Yakima Roof Rack Installed *PICS!!* [Archive]

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Luwin1026

02-15-2005, 12:40 AM

For those with an active lifestyle and need a carrier solution for all their gear, here is what I went with. I hope you find this information and the pictures helpful, and I'd be more than happy to answer any remaining questions you have that are not addressed by my post.

Car: 2005 Acura TSX

Rack system: Yakima roof rack

Components (Quantities in Parentheses):

I also listed the retail prices of each part (I got mine from my local REI)

Yakima Q-Towers - $129
Yakima Q- clips #5 (1) - $25
Yakima Q-clips #83 (1) - $25
Yakima 58" Crossbars (Comes in a set of 2) - $50
Yakima Copperhead Fork-Mount Bike Tray (2) - $80 ea.
Yakima SKS (Same-Key System) Locks (4-pack) - $40

PLEASE NOTE: The Yakima Fit Guide lists the 48" crossbars as the ones recommended. However, I went with the 58" as I plan to use the same rack interchangeably with my Scion xB. You can always use a reasonably longer crossbar (as evident in my case) - it just sticks out a little farther. However, I wouldn't be able to use the shorter one on my xB.

It's not cheap as you can see, but I see it as something that will be used time and time again in the future. The advantages of going with a roof rack than say, a trunk rack, are numerous in my opinion. More versatile (can carry snowboards, skis, surfboards, canoes, kayaks, etc., etc. - with just a change for attachments. And less prone to scratches as well. Anyways, enough of my personal critique - on to the pictures!

Picture of Components: SKS locks not shown -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/15896739-M.jpg

Close-up of the Q-Towers and Q-clips -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/15896726-M.jpg

As always with Yakima, everything packaged simply and neatly -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/15896728-M.jpg

Fast forward to the pics of the rack installed. Total time took me around 1 hour, being careful with the precise measurements and double-checking everything. After all, I'm sure you wouldn't want a bike flying off the car at speed . . .

Just the racks on -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/15896731-M.jpg

Close-up -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/15896737-M.jpg

And with the bike tray attachments with me and my girlfriend's bikes -

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/15896718-M.jpg

Hope this helps in some way in giving you guys an idea of what a roof rack would look like on a TSX. When considering a roof rack, reputable brands like Yakima or Thule are the way to go!

Let me know if you have any questions!

robert_tg

02-15-2005, 02:22 AM

Luwin1026

02-15-2005, 07:54 AM

wow nice job luwin ! :thumbsup: thanks for the info
How long did it take you to out it on ?
Need to drill any holes (gasp) ?
Please show a close shot of this with the door open
http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/15896737-M.jpg
thanks

No drilling required, no tools needed other than the hex wrench they supply. Heck, they even supply you with a piece of measuring tape.

I can't get a shot of that right now as it is 3:53am and I'm off to work for a few days - but I'll be more than happy to take a pic of it with the door open when I get back. But basically, it's a metal clip that grips the body part of the door frame . . .

Stay tuned for that pic -

Joker

02-15-2005, 09:41 AM

Awesome job/post Luwin1026! Thank you! :thumbsup:

nychousehero

02-15-2005, 04:48 PM

Yakima!
God Bless You!
Thanks!

Sorry...couldn't help myself.
:D

virtualbong

02-15-2005, 05:36 PM

Luwin1026

02-15-2005, 08:51 PM

I have decided that I probably won't be adding a roof rack to my TSX. I am going to put my bike in my car w/ the rear seats down. I don't have a mtn. bike, so I don't have to worry about my interior getting dirty, I will be putting a tri bike in there. Don't want scratches from a roof rack on my new car.

Sounds good - would work if you only had to carry one bike. Not sure about people's prior experience with roof racks, but I've never had a problem with scratches from using them. Reputable ones such as Yakima and Thule are excellently made and if installed correctly and carefully, should not cause any scratches. The foot pads are made of a soft material that shouldn't cause any scratches by themselves, and the clips are lined. However, I'm sure that putting on/removing stuff from onto the roof racks can be a potential for scratches if things drop onto the roof, but that is where carefulness comes in.

Hope this helps to dispel some notions about roof racks causing scratches.

Luwin1026

04-24-2005, 02:32 PM

Final picture with the fairing installed - made a world of difference in reducing wind noise.

http://luwin.smugmug.com/photos/20359461-M.jpg