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Best roll bar for head clearance?

Hi folks,

I posted this same question on Miata.net, but I'd like to get some input from this board too.

I've read several threads on the topic of rollbars, but I'm hoping to find a more definitive answer.

I want a roll bar (not style bar), but am concerned about knocking my melon on it all the time (or ever). I'm about six feet tall and sit straight up with my seat all the way back. My head is over the top of the seat and occasionally contacts the hardtop on large bumps. Yes the roll bar must also work with the hardtop, but no glass window for the soft top.

Can anyone suggest the best roll bar for head clearance, not just vertical, but also fore and aft? The ones I've been considering so far are the Hard Dog M2 Sport, Hard Dog Hard Core Hard Top and the Brainstorm Competition (although from the reviews, the Brainstorms might have some manufacturing variance issues?).

Thanks for any insight you can provide, John

Reply to
John McClary
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The HDHC Hard Top sits farther back than the Hard Core or Sport bars. The HD Deuce (twin hoop) probably offers the most clearance, but it's not SCCA approved, if that's important to you.

Remember that more clearance = less protection.

Reply to
Lanny Chambers

Lanny Chambers wrote on 12/2/2004 7:31:

I have the HD Deuce, and I love it. No problem with my 6'0'' and the seat all the way back.

-Joe

Reply to
Joe Feise

I also have HD Duece and have no problems [only 5'8'', but not even close to my head] with the seat full back. I liked the duece because there is less rearward vision blocked.

Phil

Reply to
Phil Edwards

Now I'm confused. I spoke on the phone with Tom at Bethania Garage and I could have sworn that he told me the Hard Bar Sport and M2 Sport sat further back than the Hard Core, and, I think, he said that the sport bars are in the same position as the HCHT. I'm going to have to call him again to make sure I got the story straight. As I recall, he said he has the same clearance issues as I and he pefers the M1 Hard Bar Sport because it offers the best head clearance, is technically a better rollbar than the M2 because of the straight diagonals and the 1/4 inch smaller diameter tubing makes it easier to make the seatbelts retract properly than the HCHT.

I'm not interested in the Duece, I'm not crazy about the look and I don't want to trade that much protection for the extra clearance.

BTW: Bethania Garage is offering fre shipping on their roll bars until Christmas.

John

Reply to
John McClary

Believe Tom, not me. I occasionally make mistakes, but he makes the rollbars.

Reply to
Lanny Chambers

Are you driving an NA or NB ?

I am looking at the Duece, but am wondering how well it will (or will not) work with a Robbins no-zip rear-glass top...

( And Lanny, why is the Deuce not SCCA approved? )

Cheers!

- L

'97 STO, "Chouki"

// Change TEJAS to TX to reply via eMail //

Reply to
L Bader

I seem to recall reading somewhere on the HD web site that the one with diagnal braces won't, but the one with braces going straight back will. Call hard-dog and ask.

IIRC, it doesn't stick up high enough.

Reply to
Grant Edwards

^not

Reply to
Grant Edwards

L Bader wrote on 12/7/2004 16:26:

NB ('99)

No idea, but it works fine with the NB rear-glass top.

-Joe

Reply to
Joe Feise

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