[fda47]

Hi!

Gonna get my first 15mm TA bike this weekend and contemplating on getting an upright bike carrier. I do have 2 fork-mount carriers now and I do know I can purchase an adapter to allow the TA fork to mount on them but ..........

1. Adapters can cost anywhere between $40 and $55
2. Don't wanna take wheels off the bikes every time hit the trails
3. A local Volvo dealer sells the OEM Criterium for $60 with a $20 rebate for each rack

So ..... if anyone has used the Criterium for a good amount of time, would like to hear your thoughts as far as stability which is of utmost importance to me. Scratching the down-tube is certainly a concern but for me it's kinda minor. It's will be a pain to ensure the clamp is free from dirt each time bikes are loaded but I'll just have to live with it.

Oh, I have OEM load bars for the Audi A4 Avant and I'm really hoping the Criterium can work with them without the AdpatX thingy.

Another option I'm looking at is the Audi/VW Barracuda. A little more bulky but the tire trays look very interesting.

Thanks in advance.

 

[cracksandracks.com]

first of all, let me chime in on the barracuda. some guys like them, and i will likely start a small riot by saying this, but i can't think of a bigger pile than that rack. it reminds me of the toys you would win at a carnival. look cool, but then you realize they are just pieces of junk made to make little kids happy for 15 minutes.

the criterium is a nice rack. you will need xadapters to make it work on the audi bars regardless, because the mounting hardware won't wrap around that bar. instead, it needs to use the channel. all of the racks will need to do that, including the sidearm.

i haven't answered your long term question, and can't except by saying we've never had a criterium come back for any reason.

 

[fda47]

Thanks Scott.

I'm leaning towards the Criterium more because of what you said about the barracuda. The attractive feature of barracuda is the tire trays which probably (?) make it more stable.

Good thing about the Volvo OEM Criterium, it already comes with the XAdapt kit that it needs to mount it on the channel

 

[fda47]

So I got 2 of the Criteriums and used them a couple of times.

Gotta throw out this question on the Criterium.

On highway speeds of 65mph (ok maybe a little over that), the front wheel definitely has noticeable movement or wiggling. The clamp and back are fine though.

Am planning to travel from NH to NJ soon (about 360mi one way) most on thruway/freeway speeds and was wondering if users of the Criterium, or the like, had the front wheel on an extra strap to minimize the wiggle?

 

[TheoDog]

I have had a pair of Criteriums on top of my Ford Explorer for over 2 years. Only 1 really gets use, but I have a second in case a friend comes along. They Both fit along with my Explorer roof box. I have the aero bars and they needed no special adjustment. I got a lock kit so all Thule products are one keyed. the front wheel tray is the only real issue. slight waggle... or wiggle. I also rotate the cranks so the inside crank arm is against the sidearm. Not seen any damage to the down tube. Biggest gripe I have is the untrimmed trees in my neighborhood. If I had it to do over, I might consider a hitch rack with wheel trays.

 

[fda47]

Thank you TheoDog.

I finally put it to test myself. Did a 700mi round trip from NH to NJ traveling at thruway speeds (keeping up with other MA, CT, NY, & NJ cars if you know what I mean ) with relatively strong crosswinds and potholes to boot and the bikes stayed up on the rack, no issues at all. Worried and annoyed by the front wheel wiggle but didn't cause a problem at all.

So far am happy with the Criteriums (or Volvo OEM ones).

 

[tracerprix]

I'm debating between this and the side arm. Which do you think is better and more secure?