The Thule 594 Side Arm bike rack brings a lot to the table and it has become one of our favorite bike racks and we are seeing more and more of them on the Sunday group rides. One of the things you would expect from a high quality bike rack is that it would accommodate just about anything for a bicycle. Most avid cyclists either own a wide variety of bicycles or they ride with friends who have different styles of bicycles and need the versatility to be able to carry just about anything.
Another nice feature of the Thule 594 Sidearm bike rack is that you can literally load your bike in about 10 seconds, so once the ride is done, you can load up and be gone quickly. Simply place your bike in the rack tray, lock the support arm onto the bicycle wheel, ratchet it tight and you are ready to go. Whether you ride a road bike, mountain bike or something in between, the Thule Sidearm can accomodate it and keep your bike safe and secure. The ratcheting arm mounts directly to the rock solid Thule square load bars or it can also be used with Inno Racks crossbars or Yakima round cross bars. If your vehicle is equipped with factory roof rack crossbars then you can still utlize the Thule 594 Sidearm rack by using the Thule 532 Ride-On Adapter.
Security is not an issue as you can lock your bicycle to the carrier and the carrier to the base rack using an add-on Thule lock but this is NOT included with the rack. This would be a nice touch for Thule to include with these roof racks but unfortunately they do not. Our experience with the Thule 594 Sidearm is that the bikes are mounted quite solidly and exhibit very little swaying at all. Loading is super simple and the rack will easily accommodate wheels up to 29" tall and 2.6 inches wide, which covers just about anything on the trail today.
Who Should Buy a Thule 594 Sidearm Bike Rack
This rack is a great choice for someone wanting the quality that Thule brings to the table combined with the simplicity of this particular rack design. Some riders have some concern with having a roof mounted rack but they have their pros and cons. The concern typically centers around driving into your garage with the bike mounted on the rack or possibly through a drive through of some kind etc. Valid concern maybe but the pros are also many. Roof mount racks keep the bike up and out of harms way, it makes accessing your vehicle compartment much easier than a hitch mounted rack so it's basically a trade-off. We've come to grow quite fond of roof mounted racks but it's a decision that only you can make. If you are looking for a high quality roof mounted rack, then we'd definitely endorse the Thule 594 bike rack as one you should take a look at.
Universal-fit upright top-of-car bike carrier with a no-frame-contact ratcheting hook
Universal fit on factory racks with new mounting hardware
Fits Thule rack systems, round bars and most factory racks
Long ratcheting arm to ensure fit for larger 29" tires
Fits both Thule and Yakima Load Bars
Travelling with your bike made easy!
Review Date: May 30, 2008
Reviewer: Bike Mynx, Canada
This bike rack is awsome. It takes all the weight and distributes it evenly on the roof of the car, while other rear bike racks eventually will damage your car's suspension, (I speak from experience). It fits any bike, from little light weight roadies to serious full suspension downhill monsters! It does have a pretty good locking system however, like most bike/ski/snowboard racks, they are just a deterent. If somebody reallys wants your gear, they'll get it. Better to unload when parked overnight, or in sketchy locations. I have two of these babies and my fiance and I travel in style in our 89 Civic with our two bikes on the roof!! Here we come Whistler bike park!
Great roof rack, terrible instructions
Review Date: July 16, 2008
Reviewer: Cut and Run, Southern California
This rack is lightweight, sturdy, and quick to load and unload. It holds the bike steady on twisting mountain roads and at highway speeds substantially in excess of the posted signs. I had to do a very unscheduled unload while attempting a low clearance In-n-Out Burger drive through this past weekend. There's nothing like trying to unload a roof rack while several cars in line behind me watch and laugh, but I had the bike off the roof in under 20 seconds.
Assembling the rack is another story. It is not intuitive and the instructions reminded me of another Scandanavian company--Ikea (this is not a good thing). Between attaching the Thule fairing and the bike rack, it took me about two hours. Of course, once assembled, it attaches and removes easily.
Great quality and easy to use
Review Date: June 26, 2008
Reviewer: Andy Andrews, a house in the burbs
Love this rack. Makes getting a bike on a roof as simple as possible. I definitely didn't want to have to take off a wheel. Securing the fron wheel with the Side Arm is really easy. Just lay the bike in the mount with the arm laying flat over the front windshield, then rotate the arm up over the tire and pull it down to secure the bike. Ideal for lazy guys like me.
thule 594 side arm upright cycle carrier
Review Date: November 23, 2008
Reviewer: G. Ashmore, England UK
Thule 594 Side Arm Upright Bicycle Roof Mount Carrier
Having used a number of different racks I find this item quick & easy to use, Not contacting the frame is a big advantage along with not having to worry if quick release system or through bolt.
World's Quickest Bike Rack
Review Date: August 31, 2009
Reviewer: Jonathan Ashbrook, Champaign, IL
I got this bike rack specifically to hold my son's BMX bike. I coughed at the price, but it seemed to be the only one designed to specifically handle BMX-sized bikes. Assembly was straightforward, as was mounting to my Thule rack (it will fit other systems as well).
Mounting the bike literally requires about 30 seconds. You put the bike on the rack, slide the ratchet arm down on to the wheel/fork, strap the back wheel, and you're done. I was really impressed with how solidly the simple ratchet arm holds the bike. There is no play at all. Releasing it is just as quick.
We also have a short garage, but this only adds about 3" on top of the rack when it's folded down, so our van still makes it into the garage.
I’ve had this rack for about a year and just decided to purchase another one for my girlfriends car. I like having the bike up and out of the way so we can get into the rear of the vehicle easily.
It holds the bike nice and tight and has almost no wobble. I’d recommend it to anyone that needs this kind of bike rack.
# 26 January 2010 at 3:16 am
Doug rated this:
This isn’t a review… just a question to anyone who owns this. I’m looking to buy, but I am worried about security with this. If the arm that holds the wheel is where it is locked, what is to stop someone from removing the quick release on the rim hub and pulling the frame off? Thanks for any responses.
# 3 February 2010 at 2:39 am
Hammer107 rated this:
Doug you can purchase locks from Thule that will keep your setup secure. Security is always an issue with any style bike rack and this one is no different in our opinion.
Travelling with your bike made easy!
I’ve had this rack for about a year and just decided to purchase another one for my girlfriends car. I like having the bike up and out of the way so we can get into the rear of the vehicle easily.
It holds the bike nice and tight and has almost no wobble. I’d recommend it to anyone that needs this kind of bike rack.
This isn’t a review… just a question to anyone who owns this. I’m looking to buy, but I am worried about security with this. If the arm that holds the wheel is where it is locked, what is to stop someone from removing the quick release on the rim hub and pulling the frame off? Thanks for any responses.
Doug you can purchase locks from Thule that will keep your setup secure. Security is always an issue with any style bike rack and this one is no different in our opinion.
Best Regards,
CBR Staff
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