(Last question for now)
I just bought a 9-3 Aero Wagon (combi) with no rails. I will need on some weekends to move around bikes, skis, and possibly a windsurf board. Should I go with all Saab equipment? Or Thule? Or get the bars from Saab and then Thule for the actual equipment specific mounts?
Thx,
J
I think the SAAB rack is made by Thule. At least mine is IIRC.
Dan
I should add that the rack screws down which is a bit of a pain to put on and remove.
Dan
I've got the Saab bars and various sport-specific racks to go on the bars. I have a 9000 Aero and my system works great. Be careful not to lose the plastic shields that come with the bars. The feet on the bars scratch the hell out of your roof paint if you don't use those plastic protectors.
The Saab racks are made by Thule, however the Saab-branded bar style is different than the regular Thule bars. Thule has square bars and Saab has an oval-shaped bar with a groove in the middle. If you get the Saab bars, you might get stuck buying all your other racks from Saab. I think the Saab-style bars are actually the European version of Thule's bars.
I have the Saab bars and a Thule cargo box that fits the bars fine (the box clamps around the bars instead of using the grooves). VW used to sell rebranded Thule bars that are gooved like the Saab bars. I found a pair of used VW-branded Thule bike racks that fit the slotted bars. (I use a hitch-mounted bike rack now, so if you end up getting Saab bars and want to save some money on bike racks, let me know and I'll sell you mine.)
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