Thule 9105 and car damage

[luisdev]

I'm considering buying a Thule ClipOn High 9105 bike carrier to drive my Avalanche AX375 mountain bike to far out places (I drive a VW Golf 4), but I'm really concerned about the damage that the Thule frame holders that clip onto the car can potentially do to my cars boot.

 

Am I being paranoid? Can the Thule carriers really do any damage to the paintwork on my car (or my rear window)?

 

I know that the frame holders are rubber-coated, but...

 

What are your experiences with the Thule 9105 (or the 9104)?

 

Thanks...

 

DiamondEagle2007-11-11 01:56:53

[Mauritzvw]

I have enquired about this before and you are going to get mixed responses from people who have actually used it

 

At the end of the day I think it is worthwhile going the towbar route rather if you consider possible damage

 

Try these: https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=15964&KW=towbar

 

https://www.bikehub.co.za/forum_posts.asp?TID=16995&KW=towbar

 

Ps. Welcome

Mauritzvw2007-11-08 12:49:35

[Eugene]

A friend of mine has one and he hasn't got a mark on his car, he swears by it.

 

There was however, a thread some time back where a lot of people were complaining about the damage these types of carriers cause.

[Johan Bornman]

Anything that rests on car paint and is subject to vibration, can marr the paint. However, common sense tells us there are ways of avoiding this.

 

1) Make sure both the paint surface and the rubber pad are clean and free of grit and dust.

2) Make sure the contact area is secure and that the two surfaces don't move with respect to one another.

3) Make sure the contact surface seals itself and doesn't become a dus trap after installation.

4) Make sure your pedals and other metal bicycle parts don't touch the paintwork.

5) Frett less about a scratch or two on the car. It is a transportation tool designed to get you to nice places to ride, that's all.

 

JB

[Spinnekop]

5) Frett less about a scratch or two on the car. It is a transportation tool designed to get you to nice places to ride' date=' that's all.

 

JB

[/quote']

 

There we go.......Saffas are so holy about their cars that they miss the point..............

[ewep]

 

Anything that rests on car paint and is subject to vibration' date=' can marr the paint. However, common sense tells us there are ways of avoiding this.

 

1) Make sure both the paint surface and the rubber pad are clean and free of grit and dust.

2) Make sure the contact area is secure and that the two surfaces don't move with respect to one another.

3) Make sure the contact surface seals itself and doesn't become a dus trap after installation.

4) Make sure your pedals and other metal bicycle parts don't touch the paintwork.

5) Frett less about a scratch or two on the car. It is a transportation tool designed to get you to nice places to ride, that's all.

 

JB

[/quote']

 

Nie net 'n lelike , errrrmmmm, skies, mooi gesiggie nie.

 

[MintSauce]

What about that clear protective film that I've seen advertised in the back of Car magazine often?

 

 

 

[Brakkies Sport Fotos]

Guys, you can buy that clear "film" they use on helicopter roters.

 

 

 

It protects the paint slicing the air.

 

 

 

Look at a painted ceiling fan, the ones thin side going against the air, dont have any paint on it anymore.

 

 

 

hopp julle verstaan my brits.popeye2007-11-09 01:11:03

[luisdev]

5) Frett less about a scratch or two on the car. It is a transportation tool designed to get you to nice places to ride' date=' that's all.

[/quote']

 

True, but it's the only one I've got and it was EXPENSIVE and I'd like to protect it (and its resale value)...

 

DiamondEagle2007-11-09 04:05:39

[hot stuff]

I found that the SARIS Bones a great one for hatch back. have one for the Volvo crosscountry that i had and no damage. The tow bar route is expensive as the tow bar cost R6000.00 in my case

[Hog_]

You can't put the bike on the outside of the car!! I mean what the hell people?? Do you put your woman/wife/whatever on the outside of the car? No you don't!

 

My bike travels inside my car, even when I just had a mudfest!

 

Note to self: Take car for a wash this weekend.....

 

 

 

[Nix M2]

I don't know much about the Thule, but I do use the Saris Bones 3 bike and it's brilliant. I drive a Polo hatch, and I've been using the Bones for a yea, and not a scratch on the car. there are 6 straps holding the rack in place, each hook is coated with a non scratch paint.

Also the great thing about the Bones is that i can fit 3 bikes on it with out worry of them bumping or damaging eachother. The Bikes are strapped on in 3 places, so they don't swing. I've had 3 carbon Bikes on in while driving 160kph and they didn't move at all (my passangers can verify that!)

anywya, that's my 2c!!!

[Nix M2]

http://www.cycleops.com/c-15-trunk-mounted.aspx

[luisdev]

You can't put the bike on the outside of the car!! I mean what the hell people?? Do you put your woman/wife/whatever on the outside of the car?

 

I've been tempted to!

 

My bike travels inside my car' date=' even when I just had a mudfest!

[/quote']

 

Do you drive a truck?

My car is a bit small and I've bent a few derailleurs carrying the bike inside the car...

 

[Hog_]

 

 

Do you drive a truck?

My car is a bit small and I've bent a few derailleurs carrying the bike inside the car...

 

 

 

 

Naaah, I'm just very good at Tetris! I drive a Golf 3, here's my method:

 

Put 1 backseat flat,

Take wheels off bike, put bike in upside-down, handles to the front of the car.

Tie the bike down with a rope that runs underneath the seat brackets.

Put wheels is the car <- VERY IMPORTANT!

 

Easy! Also - very nice being able to stop by the shops before/after a ride on the way, and not worry about it disappearing off the bike rack.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[luisdev]

Put 1 backseat flat' date='
Take wheels off bike, put bike in upside-down, handles to the front of the car.

[/quote']

 

Ok! I never thought of putting it upside down. I always lie it flat on it's side - with the derailleurs facing up. I'm definately going to try your way.

Just to be sure: upside-down means that you lie the bike with the bike seat on the boot floor and the tyre forks up in the air?

 

Tie the bike down with a rope that runs underneath the seat brackets.
Put wheels is the car <- VERY IMPORTANT!

 

 LOL! Yeah' date=' I once left my wheels behind in the garage. Felt a bit stupid when I got to the riding venue! Had to stay behind and look after everybodys kids... It WON'T happen again!

Also - very nice being able to stop by the shops before/after a ride on the way, and not worry about it disappearing off the bike rack.

 

True...

 

I'll definately try your way of transporting the bike. I'm really paranoid about the damage that the Thule could potentially do to my car...

 

DiamondEagle2007-11-09 10:30:43