Burley D'Lite questions/ carbon frame attachment
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Burley D'Lite questions/ carbon frame attachment
Just picked one up used at a fantastic price, it's roughly 2 years old and i'm wanting to attach to my new Tarmac comp. The trailer has the triangular hitch mount and I could order the skewer mount if that's the preferred method. I have heard pros and cons on mounting to a carbon frame while aluminum or steel would be the preferred frame.
The hitch isn't a clamp-style which is what some LBS were telling me to beware of when mounting to carbon and that the skewer mount is "safer" for the frame.
I received about the same negative answers as positive and the ones who told me it's allright to pull with an all carbon frame have been doing do for a few years with no probs.
What's the general consensus on this, i'm pretty safe, have enough common sense to not wrap the trailer tire around a stop sign but I know things can happen.
Also, what part do I need to order to replace the plastic triangle hitch for the skewer?
Any thoughts/criticism appreciated.
The hitch isn't a clamp-style which is what some LBS were telling me to beware of when mounting to carbon and that the skewer mount is "safer" for the frame.
I received about the same negative answers as positive and the ones who told me it's allright to pull with an all carbon frame have been doing do for a few years with no probs.
What's the general consensus on this, i'm pretty safe, have enough common sense to not wrap the trailer tire around a stop sign but I know things can happen.
Also, what part do I need to order to replace the plastic triangle hitch for the skewer?
Any thoughts/criticism appreciated.
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I'd think the clamp style is ok for a carbon frame as long as you're gentle and don't have a wreck. The loads on the hitch are very small under normal usage.
However, if you were to have a minor accident, a skewer hitch could make a big difference.
There's another reason to get the skewer mount. I hate the clamp style because my heel hits it when pedaling, and the clamp style takes more time to take on and off.
I made my own hub hitch with some 1" steel square tubing. It's similar to the forged hitch that Burley makes.
If I'm not mistaken , all you need is this
https://www.rei.com/product/781177
or this
https://www.rei.com/product/671711
However, if you were to have a minor accident, a skewer hitch could make a big difference.
There's another reason to get the skewer mount. I hate the clamp style because my heel hits it when pedaling, and the clamp style takes more time to take on and off.
I made my own hub hitch with some 1" steel square tubing. It's similar to the forged hitch that Burley makes.
If I'm not mistaken , all you need is this
https://www.rei.com/product/781177
or this
https://www.rei.com/product/671711
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I have the "Burley Alternative Trailer Hitch" because when i bought my Scott Aluminum Mt. Bike last year i couldnt use the triangle one due to the frame tubing size.
I think the $40 would be well spent going this route. It will give you some piece of mind and is much easier to connect up in my opinion than the original.
I think the $40 would be well spent going this route. It will give you some piece of mind and is much easier to connect up in my opinion than the original.
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I also think the alternative hitch is the better choice. I only eyeballed the burley skewer mount and the frame of the tarmac tends to bow outwards where the frame rails join the axle mount....the hookup will be a close fit since the hitch mount is flat but seems there is enough room on the flat area of the bike to allow for this.
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I have a Burley D'Lite and a carbon Trek - they were not a good mix.
I would never want to clamp anything to a carbon frame and the skewer hitch caused a noticeable flex in the rear triangle. You may have a better experience, but it was a rough go with the Trek.
I opted to pull it with an aluminum cross bike instead. Much better for me.
I would never want to clamp anything to a carbon frame and the skewer hitch caused a noticeable flex in the rear triangle. You may have a better experience, but it was a rough go with the Trek.
I opted to pull it with an aluminum cross bike instead. Much better for me.
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Repeat after me:
DO NOT CLAMP ANYTHING TO A CARBON FRAME!
DO NOT CLAMP ANYTHING TO A CARBON FRAME!