Carbon forks

I bought a 2 year old Trek 1200 a couple of months ago and figured I would
upgrade the forks to carbon aero over the winter. Being a bit of an amateur
at the moment, can anyone help explain the key terms so I ensure I buy
something that fits correctly.

Cheers

On Thu, 01 Jan 2004 12:40:06 +0000, phenian wrote:

I bought a 2 year old Trek 1200 a couple of months ago and figured I would
upgrade the forks to carbon aero over the winter. Being a bit of an amateur
at the moment, can anyone help explain the key terms so I ensure I buy
something that fits correctly.

Trek 1200 is a normal road bike?
Then any carbon road bike forks will be OK.You'll probably have to cut down
the steerer tube to fit your bike - they usually come in one size,so the
tubes are too long for smaller framed bikes.If a carbon tube, then you
have to be careful when cutting it, maybe best to get someone to do it who
has the jig, or suitable kit to cut it.
Alan.
--
To reply by e-mail, change the 'minus' to 'plus'.
http://www.dvatc.co.uk - Off-road cycling in the North Midlands.

phenian wrote:
I bought a 2 year old Trek 1200 a couple of months ago and figured I
would upgrade the forks to carbon aero over the winter. Being a bit
of an amateur at the moment, can anyone help explain the key terms so
I ensure I buy something that fits correctly.

Wheel size: forks are designed for a specific size. I guess you'll need
700c.

Threaded or threadless: steerer tube (top bit of forks that fits in
frame) can be plain (for modern ahead stems) or threaded for traditional
headsets and stems. If threaded, length of threaded portion is
important. Most carbon forks are threadless.

Steerer diameter: The two common sizes for road bikes are 1" and 1 1/8".
Frame (and existing forks) will dictate required size.

Steerer length: Must be long enough, can be DIY-cut down.

Steerer material: Three choices (with carbon bladed threadless forks):
Cromo steel (cheap, strong, heavy), carbon (light, expensive, relatively
delicate), aluminium (compromise). Maximum amount of spacers below stem
is limited (to not much) with carbon steerers.

Offset or rake - see: www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_r.html
and www.phred.org/~josh/bike/trail.html
Most are medium-ish - I think about 42 or 43mm for road bike forks.
Unfortunately manufacturers and dealers often don't bother telling you
what it is.

Straight or curved blades or legs (curved are often incorrectly called
"raked"): This won't make any difference to steering or handling if
offset is the same, and it usually is. It's debatable whether one type is
better (or any different in practice) than the other.

Braze-ons: some will have mudguard eyes or are designed to take
cantilever brakes, etc.

~PB

Pete Biggs wrote:

Braze-ons:

on carbon ? Glue-ons maybe ! :-)

"Pete Biggs" wrote in message
...


Seriously, do any carbon forks have those attachments (mudguard eyes,
etc)? I can't remember now.

I've seen quite a few "winter bikes" advertised with carbon forks and
mudguard eyes (not just nasty strap-on thingies) but have never seen carbon
forks with mudguard eyes advertised separately - they must be out there
somewhere tho!

Phil B
York, UK

Phil Bixby wrote:

I've seen quite a few "winter bikes" advertised with carbon forks and
mudguard eyes (not just nasty strap-on thingies) but have never seen carbon
forks with mudguard eyes advertised separately - they must be out there
somewhere tho!

C+ gave some carbon forks with eyes an award this year. Did anyone else
think having a product awards feature was a bit sad?

"Pete Biggs" wrote in message
...
MSeries wrote:

Braze-ons:

on carbon ? Glue-ons maybe ! :-)

I was hoping no-one would notice that one :-)

Seriously, do any carbon forks have those attachments (mudguard eyes,
etc)? I can't remember now.

I've got Winwood Carbon forks on my 'cross/tour/commute bike. They have
canti bosses, IS disc mounts and mudguard eyes.

Simon

Simon Galgut wrote:

I've got Winwood Carbon forks on my 'cross/tour/commute bike. They
have canti bosses, IS disc mounts and mudguard eyes.

Me too. Specialized Carbon 3. No low-rider eyes though.

Simonb

"Simonb" wrote in message
.. .
Simon Galgut wrote:

I've got Winwood Carbon forks on my 'cross/tour/commute bike. They
have canti bosses, IS disc mounts and mudguard eyes.

Me too. Specialized Carbon 3. No low-rider eyes though.

Simonb



Planet X carbon cross forks have got disc mounts and a mudguard eye at the
dropout.
Fort also make a carbon fork with eyelet.


--
Mark (MSA)
This post is packaged by intellectual weight, not volume. Some settling of
contents may have occurred during transmission

Zog The Undeniable wrote in message ...
Phil Bixby wrote:

I've seen quite a few "winter bikes" advertised with carbon forks and
mudguard eyes (not just nasty strap-on thingies) but have never seen carbon
forks with mudguard eyes advertised separately - they must be out there
somewhere tho!

C+ gave some carbon forks with eyes an award this year. Did anyone else
think having a product awards feature was a bit sad?

Like Top Gear awards?

At least we don't have a cool/uncool/subzero board.
But we could start one
Any nominations?