Why would you want to downgrade your bike? You have a sturdy, reliable fork that was designed to fit your bike. Put on a brittle, failure prone fork that is unlikely to fit as well, and to provide good clearance around your tires?

Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.

Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.

But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.

Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.