heptagon Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 I've read a lot of the old posts discussing the subject of these in road use cars from the safety perspective and potential for head impact with the cage if you had a accident. I don't want to restart that discussion again but am interested just to know what people who have or had full cages actually chose to do, e.g. remove them, wear a helmet of some sort, change the FIA padding, lower the seat further etc etc.The car I'm buying has one and I'm not rushing into a decisions on what to do just yet and thought I'd ask what others have done in the same situation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 SLR Cage, lowered floors and clear aero with ballistic glasses, I dont use a helmet on the road.Having seen a couple of accidents, one wear an SLR enabled the passenger to retain his head, the other where the occupants were extremely lucky to keep theirs as they went backwards through 4 strings of barbed wire with FIA and aeroscreen - forwards would have been very different.The SLR does offer greater internal dimension compared to the academy which I'm guess yours has.It's a calculated risk whichever way you look at it.Your own physical dimensions will affect your decision though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team 700newtons Posted April 8, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted April 8, 2021 I tape mine with the hard racing style padding, and then cable tie soft padding from Demon Tweaks around that. This nicely swivels out of the way as I get in or out.Probably a long way from perfect, but better then nothing. I find driving with a helmet on the road badly restricts my vision and ability to see clearly at T junctions.Having also had a Seven without a cage, I notice that the whole getting in an out thing takes more time than you imagine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heptagon Posted April 8, 2021 Author Share Posted April 8, 2021 Yes mine is a Roadsport Academy cage Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrightpayne Posted April 8, 2021 Share Posted April 8, 2021 I have a tall roadsport cage and lowered floor so at 6'1" there is still a very large gap between my swede and the cage! I am also in the habit of re-tightening my shoulder straps after a couple of minutes as I seem to settle - I've read harness straps can stretch a lot in a big impact which is exaggerated when you are slack within the belts.I fitted one because a) I was doing a few more track days and b) my 5 YO son started to come out in the car (now 13) and as 7WOW has witnessed it does offer a bit more protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Roadsport cage, no padding, lowered floor, ballistic goggles, helmet only when it rains as i too do not like the the restricted vision. One thing to consider is 4 or 6 point harness, I'd go with 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 With a lowered floor I'm surprised you don't need a periscope to see over the steering wheel...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Bowler Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 SLR cage, S3, lowered floor, 5'11", and my head is far from it. Soft padding and ballistic goggles on the road. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tazio Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 5 foot 7 and still shrinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Support Team andy_harries Posted April 9, 2021 Support Team Share Posted April 9, 2021 Roadsport cage, lowered floor, I'm 5'11 with 6 point harness. I have some Demon Tweaks padding as I reckon in a very big shunt on the road my head might just reach the left hand bar if I'm unlucky. Also have padding on middle and right hand bar for passengers as their head would be closer in a shunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 You can put as much padding as you like on a cage, it wont make much difference in a high impact crash if your not wearing a helmet, goggles may protect your eyes but they won't protect your brain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heptagon Posted April 9, 2021 Author Share Posted April 9, 2021 I'm 6'0 and do need to get some new goggles as I have an Aeroscreen ready to go on as well. Will search the archives on goggles. I've also got a 6 point harness and will need to have a good look at clearance once I've got the car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 A valid point re the helmet, however wearing one wouldn't have helped the first incident I mentioned and had the second pierced the barbed wire forwards the helmet would have just made the severed heads easier to collect....There is no perfect solution to this, we drive small light cars with minimial structural protection compared to new tintops. the best be can do is make an informed decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guy Lowe Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Reply to #13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7 wonders of the world Posted April 9, 2021 Share Posted April 9, 2021 Do you need plain glasses or a prescription...?If the later may local opticain glazed a pair me there a link in post #28 in the discussion below, also links to other options too. https://www.lotus7.club/forum/chitchat/aeroscreen-daily-use?page=2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heptagon Posted April 9, 2021 Author Share Posted April 9, 2021 many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Toughie Posted April 11, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted April 11, 2021 We do get a discount on UK Eyeware.https://www.lotus7.club/membership/special-offers-members/uk-eyewear Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndrewE Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 Alan, no link to their website comes up, only email. Probably worth adding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Toughie Posted April 12, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted April 12, 2021 #18, Andrew,Thanks for flagging that up, Andrew. I've gone and posted the email address, rather than the website address. Ill change it now, but it's:-https://www.uksportseyewear.co.uk/And they can be emailed at:-sales@uksportseyewear.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldAndrewE Posted April 12, 2021 Share Posted April 12, 2021 #19, That's OK Alan. Glad to help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L66TEY Posted April 13, 2021 Share Posted April 13, 2021 Personally I'd recommend "Kroops" Goggles, as Ive figured driving a Caterham without doors or screen is pretty much akin to sky diving or horse racing. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aerobod - near CYYC Posted April 14, 2021 Share Posted April 14, 2021 You'd want to ensure the eye wear is ballistic rated - not too many high speed stones flying around in skydiving or horse racing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Toughie Posted April 14, 2021 Leadership Team Share Posted April 14, 2021 #21Looking at that excellent illustration, Chris, drives me to flag up the frequent issue of ear protection, too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now