DH and I both have Cannondale's with carbon forks. We have used fork mount Yakima Locking Bedheads for years. His bike is a 2005 and mine is a 2006. So far the forks seem happy? I think the drop outs are possibly metal but we have used this carrier for 2 trips to New Mexico (1,300 miles each way) and numerous trips to rides. So I guess ignorance is bliss?
I find taking the front wheel off a slight advantage for theft, we lock the wheels in the car. Then the thief can only sell an incomplete bike and can't ride it away. One of the local LBS owners discourages people from the full bike mounts for the same reason, his wrench had a bike lifted off a supposedly locked hitch rack (although the wrench couldn't remember if he took the time to lock it) and judging by tire marks through the sand in the lot the thief rode it away.
Amanda
2011 Specialized Epic Comp 29er | Specialized Phenom | "Marie Laveau"
2007 Cannondale Synapse Carbon Road | Selle Italia Lady Gel Flow | "Miranda"
You don't have to be great to get started, but you do have to get started to be great. -Lee J. Colan