With bikes that have cables running under the bottom tube of the frame, does this rack damage the cables?
1299059
I never had any problems with that. The clamps are rubberized a bit, and if you rack the bike properly it's a very tight fit. The only way I could imagine damage happening would be due to friction if the cables were rubbed side to side, but I don't think that happens - again, it's a firm, flat hold. I suppose if you somehow racked it with the two cables pitched toward each other with one on top of the other they could rub each other between the grips, but that would be a flaw in how the bike was racked, not the rack itself.
1299060
No it does not, these cables are taught enough that this does not flex them or tug them. Also Thule products are well thought out and engineered, bike lines have been in the same spot on bikes for years, they've 100% taken these into consideration.
1299061
I have been carrying my bikes on this Thule for over three years now and have never had a problem with damage to those cables. Here's a tip that has nothing to do with that question. As an additional guard to falling bikes, I use an additional step by securing my bikes to the raised bar of the Thule with small velco straps.
1299062
I have 2 bikes with cables running under the frame. There is couple of dents specially made for those type of bikes. I have been on very long trips and have been using the racks for 2years and I never damage the cables.
1299063
I had the same concern, but this doesn't seem to be a problem. The previous answers pretty well sum it up. Remember to buy the locks.
1299064
There is enough room for the cable. The internal shape of the clamp design like 'v' shape so it does not touch the cable.
1299065
No because the clamp is plastic and the cable are metal. If you clamp it tight enough it does not rub and does not damage the paint, at least so far.
607973
No.This rack is very cheaply made and vibrates so bad it will break fast causing major damage to your bikes.I could hardly get 2 noral bikes on it and the bikes rubbed against each other.I would bet that one trip over dirt roadswould result sever damage to whatever it carries.I never even tried packing bikes afterI put it together and put bikeson it to see what it looked like.You can have mine if you pay postage.I went to scheels and paid 300 for one that isgreat and got to see what I was buying.better more than breaking up your bikes
1720595
Yes. I lowered it slowly but the rack had no problems. The bikes didn't touch the ground for me that I remember.
1558161
We used this rack in a cross-country trip and had no problem with it. We did not put it inside the car. I guess the safety issue depends where you go. Someone could theoretically steal it if they snipped the cables and worked at it, but that would essentially be ruining it for them. When we stopped at night, we would take the bikes off the rack and put them in our motel room, but the rack remained on the car.
1360800
Probably not. It's an "OK" rack, but depending on the bike, as some of the reviews have noted, it hits the spokes. I would not trust it with kiddo.
2007243
Just thinking. My cable run on the outside but start at on the lower tube with enough room at the very top of the tube to place the mirror without interfering with the cables. Hope yours is the same. If you need a picture let me know.
1407225
My wife has a Schwinn Midmoor 700c bike that is hooked on the top of the s shaped frame, there is some adjustment left. You could not hook on the lowest tube where the crank is located. Her bike has traveled over 6,000 miles on the sportrack without problem.
1659445
I have carried two bicycles on this rack with no problems. I also added two short cords to tie the front and rear tires to the frame. Both bikes were very stable for the entire journey of 600 miles.
2094741
Not it doesn't damage it. The shifting and brake cables are made to stretch and it's not like your constantly stretching it out of spec.
1134730
I drilled holes into the floor, inserted threaded sleeves that lay flush and then bolt the rack when needed. Be sure to use tie down straps and compress the front forks as far as possible. I didn't do this enough once and my bike broke loose and damaged my wife's tank with my handlebars.
1797928
Yes. Although with the bikes in the rack it may be hard to reach the footswitch that allows that.
901276
No, not if the bikes were on. The rack does tilt down, but would be difficult if the bikes were on.
2260635
I have three of these racks, all of them supporting heavy "beach cuisers" in vertical positions. I would suggest mounting the rack at a height that allows the bike to rest on the rear tire, thereby taking some of the weight off the rack. This has kept a lot of stress off the rack(wall) as well as the front wheel. I've not had any visible damage to any of my front wheels.
2260637
No because I've hung the rack low enough so that the bottom wheel rests on the floor. I guess if I've hung the rack higher, then the front wheel might incur some damage.
51381
Yes! My bike is a step-through. It's great. I wanted a rack that wouldn't require the cross bar and possibly scratch the paint on my bike. The bikes are entirely supported by the tires and securely fasten to the rack with the included straps.
47032
Yes, there could be a problem with that depending on the size of your bikes. It rubbed on mine. But even more of a problem is the design of the rubber pieces to securely hold the bike to the rack. The straps are not well designed. They are too short and very hard to pull over the bike tube and hook. I would not recommend this rack. I now use it to hang my A frame ladder and, after we are parked, it is also used to hang wet clothes!
1031882
When i first started using this rack I had to re-tighten the Allen screws that hold it to the bike a few times...I noticed if I got too much speed downhill or in the wind the rack could move causing an imbalance...once I got it adequately tighened down I havent had this problem.