Originally Posted by
electrik
Still that is nowhere near 4.5lbs... maybe losing 3lbs if he purchases an expensive carbon fork... but then light forks and off-road? hmm!
Read my edit.
Best anyone can do is guesstimate the weight savings unless they physically weigh for a difference on a properly calibrated scale.
Carbon fiber is actually surprisingly tough. Plus the finishes on them are more durable than they have been in the past.
There has been carbon fiber downhill bikes, Manitou uses carbon fiber on their world cup level dual crown fork. Not to mention that there are carbon fiber all mountain bikes as well.