Racks for Cannondale
 

I just got my new Cannondale Touring 1 (2009). My Tubus Cargo rack didn't fit the rear dropouts without lots of spacers, so I stuck with the stock Cannondale rack, despite its lesser carrying capacity. I don't have any front rack, so, I was hoping someone might suggest a front rack that fits the Cannondale with little modifications (shims, bending and twisting) before I waste time finding the optimal fitting front rack. The Tubus Duo is too narrow, according to their tech. drawings, although it appears their Tara may fit. Jandd perhaps??? Thanks very much for any suggestions from those that have outfitted their Cannondales.

As much as I hate to say it, I think this may be a user error. I have both a Tubus rack and a Jandd and have not had a problem attaching either and my BG is spaced at 135mm. I looked at your bike on Cannondales site and (nice bike, BTW) it uses standard LX hubs so I would assume your rear dropout spacing is either 130mm or 135mm. Either rack will flex to fit that. Maybe your rack was squashed a bit in shipping.:(

spacing
 

thanks for the reply . . . actually it wasn't the spacing that caused the need for spacers. One of the triangular support tubes on the Tubus rack wouldn't clear the downtube on the Cannondale. Otherwise, yes, it had ample flex to have accomodated the width spacing of the dropouts. I think if I can find a local shop (Portland, Oregon) that has either a Jannd or Tubus front rack in stock, I can quickly assess if it'll have the same issue up front.

I put a Old Man Mountain AC LowRider on the front of my C'Dale (2007) with no problems.

Well, no problems after I read the assembly instructions....

In Portland, I think City Bikes carries them.

Old Man Rack . . .
 

thanks! I'll head there today! I mistakenly referred to my clearance issue as with the "downtube" whereas it is the seat stay member that caused the interference with the Tubus rack. The Cannondale stock rack took care of that by their broad mating surface on the rack. The Tubus cargo is by all means a sturdier rack, but I just don't like employing all sorts of shims and spacers and bailing wire to make things fit right. Sometimes it's impossible not to, but I prefer finding something a little closer.

I had the same problem with the seat stay on my Cannondale SR500. A friend made me a spacer out of the strongest piece of plastic I have ever seen in my life. It works perfectly as it gives a very broad surface for the dropout and rack stay attachment points.

You should give Wayne a call at The Touring Store (assuming you are in the U.S.) I think Tibus has kind of a C shaped bracket for the rack that will allow you to get around the stay. But it might move the rack back a bit more than desired as that is the purpose of the bracket. But if you give Wayne a call he will give you good advice.

Racks
 

I have a Tubus Cargo on my Cannondale T2000 and used a 1/4 inch spacer on both sides. I had a Tubus Tara front rack on the same bike but had to put about 5/8 inch spacers on both sides. My Cannondale has the straight, large diameter forks. Because of the straight forks, the Tara top rails were much higher than I cared for. I replaced the Tara with Old Man Mountain AC low rider racks and I like them much better on this bike. My LHT has the Tara now and I like it much better on the LHT. The Tara is a great front rack and I wish it would have worked on my Cdale.

I have a Jandd expedition front rack (or whatever they call it) on my 2006 T800 and it works well. I probably could have used a couple of washers between the rack and the fork but it's ok. I like it because I have the platform to add additional "stuff" that I wouldn't have if I had a regular low rider rack.

I have a Jandd Extreme front and Expedition rear on my 2003 T2000. Both fit perfectly with some small spacers on the front rack at the mid-fork braze-on.

rack choices
 

This is an awesome forum! First, thanks to all of those responding, with specific, first-had details. Equipped with such, I can go out there and narrow my search to those two (Jannd or Old Man Mountain sounds best) that have proven fits. As well, I'll make a call to the Touring Store for additional information.

Curious. I have a 2003 T800 with a Cargo on it. I had no trouble mounting it. The front was actual a little harder to mount but I think the Tara comes with the proper spacers. I don't think the frame design has changed between the two model years.

Here's close ups of the mounting

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_0260.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_0259.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_0267.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/IMG_0266.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...e/Cann-hub.jpg
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...Cann-front.jpg

image details: superb, thanks!
 

I need to get a new memory card so I may send images. It looks like the change from your images to what I have, is less the Cannondale frame, but a minor change in the rear Tubus Cargo rack. From what I see, the flat mounting flange then was slightly smaller. This new model Cargo rack has a larger polygonal mounting flange; just enough larger to put one of the frame members in interference with the seat stay. At any rate, I think the stock Cannondale rack will suffice, for now.

I did pick up a Jannd Lowrider today, and now it has slight interference with the front quick release. From the quick release outside diameter to the edge of the threaded fastner hole is approximately .150" clearance. The Jannd folks put the through hole in the mounting member about .250 from the edge. I reallly hate to grind or mill away that wall thickness. In this case, shims and washers won't help me. I gotta find a rack mount that approaches just so-so to attach without Mickey Mousing the entire set up. I've learned the hard way that if you modify beyond appropriate and acceptable with all manner of shims and grinding and relieving, you can end up with the integrity of duct tape.

Your images, however, show me that the Tubus front rack may attach just right with this narrow margin I have on the Cannondale. I'm going to run down to the River City Bike store and try out fits on the floor before getting home with the stuff and having to return it.

I see a Discover Bikes water bottle in your cage . . . I'm an old Hood River, Oregon resident and know that place well. Any chance you kicked around there at one time, or was the water bottle a coincidence?

thanks much1

Found one.
 

First, thanks again to everyone's input. I tried a Jannd Lowrider and it required far too much modification of the frame end to acquire enough clearance. I would have needed to cut away most of the end, in order to clear the quick relase nut.

The good news is: I was in Portland's downtown REI, and they had a Tubus Tara on the shelf. I grabbed it, and just laced it up. Tubus provides first-class, hardened bushings with their product, and it made the installation not only simple, but no lack of integrity or confidence. I'd received an email from Cannondale, and their suggestion was the Old Man Mountain rack line. This Tubus works quite well. All I need to find is an adapter for the Ortlieb Front Loaders so the small elliptical keeper can attach to the larger Tara rack.