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We have a Thule tow bar mounted bike rack equipped with 2 clamping swing arms coming from a cranked vertical loop .
Previously attaching metal framed bikes was straightforward,clamping onto any convenient tube
Since changing my mtb to all carbon, and not wanting to crush the frame tubes,only the seat post is available for attachments ( plus the wheel gutter straps ofc)
I’m sure others have encountered this problem and would be grateful to hear how people have worked around it with this rack
https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/towbar-bike-racks/thule-velospace-xt-2-_-938021
many thanks
D
I've always clamped carbon tubes with my Thule to no damage.
2008 carbon Merida xc bike - 2010 ibis mojo hd still in regular use going strong. - propel/px stealth / px carbon road bike/salsa cutthroat.
Not all mine -but zero tube crushing incidents.
Mines ancient manual clamping one. But if your really worried get one of the ones that clamp top and bottom by turning the knob - you just won't get the clamping force to crush without tooling up.
I clamp the tubes, best method is to hold the grip shut whilst moving it up and down slightly to find the point it's got the most purchase, and then spin the knob up to it (rather than cranking down on the knob trying to gauge how tight it is)
Also I will move the arms to the upright parts of the loop and clamp the seat tube where the seatpost is inside (again not too tight as the seatpost is only a snug fit immediately below the seat clamp)
If I'm being careful I'll loop a long toe strap around the loop and bikes, after all there is not much stress on that top clamp but if it does let go it's only going to be a few kg of force that the strap needs to deal with.
When I was looking into racks I had seen these or similar recommended. I’m sure they were being recommended with Thule and other racks. I ended up with a Thule Epos 2 in the end, which uses these straps anyway.
With my BUZZ RACK E-Hornet 2 carrier which has the jaw type holders I use in addition a combination of a couple of heavy duty velcro straps. These make everything feel very secure and I don't feel the need to overtighten the jaws on the top bar.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09TT1J88T?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1
and
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B097BG9Q9F?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1