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Thule Sidearm Bike Mount
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Thule Sidearm Bike Mount

Item # 737244

$135.99$169.95*

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This roof-top bike carrier is quick-loading and accommodates most bikes, regardless of frame size, suspension or wheel size.

  • Fits wheel sizes 20 to 29 inches and tires from 1 to 2.75 inches wide
  • Bike loads in 10 seconds, with no need to remove front wheel and no frame contact
  • RQL (Ratcheting Quick-Load) system is easy, quick and holds bike securely
  • Mounts to both Thule® and Yakima® load bars
  • Thule One-Key™-compatible system lets you purchase lock cores that match keys you already own
  • Ruggedly built: features high-strength steel frame, aluminum tray and resin components

Please note: Thule products can not be shipped to Canadian addresses.

Thule Racks

Made in USA.

Item 737244


An oversize shipping charge of $15 applies to this item (plus regular shipping fees). Or ship it FREE to any REI store for pickup. Please allow up to two weeks for delivery.
Important: Read more about shipping costs.

Thule Sidearm Bike Mount Specs

Specification

Description

Weight15 pounds

Thule Sidearm Bike Mount Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Thule Sidearm Bike Mount
 
3.6

(based on 7 reviews)

83%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Easy to use (6)
  • Durable (4)
  • Stable (4)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Mountain bikes (4)
    • Small cars (3)
    • Reviewer Profile:
    • Avid cyclist (5)

    Reviewed by 7 customers

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    Sep

    6

    2007

    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Ideal for unusual frame shapes

    By Mike in NorCal

    from SF Bay Area

    About Me Avid Cyclist

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Easy to Install
    • Easy to Use
    • Fits on Yakima round bars
    • Fits unusual frame shapes
    • No contact with frame
    • No need to remove wheel
    • Stable

    Cons

    • Pricey
    • Questionable security

    Best Uses

    • Mountain Bikes
    • Small Cars

    Comments about Thule Sidearm Bike Mount:

    I run 4 bike racks on top of my Subaru Outback. 2 are fork-mounted Yakima Steelheads, 1 is an upright Yakima Raptor, and the Thule Sidearm. Rack system and bars are Yakima. I bought this rack after reading reviews from other mountain bikers. Sometimes I don't like fooling with taking off and putting on the front wheel, so I like to have the capability to put the whole bike upright on the rack. The Raptor is cheaper and does the job, but its two negatives are: 1) it grabs the bike by the down tube (potentially scratching the paint), and 2) it doesn't fit some of the more unusual frame shapes (like my wife's Specialized FSR XC). The Sidearm has no contact with the bike's frame or paint and since it grips the bike at the front fork/wheel, will fit virtually any frame. I've used it now for several months on extended trips to Tahoe at speeds of up to 80 mph and my bikes have remained rock solid. The rack works well with my Specialized Epic, my wife's Specialized FSR XC, and my daughter's 20" Trek mountain bike. The only real negative I have is that I question how secure the bike really is when locked to the rack. Although I've never tried it, I suppose a clever thief could figure a way to simply remove the front wheel and wiggle the frame off the rack. But then again, if a thief really wants your bike, he'll find a way to get it. The locking mechanism does the job IMO to deter casual theft, and by combining it with a cable lock, it would be an added deterrent. My only other gripe (and it's minor) is that for bikes with V-brakes, I find that it's better to disconnect the left and right brakes from each other so that the Sidearm's attachment point doesn't bear down on the brake assembly. It only takes 10 seconds to do, but is a minor annoyance. No problems with disc-brake equipped bikes. Also, like any roof-top carrier, it works better on smaller cars where it's easier to lift the bike up onto the roof. Despite the premium price, I like the rack so much that I've ordered a second and will be replacing the Raptor.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (6 of 6 customers found this review helpful)

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    Mar

    6

    2008

    (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    USER FRIENDLY BUT BE CAREFUL!!!

    By pmaster11deg

    from ALBUQUERQUE, NM

    About Me Competitive Cyclist

    Pros

    • COST
    • Easy to Use
    • Stable

    Cons

    • BULKY
    • Hard to install
    • POOR THEFT DETERENT

    Best Uses

    • All bikes
    • All vehicles

    Comments about Thule Sidearm Bike Mount:

    THIS RACK IS VERY EASY TO USE ONCE YOU INSTALL IT. I USE IT TO CARRY MY LEFTY 29ER, THROUGH AXLE MTB AND ROAD BIKES. STABLE TO OVER 100MPH AND NOTHING TOUCHES THE BIKE'S PAINT (THERE IS NO NEED FOR THE ARM TO COME ANYWHERE NEAR A FRONT BRAKE). HOWEVER, THERE ARE A FEW ISSUES. 1ST, YOU HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE THE UNIT IN ORDER TO CONFIGURE IT TO FIT THE DRIVERS SIDE OF A VEHICLE. 2ND, THE ARM DOESN'T COMPLETELY FOLD FLAT SO IT STICKS UP MORE THAN NECCESSARY IN THE WIND (IT IS A BIG, BULKY, NOISY UNIT, ALWAYS A LAUGH TO SEE THEM ON A PRIUS!) FINALLY, IT IS VERY, VERY EASY TO STEAL A BIKE OFF THIS RACK WHEN USING JUST THE FACTORY THULE LOCK CORE ON THE ARM. ALL ONE HAS TO DO IS RELEASE THE FRONT WHEEL FROM THE FORK POP THE REAR WHEEL STRAP AND BINGO YOUR PRECIOUS BIKE IS GONE. EVEN A THROUGH AXLE MTB WOULD TAKE SECONDS TO RIP OFF. DON'T BE TEMPTED TO LEAVE YOUR BIKE ON THIS RACK WITHOUT AN EXTRA CABLE OR U-LOCK.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (4 of 4 customers found this review helpful)

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    Sep

    12

    2007

    (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

     
    4.0

    Great rack system

    By mtbgymnast

    from California

    About Me Competitive Cyclist

    Site Member

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Easy to Install
    • Easy to pull down
    • Easy to Use
    • Simple
    • Stable

    Cons

    • The pull down slips

    Best Uses

    • Large Cars
    • Mountain Bikes
    • Road Bikes
    • Small Cars

    Comments about Thule Sidearm Bike Mount:

    The rack system works great for transporting bikes of all sizes and weird down tubes. The only thing to watch out for is to make sure the pull down piece clicks into place. On occasion, it will not fully latch on its own and you need to pull out the tap, but its super easy to do so no worries there.

    Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

    (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

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    Jul

    22

    2009

     
    3.0

    Questionble Safety

    By tom

    from Salt Lake City, UT

    About Me Avid Cyclist

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Easy to Use

    Cons

    • Hard to Install or Use
    • Unstable

    Best Uses

    • Road Bikes

    Comments about Thule Sidearm Bike Mount:

    I have used this rack for over one year with both my road and mountain bike. The pros: easy to get the bikes on and off, has optional lock accessory for security, fits any bike, locking device stays in its clicked position- no slippage. The Cons: This is a big one- the front tire has jumped out of the rail when using my mountain bike on a bumpy dirt road. This has happened more than once. It might be due to the front fork suspension bouncing on the road and eventually pops out. I lock out the suspension on the fork but it didn't help. Now I add a strap to the tire and the rail. Haven't had a problem since but for the price of the system, this shouldn't happen. There has never been a problem on a paved road. I need a rail for a second bike but will look for one with another system. It's not worth the risk of having my bike spread all over the road.

    • Gift:
    • No

    Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend

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    May

    20

    2009

     
    2.0

    Bike fell off

    By joehiker

    from SLC, UT

    About Me Avid Cyclist

    Site Member

    Pros

      Cons

      • Unstable

      Best Uses

        Comments about Thule Sidearm Bike Mount:

        I have had this rack for a year. It is easy to use and I really liked it until my bike fell off going 65 mph. It was probably caused by user error, but I don't know what I did wrong.

        • Gift:
        • No

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        May

        8

        2009

         
        4.0

        Great rack

        By Snowbo13

        from Seattle, Wa

        About Me Avid Cyclist

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Easy to Use

        Cons

        • BULKY
        • Large
        • Loud

        Best Uses

        • Mountain Bikes

        Comments about Thule Sidearm Bike Mount:

        I have 2 of these and I really like the way they look on my car and how easy they are to use. When I bought my Specialized Enduro SL with the 20 mm through Axle, I could not use my old bike rack with the fork mount any more. I like that the front arm does not touch the paint at all on my bikes so there is no worries about frame scratches.

        Cons. The system does stick up from your car, and theft can be an issue as pointed out in a previous post. I had a problem when switch my second one over to the the drivers side the hinge became very stiff and hard to move. That was fixed with some wd40. I have taken my bike across the country with this bike racks and have never had a problem with it(besides a vala parking attendant in Vail Co wrecking my bike, rack and roof but thats another story.)

        Overall one of the quickest racks for putting your bike on your car.

        • Gift:
        • No

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

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        Sep

        29

        2007

        (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

         
        4.0

        Appropriate title

        By fiercegirl

        from dublin,ca

        About Me Avid Cyclist, Extreme mountain biker

        Pros

        • Durable
        • Easy to Use
        • Stable

        Cons

        • A bit bulky

        Best Uses

        • Large Cars
        • Mountain Bikes
        • Small Cars

        Comments about Thule Sidearm Bike Mount:

        Very durable and stable. Only cons are that it's kinda bulky and not the easiest to install but too bad- 4/10 rating in difficulty

        Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

        (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

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