jmsmke

I'm considering replacing my fork on my all aluminum frame 2007 Jamis Ventura with a carbon fork. Is it worth sticking the couple hundred dollars or so that it would cost to replace into a rather entry-level bike?
I've been riding this bike hard for about 18 months and like it for the most part, but maybe a carbon fork would help smooth out the bumps, cracks and whatnot that I cringe every time I go over.
Or am I better off just waiting to upgrade to an entirely new bike with a full carbon frame?
I've never really ridden another road bike other than this Jamis so I really don't have any basis for comparison with carbon forks, frames etc.
I'm gotten at the point where I've decided I really like road cycling and am torn whether to start upgrading this bike or just wait to get a whole new machine.
Here is a pic of the bike from bikepedia:

Randochap

If you can afford a new bike, by all means ...

A carbon fork is always going to be preferable to an aluminum fork.

Sprocket Man

Save your money. A carbon fork won't make that much of a difference in comfort. Buy yourself some wider tires and pump them at the low-end of the recommended PSI. This will make a much bigger difference in terms of comfort, and it will probably cost you a lot less than a new fork.

jmsmke

Yeah, it will be a while before I can afford an entirely new bike but switching the fork to carbon on this bike is definitely doable now. I'm just wondering if upgrading things like this on a bike that I only spent $500 to start with is a dumb idea.
But if a carbon fork is going to make a world of difference I'll go for it, I'm really sick of fearing every bump and crack in the road.

Val23708

lies.

i've swapped a cro-mo fork for carbon (cheap performance brand one) and it made a world of difference in comfort.

under pumping tires is just asking for pinch flats.

jmsmke

Yeah I agree, I have a really hard time not pumping my tires up to the max-it feels like I'm riding through mud if they aren't.

Sprocket Man

First of all, lose the crappy attitude, idiot.

Second of all, he's not replacing a cro-mo fork, he's replacing an aluminum fork. With your level of ignorance, I'm quite certain you don't understand the difference, but I won't explain it to you because you're a fool.

Third, your one isolated anecdote means nothing in terms of forming generalities.

Fourth, reread my post - I said pump it to the lower end of the recommended PSI. I said nothing about "under pumping", but I guess reading comprehension is not your strong suit.

Cash1188

I'd wait to get a new one. A couple hundred seems like a bit much to be pumping into an entry level bike.

AngryScientist 

a carbon fork will definitely be an upgrade, but it wont be as noticeable a difference to comfort level as switching to 25's.

my SS came with 25's on it, and when i switched to 23's there was definitely a noticeable difference. you will sacrifice a little rolling resistance, but comfort-wise - its a better bang for the buck upgrade...

ggg300

Sprocket Man = right.

Just run the right tiers and the right psi.

Save the money and get a better bike. You can get a few more years out of the one you have and it will make a good rain bike later.

But, if you do get the fork, it will be a lil nicer. I had an AL on a Specialized A1 sport and I put a CF fork on it. I did not go faster but it was a bit more smooth.

.02

jmsmke

Thanks for the replies, I think I'm leaning towards just leaving the fork as is considering that this bike is pretty low end all around (sora components, alex dc19 wheels) and hopefully I'll upgrade later this year to something high end aluminum w/carbon (cervelo s1 maybe) or a full carbon frame.
I did just change the tires to Michelin lithion and that has been a noticeable improvement over the stock vittoria zaffiros.
I'll have to play around with tire pressures a little as well.

MrCrassic 

Depending on their construction, carbon fiber frames can be significantly better at absorbing road vibration and unevenness. However, a carbon fiber fork is a HUGE upgrade in comfort, so I would consider it if your funds are limited.

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MrCrassic 

You don't need to pump to the max...I usually pump to 110 psi on the back tire and 95 on the front, but it varies slightly according to your weight. (A safe bet is 105 psi on both tires.)

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Sprocket Man

Not necessarily. Like frames, materials used have less impact on comfort than design and construction.

I had an old Trek from the early 90's with an aluminum fork. When I got back into cycling in 2005, the first thing I did was install a carbon fork because I thought it would be more comfortable. Turns out, it was way less comfortable than the aluminum fork I had on there before.

I'm not saying that a carbon fork in general is any more or less comfortable than an aluminum fork - the only point I have is that you never know. So if someone has a limited budget and they want to make a comfort related upgrade, a carbon fork may or may not work, however, wider tires will almost certainly make a bike ride more comfortably and will probably cost much less than a new fork.

spry

Is not the comfort determined by the rake and curvature of the fork?
My 2cents says save for a new bike,the good forks purchased separately are too damn expensive and the cheap ones are straight.

fatallightning

I noticed a huge difference going from a crummy steel fork to a take off specialized cf one. Most people would consider aluminum forks harsher then steel. I picked up this fork for like 30-35$ on a forum. Look for someone selling a stock cf fork if they went to an edge or other high end cf fork. Nashbar makes one for under 100$ also.

531Aussie

It depends, because carbon forks vary so much, just like carbon frames.

I've had a couple of carbon forks that were stiffer than any steel or alu fork I had.

Generally, chunky blades and crowns, and alu steerers and crowns make a stiffer fork, and vice versa: narrow blades and all-carbon parts often make for a flexier fork.

Cheap carbon forks with alu steerers are often made 'big and strong', which can make them pretty stiff.

I don't know steel forks got a reputation for being stiff. Most road cro-mo forks are flexy and bouncey, just like an old steel frame. Most of the carbon forks I've had have been stiffer than my old 531 forks.

roadiejorge 

Changing the tires and lowering the PSI is definitely the best place to start, it's cheap and could sort your discomfort rather than blowing a few hundred on a fork that might not have meet your expectations. Try the 25's at a lower PSI, if that's not helpful then maybe consider the new fork.