G'day,

personally speaking, steel just doesn't have the shock absobtion qualities that carbon has. You will notice the 'ride shock' difference between a carbon & steel fork,(all other things being equal) I have 3 bikes, a 531 Steel with steel fork, an alu with carbon fork & a monocoque full carbon bike. They all have totally different 'feel' about them. The steel fork is by far the least comfortable as far as road shock through the hands & shoulders goes (but I love her anyway).....If your LBS will let you test ride a carbon fork against a steel, I would be very surprised if ypu couldn't tell the difference,

cheers,

Hitchy