Fork rake: how much difference does 3mm make?
 

Looking at a fork for a TT/tri frame. I believe its speced with a 43mm raked fork, but I've found a good deal on a 40mm raked fork. Just how much difference will that 3mm make in handling?

I personally don't think it would make as big a difference as things like tires, tire pressure, stem length, body weight balance (front to back)...etc

But then I suppose it all depends on the design of the bike as well. If it was me I would try to match the manufactures design recommendations, but that's just the way I am, if it was something I could not find, then I would get the fork with less rake.

Less rake is more trail, so it might be incrementally more stable on descents and a little less agile in corners.

No big deal in my opinion. I went from 43 stock to 40 and noticed no difference. Some people will swear to it that they noticed a difference in handling when using a different offset fork....

3mm?! *holds up fingers* I wouldn't worry.

different forks behave differently, regardless of rake. In my opninion, rake is minor compared to other design variables. I've had several different forks with same rake, and they all felt different. In other words, getting any old fork with the same rake doesn't guarantee the same ride.

Thanks guys!

as a guy who made steel forks and raked them for tandems and touring 3 mm is about as much diff as say 10 psi or lets really put it into laymans terms, are you always in the same possition on your saddle? same shorts, up hill downhill, the list is endless...ride it you will like it....

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, let's see? Oh yeah, 3 mm!

really now that i think about it, the only problem might be toe overlap, that sucks..i made a psyocross frame built it up and bam, toe overlap...