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coastal
11-29-2001, 01:02 PM
What are you guys using for horizontal ski racks? I'd like to have the ability to carry skis AND snowboards on the Thule rectangular bars.

I'm thinking of getting the Thule 724, but just wanted to see if there's a better option out there.
http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/images/products/ski/724.jpg

Anyone have the ones that can be set at an angle so as not to hit the roof with some freestyle snowboard bindings? So they work well?

I can go Yakima too, since they now offer an adapter for their accessories to fit the rectangular Thule bars.

Comments or opinions? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Art
11-29-2001, 04:44 PM
Coastal,

I'm not into skiing myself, however, I have seen the angled ski holders you're referring to. Not bad I guess if you don't mind the wind noise. Thule has a ski/snowboard module that docks with your rear hitch mount, if you have one, that is. Another option might be a roof top cargo box...but that's another kettle of fish. Good excuse to go out and buy though, don't you think? http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

coastal
11-29-2001, 08:10 PM
Thanks for the input Art! Here's the other one I was thinking about:
http://yakima.com/images/products/dynamic/illustrations/8003063.jpg

Reason I sort of like this one is that the one side of the rack can be set higher so that low hanging bindings have more clearance between the rack and the roof.

And cargo box.. mmmm.

Decisions, decisions.. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

Art
11-29-2001, 09:02 PM
Cool! In my view it's much a cleaner look than the angled holder. I don't think you could go wrong with either Thule or Yakima flat tops. Of course there's still the cargo box to consider. Remember this one? :biggrin:

http://prpictures.vcc.volvo.se/lowres/P00_5856.JPG

coastal
11-29-2001, 09:27 PM
yes yes, the cargo box... hehe.

I like them a lot.  The matching one is cool and everything but I still think it looks a little off with how it sits 6 or so inches from the back of the car. Would look so much better had it not need to worry about that rear hatch.
So vain, yes I know. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I think a black one would not be quite as noticeable since it's not "trying" to blend in with the colour of the car. On that note, there's a company in North Vancouver that makes fiberglass roof boxes that are VERY nice, but VERY expensive. I'll do some research on these and get back to you if I find anything.

:biggrin:

kaminaga
12-03-2001, 09:05 PM
December 1 when I went Volvo dealer for a periodical maintenance of my XC. At that time, I purchased a VOLVO cago box which is originally Thule VISION 650.  There is 35 % discount from its original price.

The following is an image.
http://members.tripod.co.jp/M_Kaminaga/XC/PC010359R1.jpg

Gundo
05-03-2002, 05:31 AM
I too have been searching for the right roof rack for my new XC.  I've got lots of Thule accessories already, so Thule was sortof a foregone conclusion for me...but I wasn't sure which one I liked.

After searching a bit, I just ordered the Thule 754  rack.  Its got the bars, feet with integrated locks - and it seems to be a bit more aerodynamic than some of the other mounting options they've got.  

I'll take some pictures when installed and post.  Should arrive May 6 or thereabouts.

Purchased from http://www.ageebike.com - they have the best Thule and Yakima rack prices anywhere - with free shipping too!  I've purchased lots of rack stuff from them in the past.

Gundo

coastal
05-03-2002, 12:45 PM
After driving all winter with a pretty noisy rack after installing the Thule 6pr flat rack, I did a bit of port-mortem and found the problem could probably be linked to two things.

See the attached pic. Notice the small holes in the aluminium on the bottom of the holder? Blew some compressed air past the hole and sure enough, very similar sound to what was bugging me all ski season!

Then, see the black plastic parts that wrap around the bar? I don't remember how I had them installed on the rack, but the two sides are different. The one you see has the two little nibs there so you can install and remove the ski holder without having to remove the bars. Be sure this is face rearwards next year. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

I know no one asked for it but there ya go, learn from my errors next winter. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Good call on the locking racks Gundo. Mine are reasonable since it takes a pretty specific Thule tool to install and remove them, but locks would be a nice idea for the extra security.

Neil Livingston
05-03-2002, 01:29 PM
Hi All,

Just want to say thanks for all the valuable info on Ski Racks etc. It is just becooming winter here in NZ so I am just about to try to decide what is the best option my 02 XC for the upcoming Ski season. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

coastal
05-03-2002, 01:57 PM
Hi Neil, glad we could be of help. I forgot there's quite a bit of skiing that goes on down there until you mentioned it. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I'd definately suggest considering the Thule's over the Volvo branded racks, that is assuming my notes take care of the whistling problem!

Another tip while I'm at it: get more lock cores than you'll presently need. Then when you get the bike racks etc. you can still use the same key for everything. http://xc70.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

I think you can order individual specifically keyed lock cores after the fact, but they're pretty expensive and take a long time time to ship.

tlcxc
05-07-2002, 09:20 AM
We too went for the thule ski and bike racks for the car.  The flat ski rack whistles less than the angled one ( we have a friend who has the angled one) but the whole noise issue was decreased when we got the air dam ( deflector).  Thule makes a separate snow board holder that angles the boards so there is no problem with the bindings.  

Weather around here has been so strange we had both the ski rack and the bike rack on the roof last weekend.