Yakima Boa Carrier

I utilize Yakima Q-bars on a luxury car with Malone saddles for my Hobie Kayak. I recently purchased a Specialized Roubaix carbon fiber bike and I needed a way to transport it in a secure manner. Up to the point of the bike purchase I liked the idea of being able to install or remove the bars from my car in just a few seconds and I wanted to keep it that way. After careful research I was able to determine that the Boa's were the only solution in keeping my current configuration intact and it works great. I am now looking to install a second unobtrusive Boa for my wife's bike. I will then be able to have a Kayak and two bikes on the car completely secure with the Yakima locks and if I wish I can go back to the luxury mode in just a matter of a minute or two with no tools or hassle.

Aptly named, the Boa stays tight. I have had both my mountain bike and my road bike on at speeds in excess of 80mph on the highway with heavy side winds and the bikes stay solid (although I would recommend strapping them down as tight as you can). I have also used the Thule Velo Vise Tray, but this rack system is way tighter!!! Works equally well on my Thule square crossbar. The only inconvenience I have come across is that you have to move your crossbars to adjust for different bike lengths so I would recommend this rack only if you are carrying the same bike(s) all the times...although the rear strap does adjust slightly if you need to carry bikes with varying wheel spacing (for me, a mountain bike and a road bike). Good rack, easy to use, and not bulky like a tray.

I likey the Boa. It is small, simple to use, more versatile, more aerodynamic, less ugly than trays, and oodles cheaper too. If you trust your face to the front wheel cam locks when you are riding around on your bike, no reason not to trust the same concept when it is attached to your roof. I have not used on any extended long distances yet, and actually have not even broke 60 mph yet(have not needed to yet), but so far has held up real nice. It is also a lot quieter sans bike than a tray as well. Installed on 07 GMC Envoy. Muy bueno!

This is a great mount for smaller cars and adapts very well to switching on the fly to a longer car. Gets the front tire off the bike for great stability and security. You can be completely confident with your bike on this rack which was something I really worried about. If you don’t have enough space to put your bike tire in your trunk or in the car with you I suggest buying a wheel fork tire mount to store your tire up on top of your car (keeps the inside cleaner)

Installation was easy on my VW Passat wagon. Is just as secure as other "normal" racks with trays, and I think this looks less messy on the car, also makes it easy to take off the rear wheel mount when I'm not using it to help gas mileage a bit. Everything about it feels very solid and even the little design details seem very well thought out. I think I'll be getting another one soon.

I used these on trips from Jersey to Maine and also from San Diego to Yosemite with nary a mishap except outside of Bishop when I forgot the bikes were on top and drove under a low thing in a parking lot and whoosh the whole rack came off the roof... but the BOA still held the bikes.

A rack with a tray mount may be better for small cars. I have a Honda Civic and my 15.5" bike is about all this rack can handle without resting the rear tire on the roof of the car. I've found tray mounts to be easier when I'm loading bikes by myself.
Otherwise, rack works great!