Cycling UK Forum

Do you always use the diagonal straps? One of our straps broke in use today. We are not sure why it broke but have read that some people don't use the straps but check the bolts on the uprights before each journey (which we do anyway).

I would advise using diagonal strapping to avoid too much strain on the roof bars as you go round corners.

I haven't used them. I'm not sure why not, to be honest, unless it was a feeling that the weak point of the whole system was likely to be the roof rack coming away from the car roof - it really doesn't seem like a generous "hold" compared to the gutterless type I was first accustomed to. Wonderful big hooks right round the edge of the roof.
I do use a toe strap to secure the pedals to the upright as well as the one securing the seat tube in its bracket. Our rack is the wheel off type, which brings everything a bit lower anyway.

My Pendle roofrack is offset to the drivers side to allow room for a roofbox hence I only use one diagonal strap/lashing. After a longish journey this usually vibrates itself relatively slack & therefore it's effectiveness is questionable.

Our longest journey has only been in the region of 5 hours but I've never encountered any problems. When we first bought the Pendle I probably was overly cautious with the amount of extra lashings, I think the newer design with the 'uprights' securing bolts biting on the corner of the rail (as opposed to the side) is a big improvement. Now we just lash the wheelrims to the rails & have the one diagonal lashing - job's a good 'un. However, I think subconsciously my driving is a lot more 'careful' with the tandem on top,

all the best, Simon

Thank you for your replies. It is a new style one with the bolts in the corners. Simon, we have got my bike on the other side and it was the strap that went diagonally down to the side my bike is on that broke in half today - it wasn't anywhere where it could rub against anything so we are a bit confused.

We have only done about 600 miles with this rack - I took this photo when we got home with the remaining strap in place. Should we be doing anything differently? Do you think that the one remaining strap will do or should we replace the second one. It seems very solid.

Don't think our first generation one came with these straps and we've never felt the loss.

As a matter of fact we don't use it properly at all, since we use both verticals behind the bike, but go overkill on toestraps to secure the bike. It's generally still up there when we look

Hello Bensons,

I once lashed one of the diagonal straps to the stokers handlebar, good and tight. During the journey the wind vibration caused one of the Ergon handlebar grips to be cut almost right through.

You would be surprised at the amount of buffeting the tandem gets up there, 60 mph relative windspeed is almost equivalent to a maritime Beaufort storm force 10 which can be fairly uncomfortable at sea. Luckily you don't encounter the associated spray!

Anyhow, I think the uprights are designed to bear the brunt of the tandems weight; I can't remember if the straps were not just an optional extra??

All the best, Simon

Good to hear that the first ones didn't have them. That means you have escaped the awful wind noise as well.

I think it is just unfamiliarity with it on our part that makes me less relaxed about it and the fact that all our journeys with it involve motorway speeds.

Sjs recommend using the straps on their webpage, they were included as standard with ours but I think we will stick with just the one after this thread.

I once sailed to the IOW in a force 8 and can honestly say that it was one of the very few times in my life that I have been unable to speak, I was green for about four hours. No wonder the strap sheared off.

Thanks again.

I've never had any sign of wear on the straps. To reduce wind noise and prevent slackening I pull the straps tight then use the loose end to tie a few nice knots around the two nearby lengths of strap, pulling them together and making them even tighter. I also use bungees to further pull in the straps against the bike frame. If you take a bit of time doing that kind of thing you can get it so it doesn't work loose and makes little noise at motorway speeds.

As I said, mine is the wheel off version, so I have no idea what the instructions for yours say.
So out of sheer curiosity, Is the strap in your picture exactly as per instructions?
I can't see what it would do other than apply an avoidable (IMO) load to the roof bar mounts. With wheels strapped to rail and frame strapped to uprights my only real concern would be the whole assembly detaching - so, yes, I drive a bit more gently too, as I do when carrying solo bikes.

If it helps, you would probably find that something like a 9mm rope would vibrate less audibly than a thin strap. Of course you would then need to think about knots - a loop at the end and another one suitably placed for tensioning, but once established in the right positions they could be left there on a dedicated length.

It is as instructed, of course the angles are not as instructed because the rack is on the driver's side and not in the middle. Surely the intention is to provide a bit more sideways stability rather than transfer the weight? But with only one side on that probably doesn't work does it.

My husband had already thought of the rope and fashioned this yesterday afternoon before I asked if everyone thought that the straps were necessary/used the straps.

We just weren't sure if it was necessary and doing what Simon did when his was new to him, tieing it down everywhere possible!