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Thread: Carbon Bike

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
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    2

    Carbon Bike

    I recently purchased a full carbon bike. The manufacturer (Cannondale) says not to use fork type carriers (the frame rests on two extended arms). The folks I purchased the bike from and other sellers in my area said they never heard of problems with these type of carriers. What is your experience? Should I use another carrier? If so, what type?
    Thanks

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
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    Looking at all the love there that's sleeping
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    4,171
    When I replaced the fork on my old road bike, I put a carbon fork on it that had carbon dropouts, as opposed to alloy drop outs (the drop outs are the half-circles that attach to the wheel at the hub). I was also told to not use a fork-mounted bike carrier like this, and to use an upright carrier, more like this.

    Perhaps it is primarily a CYA move on the fork/frame manufactures part, but I took them at their word - so as not to put huge and unwarranted stress on delicate parts. So, I use a rear hitch mounted upright carrier.
    2007 Seven ID8 - Bontrager InForm
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    2008 Cervelo P2C - Adamo Prologue Saddle

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Northern CT
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    34
    Can i ask why you're not supposed to use the fork-mount racks? i have a carbon fork on my road bike, and use the fork-mount roof rack....and now you have me nervous.
    2011 Specialized Dolce Elite/stock Riva
    2010 Jamis Durango 1 Femme
    2006 Diamondback Wildwood (gift from my mother-in-law, so I must keep it! It is really comfy to ride)
    1996 Raleigh M-20 (got my love for cycling going!)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
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    under the Tucson sun
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    485
    Quote Originally Posted by esmorin View Post
    Can i ask why you're not supposed to use the fork-mount racks? i have a carbon fork on my road bike, and use the fork-mount roof rack....and now you have me nervous.
    I would guess that it's just because so much stress would be put on such a small area... and I guess the stress from a roof rack is different enough from the stress of normal usage. I have a carbon fork on my road bike, but it has alloy dropouts, so I was told by the LBS that it was not a concern with my roof rack.
    '09 Jamis Satellite Femme | stock Jamis Road Sport -- road
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  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    south georgia
    Posts
    949
    I have used a roof rack with fork mounts on both of our carbon bikes for years without a problem. I think the key is to not yolk it down to hard or tight where you could crack a dropout? Thats my guess.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Northern CT
    Posts
    34
    oooo. hmm. I'm not sure if I have carbon dropouts or alloy. the specs on the Specialized website don't say (I have a 2011 Dolce Elite), and I don;t know if I can tell by looking.
    2011 Specialized Dolce Elite/stock Riva
    2010 Jamis Durango 1 Femme
    2006 Diamondback Wildwood (gift from my mother-in-law, so I must keep it! It is really comfy to ride)
    1996 Raleigh M-20 (got my love for cycling going!)

 

 

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