Author Topic: Rack and Panniers for T2000?  (Read 46641 times)

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Offline bishop

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« on: March 18, 2007, 07:06:19 pm »
Hi everyone:
Sorry if this topic has been beat to death but I'm new to Touring.  I'm
planning a self-supported Northern Tier in 2 months and want to make
sure my Panniers and racks all jive with each other.  It seems that
Ortlieb's have won the Pannier race but I'm not sure about the front rack
(The Cannondale T2000 comes with a rear one already).  Anyone out
there have my bike and a good, working set-up?  I have size 48 shoes if
that's an issue?  I'll be camping mostly and not sure how big the Panniers
need to be either?  I've heard if I get a Tubus front rack I'll need to make
alot of adjustments?  Thanks in advance for this great forum.


Offline Badger

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #1 on: March 18, 2007, 10:38:27 pm »
I took care of the rack problem with my BOB trailer.


Offline litespeed

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2007, 07:41:08 pm »
Bruce Gordon will fix you up. I've got his racks with Ortleib panniers. I had his panniers but I got tired of fooling with rain covers. I expect the racks to last as long as I do. Go to: http://www.bgcycles.com/


Offline Wally

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2007, 12:22:51 am »
Jandd also makes a nice front rack. http://www.jandd.com for the general site, and http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FRLOW for their low-mount front rack.


Offline ptaylor

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2007, 04:26:37 pm »
I have a Cannondale touring bike, and heel clearance is not an issue. My Cannondale rear rack has been fine.

As you mentioned, you need to get a front rack. I would not get one without a top platform, such as http://www.jandd.com/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=FREXT. There are lots of others.

Much as I respect "wwerner" I would not buy a simple low-rider rack (I have had one for 15 years and wish I had a top platform).  

Paul
Paul

Offline BC

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2007, 08:50:00 am »
I bought a 2005 T2000 for my tour of the Northern Tier during the summer of that year, and I had a difficult time finding a front rack that would mount on the "Fatty" front fork. Honestly, I feel it's a very limiting design that Cannondale should address. As you may note by the variety of responses, personal preferences are just that - very personal! From what I can see, the Jandd rack might be more successful, simply because the rack's bottom attachment point comes up from below and behind the drop-out eyelet on the fork. Due to the design of the fork, you might find that to be critical. Bruce Gordon makes great stuff, but before I spent the money on one of his racks, I'd check with him very carefully to see if the rack would work on the T2000, specifically at that point. It might require long bolts and spacers, which I'd want to avoid. As for my own experience, I ranted at Cannondale enough so that they gave me a fork for the T800, painted to match my bike - you can see how the forks differ on their webpage. A Tubus Tara slipped right onto it and provided a very solid and dependable rack. My personal preference is a low rider. The Tubus racks and Arkel Grand Tour panniers were an excellent set-up on the bike.

I'd be less concerned with heel-strike than with "toe-strike". If you turn at very slow speeds on the Cannondale - you're liable to hit the rear of the front wheel with your toe as you pedal on the down stroke. Just be mindful of it, and it shouldn't be an issue.

Have a great ride on the NT - you're in for a treat!


Offline bishop

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2007, 09:04:00 am »
Much Thanks everyone for your thoughtful and helpful replies.  I'll make my decision this weekend based on the great help from this forum.  THANKS AGAIN!!


Offline bishop

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #7 on: March 25, 2007, 01:42:12 pm »
Update:  The AC Lowrider Front Rack by Old Man Mountain DOES NOT fit
the T2000.  Aside from thickness of the front fork the eyelets don't match
up for installation.  This was sold to me by the bike shop that sold me the
bike (thanks for nothing!).  I've placed an order for a Jandd expedition
front rack with the hopes it will fit (most likely after some 'hardware store'
adaptions).  


Offline miles2go

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #8 on: March 25, 2007, 10:40:50 pm »
Check out the bike in image #124 in the FLT Gallery, www.fullyloadedtouring.com

I'm not certain, but it looks like the Jandd rack to me.

Cheers,

« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 03:13:48 am by miles2go »

Offline miles2go

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2007, 12:18:39 am »
To follow up on my last post.  The bike in image #124 is a 2006 T2000 so the fork is the same as what's on this year's T2000.

I don't know about the straight forked Ts but I can confirm that T2s from 2003 and back, and T800s can use the Tubus Tara with no mounting issues. One spacer on each side is all that's needed to mount the rack to the rear eyelet as shown in this photo: http://www.pbase.com/image/76187243.jpg

I prefer using the Tara over most other front racks because it folds nicely for shipping yet can carry a lot of weight.

Cheers,

« Last Edit: April 28, 2010, 03:13:16 am by miles2go »

Offline bishop

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #10 on: April 10, 2007, 12:14:23 pm »
Strike #2:
I ordered the Jannd Extreme Front Rack and guess what?  It doesn't fit!  I've already made peace with the fact that the eyelets in the T2000's fork might  only be for decoration since now I've tried two different front racks that don't fit.  Fork eyelets aside, the Jandd rack was rubbing too much on the front brack cables when the platform was flat; even if I was to use accessory clamps to attach it to the fork.  I was set on getting a front rack with a platform now maybe I'll try the Tubus Tara?  In baseball three strikes you're out!


Offline BC

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #11 on: April 11, 2007, 12:49:48 am »
I'm sorry to hear that your experience is as frustrating as mine was back in '05 (see my earlier post). When I first called Cannondale to talk about my difficulties, the tech rep told me that it's not an issue for most folks, since most people use the T2000 as a sport road bike. With my NT tour about a month away, I went just about ballistic! I tried a Tubus Tara on the Fatty fork, and it just wasn't going to work to my satisfaction. After a few other failed efforts, and a few phone calls and a choice letter to Cannondale, I got them to paint up a T800 fork for my bike and have the shop where I bought it install it. The Tara slipped on like it was made for it - problem solved. And no regrets - it's a rock-solid rack. The T800 fork is a much better fork design for a touring bike. I'd suggest trying that route directly with Cannondale, and ask your bike shop to help, if you think they'd be effective. Let 'em know that you have a cross-country ride depending on it. If they'll do this for you, you'll probably find that you'll have a choice of racks that would fit. Ultimately, I wish C-dale would listen up and re-design or replace the Fatty fork. Who needs the headaches? It'll probably only happen if enough of us make noise. You paid the money for their bike - they should help make it work for you. Good luck! Let us know if you get it worked out.


Offline bishop

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #12 on: April 11, 2007, 11:21:01 am »
BC:

Many thanks.  I'm going to call the bike shop today and give them my frustrating story.  Hopefully they'll help me solve this fork nuisance.  I appreciate your responses as I literally wouldn't know where else to turn.  I'll ask/demand the T800 swap or ANY OTHER FORK that will hold a front rack.  My NT trip is FAST APPROACHING!!


Offline ptaylor

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #13 on: April 11, 2007, 02:59:08 pm »
I sent an e-mail to the Cannondale Customer Service department. They promply replied. I have pasted in my original e-mail and their reply. Good luck!
------------------------------------------------
To: custserv
Subject: T2000 discussion on the Adventure Cycling Forum

A member of the ACA Forum has purchased a new T2000, and is now trying to buy a front rack. Following are some excerpts from the thread.

1. "I've heard if I get a Tubus front rack I'll need to make a lot of adjustments&"
2. "&I had a difficult time finding a front rack that would mount on the "Fatty" front fork. Honestly, I feel it's a very limiting design that Cannondale should address&I ranted at Cannondale enough so that they gave me a fork for the T800, painted to match my bike&"
3. "The AC Lowrider Front Rack by Old Man Mountain DOES NOT fit the T2000.  Aside from thickness of the front fork the eyelets don't match&"
4. "I ordered the Jannd Extreme Front Rack and guess what?  It doesn't fit!"  

Can you give me a list of front racks that will fit?

Paul L. Taylor
-----------------------------------------------
Paul,

The only rack we know fits for sure is Old Man Mountain. I have spoken with Channing many times about this and have sent many happy customers to Old Man Mountain.  

Timothy Corbett
Technical Support
Cannondale Bicycle Corporation
172 Friendship Village Road
Bedford, PA 15522
Direct: 814-623-4328
Main: 800 BIKE USA



Paul
Paul

Offline bishop

Rack and Panniers for T2000?
« Reply #14 on: April 11, 2007, 03:10:30 pm »
Many thanks Paul:
I'll give the folks @ Old Man Mt. a call and see if they can help alleviate this problem.  I appreciate everyones efforts.  I'll be sure to update the outcome of this hassle.