Thule bike rack part

[Marcus Nielson]

Hi, I was at Heat Sync labs yesterday and got a helpful introduction to 3D printing! I have a Thule roof bike rack and one of the pieces that holds the tire in place came off while I was driving the other day. I've searched extensively online and I have not been able to find a replacement. I would like to 3D print the part but I need to convert it into a 3D file first. I already tried to find a 3D model of the part online but no luck. Any other suggestions on how I could go about this? Thanks!

[Darrell Wertz]

etrailer.com has a large selection of Thule parts. Have you checked there?

On Sun, Sep 4, 2022 at 11:55 AM Marcus Nielson <marcus...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi, I was at Heat Sync labs yesterday and got a helpful introduction to 3D printing! I have a Thule roof bike rack and one of the pieces that holds the tire in place came off while I was driving the other day. I've searched extensively online and I have not been able to find a replacement. I would like to 3D print the part but I need to convert it into a 3D file first. I already tried to find a 3D model of the part online but no luck. Any other suggestions on how I could go about this? Thanks!

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[Marcus Nielson]

Thanks for the response! Yes, I have searched their website. They seem to have every other part except the one I need. Seems to be the pattern for some reason. I am hoping I can find someone to recreate the part in CAD.

[Darrell Wertz]

Hi Marcus,

Unfortunately there are some serious challenges with this effort.

• This part will be very difficult to reverse engineer accurately.
• The original material is a UV resistant fiberglass filled composite. 
• 3D printing materials may not meet the needs of the physical and environmental loads.
• Having someone model it for you will be expensive or place some unreasonable expectation on them.
• 3D Scanning the original part might be possible but will require some experimentation and advanced skill.

I've purchased obsolete parts for bike racks before. The last resort is contacting a Thule dealer and having them order the part directly. Bigger store employees will not have any clue on how to order parts. A mom and pop shop is your best bet.

Making one yourself is a labor of love... Why buy it for $20 when you can make it for $200...

This is probably your best bet. 

https://www.thule.com/en-us/thule-support/spare-parts

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[Darrell Wertz]

Looks like a UK model part

Found them here:Thule 591 Wheel Holder and Strap Pro Ride Bike Cycle Carrier 34368

[Antonio Contrisciani]

domestic found https://www.ebay.com/itm/373062325999?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=373062325999&targetid=1645685073328&device=c&mktype=&googleloc=9030097&poi=&campaignid=16730423415&mkgroupid=135815925780&rlsatarget=pla-1645685073328&abcId=9300841&merchantid=119120961&gclid=CjwKCAjwvNaYBhA3EiwACgndgsLrTjjNsu1dBCM1qyqyOmuw_OjIY0W16IaRagvoXfs4fRClA6UNQBoCn54QAvD_BwE

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[Antonio Contrisciani]

ignore that just saw the shipping lol.

[Antonio Contrisciani]

Ah i see why this part has been so hard to find :  "Thule new regulations relating to distribution, we are not allowed to ship some products of this brand to United States Of America"

[Marcus Nielson]

Thank you for your response. I would much prefer to just buy the part, but I either can't find the part, or it is cost prohibitive to buy it had have it shipped from Europe. That's why I was hoping to 3D print it but it sounds like that isn't a good option either, unfortunately. I may just have to buy a whole new roof rack. Thanks!