thule speedway 2 help needed, please

[pooks]

I'm trying to assumble a Thule Speedway 2 (961XT) trunk carrier and right off the bat have hit a prob.

1 -- clean the trunk/hatch of car. Check!
2 -- Look up vehicle in the Fit Guide, read fit tips that apply. Check!
3 -- Remove both 2 wing adjustment knobs and adjust to correct fit numbers.

Okay. This info (correct fit numbers) is not in the fit guide (see step 2), nor can I find it in the directions anywhere, nor can I find it on the Thule website.

Anybody have this carrier? Any idea what the "correct fit numbers" are?

Thanks.

(I'm perfectly aware that it is probably right in front of my eyes somewhere, but I can't find it!)

[bike4ever]

What make, model, year is your vehicle? The fit guides will adjust it to the correct size.

[pooks]

There aren't any fit numbers for that particular adjustment. It's rather odd. I finally figured out just by trying it that I needed it to be the highest/wide open number to fit the square back of the Element.

[bike4ever]

The directions say it fits for the '03 - '05 Element on a setting of 11. Is 11 all of the way out?

[pooks]

Where is that in the directions? I believe you -- I just want to know how I missed it. Thanks.

[bike4ever]

I went to thuleracks.com and pulled up the rack. There were two options to download a tech manual and directions. I downloaded the directions, and there were fit instructions for vehicles towards the end of the pdf. I can't attach the file - it is too big.

[pooks]

I have the tech info and directions that came with it. For the Element (03-06) the only information it gives is "101, 121, 128, 147." The only thing I can think of is that the info on their website has been updated. However, I've had problems with their site all day. This morning, they didn't list my model, and just now I looked again and a longer list cam up -- but when I downloaded my model and opened it, it only downloaded the first page, and only the diagrams, none of the text.

Thanks for the info about the setting being 11. I'll double-check and see what mine is. I think maybe that is the max. If not, I'll adjust it. I appreciate you checking for me.

[bike4ever]

I've dealt with Thule's website for years - it is terrible. It doesn't matter whether you are using a Mac, PC, Firefox, or Internet Explorer. I was actually surprised that I could actually navigate through it smoothly - usually that is not the case.

Good luck with your rack. At least their products are well made if not their website.

[pooks]

I'm relieved it's not just me.

Now, if I can train myself to pronounce it correctly. Tooly. Tooly. Tooly.

Thanks, again.

[pooks]

Oh.

Wow.

It just hit me.

Okay, this is really dumb I know but.

I just realized --

Now that I've got the rack installed, I can take my bike to the lake and the bike path and ride. I mean, that's why I wanted it, but we bought it months ago and it has been in a box ever since, and today I put it together so I could take my husband's bike to the LBS to get new tires put on (which have also been waiting for months for him to get around to doing) and mission accomplished on that and --

It just never hit me that now I can load up my bike and go places to ride. Places away from the neighborhood.

I am so happy.