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Old 06-23-2013, 01:19 AM   #426
robbthundr
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Whispbars with Yakima forklifts
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Old 06-30-2013, 08:41 AM   #427
lousyreeds1
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Default 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!
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Old 06-30-2013, 08:48 AM   #428
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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.
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Old 06-30-2013, 08:59 AM   #429
Mikevtellem
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldste01 View Post
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.
I 2nd this.
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Old 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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Old 06-30-2013, 09:53 AM   #431
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sgoldste01 View Post
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.
Absolutely a correct statement!!!!
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Old 06-30-2013, 09:56 PM   #432
sgoldste01
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lousyreeds1 View Post
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
The solid, theft-proof connection point for the cross bars IS the utility-based reason for the roof rails.
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Old 07-01-2013, 06:52 PM   #433
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lousyreeds1 View Post
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

show her the pic in this thread of the person who had the entire rack stolen from off their car.
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Old 07-01-2013, 11:42 PM   #434
ICE_NY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lousyreeds1 View Post
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
You can slide crossbars back and forth with roof rails to fit specific attachments.
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Old 07-01-2013, 11:44 PM   #435
motorace
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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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Old 07-02-2013, 02:32 PM   #436
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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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Old 07-05-2013, 09:10 PM   #437
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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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Old 07-11-2013, 08:54 AM   #438
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And here is the AeroBlade Edge with the Ascent 1600... Measures 71" long and 31" wide if I remember. It can go back a couple more inches back without hitting the hatch once I get a shorty antenna. I also need to shift the rails forward more so there is not as much distance between the front edge and the first rail...

I couldnt find a definitive answer on what shorty antenna would fit on the 13 Sport, a friend suggested that it may be the same generic style as is on the Evo 8/9. As luck would have it, I have an Evo 9 and did a quick swap (stock antenna for stock antenna) and it worked perfectly so I ordered a Perrin 2" shorty to fit under the cargo box. I'll confirm everything worked as expected when it finally comes in.
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Old 07-11-2013, 10:14 AM   #439
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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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Old 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.
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Old 07-11-2013, 03:34 PM   #441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TurboRush View Post
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.
Here's how my Thule crossbars mount:



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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Old 07-12-2013, 08:57 AM   #442
TurboRush
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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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Old 07-12-2013, 01:34 PM   #443
Ladeef
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lousyreeds1 View Post
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!
There's a little more adjustability, personally I think the side skirts and sport bars look bad, looks to clunky and juvenile, I like the clean look of the non-sport.
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Old 07-12-2013, 05:01 PM   #444
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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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Old 07-13-2013, 12:11 AM   #445
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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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Old 07-13-2013, 02:31 PM   #446
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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.
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Old 07-16-2013, 07:33 PM   #447
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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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Old 07-18-2013, 10:43 AM   #448
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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
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Old 07-21-2013, 06:21 PM   #449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdlong View Post
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.
not hate, just prefer mine
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Old 07-23-2013, 11:37 PM   #450
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Quote:
Originally Posted by motorace View Post
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.
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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