1" steerer carbon forks, tell me watcha know
#1
1" steerer carbon forks, tell me watcha know
Looking to replace my 1" steerer 700c fork with a carbon jobbie, and need opinions/experience for the following list 'O' forks that I can easily grab. How do they ride? Tire clearance?
If there's something I left out, please let me know. Threaded or threadless, I can install either. Cost is no object...until it is - ha! I've heard good things about Ouzo Pro forks, but can't find any in a 1" tube. The bike is an older titanium frame, 73 degree headtube, and I don't race, just 'sport' riding/cruising. Would really like to clear a 28mm tire if possible. I weigh, ahem, about 199.999 pounds, but don't look more than 198.
I have the first three forks listed (have not tried Profile or Time yet):
Profile Desgin BSC
Kinesis Carbon 2 (replacing it due to a crash, but can get another of same model)
Time Club carbon
Others:
Origin 8 Carbon
Look Carbon Pro
Kinesis Easton AL Carbon
Time Composite Advanced Carbon (CAT)
Reynolds Ouzo Comp II
Ritchey Comp Carbon
If there's something I left out, please let me know. Threaded or threadless, I can install either. Cost is no object...until it is - ha! I've heard good things about Ouzo Pro forks, but can't find any in a 1" tube. The bike is an older titanium frame, 73 degree headtube, and I don't race, just 'sport' riding/cruising. Would really like to clear a 28mm tire if possible. I weigh, ahem, about 199.999 pounds, but don't look more than 198.
I have the first three forks listed (have not tried Profile or Time yet):
Profile Desgin BSC
Kinesis Carbon 2 (replacing it due to a crash, but can get another of same model)
Time Club carbon
Others:
Origin 8 Carbon
Look Carbon Pro
Kinesis Easton AL Carbon
Time Composite Advanced Carbon (CAT)
Reynolds Ouzo Comp II
Ritchey Comp Carbon
#2
Senior Member
Once upon a time had a fancy Wound Up 1" threadless fork on an old Litespeed. Worked great but expensive. They still do them as a custom order. Steel steerer.
#4
I like the Columbus Minimal, getting hard to find the 1" version
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#5
Sunshine
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I have one of these on my '97 Cannondale CAAD 3. I needed a longer steerer due to frame size.
It has been great so far- the finish is nice(though I stripped and painted it) and it clears 28mm tires. The steerer is aluminum, which I am totally happy with at the price and steerer diameter.
$160 usd and the website also sells a simple 1" threadless sealed headset for cheap, if you need that.
Its listed as weighing 590g, but that is with a 350mm steerer.
fwiw, I have read Columbus Minimal forks cant clear actual 28mm tires and have a good bit of flex to them. Maybe thats true, maybe its case specific, or maybe it was an issue but no longer. No idea, just fyi.
https://custom-junkies.com/carbon-ro...aft-300mm-590g
It has been great so far- the finish is nice(though I stripped and painted it) and it clears 28mm tires. The steerer is aluminum, which I am totally happy with at the price and steerer diameter.
$160 usd and the website also sells a simple 1" threadless sealed headset for cheap, if you need that.
Its listed as weighing 590g, but that is with a 350mm steerer.
fwiw, I have read Columbus Minimal forks cant clear actual 28mm tires and have a good bit of flex to them. Maybe thats true, maybe its case specific, or maybe it was an issue but no longer. No idea, just fyi.
https://custom-junkies.com/carbon-ro...aft-300mm-590g
#6
I currently have vintage bikes with a variety of threadless carbon forks: Ritchey, Kinesis, un-labeled Bike Nashbar house brand, and a Performance Bicycle Forte (also have another Ritchey on the workbench awaiting install on my winter project). Honestly, I couldn't say that there is a huge difference in ride quality (even the straight blade Forte rides the same). I am currently around 190#, but was at 250# when Covid started and rode them all at the higher weight with no problems. If you aren't in a rush, keep your eye on Ebay because carbon 1-inchers show up there semi-regularly and can be pretty decent deals (the Forte was brand new in a box that I picked up on a best offer to a resale shop and the Ritchey on the bench had been on a bike but is in pristine, still in box condition). There is a lot of junk on there as well and I avoid anything that has visible surface damage. Good luck, I am confident that you will find something you'll be happy with.
John
John
#7
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There are a wide variety and it depends on why you are switching. I've had good use with Kenesis.
the steerers come in carbon, alum or steel. A carbon fork with a steel steerer is hardly any weight savings over a good 531 or similar fork.
Plus is that stem selection is wide and can place the handlebars anywhere you'd like them.
Full carbon doest take a lot of abuse. How you ride matters quite a bit.
With alum or steel steerers, many are just carbon blades. Some even have stiffeners.
Carbon forks do supply a certain cool factor. I've put 1" threadless Kenesis forks on two of my bikes, a full 531 frame and a titanium frame. In each case the ride became a little more harsh. Not as much absorption. Carbon blades don't flex fore and aft.
the steerers come in carbon, alum or steel. A carbon fork with a steel steerer is hardly any weight savings over a good 531 or similar fork.
Plus is that stem selection is wide and can place the handlebars anywhere you'd like them.
Full carbon doest take a lot of abuse. How you ride matters quite a bit.
With alum or steel steerers, many are just carbon blades. Some even have stiffeners.
Carbon forks do supply a certain cool factor. I've put 1" threadless Kenesis forks on two of my bikes, a full 531 frame and a titanium frame. In each case the ride became a little more harsh. Not as much absorption. Carbon blades don't flex fore and aft.
#8
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Whatever you decide to buy, don't use a star-fangled nut on any carbon fork with a carbon steering tube. It causes stress risers in the steering tube. You don't want those anywhere near carbon fiber. The better option is getting an expanding plug like this one.
#10
#11
These are 28mm GP5000s at 90psi:
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#12
Bike Butcher of Portland
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IMO, that's the biggest issue with most carbon forks, unless built for a gravel bike, and then only fairly recently.
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#13
Senior Member
I was running a 1” carbon fork from Nashbar on a Merlin, but it only barely took a 25mm tire.
#14
Blamester
I've had the same columbus minimal on several bikes and plenty of miles and no issues. I must have it nearly 8 years.
Looks good is strong and very lightweight.
Looks good is strong and very lightweight.
#15
Senior Member
My 1999 Ironhorse Victory came with the Profile Design SC (alloy steerer) fork. It clears 28s with ease and feels solid under me as a 6'4", 230lb rider. If I were intentionally seeking out another 1" carbon fork, I'd certainly have it near the top of my list. No complaints.
#16
I have Serotta, Ritchie, and a couple Specialized carbon forks. None of them are big tire friendly. Frames aren't really either so NBD for me.
#17
Stop reading my posts!
I have a Reynolds (might be Ouzo model?) with a 1" steerer which I believe is Alu alloy.
If you're interested in buying it LMK via PM and I can unwrap it and measure the steerer, etc. but pretty sure it fits at least a 56 and IIRC maybe as tall as a 59 or 60.
I never used this fork myself (it does have some light use from a PO but would not have bought any used CF fork that looked at all dicey)
If you're interested in buying it LMK via PM and I can unwrap it and measure the steerer, etc. but pretty sure it fits at least a 56 and IIRC maybe as tall as a 59 or 60.
I never used this fork myself (it does have some light use from a PO but would not have bought any used CF fork that looked at all dicey)