aftermarket carbon fiber forks
#1
aftermarket carbon fiber forks
10 years ago there were a few very popular aftermarket forks available(Easton, Reynolds, Alpha Q, Kestrel/Oval), but now it seems like ENVE is the only game in town. I know Whiskey and Ritchey exist, but few framebuilders spec their forks.
Are there any other fork manufacturers that I'm missing?
Are there any other fork manufacturers that I'm missing?
#10
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Yes, Columbus is a valid source.
But Ritchey is right up there for best bang for the buck. Three levels starting at Comp. I would put their Pro and WCS up against anybody's top two models.
But Ritchey is right up there for best bang for the buck. Three levels starting at Comp. I would put their Pro and WCS up against anybody's top two models.
#12
#13
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,331
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From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
Fyxation, Rodeo Labs (more gravel), Niner....not a whole lot in town now.
Industry has consolidated a bit and devoured those aftermarket companies.
Industry has consolidated a bit and devoured those aftermarket companies.
#14
#15
I only asked the question to see if there's a "hot" new fork manufacturer out there for tapered road forks. Other than Thm, it doesn't look there's anything new and exciting.
#17
#18
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
You never said anything about custom. I think the market is too small to interest Ritchey enough to make the wide selection of tapers and rakes needed. And Easton must have felt the same way, enough to just exit the market. Most steel and Ti frames can generally be accommodated with straight, no taper steerers. The big brand guys make their own forks as do the no names. If you need a replacement, you might as well just go back to the source of the whole frame. It is just the custom carbon market left, that's pretty small, and Enve has that. The world is spinning properly on its axis.
#20
FLIR Kitten to 0.05C
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 409
From: Lincoln, Nebraska
Bikes: Roadie: Seven Axiom Race Ti w/Chorus 11s. CX/Adventure: Carver Gravel Grinder w/ Di2
You never said anything about custom. I think the market is too small to interest Ritchey enough to make the wide selection of tapers and rakes needed. And Easton must have felt the same way, enough to just exit the market. Most steel and Ti frames can generally be accommodated with straight, no taper steerers. The big brand guys make their own forks as do the no names. If you need a replacement, you might as well just go back to the source of the whole frame. It is just the custom carbon market left, that's pretty small, and Enve has that. The world is spinning properly on its axis.
Last edited by Marcus_Ti; 04-24-17 at 01:52 PM.
#21
Senior Member

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 28,682
Likes: 63
From: Houston, TX
Bikes: 1990 Romic Reynolds 531 custom build, Merlin Works CR Ti custom build, super light Workswell 066 custom build
Easton was bought out by a vulture capital company "Fenway Partners"....same people who own Bell bike helmets. Same people who own Riddell (makers of NFL football helmets). You ever see a commercial for "1-800-CONTACTS", Fenway used to own them too. Unsurprisingly the bean counters know where the money is--and it is not in aftermarket cycling products or OEM cycling components.
#22
You never said anything about custom. I think the market is too small to interest Ritchey enough to make the wide selection of tapers and rakes needed. And Easton must have felt the same way, enough to just exit the market. Most steel and Ti frames can generally be accommodated with straight, no taper steerers. The big brand guys make their own forks as do the no names. If you need a replacement, you might as well just go back to the source of the whole frame. It is just the custom carbon market left, that's pretty small, and Enve has that. The world is spinning properly on its axis.
1, those upgrading a stock fork.
2, those replacing a damaged fork.
3, smaller frame builders that are supplying a matching fork.
The 1st market is very small, and the second one is usually handled by the big manufacturer(for the 1st few years).
My question is really about the 3rd group. What is available for the high end fork buyer?
So far it looks like ENVE, and Thm.
#24
Should Be More Popular




Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 46,274
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From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)
Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix
#25
Tapered steerer tubes are the new standard for forks(sorry if you weren't aware of this). I didn't mention it in my original post because I though that most people would assume that I was asking about the current standard.






