Cycling UK Forum

I am going to mount 2 Carbon Road Bikes on my wifes Peugeot 307 sw. But I am unsure as to which system to use.

Front fork mount
or
via securing the down tube

Thule, Paddy Hopkirk, Mont blanc etc all do both but there appears to be no advice with respect to frame type.

Or does it not matter.

The down tube system is slightly cheaper

Does any one have experience with either system?

Thanks

I've heard (unsubstantiated) stories of carbon forks snapping off after being held on fork mounted racks. I use a Thule rack which grips the down tube, but I prefer to carry the carbon bike inside the car, if possible.

Yeah I can see the sense in what you are saying. Althought carbon is tough (Its the lightness that makes you think its fragile) the down tube is designed for a lot more stress. Thule I know do alot of research but I can see no mention of carbon.

We have taken our carbon bikes to france on the last three occassions using a towbar mount, but we have more passangers on our next trip so we are using my wife's estate and a different setup is required as there are 4 bikes. (2 on top 2 on the back).

Unless there are any different offerings, looks like a plan.

Thanks

You used to be able to buy the Paddy Hopkirk upside-down type (I have several sets doing nothing in my loft) Perhaps they are still available.

If you are unfamiliar with what I am talking about tha saddle fits into a sort of holster and there are two clamps which grip the handlebars. Like most roof-mounted stuff there is the problem of holding the bike up in the air while trying to tighten the fittings with your nose. At least nothing would be directly holding the bike frame.

In the absence of anything from any carbon bike owning roof rackers, I would say that the best thing ought to be a channel holding both wheels and taking the entire weight of the bike and an upright spar to which the bike could be tenderly fastened. The only time I have seen anything like this is on the roof of a bike race service car where the upright bit had a quick release strap holding the bike to enable the mechanic to get it off quickly. Those racks always look like one-offs.

Thanks

I have had a look at the Thule Pro. There about £80 each. They have a Stabilizer clamp rather than a sort of Y clamp on the £40 version and it looks right.

I thought about the other upside down type. You can get them on the net but I think when buying this sort of think you actually want to see and feel to remove guess work. The price is not key here as it is only a fraction of the value of the bikes

I've have been offered a deal of 2 + the roof bars and clamps for £225 by a local supplier. I may wait until he agrees to£200.

Big T wrote:I've heard (unsubstantiated) stories of carbon forks snapping off after being held on fork mounted racks. I use a Thule rack which grips the down tube, but I prefer to carry the carbon bike inside the car, if possible.

If the fork snaps when on a roof rack, be thankful ... thankful that it snapped before you got the chance to ride. There are for more forces when riding your bike down a steep twisting descent with braking and sizeways G forces then there will be with an "empty" bike sitting aloft a car.

One consideration is that you don't have to be quite as tall to secure the bikes with the fork-mounting rack as others. It also gives a minor aerodynamic advantage, but there can be problems with mudguards (not a problem on your carbon bikes, I guess).