Opinions on this cage for road use?
Discussion
Looking to get myself into a Caterham after having sold my Elise and am looking into crash/impact protection for the side/windscreen area as the car will be used every single day.
I've realised a full cage is a non option due to probability of cracking your napper on the bars that run along the tops of the doors.
Will a cage like this (possibly with higher and more substantial side impact bars) be a viable option? From what I can see it offers all the protection of a full cage without the danger of hitting your head but I'd like a second opinion.
Cheers.
I've realised a full cage is a non option due to probability of cracking your napper on the bars that run along the tops of the doors.
Will a cage like this (possibly with higher and more substantial side impact bars) be a viable option? From what I can see it offers all the protection of a full cage without the danger of hitting your head but I'd like a second opinion.
Cheers.
Edited by Sloch on Sunday 23 February 03:51
It's hard to say, but it looks to me like that those bars may well end up joining you in the cockpit in the event of a smash.
Certainly there is danger of hitting your head in a frontal impact. If you turn the car over that front bar will definitely be bent into the cockpit.
If you are using it every day to get to work are you planning on any weather protection?
Designing your own impact protection with your design constraints feels hard to me.
Bert
Certainly there is danger of hitting your head in a frontal impact. If you turn the car over that front bar will definitely be bent into the cockpit.
If you are using it every day to get to work are you planning on any weather protection?
Designing your own impact protection with your design constraints feels hard to me.
Bert
That looks like it would do no more than pin you in. It´s also ugly IMO. sorry, but I think you asked for opinions 
If you have a side impact in a Caterham it´s curtains anyway.
If you want a cage, get a proper one, and pad the top bars.
I have a roadsport cage to protect me in the unlikely event of the car ending up on it´s top, and secondly (well the first reason actually
) to stiffen the car up a bit. I wouldn´t expect to survive a side impact.
I look at a drive in the Caterham the same as going out on the bike, and therefore having the same risks. Except I don´t have to put my feet down at the traffic lights in the Caterham
If you have a side impact in a Caterham it´s curtains anyway.
If you want a cage, get a proper one, and pad the top bars.
I have a roadsport cage to protect me in the unlikely event of the car ending up on it´s top, and secondly (well the first reason actually
) to stiffen the car up a bit. I wouldn´t expect to survive a side impact.I look at a drive in the Caterham the same as going out on the bike, and therefore having the same risks. Except I don´t have to put my feet down at the traffic lights in the Caterham
Appreciate the replies.
Does some form of 'roll cage for the road' exist or could it be done? Basically the protection of a full cage without the ability to hit your (unprotected) head?
Not worried about how it may look, as long as weather gear could be used.
Does some form of 'roll cage for the road' exist or could it be done? Basically the protection of a full cage without the ability to hit your (unprotected) head?
Not worried about how it may look, as long as weather gear could be used.
Edited by Sloch on Sunday 23 February 13:17
If you sue a Double D roadsports cage, and pad it like I have mine, you can adjust the seat so your head is pretty close to the bar, and hence it will not travel far before hitting the bar.
FWIW I am personally aware of the resultant injuries of what the standard FIA bar can do if your head strikes it. It happened to a chap who went on the Le Mans Trip in about '98.
The reality is that having a cage or a bar is just a s dangerous as not having one in certain circumstances.
In other circumstances, having a cage is far safer than having nothing, or having even an FIA bar.
I would be far more worried about hitting a large animal than rolling your car on the road. In that instance, without a cage you may well die. With one, you will probably only get a few bruises.
FWIW I am personally aware of the resultant injuries of what the standard FIA bar can do if your head strikes it. It happened to a chap who went on the Le Mans Trip in about '98.
The reality is that having a cage or a bar is just a s dangerous as not having one in certain circumstances.
In other circumstances, having a cage is far safer than having nothing, or having even an FIA bar.
I would be far more worried about hitting a large animal than rolling your car on the road. In that instance, without a cage you may well die. With one, you will probably only get a few bruises.
A full cage will protect you in any impact more than std roll bar. The statement about side impacts being curtains is rubbish as well.
Wouldn't drive one without a cage or helmet......but then I have been in more incidents than most including a couple of barrels and several bid side impacts.
The bar in the picture is useless as there is no triangulation.
Wouldn't drive one without a cage or helmet......but then I have been in more incidents than most including a couple of barrels and several bid side impacts.
The bar in the picture is useless as there is no triangulation.
Plenty of options with side impact bars.
If your head can hit the cage, you're not strapped in properly or your physiology requires a different seat set up
Bearing in mind we've seen 6' 6" drivers meet the mandatory MSA 2" clearance between helmet and cage top there's no reason for your head to be anywhere near the cage
If your head can hit the cage, you're not strapped in properly or your physiology requires a different seat set up
Bearing in mind we've seen 6' 6" drivers meet the mandatory MSA 2" clearance between helmet and cage top there's no reason for your head to be anywhere near the cage
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