Road Cycling - Fork recommendation

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JustsayMo
10-15-02, 07:27 AM
I'm building up a frame to use as my training bike. Living in the Pacific NW means riding with FENDERS from September 1st to August 31st ;) so I'm looking for a fork that will accomodate a fender.

I'm not too worried about weight but I would like to keep the rake at 43 mm to maintain the handling characteristics of the frame.

Suggestions?

Thanks!

MichaelW
10-15-02, 08:30 AM
Most bike shops can get generic made-in_Taiwan chromoly unicrown forks, the kind you find on low-end hybrids and road bikes. Be sure to get one with the braking system you need. I find that SKS narrow fenders and a narrow 32mm tyre fit inside Shimano 105 long drop calipers. These need longer forks than the short drop ones.
Longer forks will change your head tube angle, so you wont get the exact handling replicated vey easily.

A much better solution is to find your local frame-builder and get a set of lugged forks built up, in something like Reynolds 531. They are much lighter and more comfortable, but plenty strong enough. Henryjames.com has a framebuilders index.