Bicycle Mechanics - How big a difference would a carbon fork make?

I'm primarily a tourer looking to increase comfort and shed a few grams. I have no plans to attach racks or panniers to the front so I'm not concerned with losing the brazons.

If the concensus is that it would be a worthwhile investment, how do I choose?

The difference depends on what you have now. If you now have a threaded quill stem and steel steer tube you can expect to loose about 1/2 pound if you convert to a carbon fiber fork with carbon fiber steer tube. The conversion could cost $500 +/- depending on which fork and if you need a new headset, stem, handlebar, etc. Is it worth it? I don't know. Don't expect huge improvements.

Al

I'm primarily a tourer looking to increase comfort and shed a few grams. I have no plans to attach racks or panniers to the front so I'm not concerned with losing the brazons.

If the concensus is that it would be a worthwhile investment, how do I choose?If you buy if for saving a few grams you won't be disappointed.

Your carbon fork may have more lateral stiffness - I really dig this on mine. It also changes the road feel a bit. I don't know how much more it really dampens vs steel, but it does seem to eat more of the small bumps. Nashbar has some pretty inexpensive ones, and I've heard pretty good things about them.

Inspite of the lack of need to attach panniers... as a tourer how much does weight mean to you anyway? I mean you're gonna be carrying a heavy load in back, right?

A high-end steel fork has fairly similar characteristics (weight/cost) to a low-end carbon fork. You have to go to a high-end carbon fork to get the full advantages of the material. You also need a 1 1/8" steerer tube to give adaquate strength and stifness in the lightest models.
Carbon forks for touring (cantelever/long drop caliper brakes +fenders) are few and lower-end. They dont have carbon steerers.

If you are running cantilevers, you might want to talk to some owners of specific forks first. It seems to me as though many carbon forks with canti mounts have major chatter problems. Of course, this can happen with steel and aluminum forks as well, but it seems to be worse with some if not all carbon forks. I assume carrying a load would make it even worse.

I have a steel frame and carbon fork and really love this combination. Yes a carbon fork is fractionally lighter but moreover has great damping characteristics making a good riding steel frame even feel better. Some of the new mid to high end steel roadbikes today with carbon fork have a very plush ride.
George

I suspect his primary goal is to increase comfort. It certainly seems contrary to try and "shed grams" on a tourer. Leave one small item at home if you are planning to shed grams. As for comfort, i can't attest to how much of a comfort gain you will find. I only have mounain bikes with suspension forks and a road bike with a carbon fork.

For my most recent purchase, I test rode the whole range of Sirrus bikes, and noticed quite a difference with the carbon fork. I eventually had to settle on one with a carbon fork, because I found the ride that much nicer.

I likee muchee my carbon forkee. Go on, cowboy, do it - you know you want to.

For my most recent purchase, I test rode the whole range of Sirrus bikes, and noticed quite a difference with the carbon fork. I eventually had to settle on one with a carbon fork, because I found the ride that much nicer.

I likee muchee my carbon forkee. Go on, cowboy, do it - you know you want to.If the bikes weren't identical from the tires( and pressure) to the seat,with the only difference being the fork ,it's like comparing apples to watermellons.