oceanrider88
Free Rider
Life is like riding a wave. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
Posts: 299
|
Post by oceanrider88 on Sept 10, 2007 12:00:35 GMT 8
This is a very good rack. How do i know? We crash tested it yesterday into a low parking slot on top of my SUV.
The mounting from the rack to the rail crossbar was so secure that it did not let go so it twisted my rail and crossbar a bit. It was designed very well that at impact, it let go of the bike and the wheel straps snapped away. If it didnt do that, it would have really killed the bike and damaged my roof.
On trail and highway, the two arm support minimized bike sway and it was very stable on incline turns and rough road. Not very noisy and more stable than one arm roof rack systems.
Very easy to load your bike but better if you have a friend who is assisting you so it doesnt fall over.
I will update you if i can get it repaired or if thule sells spare straps. No pics. Too lazy and traumatized to post.
Anyone had the same experience?
Four thumbs up for thule freeride!
Park safe friends! hehe
|
|
|
Post by maxbuwaya on Sept 10, 2007 13:02:03 GMT 8
FreeRide is price reasonably. Really worth its value. Here is a picture of mine with modifications. After 4 years of use and abuse the Bar holding the frame is now loose. (With play) I guess riveting it just woud'nt last compared to a bolted one. What I did was attached a quick release so it would turn into a forkmountbike rack. Now its more stable than any rack i had So how much the damage? You should have park on an open parking lot. (Except Greenhills) I had an experience where i forgot to lock it, bikesters bike just go flat out on the top of the roof, glad it landed on the roof rather than the doors. just some scratch on the roof, nothing serious. And ive seen a rack that are bended on the front. I guess the front tyres weight must have something to do it with it. Just align the cross rails properly so the weight is properly distributed. Or like what i did I put something inside the the bar to make it more tough.
|
|
|
Post by maxbuwaya on Sept 10, 2007 13:03:57 GMT 8
|
|
oceanrider88
Free Rider
Life is like riding a wave. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
Posts: 299
|
Post by oceanrider88 on Sept 11, 2007 11:14:14 GMT 8
I see you have a new avatar Max. Damage for the bike, not sure about the cost as its not mine but here's the toll - Topeak front fender got creamed, incredibell bell got crushed, 1 Kenda Nevegal tire developed a bulge on the side probably from impact oin the roof, Thule Tire straps (Thule doesnt sell spares).
On the other hand, i had the following bent back to shape by a tinsmith: Thule Freeride bars, Thule Crossbar.
My friend had his wheels reailigned.
Max, you think its ok to leave the rack on the roof if i dont use it? Do you think its easy to steal or would corrode easily?
|
|
|
Post by fullspeed on Sept 11, 2007 11:33:20 GMT 8
max - you forgot to mention your "flying bike" experience along macapagal hiway
|
|
|
Post by maxbuwaya on Sept 11, 2007 13:33:12 GMT 8
max - you forgot to mention your "flying bike" experience along macapagal hiway Oh yeah, that one is from the first attempt to make a bike rack. After some Forensic investigation and some testing on some laboratory by PAMET I found out that i forgot to tie the rear wheel, thats why it flew at 80 or 100kph. Though am still gathering finger prints to make my findings solid.
|
|
|
Post by maxbuwaya on Sept 11, 2007 13:45:33 GMT 8
I see you have a new avatar Max. Damage for the bike, not sure about the cost as its not mine but here's the toll - Topeak front fender got creamed, incredibell bell got crushed, 1 Kenda Nevegal tire developed a bulge on the side probably from impact oin the roof, Thule Tire straps (Thule doesnt sell spares). On the other hand, i had the following bent back to shape by a tinsmith: Thule Freeride bars, Thule Crossbar. My friend had his wheels reailigned. Max, you think its ok to leave the rack on the roof if i dont use it? Do you think its easy to steal or would corrode easily? I guess you have to hitch your friend every weekend to make up to him:) Anyway, those crossrails are expensive. Glad you you salvage it. By the way whats it made of? Steel or alumninum? 4 years my bike rack is at my roof, I had never remove it. I guess am just lucky. But now it looks old and dirty. (But no rust whatsoever) so i guess its not much of an interest anymore Alternative to tire straps would be a standard bungee cord. Its a shame that THULE doesnt sell spare of those tyre straps, It is obvious that they want us to upgrade to a better model if we lose those straps.
|
|
oceanrider88
Free Rider
Life is like riding a wave. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
Posts: 299
|
Post by oceanrider88 on Sept 13, 2007 21:17:27 GMT 8
I think its steel - its black and a bit heavy. Am looking at fabricating straps with velcro. Hope it works
|
|
|
Post by maxbuwaya on Sept 14, 2007 10:23:24 GMT 8
I think its steel - its black and a bit heavy. Am looking at fabricating straps with velcro. Hope it works There are available Branded Velcro straps at ACE. Though Quite Pricey.
|
|
oceanrider88
Free Rider
Life is like riding a wave. To keep your balance you must keep moving.
Posts: 299
|
Post by oceanrider88 on Sept 17, 2007 10:49:31 GMT 8
I'll check ace max. Thanks for the tip.
|
|