Volvo Official Tow Bar Bike Rack

[quinno]

I have bought a couple of Thule Proride 591's but not bought the new bike yet. What's your view on using the clamping arm on carbon framed bikes. Apparently carbon bikes have to be clamped on bythe front forkdrop outs. Surely alloy bikes will also suffer the same down tube crush issue as carbo framed bikes?

[1monkey600]

Originally Posted by quinno

I have bought a couple of Thule Proride 591's but not bought the new bike yet. What's your view on using the clamping arm on carbon framed bikes. Apparently carbon bikes have to be clamped on bythe front forkdrop outs. Surely alloy bikes will also suffer the same down tube crush issue as carbo framed bikes?

Like you I have a couple of Thule 591 which I use when I don't have the car with the towbar available. However, I do not and will not use one for the carbon bike, or my old steel racing bike for that matter.
Fork mounts are easy to use, more secure and only downside is having to carry a wheel (in a wheelbag) inside the car. I don't bother with the expensive wheel rack that is also available if you really don't have room inside.

My and my sons 'posh' bikes always go on the fork mount racks on the roof while the younger kids and the other half's electric bike nowadays tend to go on the towbar. If we take them on holidays the electric bike is usually left at home and the other four go on the roof. Two fork mount and two 591's.

There are plenty of people who do carry carbon bikes with clamp on brackets but personally, I wouldn't unless the bike manufacturer condoned it. Even Thule have seen problems and keep coming out with 'improved designs' and accessories to mitigate any possible problems with 'high end carbon and alloy frames'.
Read here for an example:
https://www.bikeradar.com/gear/categ...ke-rack-50269/

[4x4]

Never had a problem with a carbon frame, anyone who does must have used a massive clamping force to damage their frame. Thule make a carbon frame protector which spreads the load, they're not expensive and easy to use... Click for link...

[1monkey600]

Originally Posted by 4x4

Never had a problem with a carbon frame, anyone who does must have used a massive clamping force. Thule make a carbon frame protector which spreads the load, they're not expensive and easy to use...

Thule also say (on that page) that this adaptor for carbon frames should only be used in conjunction with a torque limiter clamp, which is not available on the proride 591, or velocompact 927 rack for that matter. That is why they now sell the proride 598.

[4x4]

Originally Posted by 1monkey600

Thule also say (on that page) that this adaptor for carbon frames should only be used in conjunction with a torque limiter clamp, which is not available on the proride 591, or velocompact 927 rack for that matter. That is why they now sell the proride 598.

Maybe that's the reason I've not had a problem then, mine is the Volvo badged 598 model

[SwissXC90]

Originally Posted by quinno

Apparently carbon bikes have to be clamped on bythe front forkdrop outs. Surely alloy bikes will also suffer the same down tube crush issue as carbo framed bikes?

When crushed, Carbon breaks, and the frame is ruined
When crushed, aluminium bends or dents, and the frame can still be used

Never clamp carbon top tubes, they are thin
Always clamp the down tube, it is thicker
Racing/road bikes have thinner tubes than mountain biles.
Always use a torque limited clamp like the Thule clamp
And then add a load spreader such as Thule offered if you are concerned

I've had carbon mountain bikes on my Thule bike carrier without issue

[davB]

Purchased from Halfords at a very good price - a decent bit of kit; a little heavy to lug around but well made. Thanks for all those who helped on this thread.

Now waiting for the tow bar to be fitted - had a date with the Volvo dealer but the night before was called to say it hadn't arrived (I only gave them about 3 weeks notice after all!). Still waiting for a new delivery date - maybe a sudden rush in tow bar orders triggered this 'shortage'?

[drmanny3]

I must admit that bike rack appears well built and very substantial. I am using a relatively light bike carrier from the US. On sale it was around $125 from Performance Bicycle a national bike shop. It is relatively light so that it is easy to put on and remove. Yours appears to be heavy? I do love that the brake lights are extended out beyond the carrier. That is missing on my setup. However the Volvo has such high brake lights that I do not see it as an issue here.

[1monkey600]

Originally Posted by drmanny3

I must admit that bike rack appears well built and very substantial. I am using a relatively light bike carrier from the US. On sale it was around $125 from Performance Bicycle a national bike shop. It is relatively light so that it is easy to put on and remove. Yours appears to be heavy? I do love that the brake lights are extended out beyond the carrier. That is missing on my setup. However the Volvo has such high brake lights that I do not see it as an issue here.

It is the law over here that your lights and numberplate have to be seen uninterrupted when viewed from behind.
Many people will carry bikes on the back of the car and think that because the lights only have to shine through the bikes wheel spokes that all is OK. I have known a lot of people who have been pulled over by the police, because of it, over the years!

[davB]

Originally Posted by davB

Purchased from Halfords at a very good price - a decent bit of kit; a little heavy to lug around but well made. Thanks for all those who helped on this thread.

Now waiting for the tow bar to be fitted - had a date with the Volvo dealer but the night before was called to say it hadn't arrived (I only gave them about 3 weeks notice after all!). Still waiting for a new delivery date - maybe a sudden rush in tow bar orders triggered this 'shortage'?

Tow bar due at the end of July!