fork question

[tkehler]

I have a ti cyclocross bike I use for commuting (though not every day) and bombing around the city. I love it.

But the Independent Fabrication (steel) cross fork's steerer was cut very short, and I dislike having to use stems with 12+ degrees to raise my bars a little (currently the bars are 4-5 inches below the level of my saddle).

Now, I could buy another frame with a bigger headtube. Or I could continue to use the fork with my various stems. OR I could just buy a new fork with an uncut steerer and then fit myself right, and then cut it.

Here's my dilemma: carbon or steel? (The fork would have to be a 1" not 1 1/8".)

I rather like the steel IF fork's feel. But carbon is lighter. I have priced various forks and a new IF fork is about $420, which seems very high. I can get a Surly steel cross fork for about a hundred bucks.... How's the Surly?

Anyone have any opinions or advice to offer?

[cujet]

I found a Ti Sibex fork on Ebay, sold by a reputable dealership. He had a "make an offer" button, so I did. I ended up paying about 320 if I remember correctly.

By the way, the unit I have is the heavier unit. In other words, the early ones were known to crack due to the very light weight, but the later ones have never had any issues.

I chose the Ti fork because it has a fantastic ride, in other words, smooth. Better than the carbon or steel forks I have.

Chris

[dzinehaus]

steel if you dont mind the weight and save 2 times the amount of money or carbon if you want the weight reduction... I say steel. I made the same descision too... check the 'justify the purchase of a carbon fork' thread in the cross forums I started...came to the same dilemma myself...

[MrCjolsen]

I went from a carbon cross to the Surly. The surly seems nicer in terms of ride quality. Get the Surly.

I think that carbon cross forks are very stiff.

[tkehler]

Thanks for the replies, and thanks for the tip on the similar thread.

I have gone ahead with the Surly Crosscheck steel fork, which I will fit and then cut.

I have a lot of ti on the bike -- seatpost and stem, plus assorted bolts (and skewers) and Brooks Swift saddle -- so I'm okay without the ti fork. To be honest, I liked the Indep. Fabrication fork a lot, it was just too short.

[amorrow]

Got any pictures of your ti ride?

[tkehler]

Got any pictures of your ti ride?

Nothing up to date. My digital camera just packed it in, and my pal with the Nikons is out of town. I'll post some when I can.

It's a great ride, by the way. A custom TST (Washington State titanium bike maker) cross bike that I consider an ideal do-everything bike.