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My new bike has a carbon frame. My bike carrier is an Altera Strada sport which uses ratchet straps to secure the frame and wheels. Thule sell a carbon frame protector https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/accessories/thule-carbon-frame-protector-_-1692661 but state that this is only for use with certain Thule clamp systems. I’m wondering if this is to avoid any liability if it’s used with another manufacturer’s system rather than because it won’t still spread the clamping force. Anyone had any experience of using one with a non Thule rack?
I've been putting carbon bikes on my Atera DL Strada for years. I use a piece of offcut from a rubber exercise mat to give extra protection plus a bit of inner tube over the wheel ratchet straps.... never had a problem.
You could probably just use some stiff foam to protect the frame and have the same effect. My Thule tow bar rack is a great piece of kit, but the birds mouth clamps aren't very good at gripping the oversize tubes of my carbon Stumpjumper and its very easy to try and overtighten them. Apparently, according to a mate of mine who heard it from a reputable LBS, this is the most frequent reason for cracked carbon frames. I resist the temptation to tighten them too hard and always use a bungy strap to ensure the bike stays on the rack. I also wrap a cloth around the frame where the clamp goes just to protect the paint work. However this makes the tube even bigger and doesn't provide grip for the clamp, something like neoprene or thin rubber would be better I think.
You've more chance of damaging a steel frame by clamping too tight than a carbon one.
There is no need to horse it up mega tight either.
A bit of inner tube or similar to protect paint is sufficient.
I use those Thule protectors on my Yakima towbar rack, they are pretty handy and I suppose offer some reassurance. I do use a webbing strap too, after a previous bike folded flat onto the rack when it came out the jaws on a Thule towbar rack. No harm done as it was on the inside position, chainset side out so it lay flat on the crank and the bars were still clear of the ground.
The clamp was properly tight but the combination of awkward shaped top tube and 150mm of suspension bouncing around was the reason I think.
I've transported hundreds of bikes, of all frame materials, around the Scottish Highlands every year. There's no need for the clamp to be so tight that it will damage a frame.
That’s a good point about the bouncing IainC, is it worth locking out too?
I do lockout the travel....now, but hadn’t that time !
Thanks for the helpful responses - looks like I'm being over cautious. I've got some car mat that's rubber one side and fabric the other so I'll cut some of that up as a frame protector and take it easy with the straps.
I always keep offcuts of underlay for reasons like this.
I don't like those Thule clamps. They don't seem to hold some frame shapes very well and can be awkward to place with the temptation to go a bit tighter because they don't apear secure. I replaced mine with Fiamma clamps. They fit on Thule racks, come in the same lengths and grip the frame with a thick rubber strap that holds any shape securely without the risk of overtightening.
I actually got a couple of those Fiamma clamps when you recommended them on a previous post. When securing my heavy bike (Levo SL) I use the supplied Yakima clamp on the seattube with one of the Thule Protectors and a Fiamma 2 on the top tube, quite close to the headtube, with some neoprene under it. Seems to work well and gives a little bit of backup.