or always have your vehicle loaded to the gills, you might consider a mix of fork and upright mounts.
With discs, you'll need to use Thules V2 or Yaks Viper. Thule's regular velovise requires an adapter, which I'm not sure they still sell, or you need to modify the tray to fit discs. You can use Yak's Boa, which is the short version of the copperhead, but you need to have 32" of bar spread on your roof, something not all cars have. I'm not sure if the Copperheads will work.
Another consideration are the uprights that hold the bikes by the front wheel (yak's cobra and king cobra, not sure what Thule's are called). Don't have much experience with these, save that they are easier to use than standard uprights. If you've got kids bikes, or a bike without a quick release wheel, these are the way to go.
Again, doesn't hurt to check out a brick and mortar shop, feel both kinds with your hands, even if you end up buying via internet.
One thing I've noticed is some shops always have in store sales on rack stuff (excluding boxes). A lot don't advertise this, but its something I've noticed. I just picked up Yak's fullswing (a hitch rack, which I like to use when I go with the family, as we'll often put our kayaks up on the roof and most roofs can't handle more than 100 lbs these days) for 20% off, a big savings on a $400+ item. I couldn't find it online for that price, though a lot of places do offer free shipping. Try and find a shop that carries a complete line, if that's feasible where you live. Shops that regularly deal with racks will have stuff on display that you can go and physically check out.
And though the lbs vs internet has been beaten to death, a roof rack for at least 2 bikes will probably be at least $350, and hopefully a good lbs will take care of you if you drop some cash there. Both Thule and Yak have good warranty/customer service, but a lot of it depends on their relationship with a given shop, meaning if they listen to the people who sell they're stuff. If something breaks and its questionable (ie overtightening things that shouldn't be overtightened), a good shop will get it replaced for you. Now, finding a good shop, that's a whole nother ball game!
Good luck.
But here's things to consider.notenoughtime said:
I've always preferred fork mounts, as the bikes have less sway (if you use them correctly, your bikes will be secure with whichever mount you use, I just don't like to see them swaying is all). I've also found them easier to use, as with uprights you have to hold the bike upright and adjust the arm, with how fork mounts work these days you just put the fork into the quick release and if its the same bike always the QR doesn't need to be adjusted. However, if you've got kids bikes in the mix, or always have your vehicle loaded to the gills, you might consider a mix of fork and upright mounts.
With discs, you'll need to use Thules V2 or Yaks Viper. Thule's regular velovise requires an adapter, which I'm not sure they still sell, or you need to modify the tray to fit discs. You can use Yak's Boa, which is the short version of the copperhead, but you need to have 32" of bar spread on your roof, something not all cars have. I'm not sure if the Copperheads will work.
Another consideration are the uprights that hold the bikes by the front wheel (yak's cobra and king cobra, not sure what Thule's are called). Don't have much experience with these, save that they are easier to use than standard uprights. If you've got kids bikes, or a bike without a quick release wheel, these are the way to go.
Again, doesn't hurt to check out a brick and mortar shop, feel both kinds with your hands, even if you end up buying via internet.
One thing I've noticed is some shops always have in store sales on rack stuff (excluding boxes). A lot don't advertise this, but its something I've noticed. I just picked up Yak's fullswing (a hitch rack, which I like to use when I go with the family, as we'll often put our kayaks up on the roof and most roofs can't handle more than 100 lbs these days) for 20% off, a big savings on a $400+ item. I couldn't find it online for that price, though a lot of places do offer free shipping. Try and find a shop that carries a complete line, if that's feasible where you live. Shops that regularly deal with racks will have stuff on display that you can go and physically check out.
And though the lbs vs internet has been beaten to death, a roof rack for at least 2 bikes will probably be at least $350, and hopefully a good lbs will take care of you if you drop some cash there. Both Thule and Yak have good warranty/customer service, but a lot of it depends on their relationship with a given shop, meaning if they listen to the people who sell they're stuff. If something breaks and its questionable (ie overtightening things that shouldn't be overtightened), a good shop will get it replaced for you. Now, finding a good shop, that's a whole nother ball game!
Good luck.
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4,141 Posts
All of my Thule trays have been compatible with round bars (Thule is square or rectangular shaped), so if you get one rack, but like the other's trays, you can easily swap them around. I don't know, however if Yakima trays are Thule compatible.
That said, I'd recommend Rocky Mounts. They make the trays for both systems and come in cool colors. From what I've seen, they are really secure on the bar, as the clamp is at bar level, unlike the Thule mounts which were above the bar and had a bit of side to side movement in them (though this may have been intentional to reduce side to side stresses on the fork).
http://rockymounts.com/
They also carry Thule and Yakima racks (and Sportworks as well) so they should be able to help you with set up advice. Prices are good too. And you'd be the only guy in MD with these things!
That said, I'd recommend Rocky Mounts. They make the trays for both systems and come in cool colors. From what I've seen, they are really secure on the bar, as the clamp is at bar level, unlike the Thule mounts which were above the bar and had a bit of side to side movement in them (though this may have been intentional to reduce side to side stresses on the fork).
http://rockymounts.com/
They also carry Thule and Yakima racks (and Sportworks as well) so they should be able to help you with set up advice. Prices are good too. And you'd be the only guy in MD with these things!
I 2nd the rocky's....They will work on either system and are cheaper to boot.
I've used thule for ~12 years and now use yakima. You can't go wrong with either, but here's a little lean towards yakima. When I purchased my latest vehicle (02 ford explorer), I went to purchase new towers from thule so that I could transfer everything over. Well, the towers didn't work with my explorer, so I returned them and went with the other option that thule said would work for my vehicle...this didn't work either. I ended up returning those as well. An extra 2 trips to the dealer to deal with rack issues was more than I wanted to deal with, so I did the complete switch to yakima. Not exactly a cheap way to go, I did recoupe some money selling my thule parts, but I have had no issues with the yakima stuff. Also (not an issue for me), if you have a car with a curved roof, thule racks may have issues due to the bar angles not being flat.
Either way, you'll be in good shape. My .02 is go for the yakima with rocky mounts.
I've used thule for ~12 years and now use yakima. You can't go wrong with either, but here's a little lean towards yakima. When I purchased my latest vehicle (02 ford explorer), I went to purchase new towers from thule so that I could transfer everything over. Well, the towers didn't work with my explorer, so I returned them and went with the other option that thule said would work for my vehicle...this didn't work either. I ended up returning those as well. An extra 2 trips to the dealer to deal with rack issues was more than I wanted to deal with, so I did the complete switch to yakima. Not exactly a cheap way to go, I did recoupe some money selling my thule parts, but I have had no issues with the yakima stuff. Also (not an issue for me), if you have a car with a curved roof, thule racks may have issues due to the bar angles not being flat.
Either way, you'll be in good shape. My .02 is go for the yakima with rocky mounts.
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