Originally Posted by
Witterings
Should you not use the normal ones that clamp either side of the down tube on a bike with a carbon frame **********
I don't have anything carbon yet but my next purchase was either going to be Ali with carbon forks or full carbon ... this may affect my decision as I was on the fence about it anyway.
No, you should not ever clamp anything onto the tubes of a carbon bike, roof mount or repair stand. Some folks don't like the hitch racks where you hang the bike and secure with a clamp.
The tire grabber mounts are very nice, but fork clamps are OK as well, though I'd only use with a carbon fork that has aluminum dropouts.
And as general note, Yak and Thule make thru axle adapters for their assorted racks.