The melting point of the high-temperature resistant resin used for the carbon fiber wheel rim.so keep your carbon wheels away from the exhaust pipe.

When the rim softens, the force of the spokes deforms the rim.


Keep your carbon wheels away from vehicle exhaust pipes. The high-temperature exhaust gas from a car or SUV bike rack can quickly exceed the thermal limits of the epoxy resin in carbon rims, leading to resin softening, delamination, or permanent structural damage.

High-Temperature Damage Hazard

Direct exposure to vehicle exhaust can reach temperatures well over 100°C–150°C. Never mount or transport a bicycle on a rear rack where a carbon wheel aligns directly with the tailpipe path.

1.Inspect the Rack Position：Prerequisite。

Mount your bike onto the car rack and check the clearance between the rear tailpipe and both the tires and carbon rims. Ensure there is direct, unobstructed clearance.

Verification: Verify visually from the side of the vehicle that the exhaust flow path passes entirely below or away from the wheels.

2.Install an Exhaust Deflector or Extension：5 min。

If the tailpipe points toward the wheel, attach a bolt-on exhaust tip deflector to redirect the hot gas downward toward the road surface.

Verification: Feel for airflow direction with your hand (at a safe distance while idling) to confirm the hot exhaust directs away from the rack area.

3.Use a Heat Shield Cover or Relocate the Bike：2 min。

If clearance is too tight, shift the bike to a different rack slot further away from the bumper, or wrap the lower section of the wheel in a heat-reflective thermal shield pad during transport.

Verification: Touch the rim immediately after a test drive; the carbon surface should feel cool to the touch.

Did you experience thermal damage from a car exhaust, or are you looking for rack setup recommendations to avoid this issue?