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PART II
TYPE OF RACK DESIGN
RECOMMENDATION & CAUTIONS
CLAMPS ON TIRES / WHEELS ONLY
This type does not use clamps on any
other part of the frame or fork.
Suitable for both carbon and aluminum frames
This is the best system design because there is no potential
cracking or crushing damage to the frame or fork. Chafing wear
is avoided.
FLOATING FORK MOUNT & REAR
WHEEL TRAY
This design functions exactly as a
quick release on your bike. The rear
wheel is clamped in a tray. No other
clamps are used on any other part of
the frame.
Suitable for both carbon and aluminum frames
Be sure quick release on rack is properly adjusted and tightly
closed.
The Thule Echelon with ETC Equalized Twin Cam is suitable as it
has an axle floating mechanism, like a standard quick release.
WHEEL CLAMPS & UPRIGHT ARM
CLAMP
In this design, wheels are clamped in
a wheel tray and the bicycle is held
upright by and arm clamping the
downtube.
Do not use on bikes with carbon fiber downtubes.
When clamp is tightened the carbon downtube can be broken.
When clamp is looser, chafing can cause structural wear.
A loose clamp can allow movement and possible chafing
damage. Clean the clamping area to eliminate abrasive particles,
pad the clamping area and properly tighten the clamp.
NON-FLOATING FORK MOUNT
& REAR WHEEL TRAY
With this type, a mechanism pulls the
two sides of the fork in at the same
time, and pulls both sides in the same
distance.
example: Thule Peloton.
Not recommended for either carbon or aluminum bikes.
If one dropout is slightly thicker than the other dropout, all
the clamping force is applied to the thicker dropout. The high
force on the one thicker dropout may crack a carbon dropout.
The thinner dropout may move in the rack causing wear and
abrasion, The fork blade attached to the thicker dropout takes
most of the loads caused by 70 mile per hour wind and bumps.
The result may be damage to your fork.
HANGER RACK
On this type the bicycle hangs on
two arms projecting aft from a trunk
mounted rack
Not recommended for either carbon or aluminum bikes.
Do not use on bikes with carbon fiber tubes.
The point loading where the arms contact the underside of the
tubes may crack the tubes. Additionally the lower part of the
bike is difficult to secure, and it may move, causing chafing
and structural wear. Additionally when two bikes are mounted
on these racks the contact points between the bikes may be
cracked or chafed, causing structural damage.
