Carbon bike frame clips - original T6 bike rack

[Kryspinski]

Has anyone found some adaptors or specific “clips” to be used with carbon frame bikes on the original t6 rack?
Most bike racks have specific clamps/clips for carbon frames, which prevent damaging the carbon. I haven’t found these for the original bike rack on my Cali. I transport my aluminium bike there and the clamps seem to be quite harsh on the frames, so am a bit afraid of putting my new carbon bike on there…

 

[Camperfamily]

I wrap some inner tube, then foam pipe lagging around the clamp area (top tube) on my carbon frame and then apply clamp to that.

You can also potentially clamp to the seat post if the angles work - easier on the outer rack rails.

 

[Brian’s Dad]

I clamp the seat tube. The same as in a work stand

 

[Kryspinski]

Thnx guys - will try fixing to the seatpost

 

[Nolan]

Same here, clamp seat post, it's a fiddle but you can slide the arms along where they attach to the rack to make it easier.

 

[starlightblue]

here you are; specific clips for carbon frames for the Thule bikerack
TVU 984 101

Thule Carbon Frame Protector? Die vind je bij Vrijbuiter - Vrijbuiter

Bestel Thule Carbon Frame Protector bij Vrijbuiter - Met 3 winkels dé specialist in Camping & Outdoor - Gratis verzending vanaf €50.

www.vrijbuiter.nl

 

[Benham]

As the guys have advised above, never ever clamp the top tube on your carbon frame. Always clamp the seatpost.

 

[Peter84]

@Benham I always clamp the top tube with some foam pipe in between on my carbon bikes. What risks have I've been exposing myself to all this time?

 

[Kryspinski]

Maybe have a similar question - is the problem with most clamps that the might create pressure onto carbon in a way that damages carbon and doesn’t matter for alloy?

 

[haydnw2]

here you are; specific clips for carbon frames for the Thule bikerack
TVU 984 101

Thule Carbon Frame Protector? Die vind je bij Vrijbuiter - Vrijbuiter

Bestel Thule Carbon Frame Protector bij Vrijbuiter - Met 3 winkels dé specialist in Camping & Outdoor - Gratis verzending vanaf €50.

www.vrijbuiter.nl

I use this on my carbon MTB. It doesn't just pad, it spreads the load too (along the 'spines'). Not sure about the 'official' rack but our Thule has a torque limiter on the clamp as well, so between a beefy frame, the load spreader and the torque limiter, I'm happy.

 

[Benham]

@Benham I always clamp the top tube with some foam pipe in between on my carbon bikes. What risks have I've been exposing myself to all this time?

The top tube of your bike is strong in the direction of seat post to stem and not laterally. When you clamp on the top tube with your bike rack you are doing so in the knowledge that this is a weak point, and not designed to be laterally strong. My local bike shop learned the hard way when they clamped my in a bike stand to do some work. See the attached photo. You can see the crack inbetween the two pieces of masking tape.

 

[Steviemc]

I make the bed up downstairs in the van and tuck my bike up under a duvet with a cuppa and a hot water bottle

 

[reserves]

I tried to clamp my carbon framed bike to my bike rack with the seat post.

Couldn’t get it to work (T6.1 VW Bike Rack). The angles using the shortest bar didn’t work.

If anyone has some pictures or suggestions would be appreciated

Frustrating

 

[Louis II]

Not sure what you mean by angles not being right but if it’s because the seatpost is to high up then you could lower the saddle and clamp to the seat tube at a point where the seatpost is inside. That’s what I do on my T5 rack

 

[reserves]

Not sure what you mean by angles not being right but if it’s because the seatpost is to high up then you could lower the saddle and clamp to the seat tube at a point where the seatpost is inside. That’s what I do on my T5 rack

Yeah it’s too high, thanks for the tip, though ideally I don’t want to raise / lower my seat if possible.

I’ve looked these and should work for me, though they say ‘will not work with other bike racks’ I’m sure they are just covering themselves

Thule Carbon Frame Protector no. 984

This reduces the risk of damage to carbon frames by distributing the pressure over a larger surface area.Only works with Thule bike carriers with a torque limiter knob (e.g. Thule ProRide 598, EasyFold, VeloSpace XT, EuroClassic G6). Will not work with other bike racks.

www.roofbox.co.uk

 

[Brian’s Dad]

Clamp the seat tube if that’s easier to reach

 

[reserves]

Clamp the seat tube if that’s easier to reach

That’s what I’ve been trying to do but can’t get the angles

 

[Brian’s Dad]

That’s what I’ve been trying to do but can’t get the angles

What if you use the second slot. I quite often clamp seat tube. Have you slid the clamp along the bar to get the best angle? Can you send a photo?

 

[reserves]

What if you use the second slot. I quite often clamp seat tube. Have you slid the clamp along the bar to get the best angle? Can you send a photo?

I’ll give it another go, i was in a rush last time!

 

[Dodge1311]

As others have said Thule do a wrap around that is cost effective and works perfectly.
I have used mine for quite a few years with no issues and multiple bikes over 40,000 miles covered without damage.