Uprighter

Hi,

I'm thinking about upgrading my old Cannondale tourer (ST400) to a threaded nashbar carbon fork. I'm riding a lot of rough pavement and gravel, and my general plan is to add a carbon fork and seatpost, as well as a (gently used) set of wide 700c rims and larger tires.

Nashbar is only willing to guarantee that the fork clearance is enough for 700x25mm tires, I was hoping to go to something closer to 35mm. One review says the axle to crown measurement of this fork is 370mm, it looks plenty wide enough. Would y'all recommend going with this fork, searching on fleabay, or sticking with the factory steel fork?

I'm currently running 27x1.25 tires at about 90psi.

HillRider

If this is a road fork the chances of it clearing 700x35 tires is remote. Particualrly since it likely requires a "short reach" (37-47 mm reach) front brake and the tires won't clear the brake arch either. If you want a carbon fork that will clear wide tires, look for a cyclocross fork.

Uprighter

HR, good point on the brake. Based on the brake issue and what I've learned from others' experiences, it looks like I can go 700x28 on the front and 700x32 or 35 on the back.

How will the cushion of 700x28's compare to 27x1.25's on gravel?

Mr IGH

Cheaper would be to buy the 1" Nashbar Carbon Cyclocross fork (disc/rim brake) and a 1" threadless headset. It's ~395mm a-to-c and will allow you to run big tires.

https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...9_10000_202441

HillRider

If they run true to marked size, they will actually be harsher and less bump absorbant. A 27x1.25 is more-or-less equivalent to a 700x32 tire, not a 28.