[PurpleDog]

Now I’ve bought a shiny new Trek Emonda, made from gossamer thin eggshell carbon, I was wondering how I get it to all the events I’m undoubtedly going to want to ride in?

I have a convertible so no roof racks, and no room to carry it inside if I want the roof closed so that’s a dry-weather only option. I have a towbar with a ‘hang by the top tube’ type rack, but they’re not advised as I understand it?
… leaving the wheel-clamp towbar types like the Thule Ride-On 9502 and similar as the only apparent option, but they still need strapping around the tubes as well, so is that just as worrisome?

All the thousands of carbon roadies out there must be transporting bikes by the thousand – how do you all do it without risking your ridiculously expensive faberge bikes?

Topic

[saxman]

What you want is the INNO
What you want is the INNO INH3050. It appears to be much better than the Saris in that it is U shaped rather than just hooking over the top of the wheels. Go here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1AxQdEMlWI to see video of fitting to tow bar, & fitting bike to rack. They also do a roof top version https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIm46ERcUF8
The roof top version is available in the UK from The Roofbox Company so I guess they could get hold of the tow bar version without too much trouble.

[PurpleDog]

tom_w wrote:This could be the

tom_w wrote:

This could be the solution you are after; tow hitch mounted, only grips the bike by the wheels not the frame:

SuperClamp G3 HD 2-Bike Hitch Rack, RV Compatible Bike Transport System

Does indeed look perfect, if I could figure out how to mount it on my towball.

[tom_w]

This could be the solution
This could be the solution you are after; tow hitch mounted, only grips the bike by the wheels not the frame:

SuperClamp G3 HD 2-Bike Hitch Rack, RV Compatible Bike Transport System

[PurpleDog]

Pauldmorgan wrote:
+1 – I

Pauldmorgan wrote:

+1 – I have a similar style Thule one on my camper (although not tow ball mounted). I have the clamp on the seat post. When I use my carbon bike I put an cheap aluminium seat post in there just for transportation.

Aargh! Silly carbon seat mast! Still… it’s going to be tougher than the down tube (I hope!)

[pauldmorgan]

mikeakelly wrote:If you’re

mikeakelly wrote:

If you’re serious about looking after your bike(s) – just get one of these:

http://www.thule.com/en/gb/products/carriers-and-racks/bike-carriers/towbar-mounted-bike-carriers/thule-euroclassic-g6-928-_-928003

It fits 3 bikes with total security (4 with an extension), is rock solid and doesn’t seem to hit my mpg much. Not cheap, but the only type I’ve used that really does the job.

+1 – I have a similar style Thule one on my camper (although not tow ball mounted). I have the clamp on the seat post. When I use my carbon bike I put an cheap aluminium seat post in there just for transportation.

I reckon that if you put a long aluminium seat post in and dropped it all the way down you’d also be safe clamping the seat tube as it’s supported from inside and so can’t deform. I’ve not tried that though.

[notfastenough]

I reckon Matt eaton is right,
I reckon Matt eaton is right, the 9-3 is a reasonable size so bags are the way forward.

[pirnie]

tom_w wrote:”so is that just

tom_w wrote:

”so is that just as worrisome?”

I don’t think so, for a rack where the bike sits on it’s wheels the bike is supported by its wheels and the bit that straps to the top tube only prevents forward and backward motion. You’d be hard pressed to generate too much force in that direction from acceleration or braking I’d imagine.

Unless you happen to run into a Belkin team car 😉

[tom_w]

“so is that just as
“so is that just as worrisome?”

I don’t think so, for a rack where the bike sits on it’s wheels the bike is supported by its wheels and the bit that straps to the top tube only prevents forward and backward motion. You’d be hard pressed to generate too much force in that direction from acceleration or braking I’d imagine.

[Matt eaton]

Personally I’m very
Personally I’m very uncomforatable with my bikes being strapped to the outside of the car and being frugal I also think about fuel consumption. I think it’s going to become a necesary evil for me with a growing family (unless I buy a bus) but I’m digressing.

As you have a larger convertable with a back seat I would have thought that your bike would fit OK with the wheels off. Treat yourself to a nice bike bag and even some posh wheel bags and you’ll be taking care of your bike and your car’s interior – sorted.

[PurpleDog]

notfastenough wrote:So come

notfastenough wrote:

So come on then, what is the convertible?

Midlife crisis=Porsche boxster? BMW Z4?

I did have a hardtop Audi TT – no idea how I would have carried a bike on that…

Nothing so crisisy – or so expensive! I can afford a bike, not a flash car. I have a nice practical (!) Saab 9-3.
I collected the new bike in it today – front wheel off, still too big to fit in the back seats. Managed to get it home like that (sticking out a bit above head height, but well padded and secured with seatbelts) but it’ll need both wheels off if I’m going to do that for any distance.

[notfastenough]

So come on then, what is the
So come on then, what is the convertible?

Midlife crisis=Porsche boxster? BMW Z4?

I did have a hardtop Audi TT – no idea how I would have carried a bike on that…

[Hensteeth]

Wheels off, back seats down
Wheels off, back seats down and it goes in the back of my Clio. No problem. Probably cheaper to buy a run-around for the bike than a carrier for the convertible. Anyway what’s the point in having a convertible in this country. You only have the roof down for 4 weeks out of 52. :))

[gmac101]

We have one of
We have one of these:

http://www.roofbox.co.uk/scripts/rbvehsel4_tab.php/car-specific-accessories/atera_strada_dl_3_to_4_bike_carrier_uk_lights_no_ar2603/Qx%40w%2C6M42VAwp3%40Rb%7B~cC4ure5K%7BW%7D

It supports the bike by the wheels and then clamps to wherever you like on the frame to hold it rigid. I’ve put step through frames and kids bikes on it and always managed to get it held firmly. The frame clamps are soft rubber and I haven’t noticed any scratched paint (all our bikes are steel or alloy though). The straps have a steel insert so can’t be cut by a casual thief and the clamps lock. The whole thing locks to the towbar and is easy to put on. The Atera racks are lighter than the Thule ones and are only 1m wide so you can fit them into larger boots if you don’t want to leave it on the car whilst you are away cycling.

[giff77]

PurpleDog wrote:Looking at

PurpleDog wrote:

Looking at the Saris ones, they appear to mount to something under the car – presumably the bracket my towbar is using? I might be missing something but I don’t want to be removing the towbar every time I need the bike rack.

denerobt wrote:

Have you looked at a Thule tow mount ?

That’s looking like the best option I think… not sure if my seat mast is clampable (I bought the bike on ride feel, didn’t realise it had a seat mast rather than a normal seat post!) so something to investigate, but this is the option I think I need to take.

oozaveared wrote:

simplest thing is to buy the right car. Get an estate. Put the lovely bike inside.

Ha ha!! Ditch my lovely convertible for an estate?!?!?! What sort of mid-life crisis do you think this is? I’ve got the convertible, the motorbike and now the carbon roadie – crisis complete and no going back! :)

There is a rule somewhere that your bike should be worth more than the vehicle you hang it on… I take great pleasure in letting work colleagues know that my wheel set is worth more than their cars 👿
Get the estate or hatch from some dubious second hand dealer and you’re sorted.

[FMOAB]

Don’t see what the problem
Don’t see what the problem is:

[Author]

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