So I’m all set to purchase a fork mounted bike holder roof rack (factory accessory for new Volvo XC70) when I see the note at the bottom of the ad:
Note!
Do not mount bikes with carbon fibre front forks.
Is this a general rule for carbon fibre or just a bit of cya?
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it is nonsense.
I mount mine on a BMW factory fork mount roof rack. No problems what so ever. It is a QR lucero lite.
probably just a way of covering their a**es if something happens.
We have been driving bikes around with carbon fiber forks on our Yakima roof rack for years - never had a problem.
Who says you should not do this?
I had my LBS tell me the exact same thing regarding my Easton fork. I figure a fork failure would be pretty nasty, so I listened to him.
Its carbon drop out that they are concernd with not the fork. Carbon forks with alum drop outs are no problem.
It’s in the Volvo brochure for this accessory.
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Yes, now that you mentioned it, this is what my LBS said.
I used to use fork mount racks. Especially when I was going to do any highway driving, I always made sure to REALLY crank down on that skewer and get it crushingly tight on the (metal) dropouts.
Would you want to put ‘crushingly tight’ pressure on a carbon part of your bike?
It’s the dropouts that matter, it doesn’t matter what the rest of the fork is made of.
Nah, go for it!!
Ok, it was user error. I forgot it was there and pulled in the garage.
I’ve only been using my Yakima racks for a couple months now, but I’ve never really worried about the fork. It probably is CYA more than anything and I doubt that the force the fork receives from being jostled on the roof of the car is greater than having my 160lb frame on it going over a hole.
As jackmott correctly said, that is rather non-sensical.
However.
Roof racks need to be used judiciously and correctly. People often forget the bike is on the roof and drive into a garage or Taco Bell drive through. Also, the bike is exposed to rain, snow, road dust and debris, sun, bird pooh, birds themselves, etc.
Yup- pro teams do use roof racks- and bikes get damaged on their roof racks too. They also have a couple mechanics per team to wash the bikes and lube them after every race day. Increasingly, larger teams use a truck to transport their race bikes internally.
Just use caution.
Thanks guys. With aluminum dropouts on the carbon fork I should be good to go.
Hard to imagine forgetting about it on the roof, but with so many warnings here I’d better tape a reminder note to the dashboard!
Thanks guys. With aluminum dropouts on the carbon fork I should be good to go.
Hard to imagine forgetting about it on the roof, but with so many warnings here I’d better tape a reminder note to the dashboard!
Don’t get too stressed about it - it’s a bit of a case of confirmation bias. You never hear from the guy that drove home, stopped outside, took their bike off, then drove into the garage - mainly because that’s a pretty boring story.
A story about a guy smashing their lovely carbon steed to pieces however - juicy!
I used fork mounts for years without trouble. As long as you’re not the forgetful type you’ll be fine.
it really does happen a lot though
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Thanks guys. With aluminum dropouts on the carbon fork I should be good to go.
Hard to imagine forgetting about it on the roof, but with so many warnings here I’d better tape a reminder note to the dashboard!
all it takes is a split second of non attention…that never happens in the car, lol
And how do them teams secure the bikes inside the truck you ask?
Well Mr Thomas the answer it floor mounted or wall mounted fork mounts :0)
IF a fork is strong enough to supprt a 200lb rider hitting some pretty major holes and bumps in a normal road… I don’t see why it’s shouldn’t be able to support a 15lb frame.
The only thing as mentioned could be carbon dropouts.
Personally i don’t like messing with roof racks anymore. I just take off both wheels and throw it a in the trunk area. I only use a hithc mounted rack when I have a lot of luggage or I’m carrying more than 1 bike.
To revive this thread rather than starting another: should my Felt B16 be okay on this rack? http://www.shopbmwusa.com/PRODUCT/391/BMW-RACING-CYCLE-HOLDER---LOCKABLE
Or would I be better off buying a Rocky Mounts or similar skewer locking rack?