Originally Posted by
musicguyguy
Hi all, thanks in advance for your help!
My current all-rounder bike is a 2015 Trek Crossrip. It's an alloy frame (ouch, I know, but I'm working on finding a comfy saddle to compensate) with disc brakes and a low-end carbon fork. I have already broken this fork once after an incident with a taxi cab, so I am looking for something sturdier in preparation for some less-supported travels. I also don't enjoy the feel of a rear load, so I'd like to be able to put a rack on the front. (I'm eyeing a Blackburn Outpost rack at the moment.)
The Crossrip comes a straight-blade fork with a 45mm offset that will take a 1.8" (45mm) tire.
Two forks that have stood out to me are the
Salsa Vaya and the
Surly Disc Trucker. They both offer options with 45mm rake, and the Vaya takes slightly smaller tires (42mm), but this is a minor issue for now since the stock rims won't allow wider than 32mm tires anyways.
My only concerns are that they are pretty heavy (2lb) and pretty expensive (>$100) and might bring the bike and my wallet out of balance.
Any experience or guidance is much appreciated.
I have both forks.
I used the Long Haul Trucker fork for several tours, and recently loaned it out to one of my students for the summer. it was a good fork and provided great service while I used it.
The Vaya fork is on my current light touring bike. I prefer the straight rake and the higher quality steel used in the Vaya fork because it feels a little sturdier, but the Long Haul Trucker fork definitely soaked up a little more buzz.
If I were you, I'd forget the weight question. You're already looking at a substantial increase in weight from the rack and panniers. If you want to save weight, I'd go with a higher-quality carbon fork and a handlebar mount like the Oveja Negra Front End Loader, or the Revelate Sweetroll. That said, if you do go with a front rack, a steel fork is a better choice because of the strength of the eyelets and the substantial increase in general durability, especially where the fork crown meets the steering tube.
So, if I were you, I'd pick the LHT fork if you want an old-school look and a reduction in vibration, or pick the Vaya fork if you want a little more strength. Pick a carbon fork if you want light weight.