[FLsubie]

I have a 2009 Forester Limited with the side rails. What are the best cross bars that fits these rails? Thule, Yakima, what's the part#

Thanks all!

FLSubie

 

[GKB]

I have the following...

Thule 755 Foot Pack Rapid System

Thule 861 Aero Bar (120cm)

And for big trips I have a Thule Cascade roof pod.

It all works well.

 

[SubieOutlaw]

Yakima.

48" bars with kick donkey basket

 

[Blue Fox]

I have a 2009 Forester Limited with the side rails. What are the best cross bars that fits these rails? Thule, Yakima, what's the part#

Thanks all!

FLSubie

OEM ones would be the best IMO, as they can slide into the rail if I'm not mistaken. Really depends on what you are going to be doing with them though. If you're mounting a basket, carrier, ski rack, etc.

 

[SubieOutlaw]

I am not a fan of the aerobars.
Also, the aerobats are not standard. Their dealership price makes Yakima and Thule your choices.

 

[Trainman]

Take a look at Malone's as well: http://www.subaruforester.org/vbulletin/f139/malone-roof-racks-value-alternative-70462/

OEM ones would be the best IMO, as they can slide into the rail if I'm not mistaken. Really depends on what you are going to be doing with them though. If you're mounting a basket, carrier, ski rack, etc.

I'm with the Outlaw on the factory aero bars, I find them very (too) flexible, not wide enough and with the curve can be a pain to get larger flat items mounted. Not sure what you mean by "can slide into the rail"; they are not like the new Outback ones that fold in but they do attach very well, as they should.

 

[Jingletown]

I have pretty much exactly the same setup as SubieOutlaw on my 2010 Forester, and it works very well. The Thule equivalents will probably work just as well -- in my experience people either chose Yakima or Thule and stick with that choice for life (I have Yakima gear going back nearly 20 years so I just keep using Yakima).

As for the factory aero bars, I'm with the others on this -- I don't think I really see the point of them. Both the Yakima and Thule solutions work great, the aero bars don't seem quite as robust, and they just seem a relatively expensive way to solve the same problem...

 

[bellatech]

Yakima.

48" bars with kick donkey basket

Is that a light bar on the basket? Nice touch.

 

[bellatech]

IMO, you can't go wrong with most major manufacturers. But there is a sliding scale in price.

I'd stay way from the aerobars too, just in case you want more security. I read a post where the aerobars bent with a Kayak on top after the foz hit a small pothole.

Generally, from priciest to least pricey-- Yakima, Thule, Malone. Strength--all comparable.

Also, sometimes you can interchange Yakima and Thule products too. I have Yak crossbars, but Thule bike mounts now.

 

[FLsubie]

Thanks for the feedback all! SubieOutlaw: are those rims Enkei Racing PF01s?

 

[stanyvr]

Any opinions on Whispbar system? Video on their website seem quite convincing regarding noise factor.

 

[Photothug]

I've got a 2.5X with no factory rails. I tried installing my Q Towers today from Yakima and it's a total nightmare. It's ridiculous. The measurements have to be so precise or it won't tighten down properly. I sooo wish I had factory rails.

 

[Photothug]

I was thinking of doing Yakima Control Towers and Landing Pads on my 2.5X with the fixed points. Has anyone tried this setup?

 

[AndriusGT]

Hi. I have a question regarding OEM aero cross bars - will they fit and are they strong enough for two Thule Proride bike carriers or big heavy roof box?
Thanks

I'm talking about these ones:

 

[xradchadx]

Malone, hands down. I never thought I'd buy cheap bars after owning nothing but Yakima, but the Malone's are great. Easy on, easy off. I use them to carry a Rola basket.