[RyanE92]

Anyone fit a Thule or Yakima bike carrier to the BMW base rack?

I have the base rack and I understand that it is bascially just Thule Aero Bars. What I have a hard time understanding is why Thule manufactures these Aero Bars and then doesn't sell anything that fits it. I didn't buy the BMW carrier because, with a 20% coupon and my dividend, I was able to buy a carrier for much less at REI. So I currently have a Thule peloton carrier. I just didn't realize at the time that it was going to be impossible to attach a Thule carrier to Thule bars

So, has anyone done this? One online retailer says a fit kit is coming very soon (it is on their website and I bought it not realizing it was unavailable), but cannot confirm when and has already given me one date that was inaccurate. Thule says its coming soon but won't confirm when. I have to be able to transport the bike on top of the car on May 5, so in a couple weeks I'm going to run out of options.

[dougman]

What you need are the "xadapt" adapters which should be available online or at a good Thule dealer. There are several different types depending on the particular attachment you are trying to mount.

Any dealer that carries the aero bars should have these in stock.

The other nice thing about the aero bars: the entire length of the bar can be used, even directly over the tower.

Good luck.

[dougman]

Sorry here's more detail:

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-racks-xadapt-9.html

$6.75 online. You should check the specific model number of your bike mount since I think the word "peloton" has been used for a while.

[RyanE92]

Originally Posted by dougman

Sorry here's more detail:

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-racks-xadapt-9.html

$6.75 online. You should check the specific model number of your bike mount since I think the word "peloton" has been used for a while.

ORS is the online retailer I referenced in my original post that said the kit is coming. I bought the Peloton after seeing that ORS was advertising the Xadapt9 and being satisfied that everything would fit. I ordered it from them April 2 and received an email back that it was out of stock but estimated delivery to me was April 12. My most recent communication with ORS is that they still do not have it and do not know when it will be received.

I believe that, if necessary, I can get the Thule V2 and Xadapt1. Its just annoying more than anything and could end up costing me the use of a decently sized REI coupon I had that expired 4/1 if I have to return the Peloton carrier.

[dougman]

Didn't know the xadapt9 was held up--I've been able to get other xadapt adapters but don't own a peloton. Is it an out-of-stock issue or has Thule not even released them yet?

[RyanE92]

You can't tell that from the ORS website. My suspicion from some emails I exchanged with Thule is that it is not actually released yet.

[RyanE92]

I am bringing this post back from the dead for an update as I seem to have found a solution. I have the BMW base system and a Thule Peloton carrier. Thule is supposed to release an adaptor kit called Xadapt 9 to make the two compatible, but it has been delayed from April until at least July. I contacted Thule and they told me Xadapt 1 "would work," so I purchased it and mounted the carrier. It has proven to be very sturdy through several uses and I am satisfied with it to date (although I will probably buy Xadapt 9 when it comes out just for a little added piece of mind. If I have one grip it is that the bolt that holds the front end of the carrier is not as long as I would have designed it, but it has been plenty secure.

Here are a few pics - excuse the wierd tone as I forgot my polarizing filter was on when I took the pics.

[MB330]

Originally Posted by dougman

Sorry here's more detail:

http://www.orsracksdirect.com/thule-racks-xadapt-9.html

$6.75 online. You should check the specific model number of your bike mount since I think the word "peloton" has been used for a while.

dougman, can you recommend any Bumper Mount?

[Jaws]

Originally Posted by NIVKI89

dougman, can you recommend any Bumper Mount?

The problem with bumper mounts is that invariably your car will at some point get scratched one way or another.

[Zeeman]

I have two Yakima King Cobras mounted on my BMW roof bars using Yakima's Universal Mighty Mounts.

The King Cobras are more suited to mountain bikes, but I believe that other Yakima products will also work with their Universal Mighty Mounts

[montreal_bimmer]

i have to look into getting one of these too...

[dougman]

Originally Posted by NIVKI89

dougman, can you recommend any Bumper Mount?

Actually, I wouldn't recommend any Bumper Mount system. It is very hard to keep it from scratching the vehicle, and they are clumsy to take on and off and limit access to the trunk. If you carry more than one bike, you also will have a much greater tendency for them to get scratched.

If you really want to carry the bikes on the back, you could add a receiver hitch and then use a hitch-mounted system. But the mounting points on the 3-series roof are so nice that I still recommend them.

BMW carries a "bike lift" accessory that makes it much easier to lift them up to roof height, if that's your concern.

Hope that helps.

[dolby]

The Thule 753 rails will fit the e90 with a simple mod with a grinder. I have 2 e90s in the driveway now with them on it.

I can post pictures of the mod if needed.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/fg_c...tion_number=1#



dolby

[choatie88]

Originally Posted by NIVKI89

dougman, can you recommend any Bumper Mount?

I like the Saris Bones racks. I haven't had trouble with scratching on my old car, but you do have to be careful. Put a heavy sock over your pedals, and make sure all straps are very tight and tied off to prevent flapping in the wind.

The metal clips on the Bones rack that hold the rack to the trunk are covered in a plastic coating that seems quite soft to avoid scratches.

Oh, and drive like a granny...

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by dolby

The Thule 753 rails will fit the e90 with a simple mod with a grinder. I have 2 e90s in the driveway now with them on it.

I can post pictures of the mod if needed.

http://www.thuleracks.com/thule/fg_c...tion_number=1#



dolby

I just moved up from an e46 and i was wondering if you could post up pictures of the modification. Grinder in hand ready to shave some metal. Did you get them dipped in the rubberized coating after?

Thanks in advance

[wdeerfield]

Bump, anyone?

Dolby, i plan on grinding the feet but was wondering if you could post up some pics of where needs the trimming, i see the wide of the foot, but anywhere else?