Can Inno Square Crossbars Be Trimmed and the Caps Removed and Replaced for Modification

Question:

I am planning to build a custom base bar setup to clamp to my trucks Thule SR Base rails. Im thinking of using the Inno square base bars drilled and clamped to the SR rails with an aluminum plate under the two flat SR rails and a locking knob similar to the Yakima replacement locking knob for the SpareTime/Spare Ride 2 Bike Rack Item # 8890239. See attached sketch. I would then mount two Yakima Front Loader bike racks to the cross bars. I would then be able to lock the cross bars to the base rails and the bikes to the Front Loader rack with the same key. Questions: 1. Can the Inno Square Cross Bars be cut to any length? 2. Can the plastic end caps be removed and replaced? 3. What is the diameter, thread and length of the bolt on the Yakima Spare time knob? 4. Are there any other Yakima locking knobs that accept the Same Key System that can be purchased separately?

asked by: Peter K

Sketch of Inno Square Crossbar and Yakima Locking Knob Modification
(click to enlarge)

Expert Reply:

Thanks for all of the details, Peter!

I'll answer your questions about the 79" Inno Square Crossbars # IN436L and Yakima Replacement Locking Knob # 8890239 in the order that you asked them just to make it easier to keep track of:

1. Yes, the Inno square crossbars can be cut to length.
2. Yes, the plastic caps on the ends of the Inno crossbars can be removed and then replaced.
3. The Locking Knob has a 65mm length bolt with a M12 thread for the diameter and pitch.
4. The Locking Knob is the only think like this from Yakima that I know of.

Be sure to pick up a Yakima lock kit like part # Y07202 so you at least have one lock per crossbar in your setup.