Bicycle Mechanics - converting to a carbon fork?

I have an old (20 year old) custom steel road bike that I would like to update to a new carbon fork and threadless headset. I love the way the bike rides but a little lighter front end would be nice. I have just bought wheels and and in the process to changing over to Campy 10 speed stuff. It has old record group now. Thanks y'all:p

Brandon

So, what's the question exactly?

Your choices for carbon forks in a 1" standard will be limited, but I'm happy with the Ritchey Comp I used for my 1993 Trek 2300 (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=393611). It's a nice compromise in strength, weight and cost.

Nashbar also offers a very affordable 1" threaded carbon fork. I just added one to my 21 year old steel frame road bike. I considered going threadless, but it would have tripled the expense, and as much as I love the threadless look on new bikes, I think it looks odd on classic steel 1" headtube frames.

+1 on the Nashbar carbon for with allow steerer. I used that to build up a winter beater bike. Great product and very affordable. Probably comes out of the same factory in Taiwan as the big name models.

I am surprised anyone would perceive the weight difference between a steel fork and a carbon fork. I have an older steel bike and I have a newer aluminum bike with a carbon fork. Overall, the aluminum bike is much lighter than the steel bike. But, in my mind the carbon fork is there only to dampen road vibrations that the steel bike handles inherently. I never give any thought to how much the carbon fork weighs. I do, however, think about if that carbon fork has any tiny cracks when I am buzzing down a hill at 30 or so mph. I never think about such things when I am hitting 30 mph on my steel bike.

I do, however, think about if that carbon fork has any tiny cracks when I am buzzing down a hill at 30 or so mph. I never think about such things when I am hitting 30 mph on my steel bike.

You should. :p

for what it's worth, I went with the carbon fork on my steel frame because it was $70 for the upgrade, and to improve the ride quality.. less fatigue on touring rides. Nothing at all to do with weight.

The weight savings can be significant. Typical steel forks weigh in the range of 650 -750 grams. A carbon fork with a Cr-Mo steerer is about 500 grams and all-carbon forks are 300-400 grams. Changing from threaded to threadless can save about 100 grams more, mostly because threadless stems are lighter than quill stems.

Installed an all carbon 1" threadless on my circa 1980 531 single speed (http://www.wooljersey.com/gallery/v/Jim+Carter/MEOD/MEOD1.jpg.html). Now sub 17# including pedals.

Can't find a single reason not to do this (except $). Mine needed a new headset, and the fork was not original and fit another needy frame I had, so the swap was easily justified.

I'm a retrogrouch if there ever was one and I expected to hate your bike. I don't at all. In fact, I think it's awesome!

Thanks y'all I was really looking for and increase in damping as my hands take a beating. I will check out the nashbar carbon as I want to use my aerobars that has an intergal steerer...

Thanks
Brandon

Thanks y'all I was really looking for and increase in damping as my hands take a beating. I will check out the nashbar carbon as I want to use my aerobars that has an intergal steerer...

Thanks
Brandon

As for the threaded or non threaded thing. If your goal is just to be able to use threadless-type stems, you can install the threaded carbon fork, and then use one of those adapters which fits into the headset like a quill stem, but then allows a threadless-type stem to be clamped onto it.

If you really want a threadless headset, nevermind.