Regardless whether for a mountain, road or hybrid bike the Thule 516 Prologue Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Carrier is an affordable solution for transporting your bike atop your vehicle. Designed for a single bike and to fit most any budget, it provides maximum stability and protection via a variety of features including, an aerodynamic and durable die-cast metal head that maintains pressure on front fork dropouts, a corrosion resistant double-wall aluminum tray and ratcheting rear wheel strap and compatibility with wheel bases up to 48 inches and tire widths up to 2.6 inches.
The ultimate easy-to-install and affordable single bike fork mount carrier.
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The Easy-to-Install and Affordable Fork Mount Bike Carrier
From road bikes, to disc brakes and fat tires, the Prologue is up to the challenge of getting your bike from point A to point B when you can't pedal it there yourself. The Prologue Fork Mount Rooftop Bicycle Carrier fits most disc and suspension combinations with standard nine millimeter axles. This bike carrier features the One-Key Lock system that locks both the bike to the carrier, and the carrier to your rooftop rack (please, note, locks are not included). The wheel tray fits tires up to 2.6 inches wide, and carries bicycles with wheelbases up to 48 inches. And the system fits both all Thule load bars, as well as most round bar rack systems.
Installation and Use
The Prologue is simple in design and features few moving parts, which makes it very easy to install and remove with only the included hex wrench and your own two hands. Installation begins with the combined Prologue head assembly / wheel tray which provide the base for securing a bike's forks (head assembly) and a stable mounting platform for you back tire (wheel tray). Following some simple preassembly to these components, including adding the frame fork skewer and the tray end cap, users have just to attach the head section and wheel tray to their rack's load bar with the hex wrench and included knobs, U-bolt, mounting plates and other hardware that allows for square or rounded cross bars. The Prologue is now ready for your bike.
Easily adjustable and clamping skewer provides the perfect hold for fork dropouts, as well as optional One-Key locking functionality.
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Corrosion resistant double-wall aluminum tray provides maximum strength and rigidity.
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To load your bike remove the front wheel and stow it in your vehicle. Next, with the skewer lever open, loosen its opposing ratcheting nut to create space for your bike's front fork dropouts. Place your front fork dropouts onto the skewer ends evenly on both sides and with skewer lever still open, tighten the ratcheting nut until the skewer lever closes with some resistance. Apply pressure on the fork to ensure a good hold. A ratcheting wheel strap is provided to secure the rear wheel to the wheel tray and includes an adapter for use with road bike wheels. Tighten that now. At this point Prologue owners who have opted for a One-Key lock, sold separately and installed into the side of the skewer lever, can lock their bike to the carrier and the carrier to the rack simultaneously. To remove your bike simply remove the wheel strap, unlock the lock on the head assembly (if installed), open the skewer lever and and lift your bike out. Once the Prologue is installed, mounting a bike is a simple and quick action that anyone can manage in seconds.
Key Features
- Versatile design fits most disc brake and suspension combinations with standard 9mm axles
- Precise ergonomic pressure dial built into skewers optimizes force on dropouts increasing hold, and eliminating damage to fork
- Aerodynamic, high-strength nylon composite heads for increased security and product life
- Ratcheting wheel strap quickly secures back wheel to tray
- Corrosion resistant double-wall aluminum tray provides maximum strength and rigidity
- 1 One-Key lock cylinder (sold separately) locks the bike to carrier and carrier to rack
- Fits Thule rack systems or other round bars
- Factory rack compatible with Thule Ride-On Adapter (sold separately)
Specifications
- Load Capacity (bikes) - 1
- Fits Tire Dimensions (in) - 2.6 inches
- Fits Thule Aero Profile - Yes (adapter required)
- Fits Square Bar - Yes
- Fits Most Bikes with Disc Brakes - Yes
- One Key System Compatible (locks sold separately) - Yes
- For Tandem Bikes - No
- Fork Dropout Compatibility - Between 4mm and 10mm thick; dropouts must be 100mm apart
What's in the Box
Thule 516 Prologue Fork Mount Rooftop Bike Carrier (1-Pack), all the necessary mounting hardware, and instruction guide/warranty card.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
Thule will warranty all Thule brand car rack systems and its accessories manufactured by Thule during the time that an original retail purchaser owns the product. This warranty terminates if a purchaser transfers the product to any other person. No warranty is given for defects caused by normal wear and tear, cosmetic rust, scratches, accidents, unlawful vehicle operation, or modification of, or any types of repair of a load carrier system other than those authorized by Thule.
About Thule
Thule was founded in 1942 by the Thulin family, when Eric Thulin, a true lover of the outdoors, put the Thule name on a pike trap he designed and began to sell in Scandinavia. It wasn't long before he added other practical items to the company's portfolio. By the 1960s, the company began to concentrate on car-related products, including its first roof rack. The Thulin family sold Thule to the publicly listed company Eldon in 1979, and it has continued to grow both organically and through acquisitions ever since. The Thule Group is a world leader in providing transport solutions for an active life.
