THULE PRORIDE 598 £100
› New benchmark roof bike carrier
AT FIRST GLANCE, THE THULE ProRide 598 is similar to the still-available 591 – one of our favourite roof-mounted bike carriers. The single frame-grasping arm with its lowpositioned tightening knob remains, as do the two ratcheting wheel straps.
Carrying lightweight aluminium and carbon bikes needed careful attention on the 591, something the 598 solves in two ways. Firstly, the frame jaws feature a grid-like rubber structure designed to conform to tube shapes and compress around random bulges (such as brake hoses and gear cables). Secondly, the knob that controls the jaws now features a torque limiter. Working like a pre-set torque wrench it takes the guesswork out of securing the bike. That said, a voice in our heads thought it was still clamping too tightly on the thinnest of carbon frames, and so we often hit the road before the retention click-out occurred.
It seems Thule has similar concerns, as it now offers a ‘Carbon Frame Protector’ (#984) that straps over the clamping point of the frame and disperses the forces along a 10cm area. At £20, we recommend purchasing if your bike has a lightweight frame, though we feel a rack of this price should just include this important accessory.
Installation is simple. Our sample made use of the ‘T-track’ standard (20x20mm), which slides into the slots of modern roof bars – Thule’s Wingbars in this case – to give a secure hold to the car. For those without slotted crossbars, adaptors are available and there are very few rails the 598 won’t fit. The ProRide 598 is built to last and is backed by a five-year warranty.
Easing the process of putting on the bike is a raised lip on the lower jaw to help ‘hook it in’. It seemingly gives a snugger hold to the bike once tight. Also new, the diagonal wheel fixing straps help to align the wheels into place and create a more stable
The finest roof-mounted carrier we have ever used
HIGHS
Simple assembly and operation, and safer on carbon
LOWS
Not a lot hold at speed. Each strap has a little rubber cover to protect against rim scratching. On the move, the 4.17kg carrier is sleek enough that it doesn’t add to noise without a bike mounted, and rigid enough to go unnoticed with a bike aboard. Bike removal is an easy oneperson job. Click free the wheel straps and then hit the quick-release lever to undo the spring-loaded jaws. Locks are included to secure both the rack to the crossbars, and for the bike attached to prevent the jaws from opening. So what’s not to like? Well, such a durable construction and a long list of technical features doesn’t come cheap.