1 inch carbon fork recommendations for steel frame

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hjb1000
Posts: 265
Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:25 am
Location: Australia

by hjb1000

Hi there,

I've got a custom lugged steel frame being built up (with steel fork), and I'm considering ditching the steel fork for a modern 1" threadless carbon fork. Most of the big fork manufacturers like Easton, Columbus, Ritchey and Deda still seem to sell 1 inch versions of their forks. I'm hoping someone with experience might be able to comment on what the differences are between them, and ultimately which ones are better.
My understanding is that some have aluminium steerers, while the more expensive ones are full carbon, however I am ignorant to the differences in performance.
Of course, one solution might be to retain the steel fork although I would imagine a modern steel fork (lugged) would weigh somewhere in the region of 1kg, is that correct?

Many thanks.

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Rick
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Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 4:30 pm

by Rick

I just switched out the threaded steel steerer carbon fork of my LOOK KG96 to an Easton EC90 SL Aero (threadless).
It all went smoothly, but I was surprised that my original LOOK fork only weighed in at 490 gms after I had removed it.
The Easton is 385 gms.
I like the easton, but I wouldn't have bothered if I knew it was only going to be 100 gms savings.
I used a cane Creek SOLOS headset. They are on the closeout page of Cane Creeks' webstore for about $40.

If anyone is interested in my LOOK fork, PM me.

Good luck.

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butted spoke
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Location: Wales, UK

by butted spoke

I use a 1" Easton EC90SL on my bike.
The weight is 320g with steerer cut to 220mm. I used an ITM millenium fork before and that was about 450g. I don't see why a lightweight steel fork would be more than 700g. I am thinking of trying to get one made for my bike as it would look more inkeeping.

edit; Just looked in listings and Colnago Precisa fork is 742g with uncut steerer.

roadman
Posts: 231
Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:56 pm
Location: London

by roadman

Modern choices are Ritchey Carbon (alu steerer), Deda Blackforce 2 (alu steerer), Easton EC90 SL (carbon steerer), Reynolds..
For a classic steel frame I would most likely go with Time, Mizuno or Look, due to the thinner fork legs. Hard to find, check ebay. I once had a Profile design carbon fork which weighed as much as a steel fork! :noidea:

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hjb1000
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Location: Australia

by hjb1000

butted spoke wrote:I use a 1" Easton EC90SL on my bike.


Nice bike! :)
This is exactly the sort of setup I'm considering.
How does the Easton EC90SL perform with the steel frame? Apart from the weight issue, would you still recommend?

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de zwarten
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Location: belgium

by de zwarten

straight version of the Easton EC90 or wound-up (which is excellent imho).

butted spoke
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Location: Wales, UK

by butted spoke

I find it very good. combined with the 73.5deg head angle of the frame the set up makes for nimble steering and the low fork weight contributes to this.
I agree with roadman about the look of thinner forks. I would have loved a Mizuno Fiandre fork but you just can't find them now. It is partly the reason that I am thinking of a steel fork. This bike has never had a steel fork on so I can't make a comparative assessment for you.
The EC90SL was the most suitable fork I could find, it's been on for about five years now and I would recommend it. There is a curved leg version if you prefer.

butted spoke
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Location: Wales, UK

by butted spoke

@ de zwarten
That Wound up looks nice. I will look into that.

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bravo106
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by bravo106

You can add an Alpha Q CS20 to the mix, which comes in a 1" full carbon. Claimed weight uncut is 390g and the msrp is $299 USD.

In my case, however, I ended up switching back to a steel fork for my lugged steel frame. IMO, aesthetically, a lugged steel frame just goes better with a steel fork. And on high-speed descents, my steel fork handled a lot better.

Alpha Q forks generally get good reviews, so they must work for a lot of folks. Apparently, in this particular case, not for me.

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kgt
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Location: Athens, Greece

by kgt

bravo106 wrote: And on high-speed descents, my steel fork handled a lot better.


That is so true!

Butcher
Shop Owner
Posts: 1925
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:58 am

by Butcher

Although they do not make the Reynolds forks anymore I have a full carbon fork 1" fork on my tandem. Even with as much as 400lbs it holds up well. Yeah, I know it is designed for a single bike it has worked out well for us.

2 wheels
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by 2 wheels

bravo106 wrote:You can add an Alpha Q CS20 to the mix, which comes in a 1" full carbon. Claimed weight uncut is 390g and the msrp is $299 USD.

The lighter Alpha Q GS10 is also made in a 1'' version.

Alpha Q GS10 1'':
$322 (in stock) http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping ... hp?id=9989
$267.95 (out of stock) http://www.ebikestop.com/alpha_q_gs10_7 ... FK1411.php

Alpha Q CS20 1'':
$350 http://www.glorycycles.com/alqcscafo1.html
$287 (out of stock) http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping ... hp?id=9991
$223.45 (out of stock) http://www.ebikestop.com/alpha_q_cs20_7 ... FK1417.php

Ritchey Comp Carbon Fork Alloy Steerer 1'':
$179.99 (in stock) http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/33 ... -Road.html
$209.86 http://ypsilanticycle.com/product/ritch ... 4-qc63.htm
$229.95 (in stock) http://www.ebikestop.com/ritchey_comp_c ... FK3214.php
$229.95 (in stock) http://ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=98472

Easton EC90 SL Carbon Road Fork 1'' Straight:
$219.93 http://www.bikewagon.com/Forks-Headsets ... 05521.html

Easton EC90 SL Carbon Road Fork 1'' Curved:
$289.24 http://www.slanecycles.com/easton-ec90- ... rrency=USD
$349 http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/33 ... -Road.html

Winwood RT-10 Carbon Fork alloy steerer
$128.95 (in stock) http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/33 ... -Road.html

Winwood Activist carbon fork alloy steerer 1'':
$198 (out of stock) http://www.ebikestop.com/winwood_activi ... FK1245.php

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hjb1000
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Joined: Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:25 am
Location: Australia

by hjb1000

Thank you for that great list 2 wheels.
I´m thinking of a curved Easton EC90 SL fork- good price and impressive weight.
Is there an issue in having a very light fork, while the rest of the steel frame is heavier? Also do I need to be aware of changing the rake or geometry of the frame by changing forks?

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lancejohnson
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by lancejohnson

quite often when you change from a steel to a carbon fork your drop out-crown race distance goes up significantly which in turn slackens the seat and head angles and brings up your bb drop. this can be a little off-putting if you don't account for it with your geometry and you really like your current setup. though it's not something that's really difficult to work out and compensate for.

the weight difference shouldn't really do anything beyond making your bike feel more responsive...
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Rush
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Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2012 2:10 am

by Rush

I'm looking to upgrade my 1" fork at some point in the future. I see that Wiggle are stocking a 1" carbon fork from 'Tifosi' link

At 658 grams it's not going to be much lighter than a steel fork but the advantage is of course that you can use a threadless headset and a modern stem.

Although I image that is another issue altogether. Are there many stems designed for a 1" steerer that have a 31.6 mm bar clamp? I note that in one of the customer reviews of that fork they suggest the use of a Thompson steerer shim.

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