Road Cycling - what are the benefits of carbon fork?

well, on my sirrus, i notice that the sirrus pro model has the carbon fork. i know that the carbon fork will be lighter than my current stock forks. however, other than that.. is there a huge difference in shock absorbtion? i have a suspension seatpost now with specialized milano seat... so if carbon forks and seat post will absorb shock better... then i'll put that into my future mods list.

i'm kinda new to road biking.. thus not 100% sure if carbon will absorb the shock. most of all, how sterdy and strong are they? have you guys and gals ever have one that crapped out on you? i've seen some carbon seat post that looks kinda fragile and it would be terrible if something should crap out on the seatpost.

Carbon forks help reduce road vibration quite a bit. Just for fun I swapped out my friend's alloy fork for my carbon one and noticed quite a bit of a difference between the two. As for durability, most forks are pretty durable as long as you don't crash them, damaging the integrity. I can't really comment about the carbon seatposts, my Giant one has worked great thus far, with no slipping or problems. There's a big debate whether carbon seat posts help reduce road vibration, and as far as I can tell, if it does anything it's not too noticeable for me.

There's stacks of info on most of these threads:

http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=211086
http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=211088

CF forks.. absorbs vibration better than AL.. but so does Steel forks, but is heavier.
CF forks are very light.

There two general types, those with Al/Crmo steerers and there are full carbon forks. There had been integrity problems with the Al/CF combo, so I would suggest you stay away from those.

Carbon forks help reduce road vibration quite a bit. Just for fun I swapped out my friend's alloy fork for my carbon one and noticed quite a bit of a difference between the two. As for durability, most forks are pretty durable as long as you don't crash them, damaging the integrity. I can't really comment about the carbon seatposts, my Giant one has worked great thus far, with no slipping or problems. There's a big debate whether carbon seat posts help reduce road vibration, and as far as I can tell, if it does anything it's not too noticeable for me.

humm.. i have noticed there are different type of carbon forks. there are some that is straight carbon fiber and then there are those that has some kind of rubber insert in between. the specialized one has those rubber stuff in the center, same with the seat post. perhaps that rubber thingy will make it even better? i'm just waiting for my friend to buy the 04 allez and hopefully he'll upgrade to a specialized carbon fork.. then i can test it out. hehe :D



CF forks.. absorbs vibration better than AL.. but so does Steel forks, but is heavier.
CF forks are very light.

There two general types, those with Al/Crmo steerers and there are full carbon forks. There had been integrity problems with the Al/CF combo, so I would suggest you stay away from those.

humm, i was just about to ask if it would be ok to use my al/crmo steerers and stems. when the time comes to upgrade, i plan on upgrading to all carbon. for the handle bar, i might just get one of those carbon ones as well... i saw them at supergo, and when i picked it up.. it was like picking up a straw! :love:

There's stacks of info on most of these threads:

http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=211086
http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=211088

links not working :cry:

I switched to a carbon fork with an alloy steerer tube. This was about a year ago when I was also converting the same bike to a threadless headset. The carbon fork was "slightly" lighter than the aluminum alloy fork that I replaced. But, I really don't pay much attention to minor weight differences. To you question regards noticable ride quality differences: I haven't detected any. People say the carbon fork takes out road vibration. I honestly don't detect any less vibration over the same training routes that I've been riding for the last 5 years. But, do what want. I did. I'm not sorry, but I don't think you should expect to justify the changeover due to a hypothetical decrease in vibration.

i'm just waiting for my friend to buy the 04 allez and hopefully he'll upgrade to a specialized carbon fork.. then i can test it out. hehe :D
The 04 Allez has a carbon fork already. Why would he upgrade it?

My experience has been the same as Don D's experience - it really doesn't make that noticeable a difference to justify the cost. I'd save the money for these upgrade towards a better bike at a future date, when you're ready for a road bike. But it's your money, not ours... :)


humm, i was just about to ask if it would be ok to use my al/crmo steerers and stems.
It's perfectly ok to use your current stem and bars on a carbon fork. The steerer, or steerer tube, is not the handlebars - it's the bit that sticks through the headset that you attach the stem and bars to.

I switched to a carbon fork with an alloy steerer tube. This was about a year ago when I was also converting the same bike to a threadless headset. The carbon fork was "slightly" lighter than the aluminum alloy fork that I replaced. But, I really don't pay much attention to minor weight differences. To you question regards noticable ride quality differences: I haven't detected any. People say the carbon fork takes out road vibration. I honestly don't detect any less vibration over the same training routes that I've been riding for the last 5 years. But, do what want. I did. I'm not sorry, but I don't think you should expect to justify the changeover due to a hypothetical decrease in vibration.

well, the changeover is not going to happen just yet. have to save up for that mod. but mainly the reason why i may want to changeover is because i want to reduce more weight on my sirrus. even though it's a 8 speed, i still would like it to be lighter if at all possible. right now the ride is a bit rough... but it's nothing i can't handle just yet. but definitely compared to my rockhopper with a crmo fork.. it's about the same bumpiness...

I switched from a steel frame/fork to an AL/carbon fork recently. Have to agree that there's not a big difference. The Ouzo Pro fork is stiffer than my old steel fork, and damps vibrations a lot quicker.....can tell that when I bounce the front end on the garage floor. But, on the road, not sure the difference is huge.

Main advantage of a good CF fork to me is the stiffness-to-weight ratio. Believe a stiff CF fork like the Ouzo Pro helps the handling and stability at high speeds....the "bike on rails" feeling downhills and over bumps.

[QUOTE=Stubacca]The 04 Allez has a carbon fork already. Why would he upgrade it?
[QUOTE]

he's thinking about upgrading to this fork instead of the original fork.. 04 C3 Zertz (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5081&JServSessionIdroot=v09mkw62fd.j27001)

he's thinking about upgrading to this fork instead of the original fork.. 04 C3 Zertz (http://www.specialized.com/SBCEqProduct.jsp?spid=5081&JServSessionIdroot=v09mkw62fd.j27001)
How much for the upgrade? And any particular reason why?

How much for the upgrade? And any particular reason why?

well, the one he's getting is the allez crmo double. the guy at the lbs said the zertz is better at absorbing shock compared to the stock ones. they quoted him $1500 for the allez and $200 installed for the zertz fork. and since that's the same fork as the one i had been eyeing.. i'm just gonna let him upgrade it and then try it on his bike.

I have a specalized Seqoua with CF and Zert, front and rear, and it works fine, also payed about $1200 for the bike, helmet, and computer, and I love it.
Phil/TX

links not working :cry:

Try the search option at the top of the page; it's fantastic, but a little slow!

Type in "fork","forks" or "carbon", then choose the "search titles only" option, right under the 'key word' window. Don't worry about the other options on the left, but on the right, scroll down to, and select "road cycling", then hit "search".

You'll find so much on this subject it'll drive ya nuts :o

Try the search option at the top of the page; it's fantastic, but a little slow!

Type in "fork","forks" or "carbon", then choose the "search titles only" option, right under the 'key word' window. Don't worry about the other options on the left, but on the right, scroll down to, and select "road cycling", then hit "search".

You'll find so much on this subject it'll drive ya nuts :o

thanks 531aussie.. i'll try that. before when i did a search it drove me nuts because it was still very broad. thanks for the tip.

I have a specalized Seqoua with CF and Zert, front and rear, and it works fine, also payed about $1200 for the bike, helmet, and computer, and I love it.
Phil/TX

phil, how does it ride? does it absorb out a lot bumps and vibes? especially the zertz in the front.. how are they?

well, the one he's getting is the allez crmo double. the guy at the lbs said the zertz is better at absorbing shock compared to the stock ones. they quoted him $1500 for the allez and $200 installed for the zertz fork. and since that's the same fork as the one i had been eyeing.. i'm just gonna let him upgrade it and then try it on his bike.
For that price, that'd be the Allez Comp Cr-Mo double?

Having ridden the full range of Specialized Allez bikes from the Sport up, both aluminum and steel frames, I'd strongly suggest that he get some sort of 'satisfaction guarantee' on that fork upgrade. I could barely notice the difference in ride quality between the Specialized Carbon-2 and Carbon-4 forks, though I haven’t ridden the Zertz fork. I would be surprised if the change was really that significant, especially since it still has a alloy steerer tube.

If he wants to spend $200 on an upgrade, the wheelset would be a far better candidate IMHO. That’s a difference he’ll definitely feel! If he's really insistent on a fork upgrade, I'd also strongly recommend moving to a dedicated component manufacturer such as Easton or Reynolds, and look at their full carbon forks.

In the end, it's his money, not mine. Just offering my opinion... :)

If he wants to spend $200 on an upgrade, the wheelset would be a far better candidate IMHO.

I agree completely.

For that price, that'd be the Allez Comp Cr-Mo double?

Having ridden the full range of Specialized Allez bikes from the Sport up, both aluminum and steel frames, I'd strongly suggest that he get some sort of 'satisfaction guarantee' on that fork upgrade. I could barely notice the difference in ride quality between the Specialized Carbon-2 and Carbon-4 forks, though I haven’t ridden the Zertz fork. I would be surprised if the change was really that significant, especially since it still has a alloy steerer tube.

If he wants to spend $200 on an upgrade, the wheelset would be a far better candidate IMHO. That’s a difference he’ll definitely feel! If he's really insistent on a fork upgrade, I'd also strongly recommend moving to a dedicated component manufacturer such as Easton or Reynolds, and look at their full carbon forks.

In the end, it's his money, not mine. Just offering my opinion... :)

true true.. that's what i told him as well. but i guess he's pretty fixed on that. we'll see.. if he gets it.. then great, i'll be able to test it out before i buy my zertz.

I put a Lemond/Bontrager race lite on my Cannondale this year and I am very pleased with the upgrade. I had the original aluminum leg fork previously, and it was quite flexy and not at all confidence inspiring. I would say that under normal long-distance riding I find the carbon to offer a much more compliant and comfortable ride, while giving the sense of being a stiffer fork. Kind of odd really. My upper body really used to feel beat up after only 20-30 miles on the old aluminum fork.

As for sturdy and strong, I'm 6'3" and a good 245-250 lbs right now. Fork hasn't snapped on me yet.

Jim



well, on my sirrus, i notice that the sirrus pro model has the carbon fork. i know that the carbon fork will be lighter than my current stock forks. however, other than that.. is there a huge difference in shock absorbtion? i have a suspension seatpost now with specialized milano seat... so if carbon forks and seat post will absorb shock better... then i'll put that into my future mods list.

i'm kinda new to road biking.. thus not 100% sure if carbon will absorb the shock. most of all, how sterdy and strong are they? have you guys and gals ever have one that crapped out on you? i've seen some carbon seat post that looks kinda fragile and it would be terrible if something should crap out on the seatpost.