NVFlinch 

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

TenGrainBread 

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.

daverup 

I put the Ritchey Comp Carbon on my Lemond. It rides like a steel fork, very nice.

droppedandlost 

I like the Columbus Minimal, getting hard to find the 1" version

mstateglfr 

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

jolly_codger

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

macstuff 

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.

kunsunoke 

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.

mpetry912 

how bout Serotta F1 ? I got one with a long steerer

PM me

/marklp

NVFlinch 

Thanks, I have my Concours F1 as part of the frame/fork package for sale, but it only takes a 25mm tire.

droppedandlost 

I think they are just being conservative. I've been running 28mm tires for a couple years with no issues. I just measured the gap at 4mm.
These are 28mm GP5000s at 90psi:

gugie 

IMO, that's the biggest issue with most carbon forks, unless built for a gravel bike, and then only fairly recently.

nlerner

I was running a 1” carbon fork from Nashbar on a Merlin, but it only barely took a 25mm tire.

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.

theblackbullet

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.

Steel Charlie

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.

unworthy1

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)