Thule Sidearm Universal Upright Bike Mount
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The Thule Sidearm Universal Upright rooftop single bike carrier is quick loading and accommodates most bikes.
Shop similar products- SecureHookâ„¢ arm holds the front bike tire (not the frame) securely in place; no contact with frame means your bike doesn't get scratched
- Offers quick loading in minutes without removing the wheels—even large 29 in. tires fit with the longer ratcheting SecureHook arm
- Reinforced tray features rust-free protection; tray fits most 20 - 29 in. wheels and up to 2.6 in. wide tires
- Rear ratcheting wheel strap is easy and quick, and holds bike securely to tray; rubber rim adapter for wheel strap provides additional security
- Offering a universal fit, Thule Sidearm rack system works on round bars and most factory racks
- Compatible with Thule One-Key Lock System, not included
Made in USA.
| Best Use | Cycling |
|---|---|
| Number of Bikes | 1-bike |
| Weight | 15 pounds |
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My first review - this product rocks!
I've never written a review before but was compelleed to do so for the Sidearm due to my almost not purchasing the product after seeing a single negative review. The Sidearm is a great product! I gave it a good first test at freeway speeds and on a windy mountain road. The bikes are very stable and I love that I can put them on or take them off in less than a minute per bike, thanks to not having to mess with removing/installing the front wheel. My only con is that the racks come defaulted for passenger side installation. Though it was not necessarily difficult to convert one for a driver's side application, it does not seem to rest perfectly horizontal when not in use. I am currently in communication with Thule to problem solve this issue.
Solid Bike Carrier
I bought this when I went to a through front axil instead of a quick release so I wouldn't have to take the front wheel off during transport and it would be lockable. None of these racks are completely secure; if someone really wanted the bike a pair of bolt cutters would do the trick, but this one looks more secure than my Yakima Forklift was. I've had the rack for about 6 months and it has performed really well; it's easy to use has a good grip on the bike. However, I did add a front tire strap for added stability and I feel like it made the bike even more stable especially on the highway. Make sure you're going to be tall enough to use this rack on your car or SUV; leaving the front wheel on makes for a longer reach. I'm 5'10 and if I was 2" shorter I wouldn't be able to use this on my Audi Q5.
thule arm bike rack
Instructions are not as clear as they should be. Take your time and it will make sense. It takes 5 seconds to load and unload. Barley X large 27.5 mtb. Needs to be a bit longer. After cranking down hard on the arm holding the front tire the bike remains very secure even at freeway speeds or quick turns. Leaving the front wheel on is great but makes for a tall rig. Requires two lock inserts as an option. The arm makes a scary click when stowing which seems like you are breaking it, it Is normal. I'm very happy with it overall. Installation takes time due to very poor instructions and I have no problems installing anything.
Works well
I use this rack to carry my 29er and road bike. It is easy to put together if you can read instructions, easy to use, and holds my bike securely. I added another Thule strap (purchased as a spare part) for the front wheel to increase my confidence at highway speeds, especially with cross winds. That being said, even without it the bike is safe and secure. More of a confidence thing after reading some reviews. It also spent a long, snowy, salty Cleveland winter on the top of my wagon with zero corrosion. In short, a fantastic rack worth the price.
Works!
This product is fantastic. I have had no issues with it after installation. The installation process itself was a tad trickier than advertised. I put it together by myself, I recommend having someone assist with the mounting, it will aide in protecting your car from scratches and the likes. My use is for my Mountain Bike and I am very satisfied with its performance, the Prius IV has a Solar Panel Roof and a Sunroof, these two items continue to work effectively and are not disturbed by the rack and components. Enjoy!
Interesting rack but completely unsecure
Not well suited for SUVs or anything other than cars. Requires very very high lift to get them on top. The biggest issue though is that the rack provides NO security even with a lockset. If the bike has a quick release front hub, it can just be released at the fork and taken away. Since the rack only locks itself to the front wheel, once the frame is disconnected you can then just roll the front wheel and take that too. Will be returning this and going back to an old school front fork locking tray. It's a headache to get the bikes on it the first place and then I have to worry about theft. It's not worth the risk.
Stable roof rack for my 29er mtb
Other commenters have noted the poor instructions that accompany this product, and I would agree that there were a few places where the installation instructions were a little ambiguous. However, the product itself is, I think, excellent. Once installed, the (default) passenger-side installation was very stable and secure. I was able to get my XL frame 29er up on the tray and secured with little trouble. In terms of security (and convenience) I think one set of locks to secure the carrier to the roof rack would be a good investment for me, so that - during a ride - I don't have to completely disassemble the rack and store it in my car. I also bought a chain lock for additional security. But if you've got a large 29er mtn bike like mine, I think you'll be very pleased with this product.
Good Tradeoff - Security for Convenience
This bike tray is one of the best if you don't want to remove your wheel every time you load your bike on it. If your primary concern is security, take the wheels off and lock your bike in your trunk, with two or three cables threaded through it and a solid steel U-lock for good measure. There is NO external bike rack that will stop a determined bike thief, or even slow them down in most cases. Knowing that this rack isn't intended to prevent anything other than a crime of opportunity, if I'll be anywhere I can't watch the car, I'll loop a cable through the bike frame and around a load bar.If you are short and your car is tall, don't get a roof rack... of any kind, including this one. You'll have to lift the bike onto the roof no matter which roof rack you have, so that shouldn't even be a consideration when comparing this to other roof racks.Also, if you think a bike rack should compensate for your lack of care when applying clamps, levers, straps, or whatever, please just put the bike in your trunk instead. This tray holds a 20" kids bike and/or a 29'er perfectly securely as long as the bar is snug against the fork and the wheel. As with any bike rack, it can be improperly used, and, as with any device (including the actual bicycle), that could lead to problems.I have found this Thule product to be sturdy, high-quality, and easy to use. My bike and my son's bike are off the roof for a ride, and back on afterward quicker than any other similar rack I have ever owned or used.I've had two of these for a while, and will be adding a third one the next time they go on sale. I think they're worth the full price, but if you can wait, REI frequently offers a bit of a discount on rack equipment in their sale events[...]
Nice gear, bad directions
The directions for this rack are terrible. Even after I got it together I had to take it apart again to move the back strap in front of the rear mount. Works great once you figure it out and get it installed.
Great for transporting 29er
I bought the Sidearm to transport my 29er down 500 miles of I-95. After reading other reviews, I also decided to buy the extra Thule wheel straps to add to the front wheel, and I'm glad I did. Despite driving in gale-force crosswinds all day, the Sidearm kept my bike secured the entire way to my destination. Regarding security, even with the Sidearm's available add-on locks, I wouldn't leave a bike unattended for long. It seems like someone could pretty quickly make off with the bike--and the Sidearm, too. Once you get the bike secured, you'll definitely want to grab a measuring tape and measure from the handlebars down to the road. My crossover SUV isn't as tall as some, but with crossbars+Sidearm+29er, the total height was a towering 9'2". Height like that (or even more for those with full-size SUVs) may be a problem for driving in cities with low bridges (like Boston, or the entirety of Long Island). Definitely keep an eye on signs for bridge heights to keep your bike, vehicle, and fellow drivers safe! The Sidearm would get five stars, but the front wheel strap really should be included, even if Thule has to raise the price of the Sidearm. I'm happy to pay the extra $30 for a two-pack of straps if it means better safety, but there's no reason to risk destroying a customer's bike, car--or even causing a life-threatening accident--by not including an extra wheel strap for those who didn't take the time to pore over the online reviews.