Yakima Whispbar Review.

[DownhillA4]

After purchasing a Thule Atlantis 1600 roof box, my OEM bars just didn't seem right. They just sat too high and even with my bike racks and lowered car, it was still a struggle to reach up to take items on and off the roof without touching the paint (kept a step stool with me) so i've been patiently waiting for someone to design a lower profile bar and finally the Yakima Whispbar design appeared.

Inspiration, Jursch211 was the first member I saw with a B6 A4 who had this Whispar Flush S5 Base Bar set-up on his car and I knew that's what i've been waiting for. Deciding to save up some funds and purchase my own. Those of us with the sedan need to purchase the K377 Fit Kit along with the Whispbar FLush S5 Base Bar for a complete set-up.

Impression: Yakima customer service sucks when it comes to questions regarding their product. Since they just "bought" Whispbar, they did not want to answer any questions about the design of the product even though they sell it and advertise it as their own...? Compared to the OEM base bars which sit outside the rain drain, this Whispbar set-up sits right over top the rain drain, universal for sure. The quality of plastic I don't think is up to par as Thule which is a glossier plastic.

K377 Fit Kit is NOT made specifically for the Audi A4 even though on the box it says it is... don't let Yakima fool you. The screws could have been longer to tighten down the clamps and also the mount that attaches into the hole inside the door is just a small stub compared to Thule's that actually goes into the hole further.

The lock mechanism on one of the four endcaps was tigher than normal, took a good 5 minutes to get it too lock.

The positives, they clean look of the lower profile bar is extremely nice and is aero. They sit much lower and this was the main reason I wanted to purchase the Whispbar set-up, so my bike racks and Thule box did not sit so high above the roof.


Overall score of the product... 7 out of 10.

Onto the pictures...

OEM Thule Base Bars


Yakima Whispbar S5 Flush with K377 Fit Kit





Edit- Just took it for a drive. Wind noise in the cabin is less than the OEM bars but still noticeable. Had the car up to 60mph and all was good, box was secure (i'm paranoid of it falling off, mainly paranoid of everything with my bad luck). Gas mileage didn't seem too affected, overall I think it was a good purchase, looks so much sleeker on the car. Look forward to hitting the highway with it.

[misterjj2u]

I had these on my old avant.

I loved how sleek and low profile they were (esp. on the avant).

What I didn't like was how much they flexed under a heavy load (you'll see a good amount of flex when you put heavy boxes, etc. on them).

[Charlescrs6]

Looks good man. Is that the blend mount for your Escort 8500? How do you like it?

[vintagespin]

i wonder how the new thule aero bars compare

[Charles.waite]

I would like to add...




Whispbars FTW!

BTW, I bought mine before they were bought by Yakima, and the old website was MUCH easier to navigate and find the correct setup. The Yakima site is kind of difficult. I obviously have an Avant so being able to get the low-profile bars was the biggest win in my book. They're so flush with the car, its super stealth. Only problem I've found is mounting attachments can be tricky. Even with my Yakima ski-rack I had to source some bolt locally as the included 1" bolts were too short and the included 2" bolts were too long and would rub on the roof and destroy the paint. I found 1.5" bolts no problem though and its perfect. Binding's don't hit and the wind noise is almost nonexistent even with the ski attachment.

[kneel]

Wispbars ftw! Love the look better with the box.

Next prchase for the Avant. Thules are too high even on hte Avant

[ilko]

I had these on my old avant.

I loved how sleek and low profile they were (esp. on the avant).

What I didn't like was how much they flexed under a heavy load (you'll see a good amount of flex when you put heavy boxes, etc. on them).

Should've told me that before you sold 'em to me

I haven't noticed flex on them but then again I put the heavy stuff in the trunk and the light stuff in the box. I really like how flush they are.

[kneel]

^ love that look!

[ilko]

Thanks! I disconnected my moon roof switch just to be on the safe side

[Charles.waite]

Thanks! I disconnected my moon roof switch just to be on the safe side

Yours hits? Mine doesn't. Maybe the B7 is slightly different though.

[evo_ski]

Downhill, as always, car looks fantastic. I really like the wispbars on there a lot better.

With my box you can't even see daylight between the box and the roof rails.



Complete with jokes about my fake wheels

[DownhillA4]

Looks good man. Is that the blend mount for your Escort 8500? How do you like it?

It is. I think it's great because I absolutely hate suction cups, stupidest things ever. Price tag... sucks but the girl got it for me as a B-day present, still feel bad though.

Thanks for the comments guy's even though the car is in temporary "winter mode".

[misterjj2u]

[QUOTE=ilko;7278510]Should've told me that before you sold 'em to me
[QUOTE]

Ha! Only happened when I put up two 75+ pound boxes of wood / furniture that were racheted down. Otherwise, I loved the setup, especially on the avant.

[charkey]

Here's my Whispbar setup. The bike mounts are RockyMounts Euro PitchFork. I really like how low and sleek it looks. Just installed it this weekend. So far I like it, but I haven't even been able to use it yet. No problems opening the sunroof (although, it is a bit more noisy now when the sunroof is open).

[ilko]

Yours hits? Mine doesn't. Maybe the B7 is slightly different though.

I don't know. Didn't want to find out the hard way. And I pretty much never use it anyway...

[DownhillA4]

Charkey, awesome! When I talked to Yakima they said my Rocky Mount EuroPitch Fork Mount wouldn't work on the Whispbar Flush S5 base bars... damn does Yakima suck. Glad I didn't sell my red fork mount.

[jursch2211]

Evan, look what you started... should have titled the thread "Whispbar roof racks unite" Looks good! I definitely like how the box attaches to the rack, unlike the fatcats I have and since everyone else is posting...

[kneel]

^ YELLOW Highs and Fogs FTW!

[charkey]

Charkey, awesome! When I talked to Yakima they said my Rocky Mount EuroPitch Fork Mount wouldn't work on the Whispbar Flush S5 base bars... damn does Yakima suck. Glad I didn't sell my red fork mount.

Both Whispbar and RockyMounts told me it couldn't be done. I took that as a challenge, and did it anyways. Had to make some custom spacers. Doesn't look as clean as it could. But I think it looks so much better than any other bulky bike mounts. I'm not a fan of the kind of mounting brackets that wrap around the cross bars.

[blunts for days]

all of these Whispbars make my Thule racks look tall and foolish, jealous!

[Charles.waite]

Both Whispbar and RockyMounts told me it couldn't be done. I took that as a challenge, and did it anyways. Had to make some custom spacers. Doesn't look as clean as it could. But I think it looks so much better than any other bulky bike mounts. I'm not a fan of the kind of mounting brackets that wrap around the cross bars.

Did you use the channel to mount them? I tried to find some hardware to do that with my ski rack but I ran out of time and had to use the clamp mounting mechanism. I found that I needed to find a square head, 1/2 or 3/4 inch bolt (whatever fits in that channel snugly) and then just a nut of the ski attachment itself. I should try to source those now.

I know Yakima sells adapters, but I'm not spending $50 for a few bolts...

[nofearhawk]

I have the whispbars, not installed yet though

Anyone recommend a low profile snowboard rack? Those fatcats seem to stand a bit high.... I would think yakima could design something that used the channel/flushmounted instead of wrapping around

[evo_ski]

I think they probably will in the future. The only problem with going low pro like this with a low rack is you won't be able to stack boards with bindings on without them hitting the roof, and skis would likely need to be separated. It would look really nice though. I would be if I had regular racks instead of a box some of my bindings would hit my roof.

[Charles.waite]

I think they probably will in the future. The only problem with going low pro like this with a low rack is you won't be able to stack boards with bindings on without them hitting the roof, and skis would likely need to be separated. It would look really nice though. I would be if I had regular racks instead of a box some of my bindings would hit my roof.

You knuckledraggers. Serves you right...

[evo_ski]

I bet the rocker on some of my skis would hit the roof, and either my FKS or salomon 916's would hit. I remember I had trouble with my ski bindings hitting the roof on my explorer which had miles more space than these have, which is half of the reason I went the box route.

[DownhillA4]

Damn, alot more people had this set-up then I originally thought!

[charkey]

Did you use the channel to mount them? I tried to find some hardware to do that with my ski rack but I ran out of time and had to use the clamp mounting mechanism. I found that I needed to find a square head, 1/2 or 3/4 inch bolt (whatever fits in that channel snugly) and then just a nut of the ski attachment itself. I should try to source those now.

I know Yakima sells adapters, but I'm not spending $50 for a few bolts...

Yes, I used the channels. The Euro Pitchfork comes with the proper mounting hardware for crossbars with channels. Basically, a ~3/4" by ~2" piece of metal with two threaded holes, that slides into the crossbar, and two bolts that screw into those holes. But the front whispbar kind of angles forward and if you mount the bike rack flat, the back end sticks up in the air. Also, since the whispbars are so wide, the axle handle that you have to rotate to tighten can't turn (it hits the back part of the whispbar). So I made a spacer with an angel to fix both of these problems.

Maybe one of these adapter kits would work for you:
http://www.rockymounts.com/euro_pf_b...are_p/2257.htm
http://www.rockymounts.com/euro_bike...kit_p/2258.htm

The back end bolts down as designed. There is a ~3/4" by ~1" piece of metal with one threaded hole in it for this back part.

[Charles.waite]

http://www.rockymounts.com/euro_pf_b...are_p/2257.htm
http://www.rockymounts.com/euro_bike...kit_p/2258.htm

DUDE! You're amazing. Thule sells something similar (Xadapt 2) but its sort of a one piece thing and It doesn't seem like it'll work that well. Also it's $10 for a single mount screw, so $40 to mount a ski rack isn't worth it, ESPECIALLY since I don't even know if it'll fit right. This Rockymounts piece looks perfect. How long is the screw that comes with it?

[DownhillA4]

Awesome tip on how to mount RockyMounts to Whispbar.

[gottawrx]

Dayam I've been debating between a snowboard rack and a cargo box and this thread has sold me on the box. I already have the whispbar rails and was wondering, what box is compatible with the crossbars? Do we need specific mounts? I like any reputable brand box but I thought since Yakima owns whispbar that only they're products would work... Any info is appreciated.... Thanks

Wes

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

Yakima wouldn't let me order the Whispbars

So i have a set of Thule AeroBlades on order (for a lot cheaper too)

[DownhillA4]

Wes,

Yakima said all Yakina/Thule boxes would fit. I'm running the 1600 Atlantis Thule box and it fits without any adapters, plus it's the perfect size for a sedan.

Cam, order from ORSracksdirect.com, much cheaper then Yakima.com!

[FORCE_FED_DUB]

Cam, order from ORSracksdirect.com, much cheaper then Yakima.com!

Eh, I already ordered my Thule setup. It was in stock at my preferred source and the new AeroBlades are pretty low profile. Plus, they were $100 cheaper than the Yakima, and the fact that they're Swedish will piss off the Finnish guy I work with. I'll get some pics/measurements once they come in and I get them installed. I need to stop by a tint shop and pick up some clearbra scraps too. Thule should really sell pre-cut clearbra kits to fit their foot packs...

[gottawrx]

Wes,

Yakima said all Yakina/Thule boxes would fit. I'm running the 1600 Atlantis Thule box and it fits without any adapters, plus it's the perfect size for a sedan.

Cam, order from ORSracksdirect.com, much cheaper then Yakima.com!

thanks for the help! I have an avant so hopefully my hatch won't be an issue...

[charkey]

Wes,

Yakima said all Yakina/Thule boxes would fit. I'm running the 1600 Atlantis Thule box and it fits without any adapters, plus it's the perfect size for a sedan.

Cam, order from ORSracksdirect.com, much cheaper then Yakima.com!

I bought my Whispbars from rackattack.com. They have discounted prices as well.

[Charles.waite]

I bought my Whispbars from rackattack.com. They have discounted prices as well.

I got mine from Racknroad, but I picked them because they were local, and I could pick them up on my lunch break! Having a local shop/warranty is a plus for me too.

[streamline]

I have an 2002 Allroad, was trying to find out if I can fit Wispbars, yakima customer service has been no help. anyone know if it will work on a Allroad and what model i would need?

EDIT: Looks like S45 should work. What does everyone recommend for bike racks for them?

[Charles.waite]

I think most bike racks will work. Lots of guys use rockymounts. You may need now bolts or an adapter kit to make them work. The Whispbars do support a Channel Mount system, but you might need to find some special adapter hardware.

[kneel]

As i have been researching the Whispbar's i came across this!




I might be rethinking the purchase of them now

[Charles.waite]

As i have been researching the Whispbar's i came across this!




I might be rethinking the purchase of them now

That's interesting. Honestly I have no idea how the other racks would fare though. Without knowing the context in which that test was performed, by whom (a competitor, or an independent party), I feel no need to reconsider my whispbars. I don't see how they mount any different than any other system, or differently enough so that failures of that nature would be any worse than any other brand.

Basically, show my a competitors product NOT doing that in a crash under the same circustances and I'll maybe be concerned. Otherwise, meh...

/whisparfanboyrant

May have put foot in mouth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-Zj8H3mB5Q

To be honest, its a promo video for Thule though so it doesn't seem impartial at all. Still not convinced the Whispbar would fail so badly... Where are the mythbusters....