Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Looking for a couple of Yakima Rack answers

Having just dropped $3100 on my new MTB it was time to move to a new roof rack. I really don't want to leave the new ride on a trunk rack that someone can just slice the straps on and walk off with my baby ....

Since I can't use my Thule rack on the Tour because they don't make the proper clips I have taken the plunge and gone Yakima. I have just done the install and have a couple of questions.

1) Installing the clip between the weatherstrip and the roof causes a slight gap between the weatherstrip and the roof where the clips are. Has this caused any problems for anyone?

2) I followed the instructions and wrapped the vinyl liners around the Q Clip from one side to the other around the bottom and pressed it into the 'u' the clips to the actual roof. It seems that it may be too thick overall (hence the weatherstrip question above). Has anyone installed without the liners? Did that cause any problems?

Thanks!

Thanks Jim,

Just a couple of more quick q's if you have a sec ...

When say a rust spot ... I assume you are talking about the ledge that the clip hooks to at the bottom underneath the weatherstripping?

The second is ... using Yak's measurements, the tower bases are right at the very edge of the roofline. Is that where yours are too? (the Thule's on my previous car were farther in ... just seems wierd).

Thanks again!

The rust is on the ledge you talk about (where the weatherstripping snaps back into place on the metal) - underneath there.

I kind of eyeball the measurements without a problem. I think it was something like 5" back from the edge of the windshield (pretty much right above the front of the sunroof for the cross bar), and 27" inbetween the Q towers. But if you have the measurements provided by Yakima, yes it does put you fairly far back on the roofline. The back Q towers seem to fit slightly odd on our cars if you follow their measurements - I'll try to snap a picture with the rack on the car.

Thanks Jim ...

I was thinking of the width of the bar ... not the length (5" and 27" are the Yak measurements and that's what I am using). It was more the tower to tower crosswidth (38") that puts the tower bases at the edge of the roofline.

Actually ... yes I did (that is Cdn$$ so about $2300 US).
But you're right ... I didn't drop the money ... well worth it (except for all the forest fires around here have closed all the good riding areas ... that's not a whine ... 40,000 evacuated, homes and businesses destroyed .. my problems are very trivial).

As for the bike: Rocky Mountain ETSX-30 (thought about the 50 but the only difference is components ... I actually like the Zoke fork better than the Fox and I will slowly upgrade some of the other components (rear shock, BB/Cranks, etc)). Been a very sweet ride so far: