I’m looking at Thule roof racks and was surprised at how many different models they have. Does anyone have recommendations, or ones that you don’t like? Doesn’t have to be Thule.
Also I’m looking for something that will work with the OEM roof rack on my 2014 FJ Cruiser. Bonus points if anyone has an FJ and can provide a recommendation on a specific bike rack that fits.
Jason
Always been a fan of yakima racks. Go to their site and it’ll figure out what you need based on your car and current factory rack.
Rocky Mounts trays work on either thule or yakima, and are cheaper and look sleeker. Big fan of those.
Depends on your quiver of bikes. The Thule Side-Arm is great if you own road/tri, mountain and cross bikes because it works best for a wide variety of styles. If you just have road bikes the Thule Sprint or Paceline are the ticket.
I’ve used the Thule eschelon racks, and while nice, had to adapt them to fit to some factory cross bars. Yakima racks/trays not as nice I found.
This Rocky Mount Tie Rod is the best - slim, cheaper (unusual for me) and mounts to your factory cross bars.
Without question, the Seasucker system. Was skeptical to start but after a weekend of travel with it, dealing with any other system seems like such a pain in the ass.
The caveat is security since its easily removable. Might make traveling alone harder. But I guess if you were alone, there would probably be room for the bike/s in the vehicle.
Depends on your quiver of bikes. The Thule Side-Arm is great if you own road/tri, mountain and cross bikes because it works best for a wide variety of styles. If you just have road bikes the Thule Sprint or Paceline are the ticket.
In theory I could mix and match, correct? I just have road/tri but my kids have mountain bikes. Right now I’m only purchasing for my bikes but I’m assuming that down the line at some point I could add a different kind that would work for mountain bikes.
Any comments on either the Sprint or Paceline fitting OEM rack rails?
Correct, you can mix and match with the Side-Arm. I carry a Cannondale Lefty MTB, Slice and road bike in mine. The Sprint and Paceline are new and fit factory racks out of the box which I have on my wife’s car.
I’ve used the Thule eschelon racks, and while nice, had to adapt them to fit to some factory cross bars. Yakima racks/trays not as nice I found.
This Rocky Mount Tie Rod is the best - slim, cheaper (unusual for me) and mounts to your factory cross bars.
http://www.rockymounts.com/bike_racks_tierod_s/138.htm]
Thanks! I posted this on an FJ Cruiser forum as well and also got a recommendation for Rocky Mount over there. I’ll consider it for sure.
I like the inno roof racks. One model comes so you can switch bikes. You can put on thru axel bikes and road bikes without a side bar like most do that are compatble with both. They also come standard with lock and will fit on any bar.
In theory I could mix and match, correct?
In theory yes, personally I could never do it as the lack of symmetry would be too much to handle mentally… but I’m a car person and the last time I put my rack on I measured it out to the mm 
Been using thule stuff for 20 years, the carriers on my car right now are from 1998 I think but only fit the square bars not most factory bars. If I was shopping just for carriers now I think I’d lean Rocky Mounts.
Just wanted to follow up on this. I ended up getting the Rocky Mounts Tie Rod and I love it. Fits my OEM roof rack rails perfectly.
Jason
/thule
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