OK heres my question. I recently picked up a NOS Serotta Nove to replace my wife's 2003 Bianchi SL. Both frame are similar in TT and ST lengths (50cm with the Serotta having a slightly taller STL). The differences are the HTA, STA, and slightly longer HTL (165 vs. 120). The Bianchi's HA is 72 and STAi 74.5 while the Serotta is 71.5 HTA with a 73.5 STA. Her old frame has a 45mm rake fork while the new one's build sheet recommends a 52mm rake fork. Does the .5 degree difference really require such a different rake fork? Would it be OK with a 45mm one? Thanks for the assist.

JR

I'd opt for the recommended 52mm. Its a half a degree over a rather long lever- and the Bianchi would have probably benefited from a slightly longer rake.

In small frames there are some balances between body position, front center, trail etc. That half a degree, all other things being equal, amounts to about 3mm of trail. Personal tastes dictate quite a bit, but if the people who designed the frame recommend a 52mm rake that is probably a good starting point.

Thanks for the advice. I might try and find a happy medium in a 50mm fork as I would hate to change the "feel" b/w the two bike to drastically.

The shallow head angle and long rake fork are common on small frames using 700c wheels; it helps reduce toe overlap in the front.

I agree with finding a fork with at least 50mm offset.