thanks for the suggestion. I'm defiantly not experienced enough, nor will I be doing any type of riding to where I NEED a full carbon fork. my only thoughts leading to the 3T originally were some of the advantages I knew about carbon and the fact the price point was about equal to an entry level fork. the leader forks probably are better fitted for my pay grade money/experience wise. it sounds like it'll take less modification up front which is better for me being as I'm still learning about a lot of the parts that make up a standard build. I'll have to keep in mind that it is possible though for further down the road. good to know.