Swappin' forks on my SE Draft
 

I really, really want to run a gold Dia Compe brake to match my Shot lever...and it's only available in very short reach. The OE forks my Draft came with pretty much only lets me run about 57mm... They're 45mm in rake (if my measurement is correct)..and I've found Pake straight legs that are 38mm. Would the handling be too squirrely? What would be a safer change to go with..40? I'm guessing going above 45 would be dumb on a track frame...?

IRO Mark V fork has a 43mm rake but they are out of stock...

Assuming your new fork will be slightly shorter than your new fork by...let say...15mm, that 15mm decrease in length will drop the head tube angle by ~1 degree or less. Steeper head tube angle will affect how your bike will handle with your new fork. Running slightly larger tires will change the trail of your bike. The less the rake, the more the trail, the more the trail, the more stable it is. Handling might become squirrely if trail is lessen.

BUT

Does any of those matter to you?
Probably not, because you might not be able to tell your fork is different from your old one.

not doubting your logic here, but can you explain more? so if you get a fork with a lower axle to crown, your head angle steepens?

http://yojimg.net/bike/web_tools/trailcalc.php

this will help alot. dial in the numbers, desireable trail ranges from 50mm-70mm. anything below or over that will not handle well.

Yes, but it will take more than -20mm to increase the head tube angle by more than a degree.

More to read over at Sheldon Brown. :D

Ouch, You just got Brownd up on.

hahaha

A one-way ticket to Brown Town.

It is absolutely not worth changing forks to run a slightly shorter reach brake. Get over it, or get a different brake anodized.

guess this is as good a place as any to bust my cherry...

dia-compe brs-101 43-57mm reach...available in gold

using one (in black) on the front of an se pk ripper

good luck & have fun

Markaitch, where can I find that one? That's the reach I need... And just got confirmation from SE bikes...I measured correctly. My rake is 45mm.

And I guess I'll leave the forks unless they bend or break. Then hopefully I'll get a carbon fiber set.

If your rake is 45mm, you'll be fine with something in the range of 40-50mm (i.e. +/- 5mm) on a street bike. I doubt you'll notice the difference (as long as you don't reduce it enough to hit the frame with the tire).

Just thought of this, I'll just get the keirin mounted brake, that just clamp onto the fork blades. Sure, it's a bit more expensive than just swapping a caliper but far cheaper than swapping forks AND the brake...

Is this the gold you want?

You could mount Keirin brake on the front but it seems really dramatic for a drilled fork.

Well, at first but then I decided if I'm going gold calipers, I'd prefer that at least the lever and caliper are the same hue of gold.

got my black one from my lbs...can't remember whether they ordered it from j&b or qbp.

if your'e that concerned about matching your lever, keep in mind colored items from same maker can vary due to different dye lots.

anyway, if you must order online & can't find it elsewhere, try these:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/dia-compe-br...aliper-brakes/
http://www.tokyofixedgear.com/shopexd.asp?id=624

(edit) btw...how you like that gran compe shot lever? i had one & did not care for it at all...

If whatever you do while riding breaks your steel fork, you best upgrade your dental insurance before you put on a carbon fork.

Also:

Run whatever brake you want...
http://www.abroeurope.com/images/18k...pray-Paint.jpg

lol...yeah.

Mixing 14kt and 18kt is a total faux pas.

Origin 8 makes long reach calipers in colors incl. gold.