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06-23-2013, 01:19 AM | #426 |
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06-30-2013, 08:41 AM | #427 |
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Join Date: Jun 2013
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What's the point of roof rails?
Hi all,
First-time poster here. I'm trying to decide between a sport and non-sport version of the Impreza. A silly question for you: what's the point of roof rails that go along the body of the car from front to back? It looks like the vast majority of the utility you get from whatever roof system you have comes from the crossbars, which don't require roof rails at all (because crossbars can be attached directly to the roof). I'm surely missing something - please tell me what. Thank you! |
06-30-2013, 08:48 AM | #428 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 322264
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Webster, NY
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Sp 5sp Obs Blk Prl/Drk Gray Mtl |
The roof rails give you something solid that can't be stolen onto which you can install lockable crossbars.
And, IMO, the car just looks more bad-ass with the roof rails (and side skirts), even if nothing is mounted on them. But that's just me being vain. |
06-30-2013, 08:59 AM | #429 |
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Member#: 297071
Join Date: Oct 2011
Chapter/Region:
MAIC
Location: Newport News, Virginia
Vehicle:2013 5mt Sport DGM |
I 2nd this.
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06-30-2013, 09:36 AM | #430 |
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Got it, thanks. Is there any utility-based reason to spring for the roof rails? Or is it literally just more security from theft and improved bad-assity? C'mon guys, help me make this argument to my wife
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06-30-2013, 09:53 AM | #431 |
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Member#: 354284
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Midwest
Vehicle:2013 Imp Sport CVT SWP |
Absolutely a correct statement!!!!
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06-30-2013, 09:56 PM | #432 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 322264
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Webster, NY
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Sp 5sp Obs Blk Prl/Drk Gray Mtl |
The solid, theft-proof connection point for the cross bars IS the utility-based reason for the roof rails.
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07-01-2013, 06:52 PM | #433 | |
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Member#: 314216
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: ND
Vehicle:2012 2.0i Sport 5MT DGM |
Quote:
show her the pic in this thread of the person who had the entire rack stolen from off their car. |
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07-01-2013, 11:42 PM | #434 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 324263
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: New York, NY
Vehicle:2013 Impreza Sport |
You can slide crossbars back and forth with roof rails to fit specific attachments.
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07-01-2013, 11:44 PM | #435 |
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Join Date: Nov 2012
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Is it OK to do that when, for example, the Subaru cross bars come with specific instructions of where to place them?
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07-02-2013, 02:32 PM | #436 |
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Member#: 147834
Join Date: May 2007
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Vehicle:2013 Impreza Sport 1995 240sx |
Look at the other options on the car. The sport comes with different options at different levels. I got a sport because I wanted 17" wheels and a leather wheel/knob but not leather seats. It worked out best for me to get the Sport. That may push you toward/away from the sport model more than the roof rails.
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07-05-2013, 09:10 PM | #437 |
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Member#: 359575
Join Date: Jun 2013
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Received my Whispbar roof rack earlier this week, and was finally able to install it today. The bike carrier is a Yakima Forklift. Entire set-up seems pretty sturdy, though I haven't had the chance to take it for a long drive.
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07-11-2013, 08:54 AM | #438 | |
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: West Coast
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Quote:
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07-11-2013, 10:14 AM | #439 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 322264
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Webster, NY
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Sp 5sp Obs Blk Prl/Drk Gray Mtl |
FYI, I'm able to mount my Yakima Skybox 16 on my Impreza Sport Premium hatchback with the original antenna installed.
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07-11-2013, 03:07 PM | #440 |
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The Yakima Skybox is 10" longer than the Thule. Does it sit higher than the antenna or did you just bend the antenna?
I was able and have the box mounted with the stock antenna. However, if you dont want to have the box touch the antenna it sits a little farther forward than it should, you can see the overhang in the picture. The result is a lot of wind going under and pushing up and the box moves around a lot more on the highway, plus youre not maximizing the distribution of weight very well. If I want to maximize the distribution of the box and put it as far back as possible without hitting the hatch the antenna gets bent over (what I am doing now). Not a big deal since its rubber but just seems like it cant be good for the antenna long term. |
07-11-2013, 03:34 PM | #441 | |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 322264
Join Date: Jun 2012
Chapter/Region:
Tri-State
Location: Webster, NY
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Sp 5sp Obs Blk Prl/Drk Gray Mtl |
Quote:
Here's how my Yakima Skybox 16S mounts: And here's how close to the antenna the box is: I don't push the box against the antenna. I don't worry about the front overhang. I simply load the heaviest items between the bars, and put smaller/lighter items outside of the bars. If my box moves/flexes because of my front overhang, I'm not aware of it. The Skybox's clamps grab onto my crossbars very tightly, any my crossbars grab onto my roof rails very tightly, so I can't imagine there's much movement going on up there. I don't hear any wind noise with my Skybox mounted in this way. The box ends the trip in the same position that it started. Hope this helps. |
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07-12-2013, 08:57 AM | #442 |
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Ahh, the angle at the back of the box looks like its a huge help too, nice, looks good!
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07-12-2013, 01:34 PM | #443 | |
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Member#: 318753
Join Date: May 2012
Chapter/Region:
South East
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Dark Grey |
Quote:
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07-12-2013, 05:01 PM | #444 |
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Member#: 147834
Join Date: May 2007
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Vehicle:2013 Impreza Sport 1995 240sx |
You'd hate my car then. It's got all the exterior bits except the body side molding. I think the non-sport looks like a jelly bean. To each his own.
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07-13-2013, 12:11 AM | #445 |
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Member#: 110065
Join Date: Mar 2006
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Newtown, CT
Vehicle:13 Impreza Sport |
So I'm putting together by Thule rack with square bars. My buddy gave me a set of bars for free, but they're 96 inches. Should I cut them down to the recommended 50 inches, or trim them to be flush? My main consideration for cutting them flush is that I may be able to reuse the leftovers.
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07-13-2013, 02:31 PM | #446 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 110065
Join Date: Mar 2006
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Newtown, CT
Vehicle:13 Impreza Sport |
Well I ended up just cutting the bars down to 50". I've never had a car with a roof rack before, but I can say that I don't find it noisy at all with the fairing.
Are square bars with fairing quieter than aero bars without fairing? I like the look: http://i.imgur.com/GVhvVpI.jpg Now I just gotta get a nice 14-16' touring yak. |
07-16-2013, 07:33 PM | #447 |
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Member#: 339003
Join Date: Nov 2012
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here are my oem bars, hobie cross bar pads, and 13.5' hobie revo. 1200 miles with a yak in the sky, averaged 30mpg during entire trip with city driving and with cruise control set at 75 on most highways.
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07-18-2013, 10:43 AM | #448 |
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Join Date: Feb 2013
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Does anyone have roof bike racks and spoiler on a sport limited? I saw a pic of someone showing that the racks either prevent or limit the hatch opening and I'm debating on getting a spoiler. If its terrible then ill have to pass, bikes first of course
I have a sport limited with forklift bike racks on the whispbar. Thanks |
07-21-2013, 06:21 PM | #449 |
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Member#: 318753
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Chapter/Region:
South East
Vehicle:2012 Impreza Dark Grey |
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07-23-2013, 11:37 PM | #450 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 110065
Join Date: Mar 2006
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Newtown, CT
Vehicle:13 Impreza Sport |
Nice. I think I'd like a revo 13.5' or adventure. I'm torn between that and traditional sea kayak 16-18'
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