Rollcages - what are the options?
Discussion
I have a Superlight R (so imperial S3 chassis). As I understand it, I currently have the 'FIA bar'.
If I wanted to add a cage I seem to have quite a few options. There's one with a diagonal roof bar and one with a 'double D' arrangement.
I've read that the FIA bar is actually quite heavy and one of the cages actually weighs hardly any more.
I've read that one cage fits to existing mounting points or the front hoop fits inside the cockpit whereas one needs the outside skin drilling to fit so isn't as reversable.
I've done quite alot of searching but have met quite a lot of conflicting info. Does anyone have the knowledge to tell me the pros and cons of my options?
Thanks in advance.
If I wanted to add a cage I seem to have quite a few options. There's one with a diagonal roof bar and one with a 'double D' arrangement.
I've read that the FIA bar is actually quite heavy and one of the cages actually weighs hardly any more.
I've read that one cage fits to existing mounting points or the front hoop fits inside the cockpit whereas one needs the outside skin drilling to fit so isn't as reversable.
I've done quite alot of searching but have met quite a lot of conflicting info. Does anyone have the knowledge to tell me the pros and cons of my options?
Thanks in advance.
You have 2 options:
Roadsport (single diagonal) - fits inside screen and weathergear. Needs 1 hole per side in sideskin, and 1 each side in the interior panel.
Superlight (double D) - you can make the screen fit, but not doors or hood. Sits outside the cockpit, needs 4 holes each side. Gives more space and looks better (imho). Despite the name, it's also heavier than the Roadsport.
Confusingly, there was a double-D roadsport cage for a couple of years, but they're much harder to get in and out of, and headroom is badly restricted.
You have an imperial chassis, so metric cages will fit with a little modification.
Roadsport (single diagonal) - fits inside screen and weathergear. Needs 1 hole per side in sideskin, and 1 each side in the interior panel.
Superlight (double D) - you can make the screen fit, but not doors or hood. Sits outside the cockpit, needs 4 holes each side. Gives more space and looks better (imho). Despite the name, it's also heavier than the Roadsport.
Confusingly, there was a double-D roadsport cage for a couple of years, but they're much harder to get in and out of, and headroom is badly restricted.
You have an imperial chassis, so metric cages will fit with a little modification.
If I were going for a full cage on a seven and not worried about weather protection then I would have to be the SLR cage for me, easiest access and it looks the best too (IMHO). I've had one on two out of three Caterhams now. The one without had an FIA rollbar and it never felt as secure to me when pushing on track & road (just my feeling).
Can't say how the three options (RS, RS'DD' & SLR'DD') compare in a crash/roll though!
Chris
Can't say how the three options (RS, RS'DD' & SLR'DD') compare in a crash/roll though!
Chris
It's weird Bert, I have no idea who you are yet if I look through loads of other threads in here you seem to butt into discussions all the time yet never offer anything constructive.
I've built numerous race cars and have been driving on track for 25 years. I always use ROPS in my track cars. I'm new to Caterhams though and need some advice on cages, which part of that is hard for you to understand and requires you to tell me that I should do something different?
I've built numerous race cars and have been driving on track for 25 years. I always use ROPS in my track cars. I'm new to Caterhams though and need some advice on cages, which part of that is hard for you to understand and requires you to tell me that I should do something different?
573 said:
I've built numerous race cars and have been driving on track for 25 years. I always use ROPS in my track cars. I'm new to Caterhams though and need some advice on cages, which part of that is hard for you to understand and requires you to tell me that I should do something different?
OK that makes sense. I think the difference with Caterhams compared to tin tops is that they are very lightweight and softly sprung. The Caterham chassis is not the stiffest in existence but it doesn't need to be.
I bought a Caterham road car which I converted into a race car. I did a trackday with an FIA bar and then used the car with a cage from that point forward. I didn't notice any difference in feel or handling with the cage.
Obviously in a tin top, you stiffen the suspension right up to make it corner on track and then the body can't cope with it, in this instance a cage, particularly one which ties in to the inner wings / strut top mounts, can have a transformative effect.
In a Caterham it just doesn't work that way, whichever cage you buy the front attachment points are always going to be about four feet aft of the front suspension pickup points.
By all means fit a cage for safety or because it looks C.A.F. though.
P.S. I'd never have a hoopy cage, I am 28 years old and not that fat and by the time you have the FIA padding on there they are horrible to get out of.
P.P.S. Consider also side impact bars if required, you may find some don't work with certain cages etc.
rene7 said:
The rollbar adds Nothing except weight, Its more a He man Macho fashion accessory - BIN IT:-
Car looks a million times better without it - saved 20Kg of weight, and makes entry easier too - WIN WIN Win IMO:-
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I think the FIA bar looks fine, It doesn’t weigh anything like 20kg, probably not much more than half that- and without any from of rollover protection you are guaranteeing that you and your passenger will be closed casket corpses in the event that you are ever unfortunate enough to end up upside-down or get rear-ended with moderate force.Car looks a million times better without it - saved 20Kg of weight, and makes entry easier too - WIN WIN Win IMO:-
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