im - 11/19/2006 09:32:00 PM

Occasionally, we get questions about how to haul a Pugsley with an automobile roof rack. Pugsley uses an offset 135mm-spaced fork, so it won't simply plug into a fork-mount type of rack. Some racks will allow the retrofit of a longer dummy axle to accommodate the wider-than-standard fork dropout spacing. But it makes more sense, in my opinion, to leave the car rack alone and build a removable adapter instead. That way, the rack can be used for 100mm-spaced and Pug-spaced forks without having to change hardware. Hurricane Components makes several Fork Up adapters to fit a wide range of bicycle forks. I chose to modify their Riser model to work with a Pugsley fork. After knocking out the stock plugs, I shortened the disc-side plug 4.5mm (the thickness of the hub locknut), drilled it out to accept a 10mm axle, and reinstalled it into the Riser center tube. A new drive-side plug was made from 25.4mm (1") round aluminum stock. It was sized to stick out 40.5mm from the end of the 80mm-wide Riser center tube. Here's how it adds up: 4.5mm locknut + 40.5mm drive-side plug + 80mm center tube + 5.5mm disc-side plug + 4.5mm locknut = 135mm spacing. A 10 x 1 x 146mm Wheels Manufacturing axle holds it all together, and a rear Shimano QR skewer keeps the Pug fork clamped to the adapter assembly. Most wheel tray/fork mount style bike racks don't readily fit our Endomorph tire, but a toe strap can be used to cinch down your rear Pugsley wheel to the rack wheel tray. The tire won't fit within the tray, but it should stay centered if the toe strap is adequately tightened. A wheel tray Endomorph adapter would probably be an easy thing to make, but I'm not sure it's necessary. -----