Jarrett2

I'd like to get a steel fork that I can put on my Jamis Eclipse frame to convert it from a road bike to a light touring bike.

The rear has clearance for a long reach caliper brake and 32's on it, but the front fork is carbon with just enough clearance for 25's.

I was thinking if I could find an aftermarket fork that fit the same headset, had rack mounts, could fit a 32mm tire with a long reach caliper brake, I could use that to convert my Jamis to a light touring setup as needed.

I don't want to do disc or canti, I would like to use the long reach caliper brakes for it.

Does this fork exist in the after market world? The lighter steel the better.

TK LP

A Gunnar Sport fork uses long reach brakes, but I'm not sure the rake would be correct, or maybe they could make you one.

jimc101

Without going the custom route, thinking your about 10 years late in trying to get a fork of this spec.

Almost everything today is disc only (why don't you want this?), Surly offer some steel forks which offer canti brake fitting, but not caliper, also, these are heavy weight/duty forks, not the light weight you have asked for.

Jarrett2

Thanks, I'll take a look at those.

TK LP

I think a Soma Smoothie ES also uses a long reach fork, and would probably be a lot less expensive. Again, check for proper rake.

Jarrett2

Thanks, I'll give Soma a call as well.

Jarrett2

Called Gunnar and they said check out the Surly Pacer fork instead of spending $375 on theirs. I thought that was pretty cool of them.

She also said it may be a more cost effective way to learn that a Jamis Eclipse doesn't make a good touring bike

dr_lha

I could have told you this. Why are you converting your Eclipse to a touring bike when you have an AWOL exactly?

Jarrett2

Don't be bringing logic into this!

I'll give you a hint:

dr_lha

You scored a new frame?

Jarrett2

I'm a sucker for red. Definitely considering it. Working hard to rationalize at this point

So my Stan's Grails wheels are a complete PITA. They are back in the shop for a second time for repair or warranty replacement. Having separate sets of wheels for touring bike (due to disc) and road bike is a lot of overhead.

I thought of buying this frame and converting my white eclipse into a backup road bike/light touring bike since it has long reach brakes in the back. I thought I could find a steel fork with long reach for the front, slap some 32's on it, front rack. Touring bike, even a little bit of gravel grinding possibly.

Then sell the AWOL + Stan's Grail wheels to pay for the build difference.

Then all the bikes in my garage would be 10 speed, caliper brake bikes that can interchange wheels as needed.

I have extra wheels, crank, bars, cassette, brakes laying around in the garage for the build effort. I would just need a stem, some shifters and DR's to build it out.

It would also give me the ability do my first frame up build, which is a goal of mine.

dr_lha

At least it looks like they're only lightly clamping the seat tube!

jsigone

I'd just just convert to disc on the front w/ what ever tires you want. There's a larger selection of 29er non suspension adjusted forks out there than say what you're trying to find. Or even easier CX forks.

Use either the Avid BB7 road or TRP Sypre systems. I have the BB7SL (a bit lighter) and they are nice with a large in stock pad selection to pick from.

Jarrett2

I'd love to not deal with disc brakes for a while. Canti's never again.

dr_lha

@Jarrett2 How big is the frame on your current Eclipse? That frame's a 61cm, which is pretty large.

Jarrett2

It's a 61 as well, same size. It's one of those deals where 61=58 somehow.

shelbyfv

I have an older Eclipse with the non OS 853. I can barely fit a 25 on the rear. Interesting that they would change the clearance enough to allow a 32. I'd love to be able to put on 28s, it's a nice smooth frame.

skidder

This is a little late, but also check out Soma Fabrications CroMo 57 fork. It's long reach, and I believe it'll take a 32 (maybe even 35) tire.