Re: [Paddlewise] Yakima roundbar slippage/new rack

huck wrote:

> I just purchased a new Metro and had a full Yakima rack [snip]
> As I was pricing out the rack in the store, I was talking to a salesman
> (friend of mine) and he mentioned that the Yakima rep was in the store. So I
> hunted him down to question him about the rack problems we have discussed on
> the list. He has explanations for both the slippery bars and the roller/dent
> problems.
> 
>  1. The slipping bars are caused by a high oil content in the synthetic bar
> coating. When you clamp it down, you squeeze out the oil. This problem was
> corrected in 96 so the last of the oily bars should have left all stores by
> 97-98. If your problematic bars are older than that, you can buy new ones. Or,
> if you are looking for a cheap slippage correction, cut away the plastic
> coating by your towers and replace with a thick layer of masking tape. He said
> this works great.

AFAICT, this explanation from the Yakima rep is bogus.  I bought my last set
of bars from Alder Creek in Portland, OR, out of new stock, shipped to them in
early '99.  The Hully Rollers slipped madly on the bar until I
contact-cemented 220 grit wet-or-dry emery paper on the inside of the clamps. 
I think the clamps are the problem -- they do not grip the bar tightly enough
-- and it is a design flaw (the designers are in the US), not something Yakima
can blame on their manufacturing side (now in Mexico).  Evidence:  the clamps
for the TLC saddles (same purchase event, same set of bars) work fine.

[Sorry to hear of the miscarriage of justice, Phil -- sounds like someone has
it in for you.  That's the kind of harrassment no one needs.]

-- 
Dave Kruger
Astoria, OR
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