[JohnM16]

Hi Folks,

apologies already if this bores you. Feel absolutely free to read something else instead. Plus, I’m old and grumpy;  don’t say I didn’t warn you.

OK, I’m building a lightweight endurance road bike (NOT a gravel bike:  not even an ‘occasional’ gravel bike), with a Ti frame (haven’t even decided which yet), hydraulic discs and mechanical shifting. The idea is to replace my summer and winter bikes with a single frame, two sets of wheels, no corrosion and more comfort.  Aiming for about 7.25kg to 7.5kg overall (summer weight) for a 54cm.  Also, a disc Ti frame is going to need thru axles.

With very few exceptions (Firefly, the gorgeous but eye-wateringly expensive Tom Sturdy frames) lightweight Ti road frames come with carbon forks.  I’m OK with that, except that I’d like a slightly curved/tapered fork to give my wrists an easier time,  and proper mudguard eyelets at the end of the fork. 

My old summer bike (an ancient but lovely aluminium DeRosa Planet) has Columbus Minimal carbon forks. Curved, tapered, elegant, really light (350g).  No eyelets, but I don’t ride it in the wet.

Most pure road Ti frame/carbon fork combinations have ugly straight forks (yes, I know, it’s subjective) minus eyelets. The few that can take mudguards are essentially using gravel forks: over engineered, much too wide (why would I want 50mm tyres on a road bike?) and thus heavier than necessary, and pretty uncomfortable to ride (I’m old, I got old wrists…) for long distances. They soften things up with less steep frame angles and supposedly ‘engineered fork compliance’.  I don’t buy that: with a straight fork,  virtually all the forces end up at the fork crown, which ends up looking like a trucker’s forearm.

I can’t believe there isn’t a market for a proper lightweight (400g? 425g?) and elegant looking road disc fork that includes mudguard eyelets for winter riding.  There seems to be an absolute assumption that anyone who wants a lightweight road bike is going to be happy with clip-on guards (or none at all); I’ve tried them and have not been impressed.  And no, I’m not bolting P-clips to my forks.  

This isn’t a cry for help;  it’s just a polite rant.  I’ve looked around, and I don’t think anyone (yet) makes the fork I’m describing.  It’s really not a big ask,  and I’m sure a lot of winter-riding roadies would appreciate the option.  

Take care all, watch for those close passes…

John M.

 

Topic

[hawkinspeter]

mark1a wrote:

I don’t think I’ve seen a disc brake compatible road fork with the aesthetic you describe, I’m not sure but it could be that the thin, curved design does not lend itself to the increased structural requirements that a disc caliper needs on a fork.

I reckon that’s what’s happened – they build the forks for disk brakes and maybe a curve in the forks makes the handling a bit iffy whilst braking.

[jaymack]

You’re absolutely right but I
You’re absolutely right but I suspect that carbon forks are staight ‘cos their designers are stuck with the short comings of the material with which they’re working. Should you manage to satisfy your heart’s desire please say as I’d be delighted to know before I look to buy next year’s big-birthday present to myself

[OnYerBike]

As mark1a says, I wouldn’t be

As mark1a says, I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a good reason for this, rather than just fashion. Given the proliferation of all-road and gravel bikes where comfort is important, I would have thought if curved carbon forks offered an advantage, you would see them more often. 

I had a quick look and suspect found the same as you. Ritchey do a lovely light, carbon cuved fork but alas no eyelets. If you want eyelets, I’ve found the Whisky No9 RD fork or else you can buy the “Anraed” fork from Fairlight (the fork they use on the Strael) – but neither has the curved aesthetic you desire. 

If you want further comfort, could you consider one of the suspension stems on the market (e.g. Redshift Shockstop or Cane Creek eeSilk)?

[Sedis]

Not especially cheap but Aera

Not especially cheap but Aera do gravel, all-road and road carbon forks with mudguard options

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[mark1a]

I don’t think I’ve seen a

I don’t think I’ve seen a disc brake compatible road fork with the aesthetic you describe, I’m not sure but it could be that the thin, curved design does not lend itself to the increased structural requirements that a disc caliper needs on a fork.

Also, I’d be careful with putting a curved fork onto a bike head tube angle designed for straight forks, it’s possible that any small difference in trail and rake measurements could adversely affect handling. I’m not an expert on this, but it might happen.

Anyway, good luck with your search, I scratched the Ti itch a year or two ago, with a Vaaru MPA. It’s not quite what you’re looking for as it has a straight carbon fork (the Ti fork option is also straight), but as my winter hack it’s a lovely bike to ride.

[cue yet another gratuitous photo opportunity…]

 

[JohnM16]

Hi Mr H,

Hi Mr H,

funny thing;  Lynskey used to (I think) make Ti forks,  with a nice curved taper:  too easy for them to go for mass produced carbon now.

I might not have the foot overlap issue,  as I have very small feet,  but it’s a very useful reminder to check.  That said,  I think a carefully chosen fork should put the axle far enough forward to avoid the problem, albeit a straight carbon fork won’t look right on a classic Ti frame.

I spend my free time these days writing to carbon fork manufacturers urging them to fill the gap in their range with my preferred design. In my dreams…

Cheers

JM

[JohnM16]

Hi Jaymack,

Hi Jaymack,

thank you, yes, Kinesis do make a couple of gravel forks (ATR and Range) with all the gubbins, but they’re straight,  so not going to be so good at soaking up road buzz.  Plus they’re designed for (up to) 45mm tyres, so not gonna look pretty on a road bike (a 28mm front tyre is going to look lonely).  Spa cycles put a Kinesis ATR on their Sabbath AR2 disc.  Attractive, affordable and well designed bike, except for the forks.

I’m hopelessly optimistic for even considering this, but I think if you’re planning to spend upwards of £5K on a bike,  you shouldn’t have to compromise about both the practical requirements and also the appearance of the thing.

Best,

JM

[Mr Hoopdriver]

You’re basically doing what I

You’re basically doing what I did but have done it with much more research.  I learned after I’d built the bike that the forks were too straight and I now have a toe overlap with my front mudguard.

I used a Lynksey Viale frame for my build and used the standard fork.  If I was doing it again I’d get a fork with more toe clearance (I’d not put SRAM on again but that’s another learning experience).

[jaymack]

I have a now rather old set

I have a now rather old set of Kinesis carbon forks which take mudguards, the only thing simillar in their range that I can see nowadays are these:  https://kinesisbikes.co.uk/collections/road-forks/products/kinesis-fork-rtd-black 

Whether these tick the ‘elgant’ box is a subjective matter. Kinesis may well do the bike/frameset you’re after; good luck with your search. 

[Author]

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