Car Rack for Front Disc Brake Tandem?

[roadchick]

We're getting a 2005 Cannondale RT1000 and it has disc brakes, but I don't know of any tandem racks available that are disc brake compatible to carry on top of my car. Suggestions? How do you transport yours?

[TandemGeek]

I would think that either the ATOC Bike Topper BT-84C or a Tandem Topper would work just fine. Info at: http://www.atoc.com

To confirm, you can contact Charlie Buchalter directly via his Email: charlie@atoc.com

For reference purposes, we've roof-topped our disc equipped off-road tandems using low-rise fork mounts for several years as well as a bed-mounted fork mount. A few inches of extra fork drop-out rise -- which is standard on most tandem-specific mounts -- is all that's needed.

[dubbelop]

Over here in the Netherlands, a company named Vittorio (http://www.vittorio.nl) make a tandem rack that puts the tandem flat on the roof.

http://www.vittorio.nl/producten/tandemdrager.gif

When loaded the tandem is close to the car so it can't sway or move any other way. The downside is that there is no room left on your roof.

This particular rack fits practically all tandems including those with disc brakes because the tandems is fixed at the frame, not the fork. Only exceptions are the Koga Miyata Twin Traveller and similar tandems (see below).
http://www.tandemclub.nl/images/Tandems/twin_traveller_2003.jpg

[rmac]

I have a 2005 RT1000. Why would a rack have to be disk brake compatible? I use a normal Yakima rack and a bed fork mount and they work fine.

[TandemGeek]

I have a 2005 RT1000. Why would a rack have to be disk brake compatible? I use a normal Yakima rack and a bed fork mount and they work fine.

My "guess" is that this is a spill-over question/concern from the early days of front disc equipped mountain bikes and older racks like Yakima's full tray models where the forks and/or calipers would run into the tray. Moreover, products like the Yakima "Viper" mount were developed specifically for disc equipped bikes which could easily give the impression that there were widespread problems. However, as it turns out, just about all of the newer Yakima Hammerhead racks as well as any other fork mount that raised the fork up from a mounting board or crossbar will usually work fine on tandems with or without discs.

[Brian]

I thought the Yakima Sidewinder was the way to go. Now if I can just figure out how to adapt one to the 20mm thru-axle...

[TandemGeek]

Now if I can just figure out how to adapt one to the 20mm thru-axle...

There are a couple of different adapters on the market:

For 20mm "quick release" forks
http://www.bikeparts.com/search_results.asp?ID=AZ1090
http://www.fly-sports.com/products/20mmAdapters.html

For the super-meaty forks that use hex-head bolts + some QR models:
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=468

Our Stratos S5-T requires the use of the light blue Hurricane 'Fork-Up' 20mm adapter.

[Brian]

We'll need the red adapter, when we get around to it. Funny how the blue one is always on ebay for $20, yet I need the one that costs $60. I'll probably have one made that bolts up to the rack, rather than uses a 9mm Q/R to hold the adapter on.

[DrPete]

The Yakima Sidewinder has plenty of clearance at the dropouts for a disc brake. We're very happy with the investment. Totally worth the $300 or so you pay for it.

DrPete