zSandman

Hi,
I'm thinking of buying Thule 599xtr bike rack and was wondering if anyone has one and whether they'd recommend it or not. What additional parts are required to install it onto the factory cross bars?
I would much rather get a hitch mountable bike rack, but having to add $300 for the tow hitch, a roof rack is just cheaper.

benzo555

iTrader: (11)

The 599XTR is a great piece. However it took me some time to set it up the first time to accomodate my bike. Since you're putting on your RX it does not bolt up right to the crossbars. The factory crossbars are too wide. I think there is an adapter you have to get to mount them. You may want to contact Thule to be sure.

I never mounted them on the RX due to the problem above and not to mention im not that tall to lift my bike that high and risk scratching or sworse yet denting the roof. My GT is light but not featherlight either.

However I did have it mounted on my old GS. Sorry couldnt be much of help.

salimshah

To get the bike up an RX, you have to be tall.

The hitch can be lot cheaper, if you do not get the electronics with it [you need the electronics for a trailer].

Salim

larrs

I think you may need Thule's Ride-On Adapter. I have this on my wife's Pilot; haven't tried it on the RX, though. It has clamps that fit around the factory crossbars and then Thule crossbars (the kit includes short ones, but I think you could use any Thule bars) mount to that -- then you mount your Thule bike carrier on the Thule bars. Here's the link, hope that helps.

http://www.thuleracks.com/product.as..._id=22&sku=532

zSandman

Thanks everyone for your replies. Now I'm thinking the tow hitch options is going to be a lot easier to deal with. Especially if I need to haul around 2 or more bikes. I'll post when I actually buy something.

Arbitrage1

Im actually looking for a bike rack for two bikes also.

Sewell has one of these:

http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/par...id=89302&all=Y

It fits the roof rack of the RX, and it looks good.

I was also looking at a thule one that mounts on the tailgate with straps. Obviously not as clean looking, but its probably a lot easier to get the bikes mounted than having to lift them onto the roof!

Did you end up getting one?

zSandman

No, didn't get one yet.
Wife talked me out of it for now...

tromly

My son has the rack for two bikes, he loves it, it's mounted on a Nissan Xterra. All Thule products are second to none!

Arbitrage1

Same issue here. She just wants to fold the seats down and throw the bikes in the back. I said, what are we animals?

My only concern with these is lifting the bikes up over my head and onto the roof of the car. We have mountain bikes, and they're not light. But I guess you get used to it.

Kansas

I used roof top bike racks for years (OK, I'm kinda old) but I've found that hitch mounted bike racks have lots of advantages:

* No wind noise! The noise from roof bike racks can be incredibly loud.
* Easy loading. No hoisting the bikes. Even my 5' wife can load her bike on the hitch mounted bike rack. And the hitch rack makes it easier to make bike repairs. The nicer hitch racks swing away to allow access to the trunk or tailgate.
* No worry about overhead structures. I was always paranoid that I would forget and accidently drive into my garage or under one of those parking lot height limiters with the bikes on top.
* Did I mention there is no wind noise with a hitch mounted bike rack.

I bought my simple hitch bike rack over 19 years ago for when I bought my first Lexus. I think I paid $30-$40. The only roof bike rack I still have is stored in the basement and hasn't been used the past 19 years.