[NewBornBaby]

Is there a safe and sensible way to carefully clamp a carbon frame to a Thule roof rack?  Or is it likely to damage it no matter what precautions I take?

Topic

[NewBornBaby]

I have this type.

I have this type.  Think it’s the FreeRide type.

[Hirsute]

I’ve got that one.
I’ve got that one.
When I got to the in-laws once, I couldn’t get the clamp off (ebike with a fat down tube about 1mm of gap), so I had to take the whole rack off with the bike ! (Too dark and late to use steps or a ladder).

[hmjb]

I use one of these Carbon

I use one of these Carbon Frame Protectors: https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/accessories/thule-carbon-frame-protector-_-1692661

I’ve driven to the South of France, Alps, Spain with a Thule Proride 591: https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/roof-bike-racks/thule-proride-591-_-591018

Can confirm it works just fine – the protector spreads the clamping load.

If you haven’t bought the carrier already, the newer version is the Thule Proride 598 (https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/roof-bike-racks/thule-proride-_-598002), which also has a torque protector for carbon frames.

 

 

[wycombewheeler]

which roof rack do you have

which roof rack do you have in mind?

is it one of these? https://www.thule.com/en-gb/bike-rack/roof-bike-racks/thule-proride-_-598001

You don’t need to clamp up the down tube very tightly, all the weight is supported by the wheels on the track, and the forwards and backwards restraint provided by the (essential, don’t ask how I know) wheel straps. so the down tube cmap is just there to stop the bike falling over sideways (and potentially preventing theft, but I wouldn’t have much confidence in that)

So you only need to tighten up until the rubber is touching, you don’t need to torque up to 8Nm.

[TheBillder]

Even padding with a soft
Even padding with a soft cloth will help. My cheap Halfords rack gives no choice of position on the downtube, but it doesn’t need to be all that tight – just to stop excess movement and the clamp undoing.

[mark1a]

I got round this challenge a

I got round this challenge a few years ago by selling a car and buying a small van, although I appreciate that’s not a solution that suits everyone. 

[Hirsute]

Just double check for height
Just double check for height barriers on approaching any car park !!!

[tigersnapper]

I would concur with Kil0ran

I would concur with Kil0ran with taking care.  I have clamped mine for a few years now but not tooo tight.  I also have a wrap around frame protector thing for where the clamp goes which stops any scuffing and Thule also used to sell (don’t know if it’s still available) a replacement knob for tightening which only tightened to 5Nm.

[kil0ran]

Assuming it’s got a mahoosive

Assuming it’s got a mahoosive bottom bracket area like most carbon frames that’s the best place to clamp it but I still wouldn’t do it. Tubes are thin and not designed to be squished by a clamp. If you must do it, do it up very loosly, although bear in mind that it will move around a little and likely scuff the paintwork.

Yakima Frontloader is the answer, and a small price to pay given how much a carbon frame costs – about £130 from Roofbox. 

If you look at the team cars in the TdF they often use Thule racks but the jaws of the clamp are placed as close as possible to the BB – between the bottle cage and the seat post.

[Author]

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