Bonded alum frame, any benefit to carbon fork?

[Doug]

Hey all,

I'm currently running a bonded aluminum Trek road frame with an aluminum fork. As those in the know
know, these are great riding frames, the poor man's carbon fiber.

But I'm curious about what a carbon fork would do, I can always enjoy a smoother ride. Weight
savings is a minor to unimportant consideration, stiffness for climbing and sprinting an added bonus
but not critical.

Anyone with before and after experience going from an Al to carbon fork on a bonded frame? Or steel
to carbon anyway? What are you experiences after some serious use?

Thanks, Doug

 

[GearóId Ó Laoi/]

The fork material makes no difference whatsoever to ride. This stuff is all myth. If you want a
smoother ride get softer fatter tyres.

 

[Paul Southworth]

In article <[email protected]>, Doug <[email protected]> wrote:
>Hey all,
>
>I'm currently running a bonded aluminum Trek road frame with an aluminum fork. As those in the know
>know, these are great riding frames, the poor man's carbon fiber.
>
>But I'm curious about what a carbon fork would do, I can always enjoy a smoother ride. Weight
>savings is a minor to unimportant consideration, stiffness for climbing and sprinting an added
>bonus but not critical.
>
>Anyone with before and after experience going from an Al to carbon fork on a bonded frame? Or steel
>to carbon anyway? What are you experiences after some serious use?

I doubt you'll find much difference other than weight.

There are major variations in stiffness of both aluminum and carbon fiber forks. Some are quite
noodly compared to steel.

 

[Mike S.]

"Gearóid Ó Laoi/Garry Lee" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The fork material makes no difference whatsoever to ride. This stuff is
all
> myth. If you want a smoother ride get softer fatter tyres.
>
>
If that's the case, why do my hands "buzz" more when I'm riding my 'cross bike with a steel fork?
Same wheels/tires, same inflation, same roads. Less vibration comes through to the bars with
carbon forks.

There's a difference. It may be subtle, but it is there.

Mike

 

[Warren]

Doug <[email protected]> wrote in message news:[email protected]...
> Anyone with before and after experience going from an Al to carbon fork

The Kinesis Crosslight fork I had would make my hands numb and fall asleep with 10 miles of riding.
I now have a Sintema Muddy carbon fork and have no hand comfort issues on 50+ mile rides.

Warren