Bicycle Mechanics - Too Heavy for Carbon Fork?

Greetings,

I'll admit, I'm a big fat a$$ (but I've riding alot since I bought my bike in late January to try and take care of that).

I bought a K2 Mach 1.0 and would like to upgrade the front fork to a carbon fork. If possible I would like to get one with the same geometery as the current fork.

Although there's really nothing wrong with the fork on the bike I did like the feel of a previous bike I owned that had a carbon fork on it.

So, my question is at ~270 pounds am I too heavy at this time to consider the swap?

Zack

Maybe you should look into a fork designed for a tandem? I am sure there are carbon forks available and a tandem fork would be beefier - might be a good option.

-Ryan

Hey. just to be real here.... Ride the bike and drop some pounds (I know of where I speak) and then look at at the bike. You're (WE) are the weakest link. 270 is on the upper end of the scale for high end carbon forks.

The fact that your riding means a whole hell of a lot more than a fork! See you at the "I got skinny pedaling fest" :D

I would suggest you use the acquisition of the carbon fork as a reward for achieving a weight reduction milestone as an incentive. As for being sure you can find the right fork to reward yourself with, I'd first ask the folks at K2 which forks they are recommending. Next, contact the fork manufacturer(s) and ask them what weight they rate their forks for.

As for tandem-rated carbon forks:

TrueTemper makes the Alpha Q X2 carbon fork for tandems. They are only available in straight blades but are offered with three different off-sets: 41mm, 44mm or 48mm.

Reynolds makes a tandem-rated Ouzo Pro but it's only available with a 1 1/4" steerer and with 55mm of off-set: it was designed for use on Santana's newer tandems. However, I'm told the design limits used for Reynolds single bike Ouzo Pro are pretty high and there are some tandem teams under 300 lbs using them -- knock on wood -- without any problems.

Wound-Up is the only other tandem-rated roadie fork and I don't recall the off-set but it is designed for a 1 1/8" steerer. Wound-up also makes a carbon fork with cantilever bosses.

BikerRyan: Thanks for the suggestion. I hadn't thought about about that as a possible source.

Ti-Carbo: I realize I'm the weakest link in this whole deal, but I'm working on it. I'll be great to go to the "I got skinny pedaling fest" I know it's going to happen, I just don't know when :)

livngood: The reward idea is a good one. I already have one setup for when I break 200 - I'm upgrading the groupo to Ultegra. K2 has some bikes with Carbon Forks. If possible I wouldn't mind getting a K2 fork. I'll ask the guys at the LBS if they can get one from K2 and how much it would run.

BTW, my wife and daughter spotted Rob and Judy (and the rest of the club) out riding last Sunday. I was doing a solo ride since my riding abilities won't allow me to hang with them.

Zack
267 miles down/2233 to go

I am about 265lbs and I use a carbon fork. So far no problems. I do not think you should have one. Ask your LBS for their input, I think they will agree.

A fat (210) mechanic's opinion: The forks are plenty strong. I wouldn't hesitate to put the largest rider on a Kestrel or Look fork. The problem is that most of us over 190 or so should really be on 25c or 28c tires all of the time, and the space in most carbon and al forks is too skimpy. Exception: Wound Up.

I was 270 when I started riding. 210 now and still working on it. I like the idea of using the fork as a reward. I would not have upgraded to a carbon fork, but when I built a bike at about 220-225 pounds I put a carbon fork on. I concur with oscarreg's opinion on tires. I run 25s on my road bikes. There is room in my particular fork.

Here's another way to look at the fork acquisition. Although any carbon fork but an ultralight would hold up, the lighter ones might be too flexy at your weight right now. If you get a heavier one now, it may feel stiff when you get lighter. Your hands will feel more comfortable as you lose weight also.
FWIW,
Raymond