Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Nashbar Carbon Fork Review

Nashbar 1" Threadless Carbon fork with Alloy Steerer

Shipping was reasonably quick and it was well packaged. I took it to the LBS to cut the steerer tube and install a star nut.

Everything seems great after tonight's short ride. The rake is greater at 43mm than the stock 28mm, so the wheelbase is a bit more stretched out and I no longer have any toe overlap.

Handling is noticeably more precise - almost twitchy. The biggest benefit is when I am braking. The stock fork is decent but it is not designed for braking since it's a track fork. The fact that it was drilled for a brake seems to be an after-thought. The stock unicrown fork used to flex so much under braking that the axel would move back over 1" under heaving braking. This is gone with the new fork.

Benefits include - stiffness, weight reduction (almost a pound), better braking control and much more comfortable ride.

Cons would be borderline twitchy handling (super-precise) and aesthetics. Aesthetics is up in the air - I like the all chrome look for it's retro appeal but now my Pista looks more modern. Pictured with a Krysium Elite front wheel.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/carbonfork.jpg

>I like the all chrome look for it's retro appeal
I have chromed the carbon bianchi fork - had I given it more time to settle, it will be harder than regular paint (I know, I tried to remove chroming half a year after application)

Update - I rode a century (100 miles) on the fork over this weekend. It was much more comfortable than the stock fork. Whoot whoot!

Thanks for the review. I just put in the order for one to replace the stock fork on my IRO jamie roy. If I like it, I might buy another for my specialized.

Are there any nashbar logos on it?

Are there any nashbar logos on it?


thats the kicker aint it

It perfectly plain. The dropout is painted black too - that's a nice touch. The crown has a black paint which fades to nude carbon.

Full bike pic with the new fork plz.

Full bike pic with the new fork plz.

Here is the most recent view with my new carbon fork. It's pretty road worthy in it's current state - I do a lot of training miles on this bike. The saddle to bar drop is a bit excessive now, but it sure is badass with over 6" of drop.

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/august.jpg

http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e211/gbae007/carbonfork.jpg

What is holding your bottle-cage in place? Where did you get those?

What is holding your bottle-cage in place? Where did you get those?

Here. (http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=323834&highlight=bottle+cages+pista)

Here is the most recent view with my new carbon fork. It's pretty road worthy in it's current state - I do a lot of training miles on this bike. The saddle to bar drop is a bit excessive now, but it sure is badass with over 6" of drop.


Why not flip that stem to re-level your seat/bar ratio? You've got it jacked up with a bunch of risers anyhow. That bike is looking sweet!

Thanks for the review, I'm definitely itching to pull the trigger on one of these...

What did you use to black out the world champion stripes on the pista? Electrical tape? Thats what I've got on mine because it looks soooo much better without the color. Still a little jank but whatever.

Don't this


The rake is greater at 43mm than the stock 28mm, so the wheelbase is a bit more stretched out and I no longer have any toe overlap.

and this


Handling is noticeably more precise - almost twitchy.

contradict each other?

Don't this



and this



contradict each other?

No it does not contradict.

The increased rake moves the front tire out, thus the longer wheelbase.

With the front wheel moved out, the trail of the bike is DECREASED, thus the more twitchy handling. Look up Sheldon Brown's site for a full description of trail, rake, etc.

Don't this and this contradict each other?

I know what you mean - what I meant is that the increased stiffness of the fork seems increase the handling precision. I can't say if that is from the increased rake or the increased stiffness (both of which are fact) but it's certainly more precise than the stock steel fork. Does that make any more sense?


What did you use to black out the world champion stripes on the pista?

Electical tape worked fine and it looks like paint unless you are a foot away.


Why not flip that stem to re-level your seat/bar ratio? You've got it jacked up with a bunch of risers anyhow. That bike is looking sweet!

Thanks! I was using a 3T Mutant 120mm stem and I decided that was too long for the bullhorns. So I swapped it out for the stock stem which has too much angle on the stem. The 3T was close to 0 deg rise and the stock is like -15 deg rise. So if I flipped it, it would be too high up.

You mention the fact that I am running a lot of spacers - that brings up a point. Getting a new fork allows you to increase that space over stock. I am running about 20mm longer steering tube than stock.

what size steerer length do you choose for a pista? 160mm?

what size steerer length do you choose for a pista? 160mm?

There is only one option for length. I'm not sure where you are getting 160mm from - that's only about the length of the headtube.

It's a long steerer tube and you have to cut it to size and install a star-nut, which is not provided.

There is only one option for length. I'm not sure where you are getting 160mm from - that's only about the length of the headtube.

It's a long steerer tube and you have to cut it to size and install a star-nut, which is not provided.

when you try to order it now it comes in muptile sizes 160,175,200,225 mm

so i guess get the long one? haha how confusing, also what is the star nut used for?

when you try to order it now it comes in muptile sizes 160,175,200,225 mm

so i guess get the long one? haha how confusing, also what is the star nut used for?

This (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600086&subcategory=60001182&brand=&sku=18202&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Forks) is the product that is being reviewed in this thread. Are you sure you don't have a threaded steerer tube? Not to be rude, but if you don't know what a star nut is, why are you buying a fork?

What year is your Pista? If it's 2002(ish) or newer than it should have a threadless steerer.

This (http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600086&subcategory=60001182&brand=&sku=18202&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Road%20Forks) is the product that is being reviewed in this thread. Are you sure you don't have a threaded steerer tube? Not to be rude, but if you don't know what a star nut is, why are you buying a fork?

What year is your Pista? If it's 2002(ish) or newer than it should have a threadless steerer.


im not buying one, i just wanna know for future reference. you know learn something and see if i want to get it in the future, my pista is a 2006

nvm found out wat a star nut was, thanks for the re link to what fork your talking about

In that case this fork will work on your bike. Just select the 1" and not the 1 1/8" size. I had my LBS cut the steerer because I don't have a cutting guide tool.

hey thanks for the review, I might get one for my BFIRO

Min, where did you get the steerer tube cut down? I'm in PDX too and I'm considering picking one of these up myself. And how much did it cost?

I used one on a DEAN for about 2 years.... it was a nice ride. I still have it in the parts bin, just have not used it on any of my bikes recently.

Yea I give this fork 2 thumbs up. The kilo tt fork was stupid heavy and this has been a good replacement. Don't know about precise-ness and rake, but it serves the purpose.

I'm very close to buying one of these. Min, can you answer my question(s) pleeease?

The only thing you need to know is that cheap carbon forks contain a greater portion of fiberglass to carbon than *real* carbon forks.

k.

And the carbon fork the OP ordered could've been had for < $40 RETAIL.

operator, when and where can said fork be found for that cheap?

Killypants,

anyone LBS in portland can cut a steerer tube. I went to Bike Gallery. Make sure they use a tube guide for a perpendicular cut.

Disregard anything that comes out of operator's Canuckastani mouth.

While I no longer own this bike, I can assure there is no fiberglass in carbon fiber. It's carbon layers and then epoxy to bond the layers. The differences between a cheap one and an expensive one is weight and build quality vis a vis:

the carbon grade used, the layup process, grade of epoxy and the bonding process (zero void, etc.)

variances on these factors will determine the final strength and weight.

Anyway, the Nashbar fork is a fine intro to an entry-level carbon fork. Certainly better than the stock unicrown fork...

The only thing you need to know is that cheap carbon forks contain a greater portion of fiberglass to carbon than *real* carbon forks.

k.

And the carbon fork the OP ordered could've been had for < $40 RETAIL.

Except the Forte forks are re-branded Kinesis ones. Owch.

Okay thanks MIN. Sorry to pester but how much did it cost (@ Bike Gallery) for the labor?

$10 bro.

Thank you sir.

I just ordered mine with an extra star nut. Nashbar has a 20% off coupon right now for any order over $100!

I like the look of the carbon fork with the chrome pista. I never liked the stock fork on the pista, it has no lugs, and the unicrown always kinda looked ugly to me-- like a bmx fork.

thanks for the review, MIN. I'm excited to hear it's gotten rid of toe overlap :thumb:

got these in the mail today.. not too sure if i can change the new forks myself, more or less cut the steerer tube.. guess i'll have the lbs hook it up, unless anyone has some good advice?

I installed it myself, the only problem I encountered was the bottom part of the steerer tube where the headset needs to be pressed on. I ended up filling it down so it would fit, my LBS would have done it but they were afraid to split the ring. Cutting the steerer tube is easy as long as you have a good metal saw.

don't you need a special tool to remove the star nut?

I installed it myself, the only problem I encountered was the bottom part of the steerer tube where the headset needs to be pressed on. I ended up filling it down so it would fit, my LBS would have done it but they were afraid to split the ring. Cutting the steerer tube is easy as long as you have a good metal saw.

how did you file it down? looks like maybe i need to do the same thing. do you have pictures?

how did you file it down? looks like maybe i need to do the same thing. do you have pictures?

Sorry, no pictures. I just used a hand file for metal and started filling down the lip at the bottom of the steerer tube. The tube is aluminum so it's fairly easy to do and took me about 10-15min. It doesn't need to be even with the rest of the steerer tube, just enough for the ring to be pressed on.

For those that have ridden on these budget carbon forks: In general, how does their strength, damping/comfort, stiffness, and weight differ from a quality road fork from the 70s/80s?

You are not supposed to file it down guys. That's what a crown race installation tool is for. ::sigh::

You are not supposed to file it down guys. That's what a crown race installation tool is for. ::sigh::

I realize that you're not supposed to but even the guy at the LBS said that it won't fit and I asked him if I should file it down and he told me that's what he would do. I didn't want to buy a new headset so I just went for it and it worked out perfect for me.

BTW here is the final result...
http://velospace.org/files/Windsorfinalsmall.jpg

Anyone have this fork on an IRO Mark V? I'm not digging my stock fork so much

so i took my bike to the lbs to have my nashbar carbon fork put on (doing it myself was clearly over my head) and right away i noticed how much they dampened the ride on the f-ed up nyc streets. My bike is noticeably lighter, but more importantly rides much more smoothly. no major difference as far as handling goes, at least not at my level of experience. all-in-all i am happy with the purchase!:thumb:

I just installed a 1" Nashar carbon fork on a new build of and old specialized epic carbon. Very nice fork! Beautiful finish, rides nice and feels stiff. It is on sale for $79.99 plus, I got 20% off of my order so it cost me about $64. How can you go wrong? I'm not sure who makes it but, I'd buy another for sure.