Commuting - Giant Cypress SX accessories for commuting!?

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Well, my 16 year old Rock Hopper I had set up for commuting has seen better days, so I went out today and bought a Giant Cypress SX to set up as my new commuter. I thought I'd just swap over the rack and freddy fenders from my current bike....but...the Cypress SX is the first bike I've had with disc brakes on it and they seem to be causing a problem! So, I'm hoping I can get some help on what I need to buy to get this bike set up as my new commuter.

1) Anybody have any idea what rack fits this bike? It's got the Hayes HMX-2 Disc brakes and they are in the way of mounting my current Jandd rack. I've seen the OMM racks online, but at $120, they're out of my price range...

2) What about fenders? The disc brakes seem to be in the way for the rear fender mounts and the Manitou South Comp suspension fork seems to not have the same mounting setup that my current Freddy Fenders use.

3) Maybe it's just that I'm accustomed to a non-suspension fork on the front for my commuter bike, but is there a way to stiffen up the fork any? I've got the tension set to max, but it seems still a bit too loose to me...loosing energy from the fork travel...I'd really like to have it a bit more stiff in the front end...any ideas?

Thanks for any and all suggestions! :)

-Darren

1) This one should work:
http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47916976&parent_category_rn=4500850&vcat=REI_SEARCH

I'm about ready to hit the sack,but later today if I get the time I'll take mine downstairs and test fit it to my Sedona(similar frame). You could also swap the suspension seatpost for a solid one and use a clamp-on rack.

2)The rack should take care most of the rear. Just add a tail to the rack and a mud guard to the seattube. Up front,you'll prolly need to use a MTB fender,the kind that mounts with a plug that goes up into the underside of the fork. My Dad put one of these onto his Cypress LX.

3)Not sure about your model,but the ones on the other Cypress/Sedonas are kinda spongey. Remember,these are 'comfort' bikes. Yours may be a bit sportier,but it's still more comfort than hybrid. I'd say either get used to it(think of your wrists,do you really want carpel tunnel?),or consider changing to heavier fork oil or getting the fork rebuilt with stiffer springs.

Hope this helps.

Took the Axiom downstairs to the Sedona. If your frame's the same as mine,it should fit with a little MacGuyvering. It'll be close to the rear caliper,but you could prolly get a longer bolt and use one of the caliper mounts.

You should've gotten the specialized crossroads xc pro. :p

Thanks dynaryder, I appreciate you checking it out with your bike. Looks like it's time to put in an REI order! :)

Took the bike out for a quick 25 miles this afternoon, and I guess I can get accustomed to the suspension forks...it was nice in that it takes some of the road vibration out of the equation, but it's going to take some getting used to with standing and climbing...unfortunately, there are lots of hills here in Tennessee...

-Darren

You should've gotten the specialized crossroads xc pro. :p

That is a nice bike, but unfortunately, it was just a few hundred more than my wallet had in it at the time... :)

-Darren