ThuleUpRide Roof Bike Rack

I was a bit worried as to whether this would mount on a non-THULE roof rack, but this mounted well and securely to my BMW brand roof rack. It’s extraordinarily sturdy, holds the bike nicely without damaging the carbon frame, which was the reason I purchased this particular rack. It was easy to set up an install, and although as with any roof rack, it’s a bit more cumbersome to get the bike up there rather than a tail rack, for roof rack it’s pretty easy to use. As long as the bikes not too heavy. I certainly would not recommend it for an electric bike. I think it could handle the weight but I’m not sure you’d have any luck getting a 65 pound bike up there without a lot of help. I’d still be a bit nervous about having such a heavy bike up there anyway. It might be an expensive rack, but it’s amazingly well built and instills a sense of confidence when you have your bike up in such an exposed position.

The materials will last forever with a good lub spray every now and then. The two step system provides stability for the bike even on twisty roads. The previous model was able to withstand a curve at 60mph.

I’ve used the Thule big mouth bike carrier for a long time. This design is much nicer and easier to use. Easily mounted onto my Thule bars. Perfect size for my 29er enduro bike (one of the few roof top racks that fit modern long wheelbase MTBs) Seems very stable and solidly built. Love the built in cable lock. Bummed it didn’t come with lock cores but oh well. Have a 6 hour long road trip coming up in a week and will update.

Only reason it didn’t get 5 stars is because the locks are sold seperately. Does not come with locks!Looks kimd of crooked on my rack. Might have to adjust. Put it on in a hurry because same day event. Have used it twice and for a test run. Works great. Built great. Used it in very windy condition and it held up. I would definitely buy this product again. Easy to install. Satisfied customer. Universal latches allows to attach to cross bars. Not just Thule crossbars.

Vehicle Make & Model2015 VW Passat SedanThule PurchasesThule 710500 Roof Racks, Evo Clamp in BlackThule Evo Clamp Fit Kit #145185Thule Wingbar Evo 135 (53”) in BlackThule UpRide Roof Bike Rack (Bought Two)InstallationHell for me, but not for my more patient, younger, less bitter and jilted brother. He made quick work of it and all I needed to do was walk out of the room before I threw the entire system through a window. The ease with which these Thule systems are assembled depends upon your disposition, not your IQ. I understood the videos on YouTube, for instance, far better than I did deciphering the cryptic diagrams in Thule's accompanying documentation. Matter of fact, Thule - an organization that clearly comprises brilliant engineers - are either utterly ignoring the ocean of steady criticism their instructions get, or they are just completely disinterested in hearing it.As mentioned, once this whiny visual learner took to YouTube, I understood the design, function and assembly instructions. I still had a calmer (never-married) person assemble it all however and it made the difference. He tells me that it was effortless assembling the fit kit to the feet and the feet to the car and the load bars to the feet and the bike and my kayak systems to the load bars. I strong recommend you watch a few videos and pause as you assemble. Using such visual aids made it easy(er).DurabilityIncredibly strong. I drove with my two bikes on the roof on a highway, but mind you, remained sensitive to the sub 80 MPH recommendations by Thule. Fact is, if you're barreling down an interstate at 90 or more MPH, with your precious outdoor recreation equipment on your roof, you deserve what happens to your stuff. I've heard some rather predictable critiques of the ratchet strap portion of the UpRide system, but my experience is that these criticisms are without merit if you follow the instructions of experts. For instance, I drove my two bikes on my roof to my bike expert for tune-ups. While there, I asked about how tight to make the ratchet assembly and they warned against overtightening. Said them, "it's for vertical stability upon stopping and going, not for holding the weight of the bike in place." They went on to explain that the front holding assemblies are what keeps the bike secure, stable and safe. The ratchet strap is meant to prevent the bike's rear from going up and/or down as the vehicle comes to a stop or accelerates.FitI have two bikes: one's a mountain, one's a cross or hybrid. Each fits perfectly and is impossible to free from the car once properly arranged in the system. Cautionary note however: tires must be fully inflated, lest vertical or lateral movement occur because there is play between the assemblies designed to press down on your front wheel and the inflation of the tires. Said more plainly, if the tires don't have air in them, you're introducing variability to the height of the bike's wheels, thus the slack you'll be introducing to the assembly.SummaryBuy it. Yes, you'll need to sell your least cooperative child to afford it, but then, aren't they not eating all their broccoli anyhow? Kidding aside, I love that the ONLY THING I'll need to buy again is the fit kit and feet, because the bars, the bike and kayak systems will go on any car providing the load bar length isn't too short for the width of your next roof.

This bike rack is TOTAL THULE FAILURE. This August I needed to replace 10 years old Big Mouth Thule roof rack and I got this new front wheel holder rack. I’ve never had a problem with Big Mouth design and still have 2 more racks working absolutely reliable. Not with this FAILED DESIGN. This time some unusually harsh road bump opened front wheel holding contraption. That lead to disaster, as my bike fell off the roof of the minivan on the Interstate 87. That is crazy busy road and the only thing that was holding my mounting bike was rear security cable. Bike was dangling on the side of the car at full speed. Flapping bike damaged my car, smashed rear lights and got all banged up. Just by lucky chance and ability to quickly pulled to the curb I’ve avoided a huge disaster. I am absolutely sure that this rack has major design flaw. All previous designs had a LOCK and the key that prevented opening of the main holding mechanism. In this design, thin cord and twisting knob control front wheel holding contraption. NO LOCK prevents opening of the interlocking front whee holder. Road bump caused everything to become undone at full speed. Rear wheel rubber holder was broken immediately and nothing but antitheft cable held the bike dangling. After the emergency stop I had to secure front wheel lock release with painter tape! Pictures are attached. The same tape was used to secure rear wheel in addition to two ratchet straps through both wheels. Made it home with frequent stops and double checks. The adjacent Big Mouth design racks functioned absolutely perfect with no problems.DO NOT BUY THIS EXPENSIVE JUNK. IT WILL FAIL.Bike racks with no lock on the frame or wheel release mechanism should not be sold at all! I am surprised that this design was produced by Thule. I am extremely disappointed.