Thule Bike Rack

MadMan77 · 09-24-2009, 08:47 PM

I finally put my Thule rack on about two weeks ago and thought some people would like to see what it all looks like. Sorry it took so long but I have been out of town constantly and the car just got back from the body shop.

I purchased everything from NAMotorsports and they were awesome. They answered all my questions and concerns promptly and without hesitation.

Here are the parts I used:

Thule Podium Roof Rack System
Thule Peleton Bike Carrie
Thule Medium Fairing
Thule Lock Cylinders (6-Pack)

Here are a few pics to from different angles to pass the time with:

Caduceus · 09-24-2009, 11:12 PM

I wonder whether there is any real aerodynamic benefit to the fairing?

MadMan77 · 09-25-2009, 05:55 AM

I ran the car without it at first to see what effects it has. I am not sure what the mileage benefit is but it certainly cuts down on wind noise at the very least.

jeremydgreat · 10-05-2009, 03:04 AM

Thanks for posting this. Interesting to see.

MadMan77 · 10-05-2009, 06:01 AM

No problem. I promised someone that I would post it way back when I bought it in May but I have not been home long enough to get everything straight.

mineo77 · 10-05-2009, 09:33 AM

Fairing is just for wind noise...go without it and you may drive yourself crazy with the high pitched noise coming from your rack. Nice pics...i am about to order my rack too, was looking at Yakima over Thule. That is what i have used on all my other cars.

MadMan77 · 10-05-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mineo77

Fairing is just for wind noise...go without it and you may drive yourself crazy with the high pitched noise coming from your rack. Nice pics...i am about to order my rack too, was looking at Yakima over Thule. That is what i have used on all my other cars.

I looked at the Yakima too but the deal that I got with NA Motorsports sold me. Plus I have a large-tube Cannondale and I didn't like my options with Yakima or the BMW rack system.

Jaguar66 · 10-05-2009, 01:29 PM

!

MadMan77 · 10-05-2009, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobMason

Nice bike rack. Now lets see it with bike mounted.

I did not have the Cannondale mounted because it was just a quick break in the weather when I go t a chance to wash the car really quick and take the pics. It was a spur-of-the-moment thing while I was out running around.

As soon as the rain breaks again I will take some more pics with the bike on the rack.

mineo77 · 10-05-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MadMan77

I looked at the Yakima too but the deal that I got with NA Motorsports sold me. Plus I have a large-tube Cannondale and I didn't like my options with Yakima or the BMW rack system.

Nice...how much was the rack set up? The BMW rack is FUGLY for sure.

MadMan77 · 10-05-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mineo77

Nice...how much was the rack set up? The BMW rack is FUGLY for sure.

I hear you there and that is why I looked elsewhere. There is just something off about it. I got the entire Thule set up for just shy of $475 shipped.

Rearro · 02-28-2010, 09:55 PM

What does the wind deflector attach to???
can you get some close up shots??
Thanks

mineo77 · 02-28-2010, 10:02 PM

wind deflector attaches to the front bar with clips.

MadMan77 · 02-28-2010, 10:07 PM

mineo77 is correct. It clamps to the front bar and the front rests on the roof. Thule includes some clear vinyl so the pads don't wear through the paint. I would post some pictures of it but the car is still at the dealer.

Rearro · 03-01-2010, 12:04 AM

so the vinyl pads stick to the paint on the roof of the car!! kinda like the clear Bra??

MadMan77 · 03-01-2010, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rearro

so the vinyl pads stick to the paint on the roof of the car!! kinda like the clear Bra??

That is correct. It is pretty much the same thing: clear vinyl.

Rearro · 03-05-2010, 12:08 AM

One more thing, does the rack's mounting point touch the car?
I was reading that the BMW one's float above the top of the car.

MadMan77 · 03-05-2010, 07:46 AM

This rack uses the same flip open mounting points as the BMW one. The only thing that could touch the roof is the rubber boots that cover the mounting point. I trimmed mine so they are within a millimeter or two of touching.

Waldorf · 03-10-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caduceus

I wonder whether there is any real aerodynamic benefit to the fairing?

It just looks like a snowboard, so it's cool

SLEEPYDUB · 03-11-2010, 10:11 AM

hotness

MadMan77 · 03-11-2010, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLEEPYDUB

hotness

Thanks. I definitely like the way it turned out.

09-24-2009, 08:47 PM	#1
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	Thule Bike Rack I finally put my Thule rack on about two weeks ago and thought some people would like to see what it all looks like. Sorry it took so long but I have been out of town constantly and the car just got back from the body shop. I purchased everything from NAMotorsports and they were awesome. They answered all my questions and concerns promptly and without hesitation. Here are the parts I used: Thule Podium Roof Rack System Thule Peleton Bike Carrie Thule Medium Fairing Thule Lock Cylinders (6-Pack) Here are a few pics to from different angles to pass the time with: Attached Images __________________
	Appreciate 1 LcossE8230.00 Tweet Quote

09-24-2009, 11:12 PM	#2
Caduceus First Lieutenant 342 Rep 396 Posts Drives: 2008 135 (sold), 2017 M2 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	I wonder whether there is any real aerodynamic benefit to the fairing?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-25-2009, 05:55 AM	#3
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	I ran the car without it at first to see what effects it has. I am not sure what the mileage benefit is but it certainly cuts down on wind noise at the very least. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2009, 03:04 AM	#4
jeremydgreat Captain 76 Rep 676 Posts Drives: 2009 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Diego, CA (Carlsbad to be exact) iTrader: (1)	Thanks for posting this. Interesting to see. __________________ 135i // M-Sports Package // RR Oil Catch Can // Black Kidneys // iCarbon Hood // Alum Pedals // KW v2 Coilovers // Vorshlag Camber Plates // Hotchkis Sway Bar // Wheel Studs. Best mod ever? Tires. 255's in front, 275's in back.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2009, 06:01 AM	#5
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	No problem. I promised someone that I would post it way back when I bought it in May but I have not been home long enough to get everything straight. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2009, 09:33 AM	#6
mineo77 Lieutenant Colonel 124 Rep 1,925 Posts Drives: 2010 135i,1989 PRO3,2001 530i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Portland,OR iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i coupe [7.56]	Fairing is just for wind noise...go without it and you may drive yourself crazy with the high pitched noise coming from your rack. Nice pics...i am about to order my rack too, was looking at Yakima over Thule. That is what i have used on all my other cars. __________________ 135i coupe  6MT  TiAg  ///M sport http://www.rhominnovations.com www.musicarNW.com www.unitedBMWonline.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

10-05-2009, 01:29 PM	#8
Jaguar66 M Power 41 Rep 1,469 Posts Drives: '09 ///M-Sport 135i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Rafael iTrader: (3)	! Last edited by Jaguar66; 04-21-2010 at 10:40 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2010, 09:55 PM	#12
Rearro Lieutenant 24 Rep 507 Posts Drives: Bmw 135I Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Silverdale, Wa. iTrader: (0)	What does the wind deflector attach to??? can you get some close up shots?? Thanks __________________ 2008 135i,Dinan Stage 2,Dinan Free flow exhaust.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2010, 10:02 PM	#13
mineo77 Lieutenant Colonel 124 Rep 1,925 Posts Drives: 2010 135i,1989 PRO3,2001 530i Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Portland,OR iTrader: (2) Garage List 2010 135i coupe [7.56]	wind deflector attaches to the front bar with clips. __________________ 135i coupe  6MT  TiAg  ///M sport http://www.rhominnovations.com www.musicarNW.com www.unitedBMWonline.com
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-28-2010, 10:07 PM	#14
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	mineo77 is correct. It clamps to the front bar and the front rests on the roof. Thule includes some clear vinyl so the pads don't wear through the paint. I would post some pictures of it but the car is still at the dealer. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-01-2010, 12:04 AM	#15
Rearro Lieutenant 24 Rep 507 Posts Drives: Bmw 135I Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Silverdale, Wa. iTrader: (0)	so the vinyl pads stick to the paint on the roof of the car!! kinda like the clear Bra?? __________________ 2008 135i,Dinan Stage 2,Dinan Free flow exhaust.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2010, 12:08 AM	#17
Rearro Lieutenant 24 Rep 507 Posts Drives: Bmw 135I Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Silverdale, Wa. iTrader: (0)	One more thing, does the rack's mounting point touch the car? I was reading that the BMW one's float above the top of the car. __________________ 2008 135i,Dinan Stage 2,Dinan Free flow exhaust.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-05-2010, 07:46 AM	#18
MadMan77 ↓↓↓ Ex-Con ↓↓↓ 34 Rep 1,874 Posts Drives: Jet Black '08 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Yigo iTrader: (1)	This rack uses the same flip open mounting points as the BMW one. The only thing that could touch the roof is the rubber boots that cover the mounting point. I trimmed mine so they are within a millimeter or two of touching. __________________
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-11-2010, 10:11 AM	#20
SLEEPYDUB First Lieutenant 40 Rep 305 Posts Drives: 621whp 24v VR6-T Jetta GLI Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: . iTrader: (1)	hotness
	Appreciate 0 Quote