Roof rack recommendations?

[froogleyankee]

Used 50's.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by froogleyankee

Used 50's.

Froogleyankee...just wanted to make a correction to your recommendation of using the LB50 crossbars instead of the longer LB58s. I followed your recommendation and bought some LB50s and the bars are almost flushed with the feet attachments, leaving no room for the end caps. So I went out and exchanged them for the LB58s and now they looked exactly like the picture you posted. There's about 4" extension beyond the feet attachment on each end. Therefore, I believed those Thule bars on your X are more like LB58's rather than LB50's.

[DinanX5]

I guess that's why Thule recommends the 58's on their web site...

[B&DCalgary]

Used to have Thule and switched over to Yakima (currently on a Passat and a Volvo - don't have anything on our X yet). Why? Yakima is more innovative and has a better range of attachments. www.yakima.com On the website, you can use their configurator to pick all the equipment that is appropriate for your vehicle, as well as accessory attachments, and print a complete component list with pricing.

I have to admit though, the interior bike rack for the X3 is totally cool.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by B&DCalgary

Used to have Thule and switched over to Yakima (currently on a Passat and a Volvo - don't have anything on our X yet). Why? Yakima is more innovative and has a better range of attachments. www.yakima.com On the website, you can use their configurator to pick all the equipment that is appropriate for your vehicle, as well as accessory attachments, and print a complete component list with pricing.

I have to admit though, the interior bike rack for the X3 is totally cool.

I would have to disagree with you here. I've have looked at both the Yakima and the Thule racks prior to making my final decision on Thule (I saw them in a store where they had both brands of racks with the snowboard add-on attachments side by side). The footpack attachment to the roof rail of the Thule is a far superior designed than the Yakima...plus the square bars of the Thule will prevent any added on attachments from rotating from their original position. Not being bias or anything, but if I felt Yakima had the better product, I would have bought it in a heartbeat...especially when it cost much less than the Thule; but that wasn't the case.

As far as printing out all the configuration and parts list with prices...you can do the same on the Thule website.

[LCC]

Originally Posted by WagnerX5

I have the Profile 2000, on and off in a couple minutes and can be done by yourself. Well worth the money.

Is the Profile 2000 noisy at all? I am sure there is some noise, but is it bad?

[Wagner]

limited wind noise but nothing too major.

[statdoc]

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-...oof-racks.html

Click the "Thule Automated Fit Guide".

[drex]

hmmmmm

i still say yakima

[Kelly]

I'm a hybrid user.... I MUCH prefer the Yakima rack system -- I have Low Rider mounts with 2 sets of bars (different lengths). I use the Yak fairing (this REALLY helps with the noise), kayak saddles, bike rack and ski rack but I have a Thule Evolution cargo box. At the time, The Thule box was superior to the Yak boxes, but they have a comparable box now... I've used Yakima racks for about 15 years, and I just don't think you can beat them. The bars are strong as hell. I have seen a more than one set of bent Thule bars. I looked at the BMW rack system, but those things just sit up too high, IMHO.

-- Kelly