Clubhouse Fort FAQ for the GSD Gen 2

Clubhouse Fort Basics

Q. What is the Clubhouse Fort?

The Clubhouse Fort is an all-season weather canopy for kid passengers on Tern e cargo bikes and is made up of different accessories.

• Passenger rail: Clubhouse+ or Clubhouse Gen 3
• Foot/cargo support: Sidekick Wide Decks
• Cargo bucket: Storm Box
• Roof: Storm Shield or the Sun Shield + Rain Shield combo

Q: Is the Clubhouse Fort a kit? I have not seen it for sale at my local bike shop.

A: The Clubhouse Fort is not a kit. It's a combination of different accessories (all sold separately) that were designed to work together to provide maximum weather protection and comfort.

Q: What is the Kid Lid? Is that a separate product?

A: The Kid Lid comes with the Storm Box. It's a water-resistant cover that cinches around little passengers like a spray skirt, keeping out the wind and cold.

Clubhouse Fort Features

Q: Is the Clubhouse Fort waterproof?

A: The goal of the Clubhouse Fort is to protect kids from driving wind and rain. The Storm Shield and Rain Shield are made from waterproof Nylon material with a waterproof rating of 12,000 mm, while the Storm Box is made from waterproof tarpaulin fabric. However, seams are not sealed, so under heavy rain, you would expect to see some water seepage from seams and zippers.

Q: Can the walls or windows of the Storm Shield or Sun/Rain Shield be rolled up for ventilation?

A: Yes! Both sidewalls can be rolled up for full airflow. Even when they’re zipped shut, the back wall has a built-in vent to keep the inside cool and comfortable.

Q: Does the Storm Shield or Sun/Rain Shield fog up inside?

A: No, fogging isn’t a big issue thanks to the ventilation features that keep air flowing.

Q. Does the Clubhouse Fort have any reflective properties?

A: Yes. All Clubhouse Fort accessories include durable, reflective printing. The Storm Box and Storm Shield have yellow 3M and silver reflective strips, while the Rain Shield features silver reflective printing.

Q. Can I add lights to the Clubhouse Fort?

A. Yes. Both the Storm Box and Storm Shield feature attachment points onto which additional lights or reflectors can be fixed if desired.

Q: Can I still vertically store my GSD with the full or partial Clubhouse Fort installed?

A: The Storm Box covers the four Vertical Parking Contact Points on the GSD’s frame, but with a bit of extra care in choosing where and how to park, it shouldn’t be an issue. However, if you’re using the expansion bar with the Clubhouse Gen 3 or Clubhouse+, vertical parking is not possible.

Carrying Passengers

Q: Does the Clubhouse Fort accommodate 2 child seats?

A: Yes. The Storm Box was designed to fit around the included Child Seat Expansion Bar of the Clubhouse+ and Clubhouse Gen 3, so fitting two seats inside is no problem. Check out this article for more info on compatible child seats for the GSD Gen 2.

Q: What's the max recommended size for passengers fitting inside?

A: We recommend a maximum height of 140 cm (with a helmet) for passengers. Since seating arrangements can differ, we recommend a test fitting at your local Tern dealer if your child is close to the maximum height.

Q: Can I transport dogs or other pets inside the Clubhouse Fort?

A: Possibly. Pets come in all shapes and sizes. You'll have to do a test ride to see if your buddy fits comfortably in the Clubhouse Fort and can safely stay put inside.

How to Build the Clubhouse Fort

Q: How do I build the Clubhouse Fort?

A: Follow these steps:

1. Install the Sidekick Wide Decks and the Clubhouse+ or Clubhouse Gen 3 (with Child Seat Expansion Bar if carrying a child seat in the rear position).
2. Add the Storm Box.
3. Attach any cushions or child seats.
4. Add the Storm Shield or the Sun & Rain Shield combo.

Q: How long does it take to install the Clubhouse Fort accessories?

A: The Clubhouse Gen 3/Clubhouse+, Sidekick Wide Decks, and Storm Box are semi-permanent attachments that take a few minutes to install or remove. The Storm Shield and Rain Shield can be installed or removed in about 60 seconds, allowing you to quickly check the weather before heading out.

Q: What do you recommend as the default configuration for the Clubhouse Fort?

A: We recommend keeping the Sidekick Wide Decks, the Clubhouse+/Clubhouse Gen 3, and the Storm Box installed at all times. If you opt for the Sun/Rain Shield combo, the Rain Shield snaps onto the Sun Shield in just a minute—same for the Storm Shield. It’s all about having a 160 L soft bucket at the back of your cargo bike while staying compact and nimble up front.

Everyday Use

Q: Can the parts of the Clubhouse Fort be easily carried on the bike when not in use? The weather varies quite a bit during the day where I live.

A: Yes! The Clubhouse Fort parts are modular and interchangeable. The Storm Shield and Rain Shield sidewalls can be rolled up when the weather’s nice or only sun protection is needed. You can also completely remove them and stash them in the Storm Box. The Cargo Lid and Kid Lid can be stored inside the Storm Box as well when not in use.

Q. If I'm buying the Clubhouse Fort for hauling kids in cold weather, do I also need the Cargo Lid Lock?

A. No, but we do find the Cargo Lid Lock to be a handy item. You might find yourself doing the occasional grocery run while out with the kids, and in that case, the Cargo Lid Lock might come in handy. The Cargo Lid Lock can also be used for securing components or child seats as a secondary lock.

Q: Will riding with the Clubhouse Fort make the GSD less stable and more difficult to ride?

A: Riding with the Storm Box is just like riding with panniers on the back of the bike. The Storm Shield does catch more side winds and may take a little getting used to for a novice rider. We recommend you ride solo a few times with the complete Clubhouse Fort setup to build up your confidence. Once you get used to it, add the kids (and some rain) and you'll have instant weather protection.

Q: The Storm Shield/Rain Shield seems close to my seat. Will it cramp my position?

A: No, the saddle braces the front of the Shield, adding stability. You can adjust your seat to any height and still ride comfortably.

Carrying Cargo

Q: Will I be able to carry cargo in the Storm Box if I have two child seats installed in the Clubhouse Fort?

A: Using the Storm Box with two child seats is like using Cargo Hold 52 Panniers with two child seats. The kids’ legs will take up some of the space, but there will still be room to store things.

Compatibility with the GSD Gen 1

Q. Can I build the Clubhouse Fort on GSD Gen 1 bikes?

A. The Clubhouse Fort was designed for the GSD Gen 2, but some of its components may work with the GSD Gen 1 equipped with the Clubhouse (Gen 1). See the compatibility chart below:

*The Storm Box is not compatible with the GSD Gen 1 but may still fit with a hack that requires additional components.
While the Clubhouse Gen 3 and Clubhouse+ are backward-compatible with the GSD Gen 1, the original Clubhouse (Gen 1) is not compatible with the GSD Gen 2.

Q. How can I use the Storm Shield on a GSD Gen 1?

A. To use the Storm Shield on a GSD Gen 1, you will need a Clubhouse Gen 1. For more information, click here.

Q. Why is the Storm Shield incompatible with a Clubhouse Gen 3 or Clubhouse+ on a GSD Gen 1? Also, why doesn't the Storm Box work with the Clubhouse Gen 3, Clubhouse+, or Clubhouse Gen 1 on a GSD Gen 1?

A. We work very hard to make new accessories backward compatible with existing bikes. But when you optimize for a new bike, backwards compatibility can be impossible to maintain. If an accessory does not have full functionality, we consider it not compatible. However, there may be hacks that allow compromised functionality and could work for some riders or use cases.