End Cap on Thule Apex Bike Rack has a Rivet and I cant Remove the Cradles

Updated 07/25/2014 | Published 07/24/2014

Question:

I just received some replacement cradles for my Thule Apex bike rack but I cannot see how to take the old ones off and replace them with the new ones. The end tube seems to have a rivet to hold the rubber end rather than some type of set screw. Will I have to take the rack apart at the main joint or is there some way to slide the old ones off and slide the new cradles on?

asked by: Pete

Helpful Expert Reply:

On the first generation of a given Thule product, in this case the Apex bike rack, they do use rivets. Later generations will have a screw. They use the rivets for the first run so that if there is a problem the rack will have to be sent to Thule to be repaired or replaced. This is so they can see what problems the racks are having for subsequent changes in later generations.

You might be able to send the rack back to Thule or you could carefully drill out the rivet and then replace it with a screw afterwards.

expert reply by: Michael H