Thule & Yakima Fork Mount Comparison
Yakima ForkLift
Price: $178.95
Universal mounting hardware
9mm quick release
Separate adapters for thru-axles (~$60 each)
The Yakima ForkLift has been around for a while and serves as Yakima’s most basic, inexpensive bike rack. It’s a good value, and will do what you need it to do if you don’t also have to invest too much in aftermarket thru-axle adapters.
I find the mounting hardware clunky and a bit crude, but it is highly adjustable to fit the majority of different crossbars out there. You have to take into account where the rear mounting hardware and rear wheel holder will sit since they move along the same track. If your crossbars are about the same distance apart as your bicycle wheelbase, you may have some conflicts, but it is still workable.
Mounting standard quick release bikes is about the same as other fork mounts. It’s a little unwieldy to hoist the bike up there, align the fork legs, and deal with the correct tension on the quick release skewer all at the same time, but it gets easier with practice. Thru-axle bikes will require separate adapters (check out our blog about thru-axle adapters). Yakima recommends mounting the adapter to the bike first, and then to the rack. The adapters tend to rotate around a little bit so you’ll want to make sure you have a firm grasp on the bike until it settles forward and you can close the quick release skewer. Generally, you’ll need dedicated adapters for each axle standard you may have, but they’re easy enough to install and swap out.
Locks are pretty simple. One lock core can be purchased separately to install into the locking skewer. Yakima’s clever design utilizes the skewer to not only lock the bike to the rack, but also to keep the knob that tightens and loosens the front mounting hardware from being able to be turned, effectively locking the rack to the crossbars as well. Unfortunately, bikes using thru-axle adapters will not be locked to the rack unless your bike has a locking thru-axle.
Overall the ForkLift is a good, basic option.
Yakima HighSpeed
Price: $288.95
Universal mounting hardware
T-slot option available ($20)
Thru-axle, 9mm quick release
Adapter available for fat bike 135mm quick release ($43)
The Yakima HighSpeed is a premium fork mounted bike rack. Its features and options make it one of the most versatile bike racks on the market.
The mounting hardware is low profile and pretty easy to use. Once adjusted to your bars, it can be installed or removed quite quickly. The aftermarket SmarT-slot Kit 1 allows the rack to attach to compatible crossbars via T-slot, such as the Yakima JetStream and Thule WingBar Evo. Yakima’s T-slot accessories could have been designed a little better, but this is still how I would choose to mount the HighSpeed on T-slot compatible bars.
I find mounting bikes to the HighSpeed easier than the ForkLift. The rubber-lined jaws clamp directly to the thru-axle, which tends to settle itself nicely compared to lining up 2 fork legs. The 9mm quick release adapter sleeve is designed to be installed on the bike first, so the installation process onto the rack is similarly simple. Additionally, Yakima makes the Fat Bike QR Locking Skewer, available separately. This allows me to fork mount my Pugsley, which has a 135mm spaced quick release fork. It’s basically just a longer version of the 9mm quick release sleeve, but it comes with a locking lever.
The knob tightens on the thru-axle or the sleeve until it clicks, letting you know it's torqued properly. Like the HighRoad, I appreciate the knob, but find it slippery when wet and wish it had more positive lobes to hold on to.
I don’t love the idea of tightening the thru-axle back into the carbon fork without a wheel or spacer or anything to tension it to. I fear it could thread it too far and start pinching the fork legs, but Salsa told me to “Just make sure you don't go overboard tightening the thru axle.” I tighten it just enough so that I can see the fork legs start to compress and have not had an issue or any indication that the thru-axle has loosened while on the rack. However, because the jaws clamp directly to the thru-axle without any spacer in the middle, it means the HighSpeed can fit just about any thru-axle from 12mm to 20mm, regardless of width, without any additional accessories, quickly and easily.
HighSpeed comes with 2 rear wheel straps: one that’s just long enough to fit around my 3” tires, and a longer one for 4”+ tires or deep dish rims.
The HighSpeed is inundated with locking options. First, a single lock core can be installed on the rear mounting hardware to lock the rack to the crossbars.
To lock the bike, you have options. You can add a lock core to the TailWhip, which is a cable that wraps around the frame and rear wheel and retracts into the back of the rack. Another lock core can be added to the front near the knob, so that the jaws lock shut onto the axle. Unfortunately, this doesn’t really work for thru-axles which can still rotate, but if you’re using the Fat Bike kit or an aftermarket locking quick release skewer with the 9mm adapter sleeve, you will want to utilize this lock in addition to the lock on the locking skewer. That’s a total of 4 locks if you have a quick release fork and really want to go all-out.
One interesting feature that I’m not sure was intentional is that the twin-tube design of the HighSpeed allows some long, full coverage fenders to fit between the tubes. If your fender is about 2” wide or less, this rack could be a good solution. Between this and the fat bike capability, the Yakima HighSpeed can certainly carry the widest selection of bikes.
Thule FastRide
Price: $229.95
Clamp & T-slot
9mm quick release included
Rack-specific adapter set available for 12x100, 12x110, 15x100, 15x110, Thru-Skew ($50)
Separate adapter available for 20x110mm ($20)
The Thule FastRide is the European company’s latest entry-level bike rack. It has the premium touches you would expect from Thule, but limited bike compatibility out of the box.
Mounting hardware is the same clamp and T-slot combination that Thule has been using on their bike racks for several years. Between the clamp and T-slot bolts, it should fit all but the largest crossbars. It’s pretty easy to use and makes for quick install and removal once set up. I would always choose the T-slot option for a low profile look, but I have the FastRide mounted with the clamps here to demonstrate the fit on these Yakima JetStream bars.
FastRide is set to carry standard 9mm quick release bikes out of the box, and it does so easily. Loosen the skewer so you can get your forks in, hold the bike steady, and tighten the lever until it clicks at the proper torque.
Fitting thru-axle bikes requires purchasing an aftermarket adapter set. Swapping between standard 9mm quick release and thru-axle requires removing the sleeve with an allen wrench, but swapping between different thru-axle sizes (like 12mm to 15x100) just requires popping on and off some end caps on the adapter, easy to do with a key. The adapter set even includes a 9mm captive Thru-Skew attachment for you Trek riders out there.
The big difference here is how the bike is loaded. With the other racks, you can install the thru-axle and spacer/adapter on the ground, before lifting the bike. On the FastRide, the adapter is installed into the rack first. You’ll need to lift the bike and hold the fork in place while installing your thru-axle. For me, this means the FastRide works best on the driver’s side, since my thru-axle requires tightening with an allen wrench from the left side of the bike. This should be pretty simple, but part of reversing the rack involves removing the rear endcap, which requires some additional hands (and perhaps a mallet). However, any of these racks could be configured backwards if needed, allowing easier access to the left side of the bike from the passenger’s side of the car.
Like most rooftop bike racks, locks are sold separately, and FastRide only needs 2. One lock cylinder goes into the front mounting handle, and the other into a locking cable stowed in the rear endcap.
If you mostly carry bikes that use the same type of front axle that fit one of Thule’s adapters, the FastRide is basic in a way that I find appealing.
Thule TopRide
Price: $299.95
Clamp & T-slot
9mm quick release, 12x100, 12x110, 15x100, 15x110, Thru-Skew
Adapter available for 20x110mm ($20)
The Thule TopRide is the latest premium fork mount. It strives to make fork mount bike racks as easy as possible and provides some versatile compatibility options in the box.
TopRide uses the same relatively versatile clamp or T-slot mounting hardware as the FastRide. It’s simple, works well, and I appreciate having the T-slot hardware included.
Unlike the FastRide, adapters for different thru-axle sizes are included with the TopRide and are easy to swap out as needed. Whether thru-axle or quick release, TopRide is designed to have the fork attachment installed on the ground, and then lift the bike onto the rack, with the fork adapter clicking into place. You have to line up a center fin, but it’s pretty easy and feels satisfyingly locked in place. To release the bike, push down on the large lever and pull back on the bike, and the forks are freed. Pretty slick. A little bag is included to store the different adapters. If you’re prone to losing things, this could be a downside, since you probably do not want to store the adapter in the rack since that portion does not lock. So even if you only carry the same bike and only need one of the adapters, it will be best stored somewhere in the vehicle rather than on the rack.
Locks for the TopRide are the same as the FastRide: one for the front handle and one for the locking cable in the rear endcap.
For thru-axle bikes that work with the adapters Thule has available, this is probably the best combination of ease of use and stability.
Fork mount bike racks often feel more secure and are a little bit lower profile compared to upright racks, at the expense of being slightly slower to load and unload. There are a few things to consider before choosing a fork mount bike rack. First, make sure you are comfortable taking your front wheel off and on. This means you know how to work your bike’s axle or quick release and can get your tire clear of the brake pads if you have rim brakes (I have to deflate the tire on my Steamroller to squeeze it through the caliper brakes - not ideal). Using these incorrectly can result in your bike coming off the rack, or a crash while you’re riding. Next, long, full coverage front fenders may interfere with the bike tray. There’s often not a good way around this, and racks that grab the front wheel don’t play nice with fenders either. Frame-grab style racks, like the Thule ProRide XT, could be good alternatives, but be cautious if you have a carbon frame. Finally, you have to be able to lift your bike up high to get it on the rack. Hitch racks solve this problem, but you may find that you like rooftop racks in lieu of hitch racks. Also, note that your 9mm quick release fork must have lawyer tabs, since most bike racks have smooth surfaces that contact the fork ends, rather than knurled.
Don’t forget, you may also need some place to store your front wheels! The Yakima WheelHouse and Thule Front Wheel Holder carry your front wheels safely on the roof, freeing up interior car space.
Any other questions or concerns? Contact us today if you’re not sure which rack is right for you or if there is something we can help you find!
Please note that prices are accurate as of Fall 2024, but are subject to change.
