At times, it will be necessary to carry bikes outside my car. Previously I've used tow bar mounted carriers however, this is not feasible on my latest vehicle. I'm not a fan of boot mounted racks & will have roof bars for a roofbox anyway so frame holding or fork mount?
Edging toward fork mounted however, there seems to be the need for different adapters for different axles on many - the Thule ThruRide 565 being an (expensive) exception - at additional cost.
Also, I spotted the minimalist Yakima Fork Chop which might be a simple (and cheaper) alternative - does anyone have experience of these?
Thoughts/opinions please.
Just use any standard clamping roofbar system and don't over-tighten it. The weight is taken by the wheels and the frame clamp is only there to hold it steady.. We move hundreds of bikes every year and we've yet to have a problem.
Another option was one I saw recently which holds the front wheel with a metal loop bar and just a strap for the rear wheel.. can't remember what brand though.
Thule also do a frame protector to help spread the load where the clamp goes.
Thule 598 in use for a couple of years with my carbon gnarmac bike, with never a worry.
@otsdr: I think it was this one, which is actually tow-bar mounted, but that Thule is a similar idea. I do wonder how they cope if the tyre goes down...
Just don’t over tighten, Thules frame protector is a piece of rubber..
There's a few like the UpRide around but they just don't seem overly secure to me. As frogstamp says, a slow puncture you hadn't noticed could lead to a bit of a problem.
I've got a couple of old Atera Giros in the garage somewhere but manufacturer recommendation is to not use downtube clamp types.
Don't over tighten it. Will be fine.
Have just got a Yakima frontloader. There are a couple of versions that looks similar on roofbox's site.
They just hold the wheel of the bike, so avoid the frame.
If you don't want to get a new rack, could you use a soft cloth to prevent scratching and just be careful when you tighten?
I'd consider using a cloth or a bit of rubber, but basically don't overtighten and you'll be fine.
I wouldn't be comfortable riding any frame that couldn't be clamped in a workstand or bike rack without falling to bits, particularly an MTB.
Having had a lapse of concentration and gone under a height barrier I was feeling pretty stupid...
When looking at Carbon repair specialists one of them mentioned specifically they were located down a height barrier road and despite that being one of their biggest repair sectors was also something customers then forgot...
A bit more scratching about and I felt a little less stupid and in a much bigger group than I'd thought.
Last weekend was discussing this with some that sees a vast number of MTBers and based on this wouldn't use a roof mounted one himself... it's just too frequent...
YMMV etc. ....
Nobby, I've used mine. I use a old cutting from an inner tube for a bit more rubberised grip and am cautious with overtighting.
However last year we got a towbar / Thule combo and thats even more confidence inducing as there less lateral strain on the tube as you go around roundabouts. I'd also say - my situation is a little different - that with mine, Master Jnr and Little Miss Jnr's bikes to carry around it been one of those purchases I will never regret, saves lots of repeated back/shoulder straining!
All the pro road teams use frame clamps on their top end road bikes, slamming them on and off all season. Then racing them hard. If they think it's ok I'm not really worried.
My carbon supersix has been all over Europe on my Thule roof rack and hasn't died. And I clamp it tight - don't want to lose it on an autobahn at 100+ mph!
I bought an UpRide to be on the safe side when I got my new bike.
I didn’t want to do anything contrary to the manufacturers instructions should they be any warranty issues.
Kryton, I just can't justify the cost of putting a tow bar on my motor (it's not straight forward) & have two Thule tow bar racks in the garage (having sold one recently). I'm stuck with either roof or boot mounted when it can't go inside.
Will be putting the racks up for sale shortly if you need any others... 😉