Thule bike rack or Yakima? or other? for A4 3.0 thanks!!
08-22-2002, 10:44 AM
#2
Sedan? I think the Audi one has the best looking fit and finish
<ul><li><a href="http://collection.audiusa.com/store/subcategory.asp?parent%5Fcategory%5Fid=11&cate gory%5Fid=48&subcategory%5Fid=192">http://collection.audiusa.com/store/subcategory.asp?parent%5Fcategory%5Fid=11&cate gory%5Fid=48&subca
08-22-2002, 11:29 AM
#3
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 697
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re: Thule bike rack or Yakima? or other? for A4 3.0 thanks!!
Both are similar build quality and offer similar levels of accessories and customized fit (which is to say, very good compared to all other brands), but I find Yakima to have much better aesthetics. The towers are covered with contoured fairings, for example. The Thule looks very unfinished in comparison, in my opinion.
Also, the Thule uses square cross-section bars compared with the round bars of the Yakima. Since the roofline of the car is curved, the top sides of the square bars are not in-plane with one another, so bike mounts, etc, don't sit fully flush against them. This is not an issue with round bars.
Also, the Thule uses square cross-section bars compared with the round bars of the Yakima. Since the roofline of the car is curved, the top sides of the square bars are not in-plane with one another, so bike mounts, etc, don't sit fully flush against them. This is not an issue with round bars.
08-22-2002, 12:23 PM
#4
New Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have a thule on my A4 3.0 however I do agree with
DRG that the square load bars to sit at an odd angle. However both racks pretty much offer the same equipment for just about the same price. It just happend that I had a Thule for my previous car so now I have a thule for this one...
08-22-2002, 12:35 PM
#5
New Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
yakima, yakima, yakima
I swear by the Yakima. I've heard that Thule does not have great quality equipment like Yakima. I know it's expensive, but you want it to last, right? I'll try to post a pic of my car with the racks.
08-22-2002, 01:28 PM
#6
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
thule, thule, thule
thule actually designs and builds the OEM racks. (i know they look very different, different design) thule does 75-80% of all OEM racks from Mercedes to BWM and SAAB to Porsche.
Just look at the number of fit kits thule uses, hundereds of them. yak feels that they can do all that fitting with a couple kits... thule just fits better, EVERY car has a different roofline, longitudinal support rail (what we used to call a rain gutter, a structural rib running the length of the car and where the load needs to go)and door?roofline profile, therefore every car is different, you need a custom fit.
and as to the point of the round bar vs. rectangular bar, on a round bar, you end up making contact at the tangancy POINT, that would be the inside corner on the rectanular bar, no more contact ir truly made; and that only applies to cars like the bettle or a 993/996.
i used to sell both, at the same time, i feel thule has a better product.
wow that was a long ramble, sorry.
Just look at the number of fit kits thule uses, hundereds of them. yak feels that they can do all that fitting with a couple kits... thule just fits better, EVERY car has a different roofline, longitudinal support rail (what we used to call a rain gutter, a structural rib running the length of the car and where the load needs to go)and door?roofline profile, therefore every car is different, you need a custom fit.
and as to the point of the round bar vs. rectangular bar, on a round bar, you end up making contact at the tangancy POINT, that would be the inside corner on the rectanular bar, no more contact ir truly made; and that only applies to cars like the bettle or a 993/996.
i used to sell both, at the same time, i feel thule has a better product.
wow that was a long ramble, sorry.
08-22-2002, 02:05 PM
#7
My choice... Yakima
I've had my Yakima rack for a few years now and now use it on my A4. I had it on my last two cars and I only had to buy the new clips for the Audi.
I can post some pictures of it on the A4 if you like?
Cheers
I can post some pictures of it on the A4 if you like?
Cheers
