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Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:21 pm
by lancejohnson
I am building a custom steel aero road/tri-training bike and am looking for some help with fork selection.

Obviously there is an aero advantage to a 1" steerer on a fork because you can make your head tube more narrow, but I don't know of any good aero forks that have a 1" steerer any more - are there any available that anyone knows of?

If not 1", then a straight 1.125" is what I'll use. As the bike is not really a full-on race bike (at least not intended as such at this point, but who knows, maybe I would use it to race depending on the course), but more of a training bike with a slacker seat angle (76.5), low BB (76mm drop), and a paramount placed on handling so that I can get up and down the mountain here as quickly and safely as possible, maybe a deep blade aero fork isn't particularly important? I also have only about a 104mm head tube, so there's not a lot sticking out...

What would a good road fork with aero characteristics be? Maybe 3T? Any other recommendations?

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:33 pm
by kevosinn
thm scapula F?

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:33 pm
by Weenie

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Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 8:47 pm
by cyclenutnz
3T Luteus... or Enve Road disc...
Funda gives you rake options, in theory at least - I don't know if they're always available aftermarket. Fast without excessive side area and not too heavy.
Most of the new generation skinny leg aero forks are either not available, made for post mount brakes or limited in rake options.

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:00 pm
by lancejohnson
The other thing that I noticed is that most forks seem to have an enormous crown for integrated headsets. That just wouldn't look right with a smaller-tubed steel bike... I may be in real trouble finding something that works here...

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2012 9:20 pm
by reggiebaseball
Hi sir,

I think that Reynolds forks are pretty nice, low weight, nice curve, narrow profile and good handling. I like them more than my Enve 2.0 I think -which is almost too stiff.
reynolds made some forks with 1" steerer, of course you would be talking about a used product:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Reynolds-1-inch ... 3a7934c76b" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


I dont think aero is dramatically important for your fork, you seem to have enough other requirements that take precedence.
Reynold did make an aero ouzo too.

But if you want aero (over light) why not get a custom steel fork to match your steel frame- I bet your builder will have fun with that and you may like how smooth and dependable steel forks can make your front end feel. TT bikes are rarely about weight anyway...

Check out Rob English - he is a custom steel builder who is a TT fanatic and likely has some cool ideas.
Are we going to mount your rear bake under the BB?
Are your front brakes being mounted behind the fork for a more aero profile?

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 6:21 am
by cyclenutnz
Reggie - word to the wise - check out some of Lances past work - he probably has a pretty clear idea of what he wants the bike to be.

Can you find some Max fork legs if you must have aesthetic balance at the crown? Or is weight mattering so carbon is a must. In which case a small crown diameter is not going to be easy at all.

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 7:33 am
by Fatbiker
+1 for Columbus MAX fork blades

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:42 am
by JamieL
Quattring posted this in the "show us your TT bikes" bit:
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=97788&start=150

quattrings wrote:
Image
build list:

Caad 4 Aero, size 56
Cannondale fork
Ritchey logic headset
Syntace Stratos cx basebar
Syntace SLS aero bars
Syntace Grips
Thomson x2 stem cnc customised to integrate top cap
Syntace p6 seatpost
Campagnolo seatpost collar
Fsa vero crank with aero 54t chainring
Shimano Square tape bb, removed dust seals
Shimano 105 casette 12-25
Shimano 105 chain
Sram tt500 shifters
Sram tt500 brake levers
Simkins Egg brakes (purchased from Juanmoretime, who is a real stand up guy. Thanks again :thumbup: )
Corima disc and four spoke clincher (repaired the dings and painted matte black)
Vittoria open corsa 23mm


He's listed the fork as a Cannondale fork but i've got something which looks identical but finished in chrome on my fixed TT bike. 1" steerer, nice and aero. Could be what you're looking for but i've no idea what the original name for this fork is/was. Maybe someone could point you in the right direction.

Here's a crap picture of mine. only had a moment to snap it before i was away with work but i'll hopefully get some better ones later.

Image

Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2012 9:53 am
by Wingnut
Steel aero...

Image

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2012 9:02 pm
by Samu Ilonen
Buy Cervelo P4's spare part fork? Std dimensions. Or T4's fork has normal, 43mm rake too. T1's is ok too, but rake is smaller. I think I have new, but old design Wolf TT fork somewhere. Not bad as aero fork, that too.

EA had also some quite nice TT-forks previusly too.

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:27 am
by si w
JamieL wrote:Quattring posted this in the "show us your TT bikes" bit:
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=97788&start=150

quattrings wrote:
Image
build list:

Caad 4 Aero, size 56
Cannondale fork
Ritchey logic headset
Syntace Stratos cx basebar
Syntace SLS aero bars
Syntace Grips
Thomson x2 stem cnc customised to integrate top cap
Syntace p6 seatpost
Campagnolo seatpost collar
Fsa vero crank with aero 54t chainring
Shimano Square tape bb, removed dust seals
Shimano 105 casette 12-25
Shimano 105 chain
Sram tt500 shifters
Sram tt500 brake levers
Simkins Egg brakes (purchased from Juanmoretime, who is a real stand up guy. Thanks again :thumbup: )
Corima disc and four spoke clincher (repaired the dings and painted matte black)
Vittoria open corsa 23mm


He's listed the fork as a Cannondale fork but i've got something which looks identical but finished in chrome on my fixed TT bike. 1" steerer, nice and aero. Could be what you're looking for but i've no idea what the original name for this fork is/was. Maybe someone could point you in the right direction.

Here's a crap picture of mine. only had a moment to snap it before i was away with work but i'll hopefully get some better ones later.

Image



Looks like a Kinesis

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:28 am
by prendrefeu
Best aero fork for custom build?


Oval's Jetstream fork. Period.

Re: Best aero fork for custom build?

Posted: Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:28 am
by Weenie

Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com