Product Reviews

Read the reviews below to find out what other customers are saying about the Thule 518 Echelon roof mount bike rack.

My Rack Turns Heads

this Thule 518 Echelon review by HappyRack
vehicle year/make/model: 2003 Volvo v70
item(s) transported: road bikes

Not only does the product do exactly what it said it would, it has also made my car look better! It was easy to install and its easy to use. The streamlined look adds a sporty style, the front fork clip engages with little effort and I feel my bicycles are safe with the added locking cylinders. I am very happy with all the Thule products so far. I would recommend them!

ORS provided great support!!

this Thule Echelon review by ObiRon
vehicle year/make/model: 2004 Honda CRV
item(s) transported: bikes

This is the second time I have purchased from ORS. Everything they do from ordering, shipping and answering questions is first class! The Thule 518 Echelon is a better and more durable product than the 516 Peloton. The later works great too, but I use my rack two – three times per week and I know the 518 will last longer.

Very Pleased so Far

this Thule Echelon review by Utahguy
vehicle year/make/model: 2005 Nissan Altima
item(s) transported: Cannondale R5000

I bought the Echelon because I am a loyal Thule fan and wanted their newest, nicest fork mounted bike carrier. I used to have the Velo Vise, but after many years of service, I wanted something that was easier to adjust as well as more solid, and the Echelon has fulfilled my wishes. The best thing is how easy it is to adjust the skewer tension. The Velo Vise had a ribbed knob that needed to be spun with your index finger, and wasn’t always easy to operate, especially in the later years after corrosion had taken a bit of a toll. The Echelon has a knob on the front of the fork head that you turn with your thumb and index finger and is much easier to use. The Echelon is also nice because it is totally disc compatible and it is definitely rugged.

Does the Job and is a solid Rack.

this Thule Echelon review by cooperK
vehicle year/make/model: 2003 Pontiac Vibe
item(s) transported: various bicycles

The Thule Echelon has held my bike onto the roof of my car while driving really fast on the turnpike and really fast on bumpy dirt roads so I would say that it is doing its job and is a good rack. I really like the industrial, durable look of it. The fork head is clearly designed to withstand small arms fire, and that is a good thing when it comes to holding your bike. I also purchased a Thule Wheel On to hold my front wheel and that thing also works great.

Better than anything else out there so far.

this Thule Echelon review by CarolinaBiker
vehicle year/make/model: 2010 Subaru Forester
item(s) transported: Road Bikes, Triathlon Bikes and Mountain Bikes

I chose the Echelon because of the tendency for Yakima, Rocky Mounts and the Thule Peleton to have their black color fade to a dingy junkyard look. The brushed aluminum looks good no matter what happens to it. Also the head durability and locking to the bike fork is better and easier than all of the others that I tried through friends or displays in stores. Putting Thule locks on the heads of the carriers was slightly difficult, and turning the locks to lock the bikes down is difficult at best, but maybe that will get easier as they wear in. Attachment to the Aero bars, the front of the carriers was rather easy, although the hex bolts did strip a little when tightening down with the included hex wrench. As for the rear of the carrier, and locking that down. The need for an XAdapt plate that has a huge plastic twisting locking mechanism was just a weird design. It sticks out more and definitely isn't that aerodynamic. My goal for the entire rack was to not use a Fairing and to be aerodynamic when not with bikes racked. These little XAdapt things are not aerodynamic, nor are the instructions on how to fit the Echelon onto the aero crossbars very good with the XAdapt. I eventually figured it out and how it works, but I'd appreciate something that didn't cost $$$ to just attach a carrier to the crossbars when I don't use half of the items in it.

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Product Discussion

Product Videos

ORS Racks Direct Demonstration Video & Review featuring the Thule 518 Echelon bicycle rack. Movie includes Thule Racks Echelon review, product demo, premium features etc. Sleek, very modern looking styling with lightning-quick bike loading characteristics. The Thule 518 Echelon fits any bicycle size and shape including road racing bikes with skinny tires on up to cruiser / hybrid bike tires and mountain bike knobby tires including very fat 3 inch freeride / downhill bikes and 29ers. Thule Echelon is also compatible with mountain bikes with disc brakes. Fork mount design delivers very aerodynamic and fuel efficient performance. Best in class one-handed skewer adjustment using special Thule engineered oversized knob for quick adjustment of skewer. Simply place bike on fork mount and dial the knob to adjust skewer tightness then close shut the Echelon hood. Best in class rear ratcheting strap holds rear wheel securely in place. Thule Echelon bike rack mounts directly to Thule square bars and Yakima round bars. Also mounts to Thule Rapid Aero bars using the Thule Xadapt9 Kit. And will mount to factory rack crossbars using the Thule 532 Ride On adapter kit. Optionally lock bicycle inside the carrier using a Thule lock cylinder. Also, when the Thule 518 is locked closed, it prevents anyone from being able to pull up the hood and steal the bike rack itself.

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Customer Installation Pictures

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2001 Acura Integra Roof Rack with Bike and Snowboard Carriers using Thule 409 System, 91725, 518 & Yakima HoldUp		Saab 9-3 Car Rack for Bikes with Thule 400XT Roof Rack, 518 Echelon & 517 Peloton Bike Racks

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Accessories

Thule Locks for Car Racks Including Bike Ski Snowboard Kayak Canoe Locks Thule locks including lock cylinders and cable locks. Thule One Key System lock cylinders are sold as multi-packs so you can order as many as you need for locking your base rack and/or gear attachments using the same key. We recommend that you purchase additional lock cylinders in anticipation of adding future attachments so you can continue to use the same key.		2009 Thule 593 Wheel-On Bike Wheel Carrier for Car Roof Racks The Thule 593 Wheel-On is a fork mount wheel holder loaded with features that allows you to carry your bike wheel up on top of your car roof. Fits Thule Xsporter truck rack, Thule oval and square load bars, Inno Car Rack bars & Yakima crossbars. Use on Thule 532 Ride-On adapter for factory roof racks. Our Price: $39.95 Sale Price: $35.95
Thule Bike Carriers - 2009 Thule 532 Ride-On Bike Rack Adapter for Factory Car Racks The Thule 532 RideOn is a universal adapter kit that enables Thule roof mount bike carriers (and other brands) to be installed on virtually all car factory rack cross bars. A cost effective alternative that eliminates the need to purchase a Thule Racks multi-purpose base rack system that normally converts/replaces a factory rack. Our Price: $49.95 Sale Price: $44.95		2009 Thule Xadapt 9 / Xadapt9 to Connect 594 Side Arm, 517 Peloton & 518 Echelon to Thule Oval Rapid Aero Bars, Thule Pro Series & Xsporter Truck Racks The Thule Xadapt 9 / Xadapt9 Kit is a set of adapters to connect the 594 SideArm bike rack, 517 Peloton bicycle rack & 518 Echelon bike rack to the Thule PRO Series commercial truck rack & van rack bars, elliptical Thule Xsporter truck rack bars and elliptical Thule Rapid Aero bars. Our Price: $14.95 Sale Price: $12.95
All Suspension Fork Adapters - RockyMounts / Yakima Lefty, 25MM, 24MM, 20MM, 15MM Axle Fork Adaptors for Bike Racks All suspension fork adapters for fork mount bike racks including RockyMounts adaptors, Yakima 15mm fork adapter, Yakima 20mm fork adapter, Yakima 24mm fork adapter, Yakima 25mm fork adapter, Yakima Lefty fork adapter etc.		Thule Cable Locks for Car Racks - 2009 Thule 538 Cable Lock Super strong six-foot cable lock with keys included (not Thule One Key System compatible). Our Price: $34.95 Sale Price: $30.95
2009 Thule BSTK2 Bike Stacker Storage Rack - Home Rack / Garage Rack for Hanging Two Bikes A premium home rack / garage rack for hanging two bikes of any style, shape or size. Freestanding, no headaches with having to install on wall etc. Fully adjustable independent bike hanging arms can be set to any height up and down the bike rack for level bike hanging and a height that is most convenient for you. Eye-catching black powder-coat finish. Our Price: $119.95 Sale Price: $107.95		Delta Cycle Wall Mount Storage Racks - Home & Apartment Bike Hanging Racks Delta Cycle, a company with a long history of engineering rack systems for bicycles, has also perfected the art of bicycle storage. The Delta line of storage bike racks combines beautiful design-styling with proven durability and ease of use. These floor and wall mount bike racks are perfect for your home, apartment or loft space.
Thule Racks Bike Boxes & Travel Cases - 2009 Thule 699 Round Trip Bicycle Box & Travel Case This hard bicycle travel case keeps your bike safe and sound while in transit and out of sight. Includes wheels. Whether you plan to travel by train, plane, automobile or even ship your bicycle, rest assured this bike box will keep it safe, secure and undamaged. Our Price: $379.95 Sale Price: $341.95		Thule Roof Rack Accessories - 2009 Thule 232 Step Up Wheel Step The Thule 232 Step Up is a heavy-duty portable wheel step that is the perfect solution for quickly providing the extra height needed to load gear and equipment on top of car roof racks on tall vehicles. Our Price: $59.95 Sale Price: $53.95
Thule Spare Parts & Replacement Parts for All Thule Racks A complete array of Thule Racks spare parts and replacement parts. Unlike most other online Thule Racks dealers, we are committed to providing service and support over the complete life of your Thule Rack purchases.