Originally Posted by
xVoris
I've had a good bit of experience with a cheap steel unicrown fork but have no other experience to compare it with. In the OP I meant that I wanted a lugged fork (due to hearing that they're better in general quality of ride and long term wear, but again I have no experience to compare with). Is there a sort of average rake (I'll be riding only on the road) that most people use for easy but quick handling, sort of an in between of the two extremes? Or does it depend more on the frame?
You should try to stay with a rake close to what the frame was designed with. When you change the rake (and nothing else) you alter the trail measurement. If you go
too far in either direction you can ruin the handling. Read more about trail.
Unicrown vs lugged are not really the factors that determine ride quality. It's more about the tubing itself, tapers, and bends.
Are you racing or competing? If not, weight shouldn't be your first priority, ride quality should be.
Don't forget that your new fork should have the correct (what the frame was originally designed with) axle-to-crown measurement too.