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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 ?
I've got to say i've had mine on for two years, covered thousands of miles with only minor stuff going wrong (the wheel craddle things has just broke but was only £3!).
I wouldn't have thought there should be any problems, check for obvious signs of wear and tear. Mind you, if you've had them five years like mine they've more than paid for themseleves! 😆
i use a 591 and a 511-1 - that are on the roof of the car all the time, both are around five years old as well
the 591 arm (right at he clamp end) is showing signs of corrosion and doesn't freely extend and the internal spring mechanism doesn't work very well at all now
so its time for a change shortly
thanks. Might think about some gradual replacement, particularly of the most flaked one. cheers
Ask Thule and see what they say??
.....just did that - quite helpful and not a hard sell. All the stuff has a 5 yr warranty so the guy was suggesting that they should not be particularly more likely to fail now than at a younger age.....although he did reckon that being used a few times a week for 5 yrs is a fair amount of use so wear and tear could be an issue...Ask Thule and see what they say??