From the category archives:

Roof Bike Racks

Honda Pilot Roof Rack for Skis and Bike

by rackdawg on March 5, 2010

Standing beside this awesome Honda Pilot roof rack setup for carrying skis and a bike are Mr. Reeder, Yakima Racks Sales Rep, and Shawn, ORS Racks Direct Operations Manager.

Standing beside this awesome Honda Pilot roof rack setup for carrying skis and a bike are Mr. Reeder, Yakima Racks Sales Rep, and Shawn, ORS Racks Direct Operations Manager.

Lucky us for a recent visit from Mr. Reeder, Yakima Racks Sales Rep. A great day was had by all at ORS Racks Direct, as we spent the day discussing all things concerning Yakima Racks… exciting new products are now available for 2010, including the Yakima FrontLoader bike rack, Yakima SpareTime spare tire mount bike rack, Yakima EvenKeel kayak rack etc. Of course, before Steve had a chance to jump back in his car and head back home, we were able to capture yet another poor quality image (due to using a Blackberry camera and foggy weather) of his sweet Honda Pilot roof rack for carrying skis and a bike. The Yakima RailGrab roof rack is mounted to the Honda Pilot factory side rails and the Yakima SkyBox LoPro ski box and Yakima SprocketRocket bike rack are attached to the RailGrab cross bars. Pictured along with Mr. Reeder is Shawn, ORS Racks Direct Operations Manager, obviously involved in high-level rack science discussions.

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Thule 513 Domestique Bike Rack

by rackdawg on February 11, 2010

Image of the Thule Racks 513 Domestique fork mount bike rack. Clamps directly to any factory racks as well as aftermarket car rack crosbars from Thule, Inno, Yakima etc.

Image of the Thule Racks 513 Domestique fork mount bike rack. Clamps directly to any factory racks as well as aftermarket car rack crosbars from Thule, Inno, Yakima etc.

Thule Racks has launched a new fork mount bike rack called the Thule 513 Domestique. This car roof top bicycle carrier stands apart from other fork mount style carriers offered by Thule Racks because the Thule 513 Domestique is equipped to clamp directly to factory roof rack crossbars, no adapters required. It also works on after-market car rack system cross bars from Thule, Yakima, Inno etc. Also features a racy, aerodynamic look that looks great on all vehicles. Also optionally locks the bicycle inside the carrier and Domestique itself to the car roof rack.

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Yakima FrontLoader Bike Rack

by rackdawg on February 9, 2010

Image of the 8002103 Yakima FrontLoader upright mount bike rack. Compatible with all styles and sizes of bikes. Also mounts directly to any roof rack cross bars, including factory racks, Yakima, Inno, Thule cross bars etc.

Image of the 8002103 Yakima FrontLoader upright mount bike rack. Compatible with all styles and sizes of bikes. Also mounts directly to any roof rack cross bars, including factory racks, Yakima, Inno, Thule cross bars etc.

Expanding on the ever popular, universal mounting Yakima Forklift fork mount bicycle carrier, Yakima Racks has launched an all-new upright-mount bike rack called the Yakima FrontLoader bike rack ( 8002103 ). Besides offering the latest in easy bike loading and unloading convenience, the Yakima Front Loader also requires no tools or adapters for connecting to factory racks or aftermarket car rack system crossbars from Yakima, Thule, Inno etc. The FrontLoader can also simultaneously lock the bicycle to the carrier and the FrontLoader itself to the vehicle. Beyond these very cool new features, this bicycle carrier also delivers top-notch design styling and eye-catching good looks.

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Toyota Highlander Bike Rack System and Tire Chains

by Rack James on December 6, 2009

Toyota Higlander Hybrid bike rack using Thule 450 Crossroads rack system with Thule 559XTR Big Mouth upright bike carrier and Thule 518 Echelon bike rack and Thule XG-12 tire chains

Toyota Highlander Hybrid bike rack using Thule 450 Crossroads rack system with Thule 599XTR Big Mouth upright bike carrier and Thule 518 Echelon bike rack and Thule XG-12 tire chains

You never know when you might run into snow on your way to your favorite bike trails.  This Toyota Highlander Hybrid is prepared if that may be the case.  Mounted to the Toyota Highlander factory side rails is the Thule 450 Crossroads racks system with not one but two premium Thule bike racks.  On the right is the Thule 599XTR Big Mouth upright bike rack and on the left is the Thule 518 Echelon fork mounted bike rack.  In the event of inclement weather, this Toyota Highlander has a pair of Thule XG-12 tire chains.

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Honda Pilot roof top cargo system using Yakima Railgrab sytem with Yakima Skybox LoPro roof box, Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike rack and Yakima Kayak Stacker with Yakima RackandRoll trailer with Yakima ForkLift bike tray.  Phew.

Honda Pilot roof top cargo system using Yakima Railgrab sytem with Yakima Skybox LoPro roof box, Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike rack and Yakima Kayak Stacker with Yakima RackandRoll trailer with Yakima ForkLift bike tray. Phew.

Either this person is the ultimate rack star or our Yakima rep.  Either way, someone knows how to use auto racks to carry lots and lots of gear and cargo.   From the top of this 2006 Honda Pilot is the Yakima Railgrab system mounted to the factory side rails upon which is mounted the Yakima SkyBox LoPro cargo box, the Yakima Sprocket Rocket fork mounted bike carrier, and out of view but nonetheless present is the Yakima Kayak Stacker.  On the roof of this Honda Pilot alone, a bicycle, two kayaks, and lots of gear can be safely and securely carried.  But that wasn’t enough for this rack king of the road.  To really go over the top, this Pilot is towing a Yakima RackandRoll trailer with 66″ roundbars which can carry just about any Yakima, (such as the Yakima ForkLift bike rack pictured here) Thule, Inno, Malone, or RockyMounts accessory, as well as general cargo such as cardboard boxes, held securely down with Yakima Heavy Duty loadstraps.  There’s not much room left over to rack this ride, but in this case, I think that is ok.

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Customer install picture of Toyota Matrix using Yakima Q Tower base rack system with Thule Ascent Cargo box and Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike racks.

Customer install picture of Toyota Matrix using Yakima Q Tower base rack system with Thule Ascent Cargo box and Yakima Sprocket Rocket bike racks.

These folks went on a crosscountry road trip in their Toyota Matrix and were able to take plenty of gear and toys with room to spare inside the vehicle.  For a base rack, they are using the Yakima Q Tower complete system.  On top is a Thule 604 Ascent 1600 Cargo Box.  For bike transport, they are using a pair of Yakima Sprocket Rockets.  Just goes to show that you don’t need a van to carry everything you need to have an amazing trip.

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Q: Does anyone make a rooftop car rack system for a 2008 Range Rover?  I’ve checked both Yakima and Thule and nothing is coming up.  They only offer racks for Range Rovers with factory racks and mine has none.  I want to carry two bicycles and maybe a kayak.  Thanks!

A: You’re right, Yak and Thule don’t provide a fit, but Inno does makes a base rack system that will attach to the naked roof of your Range Rover.  It is the Inno IN-SU complete base rack system.  It is a great rack system with corssbars that are identical to Thule’s.  With the IN-SU system installed, you are free to mount virtually any bike carrrier or kayak carrier you like.  A few good examples: Inno INA383 Fork Lock II and Inno INA450 Kayak Rack.

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Audi A4 roof bike rack with Thule 400XT roof racks and Thule 518 Echelon bike tray

Audi A4 roof bike rack with Thule 400XT roof racks and Thule 518 Echelon bike tray

 The Thule 400XT base rack system installed on this Audi A4 adds a sporty flair to this fine vehicle, but its main purpose, of course, is carrying a bicycle on the roof.  The Thule 518 Echelon does a great job of that and is in fact Thule’s most secure roof top bike carrier.

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Saab 9-3 bike rack system utilizing Thule 450 Crossroads system with Thule 616 Prologue Bike Rack

Saab 9-3 bike rack system utilizing Thule 450 Crossroads system with Thule 516 Prologue Bike Rack

A very nice car with a very nice rack system.  Here’s a Saab 9-3 with factory roof rails using the very nice Thule 450 Crossroad car rack base system which fits most raised side rails.  For safe and secure bike transport, this Saab 9-3 has chosen the very nice Thule 516 Prologue bike rack for carrying what I can only assume is a very nice bicycle.

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Yakima Raptor Review by ‘Brian’

by rackdawg on October 5, 2009

Yakima Raptor bike rack review by 'Brian'. He has mounted 2 Raptor bike racks to his 2004 Toyota Sienna.

Yakima Raptor bike rack review by 'Brian'. He has mounted 2 Raptor bike racks to his 2004 Toyota Sienna.

This Yakima Raptor bike rack review is by ‘Brian’. He is using the Yakima Raptor as a 2004 Toyota Sienna bike roof rack system for carrying his sons’ bicycles.

Overall Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)

“As our boys grow, their bikes will obviously grow with them. The Yakima Raptor works perfectly to eliminate the need for a new bike mount as their bikes get bigger. Since the Raptor doesn’t utilize the front forks to mount, it doesn’t matter how small or large the bike is, it will always work. And with a great price, you can’t ask for anything more.”

all Yakima Raptor bike rack reviews

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Yakima Forklift Review by ‘Tim’

October 5, 2009

This Yakima Racks Forklift factory rack mounting bike rack review is by ‘Tim’. He is using the Yakima Forklift bike rack as a 2010 Pontiac Vibe bike roof rack.
Overall Rating: 5 Stars (out of 5)
“The Yakima Fork Lift bike racks are perfect! I needed to get a rack that would work with my 2010 Pontiac Vibe factory [...]

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2004 Toyota Sienna Roof Rack and Bike Racks Install

October 4, 2009

This customer installation photo captures just how nicely a family can outfit a 2004 Toyota Sienna roof rack and bike carriers setup for carrying 4 bikes for the entire family, both adults and kids. A very slick system that includes the Yakima RailGrab car rack base system mounted to the 2004 Toyota Sienna roof rack [...]

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Honda CRV Roof Rack System with Bike Racks

October 2, 2009

At first glance, this Honda CRV with the Yakima Control Tower System appears to be set up to carry two bicycles, but a closer look reveals that there are not two but three Yakima Copperhead Bike racks mounted to the 48″ Yakima Round Bars.  Just goes to show that you don’t need a lot of [...]

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Video of Thule 598 Criterium Bike Rack

September 30, 2009

Thule Racks 598 Criterium upright mount bicycle carrier
Considered by many to be the perfect bicycle rack, the Thule 598 Criterium bike rack accomplishes the previously impossible feat of combining beautiful design styling with incredibly easy to use functionality. The perfectly contoured bike tray lines and sleek clamping arm make the Thule 598 Criterium a perfect [...]

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Q and A for 2010 Lexus RX350 Bike Rack, 2007 VW Passat Rack, 2007 Hummer H3 Rack and 2008 Toyota Highlander Bike Rack

September 29, 2009

Q: I really wanted to use the Saris Bones 3 bike trunk rack on my 2008 Toyota Highlander. But it looks like it is not compatible with this vehicle? Can you confirm this? Also, are there any other trunk bike rack models you could recommend? I’m open to bike rack options for the  2008 Toyota Highlander [...]

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2008 Saturn Vue Car Rack for Bikes with Hitch Mount Cargo Box

September 29, 2009

A favorite set up of ours, this customer installation highlights how you can outfit your entire vehicle to transport your luggage gear and equipment. This 2008 Saturn Vue bike roof rack and receiver hitch mount cargo luggage box includes the Thule 665C Transporter Combi hitch box, Thule 450R Rapid Crossroad roof rack system (with RB47 [...]

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Audi A6 Roof Rack with Bike Rack System

September 25, 2009

Audi A6 roof rack system for bike transport using Thule 460R Rapid Podium base rack system with Thule 594 Sidearm bike racks connected with Thule X-Adapt 9 adapters 
A fine automobile like this deserves a fine rack system like this.  Here we have the Thule 460R Rapid Podium base system which installs into the factory fixed mounting [...]

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2009 Nissan Pathfinder Roof Rack & Bike Rack Install

September 25, 2009

A fantastic customer installation featuring a 2009 Nissan Pathfinder roof rack and bike rack system. Components included are the Yakima RailGrab roof rack system which is mounted to the 2009 Nissan Pathfinder factory side rails. The Yakima ForkLift bike rack (which also connects directly to factory racks), Yakima WheelFork bike wheel holder and 32″ small [...]

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Subaru Tribeca Car Rack with Yakima Luggage Rack and Yakima Bike Racks

September 24, 2009

Wow! Thanks to Paul in Burlington, VT for showing off his sweet Yakima set up on his sweet Subaru Tribeca, which perfectly shows how nicely Yakima attachments can be mounted to the Yakima Loadwarrior Cargo Basket.  Paul is no doubt a biker, and has himself three Yakima Steelhead bike racks paired with three Yakima Wheel Forks.  [...]

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2001 Acura Integra Roof Rack for Snowboards & Skis and Hitch Bike Rack

September 24, 2009

A fine customer installation featuring a 2001 Acura Integra car roof rack system with a bike rack and ski-snowboard rack attached. There is also a hitch mount bike rack connected to the Acura Integra 1-1/4″ receiver hitch. The configuration includes the Thule 409 Acura Integra car rack system, Thule 91725 ski-snowboard carrier, Thule 518 Echelon [...]

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