Steel frame........carbon or steel fork?
10-10-07, 10:18 PM
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Steel frame........carbon or steel fork?
Just bought a sweet De Rosa steel frame with sloping crown steel fork. The owner wants me to also buy (at a reasonable price) the Ouzo Pro fork he's used with the frame. I've never ridden a steel frame/carbon fork. Any substantial differences in ride I would feel with the carbon fork? (I realize we're partly in the realm of subjective judgement here.)
10-10-07, 10:21 PM
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Test ride a Bianchi Eros sometime. I like the feel of steel/ carbon, but mostly it just saves weight, and may change the handling depending on the geometry of that particular fork.
10-10-07, 11:09 PM
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If the Ouzo Pro fork is a good price then it would be worth buying and trying both. Sounds like both forks are threadless so it would only take a few minutes to swap them out. I have a bike with both a carbon and steel fork. I have switched over to steel because I prefer steel and like to ride on hard packed dirt roads...good luck.
10-10-07, 11:36 PM
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Originally Posted by CrossChain
Just bought a sweet De Rosa steel frame with sloping crown steel fork. The owner wants me to also buy (at a reasonable price) the Ouzo Pro fork he's used with the frame. I've never ridden a steel frame/carbon fork. Any substantial differences in ride I would feel with the carbon fork? (I realize we're partly in the realm of subjective judgement here.)
carbon will be more plush. i have used carbon forks on all my road bikes and i even have a rigid carbon fork on my LS pisgah.
ed rader
10-10-07, 11:41 PM
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I have an early 80s Nishiki that I put an Easton CF fork on and it's a really nice ride.
One big consideration is that it might be one of the easiest whole pounds you'll ever take off a bike in one fell swoop. Probably more than a pound in many cases.
One big consideration is that it might be one of the easiest whole pounds you'll ever take off a bike in one fell swoop. Probably more than a pound in many cases.
10-11-07, 09:00 AM
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I own steel, carbon with a Cr-Mo steerer and all-carbon forks and, other than the obvious weight differences, I can't feel any significant difference in ride quality between them.
Try both and see if you are more perceptive than i am.
Try both and see if you are more perceptive than i am.
10-12-07, 02:42 PM
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I tried steel frame with both steel and carbon fork and different front wheels, as well as different brakes. Ended up with low spoke machined brake surface front wheel, carbon fork, dual pivot brake (of course).
It does make difference - braking is more efficient, ride is more comfortable and the bike is more stable on the road . Weight reduction does not hurt, too.
I believe this (carbon fork with steel frame) is just ideal combo for non-racing bikers.
Just my 2 cents of statistical data.
good luck
It does make difference - braking is more efficient, ride is more comfortable and the bike is more stable on the road . Weight reduction does not hurt, too.
I believe this (carbon fork with steel frame) is just ideal combo for non-racing bikers.
Just my 2 cents of statistical data.
good luck
10-12-07, 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by ninja2
I believe this (carbon fork with steel frame) is just ideal combo for non-racing bikers.
10-12-07, 04:10 PM
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Stick with steel if you're looking for bang for the buck. If cost is no issue, buck up for the carbon fork. I just like the look of a steel fork on a steel frame though!
... Brad
... Brad
10-12-07, 04:23 PM
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I would not remove the steel fork hand-crafted by De Rosa specifically for your frame.
10-12-07, 04:49 PM
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Originally Posted by cascade168
One big consideration is that it might be one of the easiest whole pounds you'll ever take off a bike in one fell swoop. Probably more than a pound in many cases.
my unknown c1980 531 french frame now rides with a all carbon fork. No reason to change back.
10-12-07, 05:17 PM
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If the seller gives you a decent deal on the Ouzo Pro, go ahead and buy it. It gives you a lighter weight - albeit probably not as aesthetic - fork option. It's not a huge chore to change forks if the Ouzo Pro fork is already set up for the swap, so when you want the classic steel look use the original steel fork. When you want to lose a pound or so, put on the carbon. The Ouzo Pro weighs ~375g. (0.83 pounds), while the steel fork probably weighs about 1.8 pounds, so you'll save about a pound. Nothing looks as good on a classic steel frame as a classic steel fork though ATMO.
From a ride quality point of view, if the trail is close to the same with both forks, you probably won't notice any difference.
My $.02..
From a ride quality point of view, if the trail is close to the same with both forks, you probably won't notice any difference.
My $.02..
Last edited by Scooper; 10-12-07 at 07:50 PM.
10-13-07, 09:18 AM
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You can't make a blanket statement about ride quality differences. Both steel and carbon forks come in wide ranges of stiffness.
I agree that you should keep the DeRosa fork with the frame. Experience the bike as it was designed. Only if you if you then dislike some aspect of it consider a change.
I agree that you should keep the DeRosa fork with the frame. Experience the bike as it was designed. Only if you if you then dislike some aspect of it consider a change.
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10-13-07, 12:55 PM
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I'd personally ride the fork made for a bike like that, but my Ouzo Pro seems pretty tough, and is very compliant.
10-14-07, 08:10 AM
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you might also consider the strength of a carbon fork versus steel. I have no fear whatsoever bombing downhill at 50+mph on my 653 steel fork but I wouldn't have the same confidence on the Bianchi carbon forks I have (never used.) Its ok when the road is smooth but if you hit an unseen ridge, pothole or object the shock would probably shatter the tip of a carbon fork unless you are very light. I'm a v heavy 240 lbs though.
10-14-07, 08:18 AM
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Originally Posted by earleybird
Its ok when the road is smooth but if you hit an unseen ridge, pothole or object the shock would probably shatter the tip of a carbon fork unless you are very light. I'm a v heavy 240 lbs though.
I have an all carbon road machine, and run a scandium (AL) frame with a carbon fork on my cross bike. I've put those bikes through absolute hell with no problems to date.
Having stated the above, I'd still go with the steel fork though.
... Brad
