Cyclocross - eBay "Deda" carbon fork: too good to be true?

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bmck
09-22-11, 01:59 PM
I have a new ride that's awesome except for the small matter of horrific brake chatter from an all-carbon fork, and I'm looking to get that fixed. I'm a bit of a deal-hound, so I'm not just gonna fly out and drop $300 on something; instead I'm looking at rejectsdeals on eBay. So the question is: does anybody recognize this fork?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CARBON-CYCLOCROSS-FORK-DEDA-BUILT-700C-CARBON-LEGS-/120783307741

I like that it's got a steel steerer, because I'm definitely willing to sacrifice a few grams for confidence that I'm not going to snap the thing in half. I like that it's got no logos, because I commute on my crossers and I'd prefer they draw absolutely as little attention on the bike rack as possible. But it's awfully light for having a foot-long steel tube on top of it, and I don't recognize it as anything I've seen anywhere else. Anybody seen one of these before? Used one? Know if it's going to wobble all over the place or just pick up and run away at the first sign of stress?

And...anybody have any suggestions for a reasonably priced, super stiff cyclocross fork? In case I've not made it clear, brake shudder is my number one concern--your suggestions would be most appreciated.

(originally posted in Introductions, but I edited that post to be an actual intro and now I'm posting this here).


Andy_K
09-22-11, 02:33 PM
That fork looks like it could take a fork-mounted brake hanger, so brake chatter probably wouldn't be an issue. It looks very similar to the Nashbar fork (except that the Nashbar fork has disc mounts too). Nashbar claims theirs weighs 722 grams, so the weight of the one on eBay is plausible.

I've got an Alpha Q CX-20 fork on my bike, and it has been great. I got the bike at Erik Tonkin's shop (http://sellwoodcycle.com/), and he described it as "a wild monkey of a fork." I think that was meant in a good way. This fork is, unfortunately, no longer made as the manufacturer went under, but you can probably find one used or possibly even NOS. They seem to sell for around $200, but IMO it's worth the money.

bmck
09-22-11, 02:44 PM
Great point on the fork-mounted brake hanger; I'll have to look into that.

Alpha Q had a great reputation for sure, although "a wild monkey of a fork" sounds dubious at best to me, heh. :) Tonkin's a solid guy though--my best friend/teen-years riding buddy was on his Team S&M for a couple years.


pmt
09-28-11, 06:39 PM
I just got an Alpha-Q off eBay for $125; installed it with Shorty 4 brakes/Kool Stop mountain pads and a regular hanger under the stem. No chatter or juddering whatsoever, and I have superior braking. The pads are toed-in just slightly.

The OP might try the lower-fork mount hanger to solve the chatter rather than change the fork.

Barrettscv
09-28-11, 07:33 PM
I've had great results with this Ridley fork: http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=43523&category=704

Light (alloy steerer), stiff, no chatter, nice ride.

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/Somasilver021.jpg

Here is an even lighter fork with a CF steerer tube for $120: http://pedalforce.com/online/product_info.php?products_id=13567&osCsid=104ee94b99b1d0e3aca21ba79f304ddc

bmck
09-30-11, 01:17 PM
The 4za I have won't take a fork-mounted hanger, unfortunately; otherwise I'd gladly pursue that option because it's otherwise a nice fork, and crazy light. It probably doesn't help that I'm pushing 200 pounds these days.

That other Ridley fork looks solid. Nice price, too.

As far as the other one--I'd have to ride that around before I trusted an off-brand all-carbon fork not to have the same problem as my current one. Again--not as concerned with weight as I am with brake chatter.

Thanks all!