Thule 558P Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier

Unique Pivoting Fork Mount Tandem Bicycle Carrier – ideal for single person loading and unloading

The Thule Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier is the quickest and easiest tandem and recumbent rooftop bike carrier on the market. It is compatible with bikes of tire dimensions up to 2.6 inches wide and features a unique and innovative pivoting fork mount design that enables easy one-person loading and unloading. Additional features include: quick conversion for use with a conventional sized bike, a secure stainless steel skewer that holds the front fork in place for a safe transport and a corrosion resistant 75 inch aluminum wheel tray.

The Thule Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier mounted on a car rack A unique transport solution for tandems, recumbent and standard bikes.
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Unique Frame Mounted Carrier for Tandems

The Thule 558P Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier is a unique rooftop solution for transporting tandem, recumbent and even standard bikes. Being significantly larger than standard bikes, tandems and recumbent are generally a challenge for rooftop transport. Their shear size can make it difficult to find a carrier large enough, while even if you can find a suitable carrier, installing and removing a bike from it is generally awkward, possibly leading to dropped bikes and scratches to bikes and vehicles. The Thule 558P Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier gets around both these issues with its specially designed 75 inch aluminum wheel tray that’s compatible with tandems and recumbent and can also be shortened for use with standard sized bikes, and its unique fork mount design.

The pivoting pillar head with pin release of the Thule Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier Fork mount design with pivoting head and skewer assembly secured by a pin.
View larger. A Demonstration of one-person loading of the Thule Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier The pivoting skewer allows for one-person loading and unloading of bikes.
View larger. Side view of an isolated Thule 558P Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier Corrosion resistant double-wall aluminum tray that can be shortened for use with a standard framed bike.
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Pivoting Fork Mount Design

Like virtually all fork mount roof racks, the Thule 558P Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier connects to the two dropouts of a bike’s front fork via a skewer and clamp system. This skewer is connected to the carrier, which is in turn connected to the roof rack. The innovation in this system is in its pivoting fork mount design. The skewer and clamp assembly at the front of the unit is embedded within a pivoting pillar held inline with the wheel tray by a removable tail pin. Once this pin is removed the pillar head and skewer can turn 90°. Using this pivot system a single rider can easily load a tandem or recumbent on their own. To do this, pull the pivot pin and turn the pillar until it faces you. Install the handle bar strap as instructed to limit their movement separate from the bike frame and remove and stow the front wheel (for recumbent also remove seats). Next, lift the front end of the tandem to a vertical position, roll bike to the car and seat the front fork dropouts into the skewer fork mount. Firmly close the skewer lever, then grasp and lift the rear of the bike frame, placing it into the wheel tray. Finally, secure the rear wheel to the wheel tray using the wheel strap and reinsert the pivot pin to hold the entire unit inline. To remove a bike remove the pivot pin, unwrap the wheel strap, lift the rear of the bike from the wheel tray, pull it to the side and lower it to the ground. Now, release the skewer lever, lower the bike to the ground, install the front wheel and remove the handlebar strap. Realign the pillar head and reinsert the pillar pin and you are done.

Key Features

Allows for simple, easy rooftop fork mount transport of a single tandem or recumbent bike Innovative pivoting fork mount design enables easy one-person loading and unloading Secure stainless steel skewer holds fork in place for a safe transport Corrosion resistant 75 inch aluminum wheel tray and stainless steel hardware for years of trouble-free use Rear portion of wheel tray can be removed for trunk/hatch clearance and conventional bike transport Fits Thule rack systems or other round bars

Specifications

Load Capacity (bikes) – 1 Fits Tire Dimensions (in) – 2.6 inches Fits Thule Aero Profile – No Fits Square Bar – Yes Fits Most Bikes with Disc Brakes – Yes One Key System Compatible – No For Tandem Bikes – Yes Fork Dropout Compatibility – Not compatible with dropouts less than 4mm thick; dropouts must be 100mm apart

What’s in the Box

Thule 558P Tandem Bicycle Pivoting Roof Mount Carrier, handlebar strap, 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.

Product Features

  • Allows for simple, easy rooftop fork mount transport of a single tandem or recumbent bike
  • Pivoting fork mount design enables easy one-person loading and unloading
  • Secure stainless steel skewer holds fork in place for a safe transport
  • Rear portion of wheel tray can be removed for conventional bike transport
  • Fits Thule rack systems or other round bars