Road Cycling - My first carbon fork

Well, I did it; after riding for about 17 years I got my first carbon fork. I bought a Profile-Design BSC carbon fork with a steel steerer, and put it on my old steel bike. I tried to tell myself not to have high expectations, but I couldn't help it -- I was expecting some sort of magic. Needless to say, my expectations weren't met, but I definitely wasn't disappointed. I'd actually have to say that, if anything, the fork is stiffer than the old steel fork, and maybe even stiffer than the aluminum fork I was using.

The only notable difference was the nice smooth cornering. :D

Anyway, none of my friends ride bikes, so I had to tell someone :)

Yah, I noticed on my road bike, it is really stiff, but it is really responsive. I guess it is one of those tradeoffs.

Well, I did it; after riding for about 17 years I got my first carbon fork. I bought a Profile-Design BSC carbon fork with the steel steerer and put it on my steel bike. I tried to tell myself not to have high expectations, but I couldn't help it -- I was expecting some sort of magic. Needless to say, my expectations weren't met. I'd actually have to say that, if anything, the fork is a bit stiffer than the old steel forks, and maybe even stiffer than the aluminum forks I was using.

The only notable difference was the nice smooth cornering. :D

Anyway, none of my friends ride bikes, so I had to tell someone :)

Good report...the CF "ride magic" is really over-hyped, isn't it? I've got a Ouzo Pro fork on my new bike, and it's stiff too...much stiffer than the steel fork on my old 531 Raleigh. Great handling and stability though. Somebody might make a soft-ride "flexy" CF fork, but not sure I'd want to ride it.

I got a much bigger ride improvement when I started running 95/100 psi, rather than the 120 max rating.

Thanks for the replies.

My bike is also a Raleigh 531. I originally just wanted a fork with a longer steerer to allow me to raise the bars, so I thought I'd give carbon a go.

You guys described it better than me: "stability" and "responsive" is what I should've said.

I don't think the world's stiffest fork could ruin the ride of my Raleigh, so the stiffnes of this fork doesn't worry me. It's obviously too early for me to judge, but it seems as though the carbon hype might be just that -- hype.

I have a total 'bone-shaker' of an aluminum bike with an alu fork, and I'm now thinking a carbon fork will not make enough of a difference to save this bike.

Thanks for the replies.

My bike is also a Raleigh 531. I originally just wanted a fork with a longer steerer to allow me to raise the bars, so I thought I'd give carbon a go.

You guys described it better than me: "stability" and "responsive" is what I should've said.

I don't think the world's stiffest fork could ruin the ride of my Raleigh, so the stiffnes of this fork doesn't worry me. It's obviously too early for me to judge, but it seems as though the carbon hype might be just that -- hype.

I have a total 'bone-shaker' of an aluminum bike with an alu fork, and I'm now thinking a carbon fork will not make enough of a difference to save this bike.

Not all carbon forks are created equal (I mean stiff). Reynolds ouzo pro (and comp, which is what I have) are on the stiff side.

Thanks for the replies.

My bike is also a Raleigh 531. I originally just wanted a fork with a longer steerer to allow me to raise the bars, so I thought I'd give carbon a go.

You guys described it better than me: "stability" and "responsive" is what I should've said.

I don't think the world's stiffest fork could ruin the ride of my Raleigh, so the stiffnes of this fork doesn't worry me. It's obviously too early for me to judge, but it seems as though the carbon hype might be just that -- hype.

I have a total 'bone-shaker' of an aluminum bike with an alu fork, and I'm now thinking a carbon fork will not make enough of a difference to save this bike.

Agree a CF will not "save" a thick-walled AL bike, or a heavy steel bike either. I'd say the CF forks and stays filter out a bit of the road harshness, but that's about it. My current bike is Zonal Megatube AL, with a solid carbon rear and the Ouzo Pro fork. It's stiff and very responsive for hammering in the big ring and climbing, much less flex than the Raleigh 531 steel. I wouldn't say it's smooth on a rough road by any means, but if the surface isn't too rough, it filters out the road noise and feels like you're floating along.

The Trek 2300 and 5200 are the smoothest-riding bikes I've tried. You might want to test ride them, just as a comparison point, if you're really concerned about a plush ride. Also Specialized has that new CF bike with Zertz (elastomer-filled slots) in the forks and stays which ought to be good at filtering out road harshness. Personally, I wouldn't want to compromise strength and stiffness to get a squishy ride, but everyone is looking for something a little different in a bike.

Again, my experience has been that tires and tire pressures will make a difference in ride quality.

Agree a CF will not "save" a thick-walled AL bike, or a heavy steel bike either. I'd say the CF forks and stays filter out a bit of the road harshness, but that's about it. My current bike is Zonal Megatube AL, with a solid carbon rear and the Ouzo Pro fork. It's stiff and very responsive for hammering in the big ring and climbing, much less flex than the Raleigh 531 steel. I wouldn't say it's smooth on a rough road by any means, but if the surface isn't too rough, it filters out the road noise and feels like you're floating along.

Thanks again.

I'm not overly fussy about a smooth ride; I have a 1999 Specialized Allez Comp with an aluminum fork that is smooth enough for me, but it's nice to get back on the Raleigh every few days. The 'bone shaker' i own is a no-name, built using Dedacciai 7003, which was shop soiled, has the 'old' 1 inch steerer, and therefore only cost me $200, so I'm reluctant to spend top dollar on a good carbon fork.

I should've researched the Dedacciai more, but I saw it as a very cheap way to get out of the 1980s and own my first modern, light (3.3lbs) tube set.