Finally got my fit kit from thule so I could put my rack on. Bought a new fairing too. It kinda takes away the "sports car" look, but adds a "utility look"

and I can FINALLY ride my bike.






please dont flame unless you want to chip in for an MDX or something similar.

 

I'd take a TSX with a roof rack over an SUV any day.

 

 

I've got one of these racks as well....I think you got the wrong size fairing....mine (the 871 size) is just a little bigger, extends all the way to the rack "feet"...

 

Hey, that looks pretty good..

 

I though it looked small, but it said 871...what is your fairing size (in inches) I bought it at rei, so I can take it back if necessary.

EDIT: I just measured it, its 38" and that is what Thule says their 871 is. gc3, is yours longer? I wonder if rei will exchange for the larger.

 

I like it, looks good.

 

Hey virus7, nice rack!!!

Could you take a close up of the gap between front bar & the fairing. Besides the bike setup you have I would also need to mount skis and was wondering if there is room. Basically is the fairing same height as top of bar?

Also what model number were the 'feet'?

Thanks

 

98AccordEx, I'll take a few close up pics of the rack.

I will be putting skis and snowboards on there and it looked like everything would fit fine.

You can check the thule fit guides to get all the numbers, but here they are:

400XT Aero Foot Pack (I have the older 400 Aero, the new XT is a little redesigned)
LB50 Load Bars
2137 Fit Kit
871 Fairing (Medium) (its 38" long)

 

nice, i like ur

 

98AccordEx, here are a few more pics. I just got off the phone with thule asking about the gap between the fairing and the feet and they said it is supposed to tuck in there and as long as it isnt > 3" you are good.

 

I don't think it looks good but most cars do not look good with a bike rack. It looks better than most. The most important thing is you are able to ride your bike!!! My bike is on order. I haven't been riding for a long time.

 

looks great!

 

Just measured it...its about 45 inches.

 

according to thule that is the 872.

 

So it does'nt come off and on easily? You have to leave it up there?

I've always wondered about that when I see cars with them on. I always figured the owner was too lazy to take it off after coming home from biking. Obviously I'm not a biker.

I think I'll start a "MDX Fund for Virus" thread. I'll donate $20

BTW - Be careful not to scratch the car when your lifting the bike up there.

 

it isnt too hard to take off, basically you unscrew 4 clamps that hold the feet to the car and then have to lift it off, but I wouldnt take it off after biking/skiing. the hard part is lining up the rack (putting the feet in the right place) and not really worth it if you are biking a few times a week.

Taking my bike on and off was my main concern in not wanting to put the rack on, but if I am concious about it, I hope I can be careful.

I like the sound on an "MDX Fund for Virus"!!!!

Tell you what, if we raise enough money, I will even let you guys choose the color We can televise it, like those wedding shows where the audiance gets to pick everything out.

 

You wish...

 

Do you have any pics? I would like to see what the other length looks like.

and if anyone cares:
Thule Fairing Lengths

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by 98AccordEx
[B]Hey virus7, nice rack!!![QUOTE]

Not exactly what comes to mind when I think of a nice rack from Sweden

 

Thanks virus7 for the closeup pics and info.

Looks like a great setup and I'm sure the fairing reduces a lot of the high pitch whistling typical of Thule rack attachments at highway speed.

 

I hope so, I had the previous fairing and it seemed to work well, but at cross winds it would make a LOUD rumble/vibrating sound. So I decided to give this one a try.

If anyone wants the old fairing or a fit kit for a '96 nissan altima, let me know, I will let them go super cheap.

 

Is there a problem with a trunk rack?

 

i would definitely stay away from trunk racks.

My experience is that the rubber trunk pads dont scratch the car but the do rub and dull the paint (not quite sure if I could have buffed it out) also the bike usually sits right on the bumper and can easily scratch the car.

I would actually have looked at a hitch mount, but then I would have installed a hitch ($100) bought the hitch mount for bikes ($150) and then I still dont have something for skis/snowboards. I already had the rack and all the accessories, just needed the fit kit.

 

Roof racks are definitely the way to go. Far superior to trunk racks for stability, ease of use and looks (IMHO). Trade off is wind roar at highway speeds. Virus 7, your set up looks nice. I remember your earlier posts as I was looking for info as well. I ended up putting the rack on my wifes car as Acura hadn't released the fit kit yet and the specs weren't suitable for carrying kayaks and canoes. Are you using the 22.5" recommended bar spread? Thanks for your reply.

 

buzzy, yeah 22.5" spread. should work fine for bikes/skiis and I will probably pick up the snowboard attachement cause I dont know if the spread will work with my binding stance, plus I would like to get those bindings AWAY from the top of the car.

yeah I tried to pawn the rack onto my g/f car, but then since I usually bike right after work I would have to let her take my car (I didnt like that idea )

 

virus7, Thanks for the reply. I should have asked more in my previous post...........Do you think one could increase the bar spread and maintain a solid attachment? Do the clips go over the weatherstripping (and thus perhaps have some flexibility in their placement) or do they align with a nub on the car body under the weatherstripping? Thanks again in advance. Oh, by the way, your ride looks sweet to me. Rack and all.

 

I think you could move the back feet back a little, the issue is that the distance between the top of the roof and the top of the door gets larger and the bracket isnt that long. I am sure you could get a few more inches by moving the front feet forward and the back feet backward. The clips just go in-between the body and the door, the weather stripping is bent around them a little, but there is not defined area they go (other than the stated distances in the intructions).

 

Isn't the stated distance (22.5 inches) intended to try to keep the front and rear bars level?

 

So how much does a setup like that run?

 

check out thule.com but it will run upwards of $200 for a basic setup

 

how much for that rack Virus, i need one for the snowboard season?

sorry didn't read all the posts

 

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/carrier_ski.asp

 

Thank you so much for posting this. I'm looking into the exact TSX to purchase in the Spring and I also ride bikes (Sprint Triathlons) so I'd need a roof rack as well. Doesn't look bad at all.

 

Looks cool. Not as nice as an A4 with a roof rack but still not too shabby.


IMO hitch > roof rack > trunk rack. (I would never let a trunk rack touch my TSX)

 

nice......

 

Rep for the who used the of this site.

Biker, whose next car will be smaller than needed but will make up for it with a rack mounted carrier.