[Closed] Thule 561 + Maxle Lite = Big disappointment!

Just out of interest, has anyone used this rack with 20mm forks? In particular, one with a maxle(lite).

Just wondering - I assume it's all stable but I'm considering taking it back at the mo and just looking for reassurances?

I'm having trouble believing that the maxle-lite is plastic TBH.

I've got a Marin Mount Vision with some Fox 15QR forks...I went through a real nightmare of a time finding a rack that did the job - finally got a Pendle Single Bike Roof rack with 15QR adapter - works very well but there is no locking facility so the bike can be lifted off with ease - not good.

I had a very similar problem as you have and this is down to a number of issues - the downtube shape means the normal Thule-type racks won't fit with sufficient purchase to prevent the bike from moving out of the clamp and as I have a 'odd' fork mount, conventional fork-mounted racks won't fit and Thule don't think there is any demand for a 15mm thru-axle conversion.

Just wondering - are you definitely running a 20mm thru-axle and not a 15mm? If you were running a 15mm then it would be very loose in the 20mm holder.

I thought the various fork manufacturers rather frowned on these types of racks as it can cause uneven loading of the dropouts/fork legs and lead to failure...

I seem to remember a front page story on the old site about this.

second funkynicks comments - you sure they aren't qr15 on that bike? the fox 120mm forks they fit usually are....

I seem to remember a front page story on the old site about this.

That was just pace i think, mostly becuase their forks fell apart anyway so couldnt handle the extra load ;0)

ahhh maybe you have new Reba's... they would be 20mm i seem to recall

Thanks for the replies.

Def 20ml (Revelations with Maxle-lite) it's a reasonable fit but there's a bit of play (I'm sure it'll tighten up when the maxle is clamped but still not impressed). I'm pretty sure the majority of the axle is plastic (don't have it to hand) - I think thats where a lot of the weight saving over the standard one is.
As for the concerns from fork manufacturers, yes there used to be issues with some not fitting and some manufacturers (Pace especially) talking about not honouring warranty claims if the bike was carried this way. That was a few years ago though I think & forks generally seem a bit beefier now :).

DickBarton - yep, that's all the problems I had. Especially with the old Maverick forks (24mm axle) - that's why I thought everything would be sorted with the new forks 🙁

Has anyone actually used these with 20mm though?

Looks like I'll have to bodge a lock for it or send it back. Ho hum.

I use mine with a maxle Revelation and Pike no problems here.

Due to the fact you're using the maxle as the fitting method it can't really be secure can it.

We've recently launched a Fork Mount Roof Rack, with options for 15mm or 20mm axles. Our adapter is a piece of machined aluminium that replicates your hub so that you use the axle that comes with your fork. We believed this to be the strongest safest option possible.

Last time I checked Pace/DT Swiss were the only MTB forks that specifically prohibit the use of this type of rack because of the Carbon Fibre. Certainly Rock Shox and Fox are fine with fork mount roof racks.

Dave - thanks for the info. Good to hear it works ok.

And yes - I guess it would be hard to secure it using a Maxle but when you look at the work thats's gone into the QR locking lever etc surely it wouldn't be that hard to engineer something similar for the 20mm adapter they market it with.

The maxle lite is not plastic- merely thinner than the normal one, and with a lighter QR setup.

Put it this way, you trust it to support your (150lb+)weight when riding, so it should be capable of supporting the 257lb weight of the bike alone on the car? (and yes I know its a slightly different scenario/forces)

The security aspect is more of an issue.

Martin_pendle - that's interesting. It sounds like you guys are using a similar solution to the Thule one then. Don't suppose it's lockable is it 😉

Thanks for confirming the lack of issues with the fork manufacturers too 🙂

I use one of these:

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... or I did when I had roof bars. Now I use a towbar mounted rack.

fbk - We chose not to include a lock because the type of lock that can be included at the price of a rack would not be of sufficient quality against a determined thief, they are just a deterrent. That is why we always recommend using a separate cable lock. That way you can choose a quality bike lock that you feel confident in.

"And yes - I guess it would be hard to secure it using a Maxle but when you look at the work thats's gone into the QR locking lever etc surely it wouldn't be that hard to engineer something similar for the 20mm adapter they market it with. "

More than one 20mm standard though

Hmm. fair enough.

Looks like I'll have to accept the limitations and use a seperate lock - I tend to anyway but it's just handy to know there's at least some sort of lock in place when driving or when nipping in to a shop for a quick snack 🙂

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Rack locks are a false security, far too easy to bust.

Ok, so I've decided to keep to rack and fitted it at the weekend. More problems!

Trying to mount the bike on the rack and the 20mm adapter won't line up - the only way to get the forks low enough to line up & pass the maxle through is to splay the fork legs apart so the adapter rests on the fork above the top of the dropout tab (hard to explain without photos I know). This means there's only a couple of mm of metal in contact with the adapter.

I can't believe this is normal but can anyone confirm that the 20mm adapter does normally fit flush against the dropouts on Rock Shox forks (Revelations)? Dave?

i always close the locks on my (thule) racks, but only as an extra safeguard against them coming open en route. i refuse to ever leave the bikes unguarded on the racks, locks or not... (much to my girlfriend's mocking disbelief!)

I can't believe this is normal but can anyone confirm that the 20mm adapter does normally fit flush against the dropouts on Rock Shox forks

My guess is your forks wont fit because the tube is hitting the lip used to align the hub, designed to make it easier to fit the front wheel. Sounds like thule just used any old 20mm tube with too big an outer diameter for the rockshox dropouts, rather than doing any research. It should would work for any 20mm fork other than rockshox, but that not much use to you.

I reckon you need to go back to the qr mount and buy this...

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STATO - I think you could be right, although speaking to Thule yesterday they assured me this shouldn't happen and the adapter should fit any 20mm forks properly.

If I have to fork out (see what I did there?) another £30 for a 2nd adapter, they can have the rack back - maybe be I'll look into these new Pendle ones??

The unit that Martin_pendle is describing is the one I have - in 15QR flavour - very good bit of kit but it would be even better if it had a locking device with it.

MArtin_pendle - I'm not too fussed on cost, but if there is one in the pipeline, please let me know as I'd be very interested in it (I know you have said the locking device just now would not be great but improvements can be made over time).

Great item and the 15mm adapter works a treat.

fbk, I use the rack and 20mm adaptor with my Pike's - it does work but is a fiddle to align, entailing me wobbling the bike about on the roof whilst peering into the tube. Once in it's solid, more so than the normal QR fitting.

DickBarton - Thanks for the good comments, its good to hear that you are using it with the QR15. We are always on the look out for a good locking solution but all the ones we have tested haven't been worth it relative to a good cable lock.

I'm currently using the 20mm thule adaptor (yes it is just a ali tube) with my rs lyriks. I've had no probs getting the maxle through and it is very secure

However the ali tube has scratched loads of paint off the forks around where they mount.
I was thinking of getting one of those fork up devices - as once the 20mm tube is fitted to the carrier it is a pain to change it back to the standard qr for my hardtail.

I also lock my forks out whilst they are on the roof, that way there should be less chance of any excess twisting motion being done to them. I've checked the Fox handbook and there is no warning about not using them with fork-mounted racks, but it does say to take extra care to ensure the bike is fitted properly.

Martin, I was wondering about a strap to replace the one that goes on the frame and under the rack - could you get a ratchet system that had a lock on it? Might not prevent the theft but would certainly slow them down...