Thule AeroBlade Edge Racks an Avant?

[SVig]

Wondering if anyone has any Thule AeroBlade Edge Racks installed on their (2009-12 with flush rails) Avant? If so, it would be great to get some pictures. Trolling the internet has proven unsuccessful. I'm trying to decide between the Thule and Yakima setup. The Yakima is super clean as evidenced in this post:

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...l-dealer-today

I've been able to find lot's of info on the Thule AeroBlade that is the "thru" style, where the ends of the load bars stick out past the footer, but I'm looking for a cleaner look that the Edge style gives you. I'd really like to get some reviews and/or photos if anyone has any.

Thanks
-S

[CloseEncounters]

Having some issues uploading pics on the site. PM me your info and I'll shoot some pics of my recent Thule install over ASAP.

[bluetori]

Where did you buy from?

[Stubek]

Having some issues uploading pics on the site. PM me your info and I'll shoot some pics of my recent Thule install over ASAP.

Too upload pics, host them somewhere like photobucket.com then click the insert image icon (third from the right above in the reply box) and viola!

Now post the pics, I want to see them too

[TheHeiko]

I believe that TCHUN here has them and recently posted pics of his rack with his new Yakima cargo box. He has also posted pics of his rack with Rocky Mountain (?) neon green bike racks installed.

EDIT: They don't appear to be the aero bars but for your viewing pleasure....

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ght=yakima+box

[dscline]

EDIT: They don't appear to be the aero bars ...

Not only are they not the aero bars, but they aren't the "edge" feet. Though personally, I don't see the benefit to the "edge" configuration. It reduces the usable bar area. One of the biggest advantages of the aero bars is the top of the bar isn't obstructed by the feet. So you can attach items directly above them, which you can't do with standard bars. I have four bike trays plus wheel holders, and I think that'd all be a tough fit with the edge feet. I understand that they may look a little more sleek than the standard feet, but personally, I prefer to take the bars off when I'm not using them, so I go for functionality over aesthetics.

[CloseEncounters]

Too upload pics, host them somewhere like photobucket.com then click the insert image icon (third from the right above in the reply box) and viola!

Now post the pics, I want to see them too

Thanks I plan on trying again later. I kept getting "attachment too large message" :-(

[SVig]

Having some issues uploading pics on the site. PM me your info and I'll shoot some pics of my recent Thule install over ASAP.

Unfortunately, these turned out to be the thru bar style as well. Still hunting for pics and measurements. I'd like to know how high they come off the roof line.
-S

[richlean]

I'm having some delivered in the next day or two. If I get them fitted soon I'll post some pics.

Out of interest, I'd originally wanted the Whispbar (aka Yakima) setup, but the K421 fitting kit for these has just been discontinued in the UK - I spoke to the distributor and he says that they have been withdrawn pending a redesign. I wonder whether this is because they weren't strong enough.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how the Wingbar Edge perform, and whether they are as quiet.

[richlean]

OK - hoping that the above pictures have uploaded correctly.

My bars are Thule Wingbar Edge 9592 with Rapid Fitting Kit 4007. These are the UK model names but I'm hoping they're the ones that you're wanting to see.

I installed them today. Fit was good and felt very sturdy, as they clamp onto the lip on the outboard side of the rails.

The feet don't locate in the pre-drilled mounting holes on the inboard side of the roof rails, which gives a little more flexibility when positioning the bars. As a downside it may mean that they're not as precisely aligned as they would otherwise be.

Aerodynamically the junction between foot and roof rail could have been a bit cleaner. Although the rubber from the mounting kit sits very snugly on the roof rail, there is a small gap, probably just under 1/8", between the rubber and the plastic fairing on the end of the bar.

The bars are slightly bowed upwards like the Yakima bars, which fits the line of the roof nicely. You have to cut the rubber turbulator/sealing strip on top of the bars to fit the mounting points of your load. This is probably a bit inconvenient if you intend to regularly change what you mount on there.

Overall I'm very pleased.

[dscline]

You have to cut the rubber turbulator/sealing strip on top of the bars to fit the mounting points of your load. This is probably a bit inconvenient if you intend to regularly change what you mount on there.

Slightly OT, but FYI for anyone reading about these...

I have the regular (non "edge" mount) Aeroblades, but I think the cross-bars are the same (or at least use the same type of strip on top). Fortunately I had read enough about them before I installed mine... I had read of people cutting the strip into different lengths, and having to change it out depending on what they mounted on the bars. But then I read that that wasn't the intent, the problem is simply that Thule doesn't do a good job of explaining how they should be installed. Rather than cut the strip into individual sections between each mounting screw, what you're supposed to do is leave the strip as one continuous strip of rubber, then simply use a utility knife to cut two little slits in the rubber in an "X" in the places where you need screws, then the screw just pushes through the strip at the X. You can then re-position screws as needed (and the X closes up) when you mount different accessories on the bars.

[richlean]

Thanks! Wish I'd known that!

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 2

[SVig]

Thanks for the pics, reviews and additional info/feedback. I think I'm moving ahead. BTW - I did just find a pic online that appears to be an Avant with these racks:

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...H7602_1000.jpg

It's from this product page:

http://www.etrailer.com/multi-produc...,8,9&manuf=TRS

Thanks
-S

[Stubek]

Thanks for the pics, reviews and additional info/feedback. I think I'm moving ahead. BTW - I did just find a pic online that appears to be an Avant with these racks:

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...H7602_1000.jpg

It's from this product page:

http://www.etrailer.com/multi-produc...,8,9&manuf=TRS

Thanks
-S

That is a European Avant in those pictures...no sun roof.
I wonder if there is clearance for the sunroof when it is open. Also, if you have a cargo box or other large load, will the cross bars bow down just slightly from the combination of weight in the box and air pressure at speed again causing a clearance issue for the sunroof being open?

[dscline]

I wonder if there is clearance for the sunroof when it is open.

I have the Aeroblades on regular (non-edge) feet, and there is PLENTY of room for the crossbars, but the finger screw for one of the bike tray clamps come so close to the sunroof when open that it LOOKS like it touches, but apparently doesn't. There are attachment mechanisms that don't hang below the bar. You can also replace the finger screws with regular nuts to reduce how much height they consume. I've done that one one of the clamps that is mounted outboard of the feet to make it easier to put the rack on/off. The edge feet may allow the bar to sit slightly lower than the standard feet, but if so, it doesn't look like a huge difference based on the pics. The attachment screws might need some adjustment, but I'd be surprised of the bars hit.

[richlean]

BTW - I did just find a pic online that appears to be an Avant with these racks:

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/gr...H7602_1000.jpg
-S

The roof bars look the same as mine, but the rails and the fitting onto the rails are slightly different. As I've mentioned before, mine is a UK model, but I thought that the rails were the same across UK/US Avants.

[whiterice25]

OK - hoping that the above pictures have uploaded correctly.

My bars are Thule Wingbar Edge 9592 with Rapid Fitting Kit 4007. These are the UK model names but I'm hoping they're the ones that you're wanting to see.

I installed them today. Fit was good and felt very sturdy, as they clamp onto the lip on the outboard side of the rails.

The feet don't locate in the pre-drilled mounting holes on the inboard side of the roof rails, which gives a little more flexibility when positioning the bars. As a downside it may mean that they're not as precisely aligned as they would otherwise be.

Aerodynamically the junction between foot and roof rail could have been a bit cleaner. Although the rubber from the mounting kit sits very snugly on the roof rail, there is a small gap, probably just under 1/8", between the rubber and the plastic fairing on the end of the bar.

The bars are slightly bowed upwards like the Yakima bars, which fits the line of the roof nicely. You have to cut the rubber turbulator/sealing strip on top of the bars to fit the mounting points of your load. This is probably a bit inconvenient if you intend to regularly change what you mount on there.

Overall I'm very pleased.

I also have the whispbars right now, but since there is a mounting recall, i'm debating getting a refund for the whispbars or waiting for an updated design.

Can you tell us about the noise level that you hear from the setup?

There is virtually no noticeable noise from the whsipbars up to 65 mph. But between 70-80, I can hear a moderate level of noise, but not enough to be an annoyance. I saw the wind test video on youtube from Whispbar that compares the aeroblade and whispbar, but I'm not convinced that the noise level between the two are that different since the test was conducted by Whispbar.

[audirings4]

Anyone looking to sell their OEM bars?

[richlean]

OK - I have finally test driven the bars without anything else attached.

I did two 2-hour trips on main roads (60 or 70mph limits). There is no noticeable noise up to 70mph, but from 70 to 80 there is a slight whistle which develops and increases in pitch with speed. It's not very loud, and bare in mind I was listening very carefully with all aircon and radio off. It's not enough to worry me.

Fuel economy seems identical to that without the bars, within measurable limits (ie about 2% on my DIS).

So, all in all, I'm very pleased.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[whiterice25]

thanks for the update review Richlean. I had decided to stick with whispbar and sent my fit kit back (safety recall) and will have to use their round bar system until they come out with the new fit kit.