Roof Rack Problem - Lexus ES300

Hoib said:

I want to take my road bike to Florida - driving down later this year. I
have a really nice Thule roof rack system for my other vehicle and was
hoping to be able to adapt it/buy the Thule kit for the Lexus ES300 (1999
model year). This model's roof has these two raised areas (more for
decoration than function) running the length of the roof about 3 inches in
from each side edge. That's where the big snag happens- I can't find a set
of "feet" for the car that are designed to fit - neither Thule nor Yakima
offer one. I've visited and searched their webs and I've also talked to the
guys down at the 3 bike shops in my area about Thule/Yakima products. I've
tried to "cobble" something from one shop who let me try all their larger
Thule adapters. That goofy raised profile feature is just in the wrong
place. No go - if I set it up on the flat of the roof, the reach is just
too long!

So, here's my question for the group. I'm hoping someone here has maybe
solved this problem before on this or a similar vehicle with a smiliar
profile. For some reason, I can't seem to find any other roof rack
companies besides these two. Is there another popular brand I can try to
research.

Maybe try Saris? (http://www.saris.com/index.html). I've had good luck
with a Saris roof rack for my Honda. Haven't been able to try it out on
a Lexus since they're still giving out 2% raises at work...

Try these guys: http://www.rackattack.com/

I've found them helpful when looking for odd bits and pieces.

John

Hoib said:

I want to take my road bike to Florida - driving down later this year. I
have a really nice Thule roof rack system for my other vehicle and was
hoping to be able to adapt it/buy the Thule kit for the Lexus ES300 (1999
model year). This model's roof has these two raised areas (more for
decoration than function) running the length of the roof about 3 inches in
from each side edge. That's where the big snag happens- I can't find a set
of "feet" for the car that are designed to fit - neither Thule nor Yakima
offer one. I've visited and searched their webs and I've also talked to the
guys down at the 3 bike shops in my area about Thule/Yakima products. I've
tried to "cobble" something from one shop who let me try all their larger
Thule adapters. That goofy raised profile feature is just in the wrong
place. No go - if I set it up on the flat of the roof, the reach is just
too long!

So, here's my question for the group. I'm hoping someone here has maybe
solved this problem before on this or a similar vehicle with a smiliar
profile. For some reason, I can't seem to find any other roof rack
companies besides these two. Is there another popular brand I can try to
research. I even thought about setting up a styrofoam "riser" to set up
under each of the four feet but I'm afraid it won't hold up. I'd rather not
have the bike dangling off the back of the trunk either with all the road
junk that usually gets on it. I'd really like to use the roof rack.

Can anyone give me a hint?

Hoib

Terrific Peter! Thanks very much. Too bad it's Sunday here otherwise I
would've already been on the phone! Nice find - appreciate the effort.

Wish me luck!

Hoib.

"Peter Van Buren" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Hoib said:

I want to take my road bike to Florida - driving down later this year. I
have a really nice Thule roof rack system for my other vehicle and was
hoping to be able to adapt it/buy the Thule kit for the Lexus ES300 (1999
model year). This model's roof has these two raised areas (more for
decoration than function) running the length of the roof about 3 inches
in
from each side edge. That's where the big snag happens- I can't find a
set
of "feet" for the car that are designed to fit - neither Thule nor Yakima
offer one. I've visited and searched their webs and I've also talked to
the
guys down at the 3 bike shops in my area about Thule/Yakima products.
I've
tried to "cobble" something from one shop who let me try all their larger
Thule adapters. That goofy raised profile feature is just in the wrong
place. No go - if I set it up on the flat of the roof, the reach is just
too long!

So, here's my question for the group. I'm hoping someone here has maybe
solved this problem before on this or a similar vehicle with a smiliar
profile. For some reason, I can't seem to find any other roof rack
companies besides these two. Is there another popular brand I can try to
research.

Maybe try Saris? (http://www.saris.com/index.html). I've had good luck
with a Saris roof rack for my Honda. Haven't been able to try it out on
a Lexus since they're still giving out 2% raises at work...

Thanks John. Looks like I'll be calling on Monday! Got your referral and
one other one - two more than I had before. I'll try to post back so that
others might get this info.

Hoib.

"John Lockwood" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Try these guys: http://www.rackattack.com/

I've found them helpful when looking for odd bits and pieces.

John

Hoib said:

I want to take my road bike to Florida - driving down later this year. I
have a really nice Thule roof rack system for my other vehicle and was
hoping to be able to adapt it/buy the Thule kit for the Lexus ES300 (1999
model year). This model's roof has these two raised areas (more for
decoration than function) running the length of the roof about 3 inches
in from each side edge. That's where the big snag happens- I can't find
a set of "feet" for the car that are designed to fit - neither Thule nor
Yakima offer one. I've visited and searched their webs and I've also
talked to the guys down at the 3 bike shops in my area about Thule/Yakima
products. I've tried to "cobble" something from one shop who let me try
all their larger Thule adapters. That goofy raised profile feature is
just in the wrong place. No go - if I set it up on the flat of the roof,
the reach is just too long!

So, here's my question for the group. I'm hoping someone here has maybe
solved this problem before on this or a similar vehicle with a smiliar
profile. For some reason, I can't seem to find any other roof rack
companies besides these two. Is there another popular brand I can try to
research. I even thought about setting up a styrofoam "riser" to set up
under each of the four feet but I'm afraid it won't hold up. I'd rather
not have the bike dangling off the back of the trunk either with all the
road junk that usually gets on it. I'd really like to use the roof rack.

Can anyone give me a hint?

Hoib

Almost everyone has had problems with the new Thule fork clamp. The
company that was once good seems to be no more. I can not recommend
them.

Thanks to all who shared here. By way of a little feedback, here's the bad
news!

I contacted both companies suggested here. Saris - Very helpful and
friendly. The rep chatted with me and sent me a complete user guide to see
how their listed unit might fit. The other company would not venture
outside the box with any kind of suggestion because the rep did as I did:
went to the Thule or Yakima website, saw "No Fit" and said "Can't do it".
OK, so Saris - might be the deal.

Went to my local bike emporium to check with my trusty mechanic who took one
look and said, "Don't waste your time!". Note: this is one of those
frameless window models. Where I was planning to hook on just atop where
the window swings in - it's not grabbing the roof, just a black trim strip
which might well not hold up under tension. Could wind up pulling off at 65
mph under load or at best "krinkle" up your trim!

And, so, undaunted, I went on to visit the Lexus dealer - in fact, I went to
two of them. Shop #1 - Parts department took one look and said, "Trim
strips aren't designed to take much pressure, son." Service manager at
place no 2, pained facial expresion/pursed his lips said, "I'd advise
against clamping anything on to those trim strips, son." (Are we getting
any kind of a strong message here?) Finally, upon leaving shop #2, I drove
by a body shop advertising foreign work. Stopped in and the guys came out
to see. Both siad they had experiences with this window design in different
models/years but they both agreed, hooking on to the trim strips would not
be a good idea.

Still my Seven is going to Florida come heck or high Gatorade. Looks like
I'll settle for a trunk mount and try to protect it from road crud and
scunge as best I can.

Again, thanks to the contributors here for the help. Next car... oh,
nevermind!

H