Road Cycling - front forks

Does any one have any first hand experience,or knowledge of the
"Aerolite" titanium 700c forks? Or Morati titanium forks?
I know generall features and properties of what a titanium fork might be like,but I can't find any owners.I know they can be flexible, expensive, etc.etc. I'm looking for experience with those two companies products.I know China ti can be a problem too.That's what I'm worried about.Thanks for any comments.

No problems with China Ti, as long as it's an alloyed with Al and Vanadium i swil be fine.
Far east Ti is cheapr and just as consistent in it's properties as American Ti, In fact in some cases better.
I don't think Ti forks are a great idea. They're strong and flexy, it;'s the flexy bit that bugs me. Rather look at a carbon fork.

Hi Tim:
Thanks for your input.I'm always interested in learning something new about bikes.I read in a bike magazine quite some time ago that there was a quality control problem with a foreign titanium maker.Now that I read what you say, I think I remember it as being possibly a Checkoslovakian maker.It was so long ago I'm not sure.Of course a bike mag is only information from the person writing that article.That may not be the most accurate information either.
You sound like you know a lot more about titanium than most people,any thoughts you have on ti I would be glad to hear. I agree that a bike fork is not an ideal application for ti.Carbon fiber is so much better for stiffness,weight ,and cost.I do know about the Mongoose bikes flexing so much the back tire hits the chain stay,and the Morati welded cranks breaking. But I wonder, as I ride my weekly century and about 70 additional miles a week on my very,very,flexible Lightspeed Ghisallo.I think about how the frame really absorbs the bumps very well and the carbon fork
drives the bumps up into my arthritis in my wrists.(Not really a complaint about cf It's great stuff).I wonder if a flexible (too flexible for most people) Ti fork might soften the blow.What I have seen on the internet looks as if the Morati
forks are very large diameter.This would help the flexing,but they weigh over a pound.The pictures of the Aerolite forks look similar to the steel replacement forks you can get from a bike wholesaler.They are only about $200 also.The price worrys me a little.I just put some Stella-Azurra (sp.?) techno spungio full soft handlebar tape on and it is fantastic for my needs.The most likely scenario I can see is that the too flexible fork and the very flexible frame would handle like a wet noodle.I still wish I could find an owner to confirm or deny my ideas.
I enjoy doing the research too and seeing where it leads me.I have a lot of miles on the Ghisallo,I suspect it's 6-4 ti made from sheets rolled and welded.
But I'm not sure.I have heard of a couple of frames being broken,but I don't know how.I don't race and I use my bike for a fast century bike.I'm not really heavy or really powerfull either.However,I am experienced at missing things in the road from past motocrossing.(OK, I'm old) If you know anything else about that frame I'll listen carefully.........Thanks!

Morati forks are awesome. They are about the only Ti fork out there. The Morati road team uses them and they are well proven in cyclocross. Actually, all of Morati's products are excellent.

When I bought my Litespeed Ultimate the salesperson rode Ti forks on his personal bike. They where made by Aquilla in Canada.
http://www.racersportif.com/index.htm just in case you were interested in contacting them to inquire about the Ti forks. Let us know what you end up doing, I'd be interested to hear another person's opinion on Ti forks.

A high quality Ti fork can be stiff but it also be heavier than a mono moulded Carbon fork like Reynolds Ouzo Pro or Wound Up or TT Alpha Q. Just like a mono moulded carbon frame can be lighter and stiffer than a Ti frame. The same science applies.
Now I have head of Morati Forks and they receive good reviews but I can't comment on whether they are better than a Reynolds Ouzo Pro. I've not ridden one. Best thing to do is find a dealer and ask the if they have a test fork you could try out and see if you like it.


The Ghisallo is 6Al4V tubing rolled and welded and it's really flexy because the tubing is really thin! I've not heard of any nor seen any that have cracked or broken but I'm sure there are some people who have accomplished this.

from what i've read, beware of russian ti, or anyone claiming to sell "pure ti." ti by itself is basically worthless. it's the alloying that gives it all the goodies.

Thanks everyone.
Morati road team? Ti forks by Aquilla? A web address for a retailer.Very interesting.
I've learned a lot in three days.
I have read that "comercialy pure Ti" is too soft
for something like bike frames.The alloy is important to the application.I read that Litespeed dropouts were so hard at one time that the serrated washers on the quick releases did not grab well. I suspect they went to something like
"pure" ti. Although nothing is "pure."I will try to find someone at racersportif
that has actually owned ti forks.I'll keep you posted.

Originally posted by 2manybikes
... the Morati welded cranks breaking.

Hi 2manybikes,

FYI, Morati (http://www.morati.com) are located in Slovakia. Do you have any useful information as to the quality and durability of their road frames? My friend is considering the SC 1.1; I would not like to see him making a wrong investment.

TIA

Hello Bruco:
The information I found on the cranks breaking was either on the internet or in a bike magazine.It may have been from "roadbikereview.com" have you explored the Morati web site? It has a lot of information.I have yet to talk to an owner.All I know is what I've read.If you find out anything I would be interested to hear about it. This is the website.

http://www.morati.com/en/Default.htm

I really don't have any first hand knowledge of their products.

i'd be suspect. i think with ti, you get what you pay for. just my opinion, of course.

morati are EXCELLENT bikes! I have ridden the CX ti with the ti fork and it is really nice. The welds are on par with the best of any Litespeed. The bike looks and rides HIGH END.
The road frames are sweet. The road team enjoys them as I asked a few about the bikes and they were very positive. They also race with ti forks.

Their prices, while not high, are certainly on par for quality ti. Just because one in unfamiliar with a product doesn't mean that product is bad. Morati's, in my experience, are excellent. So much so that my next CX and road frames (and forks) will probably be Morati.
They are not earthshattering but they are as good as other ti bikes and have some unique features that really deserve the patents they are given.

oh another thing- I don't think the Morati forks are best for shock absorbtion because they don't ride soft. At least I didn't notice that. They seem to have great control and stability but didn't feel flexy.
Did you try double wrapping your bars for the added cushion? That is a common trick for comfort.

RacerX
Thank you! that's exactly what I was looking for.If you do get a Frame or fork from Morati I would be very interested in hearing about it.And a photo too.I just put on some Stella-Azura techno-spungio full soft tape with some extra pieces underneath for extra padding.It is wonderfull.It seems to be doing the job right now.But the name is longer than the roll of tape ! :-) I don't have too many miles on it yet but I like it so much I re-wrapped two of my other bikes with it too.Now I can't find any more in black, I cleaned out my local bike shop.

dude, i wasn't saying they were bad bikes. i was just saying to be careful and find out as much as you can before plunking down money. there's lots of bad ti out there, and a lot of it is from eastern europe. just trying to make sure our friend didn't get fleeced; glad you had some info for him.