I am currently changing cars and have taken my bike carriers off the roof that they have pretty much permanently lived on for 5 years. I have squirted GT 85 into the internals every few months throughout that period and the odd plastic wheel carrier has been replaced when it's broken. They still look fine, albeit there is some flaky paint here and there on the underside.
Question is, are they likely to have weakened, though weathering, sunlight etc. I guess the latter would only attack the wheel holders and straps, which look fine, and the rest is presumably aluminium and should last for ever ???
I know some folk take them off after every ride, but I use them twice a week so only ever take them off if doing a long trip without the bikes, maybe a few days a year.
Don't really want to replace them, but compared to the value of what sits on them they are almost 'consumables' if they have to be.
any thoughts/experiences of failures due age ?
