transporting carbon bike

miket

hi im enquiring is it safe to transport carbon frame bike with clamps on roof of car. i have been using this kind of transportation for the last year with a carbon bike but recently bought new carbon bike & manual tells me not to use clamps so im just wondering as i dont lock clamps too tightly!!!
i would appreciate you views
thanks

ashleey

Strictly speaking you should not use the carrier type that clamps the frame in a 'claw'. You should use the type where you remove the front wheel and attach at the fork and a loop on the rear wheel. Carbon frames aren't designed for crush type stresses.

miket

thanks ashleey,
will look for new roofrack system , any ideas where best value is

JH_raheny

few options here
https://www.cyclesuperstore.ie/shop/pc/showsearchresults.asp?idCategory=182&order=3

Eamonnator

ashleey wrote: »

Strictly speaking you should not use the carrier type that clamps the frame in a 'claw'. You should use the type where you remove the front wheel and attach at the fork and a loop on the rear wheel. Carbon frames aren't designed for crush type stresses.

Just be careful. Some carbon fork manufacturers recommend, that you don't use this type of carrier. They say, that it puts undue pressure on the fork.
It's hard to win.

ashleey

Very true. If I could get a roof rack for the kids then I could leave the seats down with the bike inside the car!

Paul Kiernan

miket wrote: »

thanks ashleey,
will look for new roofrack system , any ideas where best value is

This is good value at €23.50 + €6.00 delivery. I got it for my carbon bike. Might be worth getting a wheel bag too to keep your car clean!

lalorm

I've been using a Thule roof cycle rack with a Carbon frame and it's fine. The claw has a V-shape so you don't need to tighten the clamp so tight since the frame won't go anywhere so I just tighten it up to the frame slightly and it's fine. Just don't let anyone that doesn't know how, tighten your bike up for you!

rab!dmonkey

If I can fit an Iron Horse Sunday and a Kona Stab in the back of a 4-door Mazda 3, you guys should have no problem with your tiny girly-man bikes!
Some people :rolleyes:

miket

thanks for all the advice, think i will stick with clamp just to hold bike & not over tighten