Scrod:

I see two very similar forks on the Retrogression site, both with 1" threaded steer tube, straight legs, and chrome finish.

One comes from Tange, is made of their "Infiniti" Cro-Mo, and sells for $125.

The other is unbranded, made from 4130 Cro-Mo, and sells for $68.

They have the same length, same rake, and visually similar (if not identical) sloping crowns, with elegant lugs extending into nice, curved tangs inside and out.

What are the differences between them? Just better steel from Tange? How much will that matter in the "real world?" Is the finish nicer on one?

I'm just a conservative, 46 year old, 155 lb. dude who likes to ride fixed gear on the roads. I don't enter crit races and don't have a velodrome within a day's drive. In fact, on the bike I'm looking to upgrade, I don't even ride in traffic. I take it to quiet, largely untraveled country roads that are generally flat, fairly (though not always) smooth, and mostly straight. I'm after a fork that will be stiffer and better looking than the one Takara spec'ed 40-ish years ago. Do you think I'd enjoy the Tange $60 more than the generic one?

I thank you in advance for your honest opinion.