Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Carbon fork question: alu crowns ok?

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Carbon fork question: alu crowns ok?

Old 12-31-05, 01:31 PM
  #1  
Gambe di sparviero
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 119
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Carbon fork question: alu crowns ok?

Hi. I'm considering these two forks for a bicycle I'm building:
- BRC Profile; carbon legs with alu steerer and crown
- ReynoldsOuzo Pro; all carbon

I don't know much about carbon fiber bonding technologies, but it *seems* like something made all of a piece, from the same material, might be better (more sound, more solid, whatever) than something that's bonded.

Anything in the differences between these two forks worth considering? (The Reynolds is, I think, about $150 more than the BRC.)

Thanks (again)!
David
DaveloMA is offline  
Old 12-31-05, 06:31 PM
  #2  
<><
 
SoonerBent's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 768

Bikes: RANS Tailwind

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Bonded carbon has been around a long time. I would think they have it pretty well down pat by now. I would buy whichever fork I liked the best.

SS
SoonerBent is offline  
Old 12-31-05, 10:11 PM
  #3  
Taking "s" outta "Fast"
 
AfterThisNap's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Zoo York City
Posts: 1,989
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I know it's hard to trust bonded carbon, but I ended up using it in my stem and it's been fine after a few hundred miles. When it comes down to control issues like that, I say it's worth the extra money if it makes you more comfortable on your bike. I use a non-bonded full carbon reynolds fork that I have abused severly and It has been totally bombproof.
If anything nags you when you're on your bike, it takes away from the ride. So either get over it, or just buy your peace of mind.
AfterThisNap is offline  
Old 12-31-05, 10:20 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Montreal
Posts: 6,521

Bikes: Peugeot Hybrid, Minelli Hybrid

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times in 2 Posts
The total carbon will be a bit lighter. The carbon legs of the bonded forks will give you all the road buzz damping you need, and no worry about the stem clamping causing damage to the steerer. Aluminum failure will be more graceful than carbon.
AndrewP is offline  
Old 01-01-06, 02:03 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Deanster04's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Boulder, Colorado
Posts: 1,383

Bikes: Cinelli Supercoursa 69, Ritchey Breakaway Cross, Mondonico Diamond Extra 05, Coors Light Greg Lemond (built by Scapin) 88, Scapin MTB, Stumpjumper 83, Specialized Stumpjumper M4, Lemond Poprad 2001

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8 Post(s)
Liked 2 Times in 1 Post
If you are going to have more than 5cm of excess steerer tube showing below where the stem sits then you would want an Aluminum ST on the carbon fork. That is the recommendation of the Fork builders. I recently wanted to build a bike with a more upright position for touring and I went from a full Carbon Reynolds Ouzo Pro to a Comp fork for that reason. The opinions expresses by the others are all right on.
On a carbon steerer tube I use a torque wrench and never exceed the supplier recommended torque. Another tip is that if you use a shim for a different size stem/steerer tube then orient the split in the shim away from the split in the stem to reduce the chance of crushing the carbon. I recently observed the problem caused by an over tensioned carbon seat post. Tighter ain't better.

Good Luck
Deanster04 is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.