Seeking Fork Recommendation
#1
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From: STL
Bikes: 2016 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105
Seeking Fork Recommendation
I am considering having a custom set of titanium tubes welded up (probably by Carver) rather than procure a production bike. I’m basically wanting to build a specialized diverge with a stack/reach ratio closer to a salsa vaya/fargo (or a vaya with a diverge-style roadie build – depending on your point of view). I will run a 35c tire (something like Schwalbe G-One) and will spend 80% of my time over the next several seasons pulling my daughter on a weehoo trailer. About 80% of my miles to date have been pulling the weehoo (which I jokingly describe as “pulling 70lbs of knock-knock jokes”) on paved rails-to-trails, but I am being increasingly drawn to the “path less paved” – crushed stone R2T paths. Lastly, and the source of my challenge I am requesting help with, is my desire to be able to occasionally throw on a front rack to facilitate some light credit card touring.
The challenge I am having is finding a fork that meets my needs.
Requirements:
Disc Brakes
Tire clearance >35c (<42c)
Prefer thru-axle
Rack mounts
My research has produced a list of many carbon forks that meet my requirements with one exception: Rack Mounts.
The higher-end Specialized Diverge forks are carbon and have mid-fork mounts – but has an integrated headset and as far as I know isn’t for sale individually. The Niner RLT bikes have a carbon fork with dual mounts for either Anything Cages or a traditional lowrider rack – but it appears the carbon fork that Niner sells doesn’t have the mounts on them. The Salsa Firestarter Carbon fork has mounts - but I suspect it’s a bit too stiff/heavy for my application as it’s intended for surviving the Divide on a Fargo. I understand some racks can clamp onto the fork – as long as it’s not carbon.
Suggestions for a fork to use on my custom Ti endurance/light tour/gravel bike that is befitting my mission?
The challenge I am having is finding a fork that meets my needs.
Requirements:
Disc Brakes
Tire clearance >35c (<42c)
Prefer thru-axle
Rack mounts
My research has produced a list of many carbon forks that meet my requirements with one exception: Rack Mounts.
The higher-end Specialized Diverge forks are carbon and have mid-fork mounts – but has an integrated headset and as far as I know isn’t for sale individually. The Niner RLT bikes have a carbon fork with dual mounts for either Anything Cages or a traditional lowrider rack – but it appears the carbon fork that Niner sells doesn’t have the mounts on them. The Salsa Firestarter Carbon fork has mounts - but I suspect it’s a bit too stiff/heavy for my application as it’s intended for surviving the Divide on a Fargo. I understand some racks can clamp onto the fork – as long as it’s not carbon.
Suggestions for a fork to use on my custom Ti endurance/light tour/gravel bike that is befitting my mission?
#2
Senior Member

Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,384
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From: South Jersey
Whisky No. 9 Forks | Whisky Parts Co.
#3
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: STL
Bikes: 2016 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105
Whisky No. 9 Forks | Whisky Parts Co.
#4
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 681
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From: Seattle
Does it have to be carbon? Adding mounts in the middle of carbon tubes in a high stress part like a fork might bring on too much risk for the lawyers or maybe just there aren't that many who want them...
If it has to be carbon, WoundUp had options for fender eyelets, disc and canti mounts. I think their canti studs unthread so, replace the studs with some short bolts and they could be used as a small front rack (like the Nitto or something custom) mounts while using the disc mount for the brakes. They may also be able to do something custom.
If it has to be carbon, WoundUp had options for fender eyelets, disc and canti mounts. I think their canti studs unthread so, replace the studs with some short bolts and they could be used as a small front rack (like the Nitto or something custom) mounts while using the disc mount for the brakes. They may also be able to do something custom.
#5
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 19
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From: STL
Bikes: 2016 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105
Does it have to be carbon? Adding mounts in the middle of carbon tubes in a high stress part like a fork might bring on too much risk for the lawyers or maybe just there aren't that many who want them...
If it has to be carbon, WoundUp had options for fender eyelets, disc and canti mounts. I think their canti studs unthread so, replace the studs with some short bolts and they could be used as a small front rack (like the Nitto or something custom) mounts while using the disc mount for the brakes. They may also be able to do something custom.
If it has to be carbon, WoundUp had options for fender eyelets, disc and canti mounts. I think their canti studs unthread so, replace the studs with some short bolts and they could be used as a small front rack (like the Nitto or something custom) mounts while using the disc mount for the brakes. They may also be able to do something custom.
Thanks for the heads up on WoundUp! Not sure I've seen a listing of forks that includes a list of "custom options". Purty too! Thanks!
#6
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Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2015
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From: STL
Bikes: 2016 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 105
Whisky No. 9 Forks | Whisky Parts Co.
Last edited by Animal157; 05-27-16 at 06:20 AM.
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