DarKris

I was by my LBS and I was able to look at the Salsa Journeyman. I'm really interested in this bike in the Claris model, but besides the components the aluminum fork is a notable difference between the two models. I have a Raleigh Redux with an Aluminum fork and a Nashbar CX Bike with a carbon fork and since they have different geometries I can't tell much of a difference related to the fork material.

I test road the 650b Journeyman with Carbon fork and most of the comfort I felt came from the tires. I don't intend to race *currently* (might in the future when I am more fit) so I am really not sure if I should want to upgrade to the carbon fork or if the aluminum fork will be enough.

Metieval

buy the color, that you like the best.

if its a 700 and you want 650... invest in wheels. or vice versa

If the fork material is a priority to you, you don't want that frame anyways.

Spoonrobot 

Tires are a bigger part of the equation than the fork but the fork is still a huge portion of what makes a bike comfortable. They're much better than they were even just a few years ago but aluminum forks are still not that good IMO. Even a low end carbon fork is much better than the best aluminum fork.

With all the "features" packed into the journeymen forks all versions are going to be super stiff but the carbon one is probably going to be the best riding just by virtue of the material being able to be strong enough without increasing stiffness to the point a aluminum fork needs.

DarKris

Well I want the red version and I have 2 650b and 1 700c wheelset already so that works out pretty well I’d say.

It sucks that they didn’t have the Claris model in stock for me to try out because it is definitely tough to discern the ride quality of something you haven’t yet ridden. I think I’ll try and put more miles on my Redux to really try and see if I can feel the stiff/harshness more.

Metieval

the Red is super nice looking in person. But that greenish claris/650 looks really nice with the WTB Horizon/byways.

yeash... I'd totally pick a bike color on tire choice.

I was thinking I had ridden both.. but I didn't. I rode the red claris 700, and the green claris 650.

steering felt weird on the 2.1 Nano but they were rock hard, I let some air out in parking lot and it then rode normal.

However, if you are going with 650, I still vote that having an AL fork won't matter/make that big of a difference.

DarKris

Yeah I would buy the 700c model just for the extra wheelset. I'd throw on my 650b wheels and ride that. I'd only switch to the 700c wheels if I was trying to do a gravel race.

DarKris

Update: All the 700c Claris models are out of stock so I put a pre-order down for that model with the aluminum fork in size 57cm. Got a few months before it comes in so I'll be sure to update when it gets here.

Lazyass

I have the same question as well. I'm looking at the Raleigh Amelia 2. Sora group and costs $750 with the corporate discount. Yes it's officially a female bike but the geometry is fine (I was looking at a Diamondback female endurance bike as well). The fork is "Alloy SPF Formed". Does anyone know what SPF is?

https://www.raleighusa.com/amelia-33539

mstateglfr 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superplastic_forming