Bike rack on a carbon frame

rajdav

Hi,

I have read somewhere that securing my carbon framed road bike with a bike rack which in clamps onto the bike frame is not a good idea as it may damage the frame internally.

How significant a problem is this? (Or is it being over cautious?)
Can I lessen the problem with something like pipe insulation?

Or, must I get a rack which clamps onto the front fork?

Any thoughts / advice much appreciated.

Thanks

thistle_

I wouldn't have thought it's much worse than using a seat post clamp on a carbon seatpost...

Might be wrong though

amaferanga

What do you intend to carry? There are racks that fix via the QR skewer if you want to carry panniers. If its just a rack bag you want to carry then you could either get a seatpost rack (which can work well IME - I commuted for the best part of a year with one and did an unsupported LEJOG with one as well) or a big saddle bag such as a Carradice.

amaferanga

thistle (MBNW) wrote:

I wouldn't have thought it's much worse than using a seat post clamp on a carbon seatpost...

Might be wrong though

I wouldn't clamp a rack to a carbon frame using P clips. Some people do though....

rajdav

Hi,

I haven't been clear.
I am referring to a roof-mounted bike carrier that clamps to the down-tube and whether this is an issue in damaging the bike frame.

Sorry for being unclear.

amaferanga

rajdav wrote:

Hi,

I haven't been clear.
I am referring to a roof-mounted bike carrier that clamps to the down-tube and whether this is an issue in damaging the bike frame.

Sorry for being unclear.

Oops. Reading your post again, maybe I should have realised.

Plenty of people use roof mounted carriers that clamp to the frame. Others used ones that clamp the forks. Some people claim both types will damage carbon frames! The reality is that most damage from roof mounted carriers arise when people try to dry under low barriers or into garages with the bike on the roof.

JamesB

Maybe watch the Giro on TV and see what the team cars do with the spare bikes ? However tehy mount tehm must be OK given teh speeds they drive around at !