General IROH

Hey guys,

New guy here. I got myself a IRO Mark V and was wondering about carbon forks. Thought of upgrading her stock one with one from Felt. They have a ridiculous deal here: https://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2012...Road-Fork.aspx and I was wondering if it would work on her?

Thanks!

Leukybear 

Yes it would but it has a road rake of 43mm, which could dramatically change the handling of your iro. On another hand, considering this fork has a carbon steerer, be sure to use a compression plug and not a star nut.

gigantor

The mark V has a pretty relaxed geo... nothing like a track bike.

The fork it comes with has a rake of 43 degrees : https://www.irocycle.com/markvforkblack.aspx

General IROH

Ah thanks for the responses! I see that there is a curve in the fork for the Felt and my stock is a straight blade. Would this change the feel of the bike and how so?

gigantor

I'm just guessing here, but the curve may aid in shock absorption and make it more springy, adding strength while you roll over bumps in the road.

Squirrelli

This is correct. Where the bend is has nothing to do with rake. If you want to read more on rake, trail, fork & head tube angle, then you should read this article.

striknein

Isn't that fork designed for an integrated headset?

Squirrelli

This is also a good read on head tube, rake and handling.

Sherblock

A IRO with a carbon fork posted here a while ago.

Squirrelli

That's hot. FWIW, using that Alpina fork with a Mark V would give you the same handling feel as a Mark V Pro.

General IROH

Interesting article, from what I understand this will not effect my handling dynamics since the offset is the same as the stock fork. Is an integrated headset necessary?

Sorry for all the questions, I've been one the forums for ages just reading articles but haven't made an account until now since I've just started to dump all my money into my baby.

mjf595

I have a Mark V pro, and am honestly considering picking up this fork, but I really like my 30mm rake.

Can't win them all. bah.

Leukybear 

No, it is just a cosmetic touch with the shape of the fork crown on the fork. The fork crown is just going to have a larger diameter as a result of it being meant to correspond to the larger diameter headtube of a frame with an integrated headset for a more flush look between the two. What this means for you having a traditional headset is the fork crown might look a bit off/ oversized when installed; nonetheless this is a lose lose either way with a integrated frame and a fork designed for a normal headtube/set.

M_S

Doesn't really matter. It will just have a wider base. Depending on your headset, it may look fine. Here's a carbon fork meant for integrated headsets on my Bianchi:

General IROH

Thanks for the comments! I think I might drop the cash on it sometime this week!

To go over what I need:

The fork
Compression Plug
Hacksaw to cut it down

Squirrelli

You would also need a cutting guide. It's best to use a good saw blade, preferably a new, fine tooth saw so you don't leave ragged edges that might cause delamination later on. It's also a good idea put electrical tape around where the cut is to prevent any fraying.

This video should help you a little.

evilcryalotmore

What happens if you use a starnut in a carbon steerer, asides from scoring the heck of the inside? And permanent damage, like will it not grip?

Squirrelli

It will grip but you will peel off the carbon layers on the inside. Compression plug also helps to reinforce the steerer so that the stem will not crush the steerer.

Nagrom_

You will ruin the fork. I wouldn't ride a bike with a carbon steerer and a star nut.

You shouldn't have a problem.

chenghiz

Thanks to everyone for the infoz. I jumped on this deal to smooth out the ride on my Pake a bit but didn't really know what I was getting into.

Riding a fork worth as much as the frame++

General IROH

Dropped the cash for it! Waiting to get this bad boy.