Replacing the DEATH fork
 

Hi!

Recently picked up beautiful Trek 614. I've enjoyed riding it around town, but I want to replace the fork as I've read about issues of them breaking near the crown. Went to the local bike kitchen and found a few potential replacements. Before I pulled the trigger, want the forum's advice.

I want to maintain the low trail geometry, if I buy another fork, can i safely bend the rake to maintain the handling?

Also, in the event the kitchen forks (ha!) don't work out anybody have or have suggestions of where to source a fork? Needs at least one set of eyelets, must be lugged (obviously), preferably 531 or similar. The frame is a 57 with headtube plus headset and spaces around 16cm.

Thanks!

No pictures of the bike, but here's a catalog scan

What do you mean by 'death fork'?

A death fork is usually in reference to bondo'd aluminum or certain early carbon forks. The 614 should have a steel fork. It should be completly fine.

Sure, while you're at it why don't you saw off the seat tube, and TIG weld a new one in to make the frame taller or shorter to fit your exact height :rolleyes:

somafab dot com sells many different higher quality forks. i believe they sell a 1" threaded to fit your needs. ebay also has many options. niagara cycle also sells both a hi-ten and cromo fork.

Only some versions of the 614 fork had problems, and even those were quite rare. Post a picture of the fork crown and perhaps I can identify it.