I keep seeing the flat rubber truckers bungee cords on the highway. One here one a few kilometers down the road, and that makes me wonder what they were tying down and why they happen to be on the road.??? They have "S" hooks on either end, sometimes only one is there, but often both S hooks are still attached, so they aren't breaking the strap, they are just flying off.
As others have said keep using the ratchet straps or try the cam buckle straps that are popular with the canoe and kayak folks. Same nice wide nylon surface just pull tight and the cam holds the strap in place. You can tell how much pressure you are putting on the bikes.
Brian
