non

Looking for a straight steel fork for a build. Similar to Kelly Knobby X fork but 1 1/8. Can anyone recommend some more options:

1 - Tange IRD - 129$ (https://store.interlocracing.com/stblstcyfo.html)
2 - Kelly Cyclocross - 180$ (https://www.kellybike.com/2nd_components1_forks.html)
3 - Indy Fab - ???$ (https://www.ifbikes.com/accessories2/crossforks.shtml)
4 - Kona Project 2 - 59,95$ (https://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking/p/CXFK/KONP2CRS)

schooner

For the price the IRD would be tought to beat. I am not sure that the Kelly is actually available anymore, as the company has gone out of business. The IFab is gonna be mucho dinero, and the Kona is quite hefty.

cachehiker

What he said.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=2778

Put one on your watchlist and then maybe we can both get a better deal when they come in.

isotopesope

vicious cycles forks are super nice, but pricey. i had one on my old ss 26" mtb and absolutely loved it. it was light and nicely supple, without feeling springy.

GerryD

Thinking about a steel fork myself, and this one looks interesting:

https://quiringcycles.net/forks.html

Vicious Cycles also makes a good one, but it's pricey ala IF.

sstorkel

What about the Surly Cross fork? Price is similar to the Kona Project 2, but it looks like it might be a bit lighter. I gave both the Kona Project 2 and Surly Instigator forks a try on my last MTB build. They're both solid, well-made forks. I'd guess the Kona weighs a bit more than the Surly, but haven't actually put them on a scale. I went with the Surly because it worked better with the geometry of my frame, but for budget-priced forks they're both pretty good.

non

Nice find. Can't really beat that.

non

Yeah, I'm really looking at a straight fork. I'd like to have a different look from my previous bikes.

goldfishin

why are you going for straight blades? curvy ones are springy and nice and why you buy steel.

mijome07

That doesn't make sense!

non

Well, my new custom frame is based on the Kelly Knobby X, so I want to keep things as close as possible. As for the "why you buy steel" question, well, for one, its cheaper than carbon forks and I don't really need an extra light bike.

cachehiker

I myself went through a lot of trouble to get that old school steel look and still keep the weight close to 22 lbs. so I think my Soma would look goofy with a carbon fork. I'm also looking to stiffen up the front end a bit. I've gotten rid of 90% of the brake squeal but a stiffer fork wouldn't hurt.

There's also 2-3 oz. of weight shaved and an excuse to replace the cheapie Aheadset that the LBS just happened to have in stock. I've had to snug it back up one too many times and the squeal is always at its worst when it has worked itself a little loose.

KeatonR

Anyone have axle-to-crown measurements for any of these forks? I'm looking for 405mm. Deviating from your current bike's measurement of this and rake will change the handling of the bike.

the pope

The "curvy ones are springy" belief is one great myths of fork characteristics.

If you were to remove the wheel and compared same steel material with comparable material diameters, length, etc. between modern straight and curved forks you could stand on them, jump up and down on them, hang off them and find no appreciable difference in "springy". To even bend either fork in a measurable manner to tell a difference would require much more impact than you can apply while riding. We're talking thousand-plus pounds of pressure as a starting point.

For all intents and purposes, it's aesthetics.

cachehiker

99% true.

There are so many other factors with a greater effect on ride quality that whether the fork is curved or straight is about the last thing to consider. However, the theory does have a basis in fact given everything else is the same. Even in my case where I'm dealing with two forks made of the same steel by what is essentially the same company this isn't so. There's a weight difference, different bosses, and different crowns. The straight blade could easily be the "springier" of the two if it's made of thinner tubing.

However, I believe it will prove to be slightly stiffer than my lugged Soma but it's stiffness around the brake bosses that I'm interested in and not ride quality. The weight difference is low so it's probably a reasonable assumption that the tubing thickness is the same and the weight savings come from the lack of rack bosses and having a unicrown instead of a lugged one. I read somewhere (don't remember where) that unicrowns are generally stiffer than lugged ones.

I'd still like to meet the guy who could tell the difference in ride quality between the two forks while blindfolded. It would be like telling the difference in ride quality between a radial and 3X wheel made with the same components.

non

This is for aesthetics only. The type and pressure of your tires will have way more impact on the ride quality, than the type of fork you use.

Anyways, any more suggestions? My build should be finished in the next two weeks, so I can't really wait for universal cycles stock up on some more forks.

the pope

Order them directly from IRD. Look around a little bit.

MIN 

What about a wound up carbon fork? It's remind me of steel while being lighter.

non

Bought the tange infity from UniversalCycles. 70$ yeah!

cachehiker

Be a pal and let us know how it works.

Any idea of what the rake is on that fork? or the weight?

non

I have no idea, but for that price, can't go wrong! (60$ not 70$)

I'll post pics when my build is complete.

the pope

How did you score such a good price if they claim to be back ordered?

non

Tadam! (tange, not IRD)

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1640

Sawtooth

I can't tell from the picture.....does that fork have hole drilled in the steer tube for a fender mount?