RussellT94

It's time to add a roll bar to my Miata, and would like everyone's opinion. Car is a 2000, and I would like the option of eventually being able to install a hard top. I am trying to decide between the Bossfrog Double hoop, and the Hard Dog Ace.

My 96 Miata had the Hard Dog Hardcore with double diagonals in it, and I liked it just fine. The only issue I had was it made it more difficult to put the top up while still seated in the car. I'm 6ft tall, my head was maybe an inch under level with the Hardog on stock seats without a helmet.

The Ace is SCCA and HPDE legal with a diagonal brace. The Bossfrog states it is SCCA compliant, I assume this also passes HPDE standards. The car is daily driven, with the intentions of maybe an occasional track day.

Owners of either bar, please help me with your personal experiences!

FRT_Fun

I had no issues with my Hard Dog. Liked it a lot. Also had the boss frog, did not like as much, it was the clear view. I didn't like how the install was, or how the bar looked.

Shane

Hard Dog Ace.

Track

I have the Boss Frog. Its gorgeous, its 6-point, and yes it is HPDE legal. Personally, I liked the way it looks much more than the hard dogs...and you can still use your rear-view mirror.

Lastly, Boss Frog comes with a "harness" bar built in (although I haven't tested fitted any harnesses on it yet). And the padding is much cheaper.

RussellT94

Track,

You have the double hoop? Where in NC are you located?

Did you need the seat belt adapters? What do you mean by it has the harness bar built in. BF sells a harness bar separately, is the curved brace what you are talking about?

RussellT94

Wow, that is the most compelling argument I've ever heard!!!

Please let me know why you think the ace is better.

FRT_Fun

You can get the Hard Dog with a harness bar welded in place. Or you can get their bolt in harness bar.

I could use my rearview just fine with my hard Dog.

Track

I am in Raleigh, NC. I will be passing close to charlotte on my way to Road Atlanta this weekend. If you like, we can try to meet up on sunday on the way back if you would like to see the double hoop on an NB.

The seat belt adapters are included for free (they weren't originally, thats why you see them for sale on some sites). The harness bar I am talking about is the brace which is curved in that picture, but mine is NOT. I have one that is straight, but at an angle. A curved bar would not work as a harness bar really, they angle probably doesn't matter though as one of the shoulder harnesses would just be a bit longer. I have the version which allows for hardtops (I think that is the standard). I also have the padding on there, and the extremely expensive and useless wind blocker (I also have the door bars if you are interested in those).

While some of you can use the center rear-view, I know atleast 5 guys (in person) who can't see ---- out of the center rear-view mirror with the hard dog bars. perhaps you are just the right size FRT_fun. Lastly, the boss frog you won't have to pay extra for the harness bar. Although I get the feeling with padding they will both be around the same price.

sixshooter

I have the Hard Dog M2 Sport Double Diagonal and have no problems with rearward visibility.

Track

*shugs* maybe they are exaggerating then. or maybe I just understood differently.

Eitherway, I think rear-visibility will be fine, you can tilt your head to see and that really shouldn't be a big deciding factor. but hands down the double will have better visibility (if its marginal or not, thats for the OP to determine). If he has concerns over it, he can read many discussions about it on google or what not, I have never driven a car with a hard dog in it so I can't say.

the big things are price, installation (more difficult on the boss frog), and preference here. They both serve the same purpose and seem to do it very well. Only significant difference I see is the boss frog is 6-point mount and the hard dog is 4-point mount (and possibly pricing depending on the HD options).