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Full Carbon Tapered Fork - Options/Recommendations Please

by Point
Thu, Aug 06, 2015 14:50
6

Hey

I'm looking for some advice regarding full carbon tapered forks.
They're to be used on a race/endurance frame.

Not really much of a criteria:
White would be great but I can always get them painted (if I decide to go for white).
1 1/8 - 1 1/5
£200 ideally but may pay more if something is worth the extra.

I've had a search, but being as the fork aftermarket isn't very big anymore, and it seems people tend to buy frame sets as opposed to just frames, there are very few reviews from either journalists or other riders.

Thank you in advance to any recommendations!

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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6 comments

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DanTe | 9 years ago
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That's very sound advice.
If I were you and getting a custom frame I'd just get the frame builders or whoever to source the fork to go with the frame.
You'll save yourself a lot of faffing about...
It's up to them then and you don't end up with an expensive fork in a cardboard box in the cupboard that you're not sure what to do with..

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hampstead_bandit | 9 years ago
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Most of the boutique / custom frames will use a stock aftermarket fork (i.e. enve or easton), as long as you get the steerer diameter right it should fit no problem.

the real problem comes with finding a replacement fork for a "big brand" frame i.e. Specialized, Giant or as DanTe commented the Canyon

These forks are generally designed as part of a complete frame set package and whilst they may be listed as 1.125-1.5 taper fork, the relationship between the crown seat depth and relative position of the head tube can mean you will only get that frame to work with the specific fork, using the specific headset 2

Otherwise you get situations where the fork sits proud, or more commonly, the head tube is bottoming out on the fork crown and not allowing the fork to turn.

Or geometry issues like incorrect crown to axle height or incorrect rake giving undesirable handling.

In these situations you need to get a friendly brand dealer to try and order a replacement fork (often on a "crash replacement" scheme) although if its second hand (i.e. no receipt as original purchaser) this can be nigh on impossible

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DanTe | 9 years ago
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No worries. I had a right nightmare trying to source a fork for that Canyon.
Just to make sure I'd still want to get the internal measurement of the headset bearing top n bottom with the corresponding fork dims in mm before I bought..

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Point | 9 years ago
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Cheers for the heads up DanTe.

It's for a Burls Custom Ti frame. It'll definitely be a 1 1/8 - 1 1/5 as it'll be having a Chris King inset 7 headset which comes in at those measurements.

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DanTe | 9 years ago
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Just be really careful with all the various sizes 1 1/4. 1 1/8, 1.5 etc in tapered forks. Those are used as pretty rough guides. There may be a few mm differences between various forks in say 1 1/4 and a few mm is more than enough for a fork not to work. You also need to check out all the various headset sizes too. A lot of forks are frame specific as the headsets can be.
I tried just about every possible variation in trying to get a new fork into an older Canyon frame. It was a total no go.
I may of got there in the end but would of had to start getting stuff machined. I was so sure I'd got it right I invested in a fork only to find it was just out at the top and bottom.
Basically it can be a minefield. Invest in a good set of calipers and have a chat to a friendly local mechanic.
Good luck though.
What bike is it for?

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CXR94Di2 | 9 years ago
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See sponsored links

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=U...

Couldn't comment on quality, but a few makes to choose from

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