glacious

I need a new fork for my tricross s-works (1 1/8" Mindset headset). Looking for all carbon, which leads me to:

Alpha Q CX20 - https://www.truetemper.com/Performance_Tubing/cx20.asp 47mm rake
Easton EC90 X - https://www.eastonbike.com/PRODUCTS/F...0_X_%2709.html 45mm rake
Ritchey WCS Carbon Cross Fork (NOT the V2) - https://www.ritcheylogic.com/dyn_prodfamily.php?k=114366 48mm rake

My current fork is 47mm rake, will going down to 45mm make that big of a difference (as far as making it 'twitchy')? I assume going up to a 48mm won't really change much. I just want to make sure I'm not completely changing the handling of the bike (yes I know a new fork will change it regardless), but specifically on the rake, will 2mm be completely different, or minor (if even noticeable at all)


I'm not looking to blow $550 on a fork, but the Ritchey can be had for about $325, but I haven't heard anything about that fork (if you have, please let me know +/-). Easton and Alpha Q's will most likely be ~$450 if you find a good deal online.

1) Rake gonna make that big of a difference (if it would be huge, the 45mm EC90 would be out as it's the biggest change)

2) Ritchey fork is gonna be about $100 cheaper, is it worth +$100 to get the Alpha Q or Easton? Weights are compatible, just not sure about the quality. all are full carbon.

Shimagnolo

Less rake -> more trail -> more stable.
More rake -> less trail -> less stable.

jonestr

you also want to look at the fork length as that will change your head angle, which will in turn affect the trail.

Ritchey's are nice forks; they used to come stock on Redlines

hocker

For what it's worth, I built up a new machine this summer and asked a lot of questions about frames/forks/etc and everything I heard from LBS's in Boulder/Denver is Ritchey's and Alpha's are much better than Easton's. It was a reoccurring theme when a conversation of forks came up. Pro Peloton in Boulder (experts) recommended the Ritchey.

glacious

Thanks for all the great feedback, I'm going to go with the Ritchey WCS Carbon Cross. Price / weight ratio and recommendations on here (as well as a few local groups) seem to lean that way. The lengths are very close and 47 to 48mm rake won't change the handling much from what I'm used to (and like).

Thanks again!