Roll bar, yay or nay?
Discussion
I'm contemplating a roll bar for my Eunos... but I thought I'd post here as I guess this could apply to any rag top...
Now, I've never actually rolled or even crashed a car yet, but anything is possible, and I do like to hoon it.
I would imagine if I ever rolled the car without a roll bar, and I had the roof down (or even up), then I dare say it would snap my neck in two?
However, I did read the odd comment that unless you are wearing harnesses then it wouldn't help all that much, is that true?
I do like the look, I actually prefer the look of a proper roll bar to a style bar, and if something is going to be there, it may as well have a purpose I think.
So, do I pull the trigger on one? I could do without spending the money, but on the other side, if its a good safety device then its a no brainer, and seeing as the car primarily gets used for hooning, then it could be a worthwhile buy + I do like the look. However, if I need to wear harnesses, then there's no way as I'll not be replacing the recaros.
Now, I've never actually rolled or even crashed a car yet, but anything is possible, and I do like to hoon it.
I would imagine if I ever rolled the car without a roll bar, and I had the roof down (or even up), then I dare say it would snap my neck in two?
However, I did read the odd comment that unless you are wearing harnesses then it wouldn't help all that much, is that true?
I do like the look, I actually prefer the look of a proper roll bar to a style bar, and if something is going to be there, it may as well have a purpose I think.
So, do I pull the trigger on one? I could do without spending the money, but on the other side, if its a good safety device then its a no brainer, and seeing as the car primarily gets used for hooning, then it could be a worthwhile buy + I do like the look. However, if I need to wear harnesses, then there's no way as I'll not be replacing the recaros.
If you roll it, yes you're going to get squished. The chances of you rolling a car are quite small, however you only have to watch that video of the the woman driving into the gate to see how easily a car can be rolled.
What about roll hoops - so long as they're structural, they might look a little bit nicer than a ruddy great bit of tube.
What about roll hoops - so long as they're structural, they might look a little bit nicer than a ruddy great bit of tube.
If it's a proper, structural, welded in jobbie then a mitigated yes.
If it's close to your head, bear in mind that it could quite easily give you a head injury that you wouldn't have had if it wasn't there. If it's not a proper item, then you've got that disadvantage along with the fact it will most likely collapse if you do manage to turn it over.
If you're a keen driver and like a good hoon down a back road, then I'd say on balance it's worth having. If you're just a tootler who never gets near the limits, then it's more likely to cause you injury than save you
If it's close to your head, bear in mind that it could quite easily give you a head injury that you wouldn't have had if it wasn't there. If it's not a proper item, then you've got that disadvantage along with the fact it will most likely collapse if you do manage to turn it over.
If you're a keen driver and like a good hoon down a back road, then I'd say on balance it's worth having. If you're just a tootler who never gets near the limits, then it's more likely to cause you injury than save you
Parrot of Doom said:
If you roll it, yes you're going to get squished. The chances of you rolling a car are quite small, however you only have to watch that video of the the woman driving into the gate to see how easily a car can be rolled.
What about roll hoops - so long as they're structural, they might look a little bit nicer than a ruddy great bit of tube.
The hoops are generally classed as "style" bars, and are not (officially) a safety measure... although I've heard reports that they have helped in some cases...What about roll hoops - so long as they're structural, they might look a little bit nicer than a ruddy great bit of tube.
Oddly, I don't mind the look of a roll bar. In a way, it would kind of toughen up the appearance of the car, which I don't mind at all.
I would say nay unless you are racing it? Surely driving on the road doesnt require a roll bar and I would say it might impact the value of your car if it isnt done right.
If you are that worried about it, maybe it isnt the car for you.
Plus as you say you are not overly keen to spend the wonga on it.
As Homer Simpson once said:
"you wouldn't have thought I could have put a price on me and my family's safety, but here we are..."
If you are that worried about it, maybe it isnt the car for you.
Plus as you say you are not overly keen to spend the wonga on it.
As Homer Simpson once said:
"you wouldn't have thought I could have put a price on me and my family's safety, but here we are..."
The Wookie said:
If it's a proper, structural, welded in jobbie then a mitigated yes.
If it's close to your head, bear in mind that it could quite easily give you a head injury that you wouldn't have had if it wasn't there. If it's not a proper item, then you've got that disadvantage along with the fact it will most likely collapse if you do manage to turn it over.
If you're a keen driver and like a good hoon down a back road, then I'd say on balance it's worth having. If you're just a tootler who never gets near the limits, then it's more likely to cause you injury than save you
Something like this is what I was thinking ofIf it's close to your head, bear in mind that it could quite easily give you a head injury that you wouldn't have had if it wasn't there. If it's not a proper item, then you've got that disadvantage along with the fact it will most likely collapse if you do manage to turn it over.
If you're a keen driver and like a good hoon down a back road, then I'd say on balance it's worth having. If you're just a tootler who never gets near the limits, then it's more likely to cause you injury than save you
http://www.trlane.co.uk/mx5_rollbars/
It secures to the seatbelt turrets and then to the car body behind the seats.
Yay.
I have these bad boys. (Those actual ones. It's my car in the photo!)
Ok with a helmet on I stick out above them. But it's going to create space for me to survive, despite the smack on the head and crushed vertebrae. Without it the screen folds down, and anything of you above the top of the parcel shelf is what the car is going to rest on.
I have these bad boys. (Those actual ones. It's my car in the photo!)
Ok with a helmet on I stick out above them. But it's going to create space for me to survive, despite the smack on the head and crushed vertebrae. Without it the screen folds down, and anything of you above the top of the parcel shelf is what the car is going to rest on.
I guess it will depend a bit on how far away from your head it will be. Since you are far more likely to have a front/side/rear impact than roll your car the potential for smashing your head in on a solid piece of tube placed conveniently behind you would seem to warrant serious consideration. I have a rollcage in one of my cars but I always have a helmet on when I drive it so the risks are different than yours.
HTH
HTH
Seez said:
I would say nay unless you are racing it? Surely driving on the road doesnt require a roll bar and I would say it might impact the value of your car if it isnt done right.
If you are that worried about it, maybe it isnt the car for you.
Plus as you say you are not overly keen to spend the wonga on it.
As Homer Simpson once said:
"you wouldn't have thought I could have put a price on me and my family's safety, but here we are..."
Well not racing it, but I do like to make progress down twisty roads.If you are that worried about it, maybe it isnt the car for you.
Plus as you say you are not overly keen to spend the wonga on it.
As Homer Simpson once said:
"you wouldn't have thought I could have put a price on me and my family's safety, but here we are..."
Twisty roads can have all manner of things to catch you out, such as slippery mud left by a tractor on a corner, loose gravel etc. I imagine if you inadvertently end up sideways and hit a kerb you could easily roll it.
To be fair, I tend to give myself a good margin of error on corners, so I do see what you're saying - I never drive at the limit on a corner, but even so, I've heard of folks who have still managed to roll a car without driving at the limit.
Its all about getting opinions, and making an informed choice, so I thank you for yours
SClarke said:
I guess it will depend a bit on how far away from your head it will be. Since you are far more likely to have a front/side/rear impact than roll your car the potential for smashing your head in on a solid piece of tube placed conveniently behind you would seem to warrant serious consideration. I have a rollcage in one of my cars but I always have a helmet on when I drive it so the risks are different than yours.
HTH
Thats a good point... and I know some have complained that the roll bar can end up very near your head, I guess it depends on the particular rollbar...HTH
I think the bit about the helmet is a good point, one I forgot to say and hence my recommendation for considering it in a racing environment, you would have a helmet on.
Your choice at the end of the day, but if you snap your neck in two I don't want to find you at my door with that bloke from the bill asking me for money!
Your choice at the end of the day, but if you snap your neck in two I don't want to find you at my door with that bloke from the bill asking me for money!
It looks fit for purpose, and is mounted to structural areas. Ideally I'd want welded, but with that kind of item it might be overkill.
Like I said though, it's a balance. For example pay attention how close the bar is to the side of the head rest! If you get hit hard up the back, you could quite easily biff that
Like I said though, it's a balance. For example pay attention how close the bar is to the side of the head rest! If you get hit hard up the back, you could quite easily biff that
varsas said:
Might want to discuss this with your insurance company. Anecodal evidence suggests insurance companies/police don't like roll cages in road cars (roll bars are probably a different matter.)
I wouldn't drive a roll cage equipped car without a helmet.
Yes, being taken up the oxo tower by the insurance company was a concern.I wouldn't drive a roll cage equipped car without a helmet.
The Wookie said:
Like I said though, it's a balance. For example pay attention how close the bar is to the side of the head rest! If you get hit hard up the back, you could quite easily biff that
I think its possible it might have been that very bar that someone complained was too close to their head over on nutz.I imagine headbutting it would hurt. A lot.
pbirkett said:
To be fair, I tend to give myself a good margin of error on corners, so I do see what you're saying - I never drive at the limit on a corner, but even so, I've heard of folks who have still managed to roll a car without driving at the limit.
You can easily think too much about it, but you've just got to go with the balance of probabilityYes from me, I've got one 
But I'd say no to a full cage if anyone suggests that.
Mine is a 4-point bolt-in job, main hoop mounts to the floor behind rear seats and stays go back to the chassis rails just in front of the rear struts.
It also tightens up the chassis quite noticeably which is nice
But I'd say no to a full cage if anyone suggests that.Mine is a 4-point bolt-in job, main hoop mounts to the floor behind rear seats and stays go back to the chassis rails just in front of the rear struts.
It also tightens up the chassis quite noticeably which is nice
GravelBen said:
Yes from me, I've got one But I'd say no to a full cage if anyone suggests that.
Mine is a 4-point bolt-in job, main hoop mounts to the floor behind rear seats and stays go back to the chassis rails just in front of the rear struts.
It also tightens up the chassis quite noticeably which is nice
Which one do you have? But I'd say no to a full cage if anyone suggests that.Mine is a 4-point bolt-in job, main hoop mounts to the floor behind rear seats and stays go back to the chassis rails just in front of the rear struts.
It also tightens up the chassis quite noticeably which is nice
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