Road Cycling - Dumb Hypothetical Fork Question

So I am going to be needing a new fork soon. And as I look at these carbon forks, there seem to be 2 routes to go.

The first option is the superlight 300-350g fork. I guess that the whole idea is the lighter the bike, the quicker it is.

The second option is the 420-500g aero fork. I guess the whole idea is that the more aero the profile, the quicker it is.

So if they are both supposed to improve your overall speed, which one do you think is better? The 100 gram difference is a 1/4 pound and we all want lighter bikes. My current fork is about 550 grams, so they are all lighter then what I have. I've heard some manufacturers claim that a good aero fork can cut up to a minute an hour etc, etc. I think all these claims are suspect, but since I need a new fork anyhow, can anyone give me an opinion?

What fork are you replacing - the one on the Lemond?

I went through this when I was trying to figure out if it would be worth it to upgrade my older carbon fork with a newer, lighter one on my Maillot Jaune.The consensus was that the difference would be negligible, even if it saved a hundred grams. So I chose to wait.

55/Rad

Yeah, it would be for the Lemond.

I just wonder what is a greater advantage, aero or weight. Of course, which ever one looks cooler must be worth a few mph too.

Although I think the Bonty Race carbon fork is an excellent fork, I definitely concur when it comes to appearance issues - go with your gut if money isn't a factor.

How do you like the Arrivee? I'm looking at the Tete de Course and the '04 MJ, but they appear to be pipe dreams right now. Figure I have the carbon 5500 and the steel MJ, so I might as well get a mix.

Don't tell my wife.....

55/Rad

Well, you have to have a bike out of the four basic 'food groups', right? Ti, Carbon, Steel and Al. I recently bought a Lemond Tourmalet for my GF so now the only thing our house lacks is a carbon bike. Woo-hoo!

I like the Arrivee a lot; coming from a Al bike, the ride quality is a night and day change. Lemond geometry fits me well as I have a longer torso and after throwing a Brooks Swift on it, I find I can do 70+ mile days comfortably. Its not the lightest stock, but I have made some fun mods and besides, you have a 5500 for the light bike. Now if I could only figure out the fork....that Columbus Muscle fork sure looks the business...

If you time trial on the flat, then aero is better (by a fraction of a smidgeon of a percent)
If you ride in a pack, or ride hills, then aero is not so useful, so go lighter.

How about the 2004 Easton EC-90 Aero (http://www.eastonbike.com/COMPONENTS/fork.ec90-Aero.html) road fork. It weighs 395 grams. Retails for about $430. Sure looks cool too!

:D

Ed

How about the 2004 Easton EC-90 Aero (http://www.eastonbike.com/COMPONENTS/fork.ec90-Aero.html) road fork. It weighs 395 grams. Retails for about $430. Sure looks cool too!

:D

Ed

man ive totally been looking at this fork (also debating weight vs aero). it would match so nicely with my red and black cannondale frame too.

I just wish that all fork manufacturers would tone down the graphics a bit. I guess it helps them pay the bills and all, and it is a way to show off to the rider that going the other way, checking out your ride (admit it, we all do it). But between my frame, wheels and fork, the decals are out of control. That Easton sounds like a nice fork though; good mix of aero and weight.

The advantage of having a road bike for entertainment, and another
work bike, for rugged use (hybrid, for example) is that if you have an
accident, like I did, on the cheap bike, a steel fork costs $7 plus tax
and about $15 for labor, installing it.

I just wish that all fork manufacturers would tone down the graphics a bit. I guess it helps them pay the bills and all, and it is a way to show off to the rider that going the other way, checking out your ride (admit it, we all do it). But between my frame, wheels and fork, the decals are out of control. That Easton sounds like a nice fork though; good mix of aero and weight.

oval concepts jet stream... (http://www.ovalconcepts.com/products/forks/A900Fork.html)

495 grams for the aero, or 465 grams for the "non-aero" one, but they're both pretty aero if you ask me...i found them as cheap as the mid 300 range, but i can't seem to find that link...

i too, have been bitten by the carbon fork bug...looking at the columbus muscle fork, or one of the kestrel EMS forks.

and then there's this beauty: http://www.cambriabike.com/road/forks/images/kinesis_carbon_wedge_road_f.jpg which is not so light, but eeeaaaasy on the eyes IMO.

its funny you mentioned the R900; I have been looking at that Oval for awhile, and although its a little 'fringe', I like it. I am guessing you saw them at Cambria...they have some on sale now on their website. $295 I think...

i heard about them through thylacine, and then i found them at some aussie retailer who had them for like, $750 or something ridiculous like that...but then i found them at other places for much, much cheaper. i don't see any reason why i shouldn't get them, aside from maybe cost, and i might be able to get something just as nice for less at my LBS. they look like a solid fork, and the UCI has made them legal now, so...yeah. i like having stuff that not everyone else has on their bikes, so i might end up going with the oval...

i'm also trying to decide if i should get a new fork, or new wheels...or save and get a new frame. decisions, decisions....

Assuming that you keep your frame, I don't think there is any other upgrade that can make as big of difference as a new wheelset. I did this myself about a month ago and am still surprised at the difference; the wheels are lighter, the ride is smoother, the acceleration has improved, and hey, it looks better too. I went Velomax and haven't looked back. I also just saw that Easton just bought Velomax...I wonder how they will be branded in the future...

aye, there's the rub...i'm also trying to figure out if i want to get a whole new frame to build up as a "fancy" bike, in which case, i'd need all new everything anyway.

i think i'm probably going to end up going with new wheels, even though i'm don't really need them, i mostly just use my bike to go around the city and for cruises up in the hills...although i might ride it more if i had better wheels.