Trying to check up on the best way to attach my Thule ProRide 591 bike holders to the standard Yeti cross bars?

Is it better to take out the rubber oval strips along the cross bars and use the slot bolts provided to attach the Thule 591 fittings or use clamps around the outside of the cross bars leaving the rubber strips in place but getting crushed with the clamps? 

 

Just trying ti find the best way of securing  my bikes on top of the Yeti roof rack as my old one bolted straight onto the good old fashioned roof gutters that used to exist  on cars. 

 

 

FlyingBrick

If you have the OEM Yeti bars, I'd go for the T track adaptors. That's what they're designed for. Wide enough clamps will work but would likely mark the alloy of the bars. In a few weeks I'll be removing the rubber strips to mount our roofbox. Not sure if they slide out/slide back in easily. Our bars live on the car. Others store them and mount them as required, perhaps semi-permanently connected to the item(s) being carried. 

The rubber strips slide out easily enough, but can be a bit of a bugger to get back in.  I find a little lubrication helps - in my case I used a smear of washing up liquid, but whatever comes to hand should do.  I've actually cut my rubbers, so that I've still got a rubber strip across the middle of the bars, and then either side of the feet of the bike racks, to reduce the whistle from the bars (and to help keep water out of the channels).

I'd do that, if our box was permanently mounted on the bars. But they'll need to lead separate lives when not actually conjoined, so Fairy Liquid will be the order of the day. 

Thanks chaps for the information and will use the T bolts as provided and take off the rubber strips for three Thule 591 bike carriers.

If I could purchase a spare rubber strip that slots into the cross alloy bar then I would cut one up for fitting in between the carriers and when out of use slide back the original strips of rubber.

 

Somewhere on the roof fittings I saw a photo of a plastic collapasible step as my wife is short and could not get the bikes on or off. Need something small and compact that folds away when not in use.

Seen a photo somewhere in the forum of a natty little one but where did he buy it from?

 

 

 

Flying Brick

I had Thule roof cycle carriers but had to get rid of them, as I found it a struggle sometimes to get the biked in position 'upright' in order to secure them.

As I have a heart condition, kitten was concerned also.

I now have a rack attachment that fastens onto the rear boot and rests on the top section of the bumper and that's MUCH easier. :P

....Somewhere on the roof fittings I saw a photo of a plastic collapasible step as my wife is short and could not get the bikes on or off. Need something small and compact that folds away when not in use.

Seen a photo somewhere in the forum of a natty little one but where did he buy it from?

 

Flying Brick

 

At 31cm high, this is one of the higher steps Amazon do:

 

Will be using it in 2 weeks to load the roofbox.

 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00AQX5PWY/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Edited 4 July, 201313 yr by Michael G

Cheers Michael G

 

Will go to Amazon and order a compact step for getting to the bike racks.

Great help as I will not be around to help the Miss's get them down on holiday.

 

 

FlyingBrick

 

 

The Forum is just great for help and ideas. Impressed.

I'm looking for a cheap towbar mounted one. I want the Strada but can't justify the cost as it won't get used enough.

Oh, and it needs to be a wheel mount job, not a hanging one.

I'm looking for a cheap towbar mounted one. I want the Strada but can't justify the cost as it won't get used enough.

Please let us know what you find. But I suspect quality and cheap might be incompatible terms!

Please let us know what you find. But I suspect quality and cheap might be incompatible terms!

Too true. Keep coming back to the Altera Strada DL2.

Been looking on eBay, but can't see anything that I want, that locks to the towbar and locks the bikes without buying extras, or they just use straps. It also has to be compatable with my touring bike (dropped handlebars) as well as my full sus MTB. Not all are. Then there is my 13 pin electrics.... Converter needed for most racks.

The Strada is cheap compared to Thule's easy fold rack....