Rollcages - what are the options?

[573]

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.

[573]

Thanks. Spent a while at PGM this morning looking at some of the cars there and seeing what the different options look like. Still undecided though.

[573]

Thanks Chris. Why is it a sensible choice?

[573]

To stiffen up the chassis and to increase safety.

They also look CAF.

[573]

This isn't my first rodeo Bert.

Anyone with cages able to offer useful info about weights please? Particularly interested if anyone has had a few different ones on their scales.

[573]

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?

[573]

...to everyone else offering actual advice and facts, thank you very much.

[573]

I assumed he was trolling TBH.

[573]

For reference the FIA bar (without the petty strut included) weighs 9.65kg.

I have a cage coming, I'll weight that when it's here.

[573]

In most cars I'd agree that driving with a cage and no helmet is very dangerous and to be avoided. However, in a Caterham if you bin it hard enough that your head hits the cage it's also very likely that you'd be killed or seriously injured if the cage wasn't there.

On track I want a cage, a proper seat and harness and a HANS device. On the road you're so vulnerable that you're essentially gambling that the type of accident you have will be manageable with the safety systems that you've implemented. There are situations where having a cage and no helmet will be Very Bad. There are also undoubtedly times where having a cage and no helmet will be better than being in a Caterham with just a normal roll bar. Side impact from other vehicle, strike object or animal in the road that comes over the bonnet. Front collision with object that the car nose fits under like a HGV etc.

There are too many variables and blanket stating that one option is wrong is incredibly misleading.

We all make our choices and live (and potentially die) by them. This topic was posted to try to ascertain what different cages weigh and the benefits of one type of cage over another. Please, please have a discussion about cages v rollbars elsewhere. Ta.

[573]

Unfortunately not. I'm more informed than before I started the thread but my only real conclusion is that the different options have different pros and cons. I've agreed to buy a simple roadsport cage (single diagonal top bar rather than double-D), mainly for the weight benefit as it seems to be the lightest from what I can ascertain but as I've decided to swap the scuttle for one without wiper holes, will be running without a screen and have a carbon tonneau for the boot I guess I've moved away from the ability to use weather gear anyway so may change to a double-D SLR to gain more space within the cabin / better roll protection. That would allow me to use the carbon half-doors I have too unlike the Roadsport.

Edited by 573 on Monday 12th March 13:38