Titanium C & V Fork
06-10-09 | 04:49 PM
#1
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From: Vancouver Island
Titanium C & V Fork
I just received a titanium fork made by Passoni, it weighs in at 379 grams. How does that fit in in teh weight weenie scale for a late 80's or early 90's fork? Obviously it has 1" steerer and is made for a quill stem.
06-10-09 | 05:25 PM
#3
That is pretty light. I have a TI alloy fork form the 90's also 1" threaded steerer that weighs 430 gr. or so, don't fully remember, one thing is that it rides pretty well, unlike the Teledyne Titan forks that swept back 20mm every time you hit the front brake. And the early Speedwell that just well, the whole bike felt dangerous.
09-25-16 | 09:47 PM
#4
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From: Berkeley, CA
Bikes: 72 Cilo Pacer, 72 Gitane GT, 72 Peugeot PX10, 73 Speedwell Ti,l, 75 Peugeot PR-10L, 80 Colnago Super, 81 Zinn, 85 ALAN Cross, 85 De Rosa Pro, 86 Look 753, 86 Look KG86, 89 Parkpre Team, 90 Parkpre Team MTB, 90 Merlin
@Citoyen du Monde, I know this is an old thread, but I just stumbled on it. In case you are still curious, my Speedwell Ti fork (albeit with Zeus headset race) weighs in at 520 grams. So, that Pasoni fork is quite light even by ti standards.
Last edited by gaucho777; 09-25-16 at 09:52 PM.
09-26-16 | 05:56 AM
#5
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Back in 1988, Bicycle Guide tested six titanium frames. The lightest fork was on a Panasonic at 1 lb 0 oz. (454g). However, steerer tube length makes a fair impact on fork weight. For 3Al/2.5V titanium, which was the most common titanium alloy during this era, weight would change by ~14.4g for each 1cm change in steerer tube length. The tested Panasonic was a 55cm frame, so the steerer was probably about 17.5cm.
09-26-16 | 06:17 AM
#6
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Back in 1988, Bicycle Guide tested six titanium frames. The lightest fork was on a Panasonic at 1 lb 0 oz. (454g). However, steerer tube length makes a fair impact on fork weight. For 3Al/2.5V titanium, which was the most common titanium alloy during this era, weight would change by ~14.4g for each 1cm change in steerer tube length. The tested Panasonic was a 55cm frame, so the steerer was probably about 17.5cm.
You might find this interesting...poster found a ti Zunow. I suspect it's built by whoever built those Panasonics...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ike-share.html
09-26-16 | 07:05 AM
#7
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Any idea who made those ti Panasonics t-mar? Was it Panasonic? Also, my memory (which is a tenuous beast) is that the 80s ti was often more akin to Speedwell and usually not 3/2.5.
You might find this interesting...poster found a ti Zunow. I suspect it's built by whoever built those Panasonics...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ike-share.html
You might find this interesting...poster found a ti Zunow. I suspect it's built by whoever built those Panasonics...
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...ike-share.html
3Al/2.5V titanium alloy was being used in bicycles at least by 1986 and was the preferred choice among American builders. However, during the late 1980s many foreign manufacturers were still using commercially pure (Grade 2) titanium. The Panasonic does belongs in the latter class.
09-26-16 | 07:16 AM
#8
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From: Lake Geneva, WI
Bikes: Ridley Helium SLX, Canyon Endurance SL, De Rosa Professional, Eddy Merckx Corsa Extra, Schwinn Paramount (1 painted, 1 chrome), Peugeot PX10, Serotta Nova X, Simoncini Cyclocross Special, Raleigh Roker, Pedal Force CG2 and CX2
Unfortunately, I don't know who made the Panasonic frames. The article implies that they were M'a't's'u's'h'i't'a manufacture but does not come right out and state it. Getting the serial numbers may help to solve the mystery. Regardless, I concur that the Zunow appears to be from the same source. The dropouts, seat cluster and fork crown appear to be identical.
3Al/2.5V titanium alloy was being used in bicycles at least by 1986 and was the preferred choice among American builders. However, during the late 1980s many foreign manufacturers were still using commercially pure (Grade 2) titanium. The Panasonic does belongs in the latter class.
3Al/2.5V titanium alloy was being used in bicycles at least by 1986 and was the preferred choice among American builders. However, during the late 1980s many foreign manufacturers were still using commercially pure (Grade 2) titanium. The Panasonic does belongs in the latter class.
Matsush*i*ta is the parent corporation of Panasonic. See: About Us - Panasonic Global
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When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
When I ride my bike I feel free and happy and strong. I'm liberated from the usual nonsense of day to day life. Solid, dependable, silent, my bike is my horse, my fighter jet, my island, my friend. Together we will conquer that hill and thereafter the world.
