Track Cycling - Carbon fork question

Any thoughts/input on my desire to replace the stock cromo fork on my 2005 bianchi pista with a carbon fork?
What size would I need?
How much should I expect to pay?
I ride 90% on the street 10% on the track, does this even make sense?
Online retailers?
brands?
thanks in advance!

You need a 1" threadless fork for a Pista. Threadless forks generally come in one length and are cut to size so unlike threaded forks, you don't need to worry about the length/size.

The hardest thing for you is going to be finding a threadless fork that matches your current fork rake. Most forks are designed for road bikes which have a more relaxed geometry than track bikes. The Pista (well the 06) model has a fork rake of 28mm. Most road forks have rakes around 40-45mm.

If you currently ride with a brake then you'll need to find a drilled fork, which for a track fork is harder to find. I know Planet-X, Terry Dolan, Look, Alpina etc all make track specific carbon forks. The Wound Up fork is also another good option (See http://www.advancedcomposites.com/woundup.htm)

The other thing that complicates this is many manufacturers have moved away from the 1" to 1 1/8" threadless systems so your choice of fork may be limited further.

I would suggest asking this in the Fixed Gear/Single speed forum as there are a ton of Pista owners there and people can probably make specific suggestions about makes/models and price and their experiences with them.

You might one to read these threads (lots of chatter but some advice)
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=101517&highlight=carbon+pista
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=130506&highlight=carbon+pista
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=114933&highlight=carbon+pista

Why would you want to downgrade your bike? You have a sturdy, reliable fork that was designed to fit your bike. Put on a brittle, failure prone fork that is unlikely to fit as well, and to provide good clearance around your tires?

Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.

Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.

But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.

Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.

Why would you want to downgrade your bike? You have a sturdy, reliable fork that was designed to fit your bike. Put on a brittle, failure prone fork that is unlikely to fit as well, and to provide good clearance around your tires?

Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.

Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.

But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.

Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.

thank you, your sensable advice will prevent me from needlessly spending hundreds of dollars on this fork upgrade. instead i will spend hundreds on some other upgrade, probably wheels, which i am told is not neccessarily too needless. i will learn to love my stock fork for now.

Why would you want to downgrade your bike? You have a sturdy, reliable fork that was designed to fit your bike. Put on a brittle, failure prone fork that is unlikely to fit as well, and to provide good clearance around your tires?

Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.

Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.

But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.

Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.

Dude, do you have a filter for "carbon fiber"? No matter what the discussion is, no matter what forum, you jump right in there with your "steel is real, everything else will explode catastrophically and kill you" post...

"steel is real, everything else will explode catastrophically and kill you"...

That made me laugh. The doubting traditionalists and the puritans are alive and well on BF.

We are doomed.

I wonder how much abuse my body would have to take, over the years, to make my CF bike to go post toastie; I'm guessing . . . stairs maybe?

:)

I have a Kenisis Track fork on my bike. They make them in 1" and 1.125" steers, aswell as with brake or without brake hole. Tonite mine saw some heavy sprint on the drome. Its pretty stiff considering I weigh 185lbs.