Carbon fork question
01-26-06 | 03:17 AM
#1
Thread Starter
ROBOTS...
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 169
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From: Berkeley, CA
Carbon fork question
Any thoughts/input on my desire to replace the stock cromo fork on my 2005 bianchi pista with a carbon fork?
What size would I need?
How much should I expect to pay?
I ride 90% on the street 10% on the track, does this even make sense?
Online retailers?
brands?
thanks in advance!
What size would I need?
How much should I expect to pay?
I ride 90% on the street 10% on the track, does this even make sense?
Online retailers?
brands?
thanks in advance!
01-26-06 | 05:29 AM
#2
asleep at the wheel
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Bikes: Custom Richie Ditta Track Bike, Eddie Merckx Corsa, Marioni Custom Pista, Dolan Cyclocross
You need a 1" threadless fork for a Pista. Threadless forks generally come in one length and are cut to size so unlike threaded forks, you don't need to worry about the length/size.
The hardest thing for you is going to be finding a threadless fork that matches your current fork rake. Most forks are designed for road bikes which have a more relaxed geometry than track bikes. The Pista (well the 06) model has a fork rake of 28mm. Most road forks have rakes around 40-45mm.
If you currently ride with a brake then you'll need to find a drilled fork, which for a track fork is harder to find. I know Planet-X, Terry Dolan, Look, Alpina etc all make track specific carbon forks. The Wound Up fork is also another good option (See https://www.advancedcomposites.com/woundup.htm)
The other thing that complicates this is many manufacturers have moved away from the 1" to 1 1/8" threadless systems so your choice of fork may be limited further.
I would suggest asking this in the Fixed Gear/Single speed forum as there are a ton of Pista owners there and people can probably make specific suggestions about makes/models and price and their experiences with them.
The hardest thing for you is going to be finding a threadless fork that matches your current fork rake. Most forks are designed for road bikes which have a more relaxed geometry than track bikes. The Pista (well the 06) model has a fork rake of 28mm. Most road forks have rakes around 40-45mm.
If you currently ride with a brake then you'll need to find a drilled fork, which for a track fork is harder to find. I know Planet-X, Terry Dolan, Look, Alpina etc all make track specific carbon forks. The Wound Up fork is also another good option (See https://www.advancedcomposites.com/woundup.htm)
The other thing that complicates this is many manufacturers have moved away from the 1" to 1 1/8" threadless systems so your choice of fork may be limited further.
I would suggest asking this in the Fixed Gear/Single speed forum as there are a ton of Pista owners there and people can probably make specific suggestions about makes/models and price and their experiences with them.
Last edited by fixedpip; 01-26-06 at 05:35 AM.
01-26-06 | 05:34 AM
#3
asleep at the wheel
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 976
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Bikes: Custom Richie Ditta Track Bike, Eddie Merckx Corsa, Marioni Custom Pista, Dolan Cyclocross
You might one to read these threads (lots of chatter but some advice)
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=carbon+pista
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=carbon+pista
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=carbon+pista
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=carbon+pista
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=carbon+pista
https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...t=carbon+pista
01-26-06 | 02:00 PM
#4
Why would you want to downgrade your bike? You have a sturdy, reliable fork that was designed to fit your bike. Put on a brittle, failure prone fork that is unlikely to fit as well, and to provide good clearance around your tires?
Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.
Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.
But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.
Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.
Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.
Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.
But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.
Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.
01-26-06 | 08:21 PM
#5
Thread Starter
ROBOTS...
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: Berkeley, CA
Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
Why would you want to downgrade your bike? You have a sturdy, reliable fork that was designed to fit your bike. Put on a brittle, failure prone fork that is unlikely to fit as well, and to provide good clearance around your tires?
Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.
Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.
But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.
Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.
Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.
Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.
But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.
Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.
01-26-06 | 08:53 PM
#6
Back to being a Clyde....
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,544
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara
Bikes: Giant OCR1(specialized carbon seatpost,Terry Fly sadle, Syntace C2): Leader TT frame, Easton EC70fork, Aerolite bars, nashbar bullhorn, Titan Wheels: Fuji Track Pro(2003)
Originally Posted by alanbikehouston
Why would you want to downgrade your bike? You have a sturdy, reliable fork that was designed to fit your bike. Put on a brittle, failure prone fork that is unlikely to fit as well, and to provide good clearance around your tires?
Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.
Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.
But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.
Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.
Carbon forks are popular with Pro racers because a few ounces can be worth a few seconds in a race...you are not planning to enter any races soon, are you? And, Pro racers get the bike their sponsor gives them.
Marketing guys at bike companies love carbon because they can sell carbon this and that to accountants, lawyers, and dentists and say "This bike is JUST like the bike Lance rides". And, owners of bike factories love carbon forks because they can be stamped out like cookies in Asian factories. Lots of mark-up. Lots of profit.
But, steel remains the best material for a bike fork. It absorbs road shock well. After a minor impact, it bends slightly and than resumes its correct alignment. After a major impact, it will be bent, but can be realigned by a first-rate bike shop. Carbon forks respond in only one way to stress that exceeds design limits: it shatters and it does so instantly, and without warning.
Most folks are stuck with carbon forks. It is what comes on most 2006 road bikes that sell for over $600. The customer does not have a choice. But, you do have a choice. A choice between an excellent, safe fork that you already own, and a a slightly lighter fork that may prove to be very disappointing.
