This is what happens when your car flips over a median with your cervelo on your roof rack- took this pic while at my LBS today! Let me clarify this- I was at my LBS today & one of the guys says ‘hey check this out’, proceeds to show me the frame, I said holy &$#%- what happened, and then they said- exaclty what I stated above, “this is what happens when your car flips over a median with the bike on the roof” that is all I know, what I was told- ***was this what actually happend, I dunno, maybe the shop misunderstood the actual situation - thus the car story- which was told to me. I have since been corrected in that this happened from a terrible crash @***Mooseman…
Roof racks are bad. I have seen so much of this on every bike. I think if people really knew just how many bikes were damaged by roof racks and car racks in general they would not use them as readily.
It breaks our heart to see bikes that we have worked so hard on- and the customer has spent so much money on- put up on a roof rack only to take a hit from a big nut thrown up of the pavement on the freeway by a semi truck tire or sit in a pouring rain storm of filthy water for hours.
I am so sorry to see this happen. That is very unfortunate. Such a nice bike too.
“Roof racks are bad…I am sorry to see this happen”
Er, the “emotionally intelligent” response to a car flipping over isn’t to carp about people being stupid for putting their bike on a roof rack…maybe think about this when you are writing your next, “can’t keep a girlfriend” post.
I purchased a long two by whatever lumber piece and screwed a Yakima blockhead into it. The lumber lays widthwise across the back door of my SUV and keeps the bike inside and steady. Plus it was CHEAP! Maybe $25 total.
I did this when I had a Plymouth Voyager (1990 model year, and so far, the only “new” car I’ve ever purchased). But now that I’m driving a Chevy Malibu (I hate this car), and am looking at buying a smaller SUV (Honda CRV or the like), they won’t fit as well. Will just have to see how it goes.
I’ve seen that done and it does seem to work quite well… if you have an SUV (which are obviously prolific now-a-days). What if you own a car, though? Or a truck for that matter. I have a truck and I use one of the Yakima blockheads in the bed of the truck. However, my bike is still exposed to the elements. I am just curious what Tom’s is suggesting if you can’t fit your bike inside of a vehicle.
A) Obviously, there is nothing that you should do with your bike to plan for a major car accident like that. ("I am going to put my bike in my car so if I roll this baby, I can still ride…)
B) Ever seen those car-roll-over-with-dummy-as-occupant demostrations by the Staties to show what happens to the contents of a vehicle in such a situation? (For a near approximation, put a bike helmet and a bike fork in the dryer and see which wins)
Tom’s suggestion i guess is for folks who are rich enough to buy a fleet of different vehicles.
The bottom line, if you actually own a car (a real car, not a tank or suv, truck, van, etc.) and you need to carry multiple bikes and riders too, you really don’t have more than 3 options:
roof rack,
rear rack,
or skip the event.
Assuming you still want to do the event, rear racks, while being cheap as hell, are quite risky to your expensive bikes. One small rear ending and you get a $ 5,000 aluminum-carbon sandwich. Also, LOTS of crap gets thrown on to your bikes when they are hanging on the back so close to the road.
So a roof rack is what is left. More expensive, but treats your bikes pretty damn well if you stick with fork mounts (vs. frame clamps–not so good). The key with roof racks is to mount them correctly, mount your bikes correctly, and don’t drive under any low hanging objects (garages, certain parking structures, etc.).
But yes, if you get into a major car accident your bikes will get pretty damaged on your roof rack.
Get yourself a mini-van. They may not be sexy, but I can carry bikes, scuba gear, two kids and black lab all at the same time on the inside. Roof racks suck.
Absolutly agree. I had a riding friend fit her Specialized road bike in her Vette convertable with no problems! Don’t need a mini van to safely fit inside a bike with QR wheels and 5 minutes of time at the most, although they do make it easy.
Do ypu really think he would have been OK if he had flipped his car and had the bike on the inside of it? He would probably be in the hospital, or at least have a large bump or two from the bike crashing into him. When you have a wreck that bike inside your car, that is so protected from the elements become a large flying projectile. Keep it on a roof rack and dry it off after the rain.
Oh yeah, good point, I forgot about that. If you put bikes inside your car, van, etc., you better secure them very, very well with super high-strength webbing or straps. Because in an accident, you will be impaled by any sharp item on your bike as it flys toward you at 60 mph plus.
I would much rather have my bike fly off my roof and self-destruct harmlesssly down the road, if it means I can keep my eyes.
Most car insurance will not cover a bicycle mounted OUTSIDE the car unless you have a special policy rider.
I take both wheels off my Zipps and side them into the trunk of my Caddie. My insurance will now cover any damage done in an accident. This way I also don’t need to worry about the weather, either. BTW - the wheels go in the back seat. My Zipp frame takes up the entire trunk and barely fits.
I have a Ford focus wagon, and my bike reclines blissfully on its right side, rear end resting comfortably on my clothing bag. Sometimes I remove the front wheel to create more space for more junk, but mostly the bike is whole and happy.
