Fork help?

[aedifica]

I was recently advised that it would be a good idea to replace my fork soon.* That means deciding what to replace it with, though--carbon? steel? aluminum? titanium? (probably not titanium). Curved? straight? I have no idea, I just know that what I have now works, but something else might be even better. Does anyone here enjoy bike-geeking about forks? What I have now is a straight carbon fork on a mostly-carbon road bike, and I ride on roads from smooth to potholey. Advice is welcome, I'm feeling overwhelmed by the technical details when I search on this online.


* Turns out it isn't a good idea to let things hang from your handlebars, if the things are long enough to get caught in the wheel. I bent a wheel to the point where I had to replace the wheel, not just have it trued. I am so grateful that this happened at a time in my life when I could afford the repair! And since there may have been damage to the fork at the same time, better to replace it soon than have it break sometime when I'm out riding.

Comments

[grrltastic]

Do you like the fork you have now? If so, it may be best to replace it with the same thing.

The rake on the fork (amount of curve on the blades) affects the wheelbase length. Generally, a bike with a longer wheelbase is going to be more stable, while a bike with a shorter wheelbase is going to be more maneuverable.

Again, generally, carbon fiber is going to have more shock-absorption than aluminum, but it's less durable. Aluminum is light and cheap, but has a harsher ride. Steel has the same smooth-ride characteristics as carbon fiber, but is heavier and more durable.

It sounds like, for your purposes, the style of fork you currently have is pretty good for the type of riding you do.

[aedifica]

Thank you! That's reassuring to hear. :-) I've been in a tizzy trying to figure out whether there was something even better I should switch to (better for how I ride, that is) and it's good to hear a calm, informed outside voice.

[grrltastic]

It's pretty easy to get caught up in the "I need the latest and greatest or my bike is going to suck!" mentality. I think that, really, unless you're doing a lot of Cat 1 racing, as long as you like the components on your bike, it's fine. :)

[aedifica]

I wasn't even thinking I necessarily needed the newest snazziest--I was considering everything that could be in my budget, no matter how inexpensive! :-)

[sara]

Have you had someone evaluate the state of the rest of the bike? Because you might not want to invest in a second fork for a carbon-fiber bicycle -- as I understand it the use-life on carbon frames is only about 5-10 years.

(I have been drooling over these SOMA mixtes lately myself, but then we all know I am an inveterate steel-bike-riding dork.)

[aedifica]

Oh, I didn't realize that! Though I looked up my bike again and it turns out to be mostly aluminum, with carbon fork and stays, so it might not be that dire. Though then again it might. Eh.

And those are pretty! I left my John Deere mixte with my sister when I moved, since it doesn't fit how I ride. Really cute bike, though.

[sara]

Yeah, it's why I've never looked seriously at carbon bikes (whereas my daughter has a carbon fiber violin bow, and I think it's awesome and really want one of my own). If you're changing out the fork should you do the stays too as long as it's in the shop?

I've been toying with the idea of commuting on something both cheaper and more skirt-friendly than my Trek touring bike...but I keep telling myself that I don't actually NEED to own all the bikes in the entire world.

[daedala]

"I keep telling myself that I don't actually NEED to own all the bikes in the entire world."

Why?????