Best Rigid Fork Material

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Best Rigid Fork Material

9 posts from 6 voices

Started 1 year ago by Drdan1
Latest reply from kalamath

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Drdan1
Member

I'm very interested in knowing if titanium is an ideal material for rigid forks...

Titanium will certainly outlast steel, carbon fiber and aluminum, and its performance does not degrade over time as it does for these other materials. By varying tube diameters and wall thicknesses, the ride quality can be tweaked.as well. Titanium forks are said to smooth out the ride, and some makers have consistently made titanium forks which are praised by those who have purchased them.

I am aware that a properly made carbon fiber fork can weigh about 50% less, so this may be the main reason why they are preferred. Perhaps for elite racers, carbon bìfiber is the only viable choice...

I see lots of photos of owners posing with their high end bikes on various fora, and the bikes are oftentimes fitted with carbon seatposts, carbon bars, aluminum stems, and the latest high tech carbon fiber aero rims. Oftentimes, it seems like the owners themselves would have much more efficient riding dynnamics if they were to drop some weight, rather than outfitting their rides with components more suited for elite racers!

If 400 grams or so is not an issue, and the rider is not an elite one, what woud be the best material to use for the fork? I was wondering why Moots does not offer a titanium fork, being that they would be capable of producing some real masterpieces if they were interested. Does the majority of Moots' production go to serious athletes, and is that the reason?

Thanks!

Posted 1 year ago #
Domestique
Member

Best fork that I ever remember was on my 'very' old Raleigh made out of good ol' Reynolds double-butted 531 (same company that makes the tubing for the RSL).

Posted 1 year ago #
29ner
Member

Assuming you mean in the mountain bike world. The cost and manufacturing time is the issue. You need fixtures and jigs for each size (26&29) and each rake, offset, etc. It would make for a hugely expensive fork - it would weigh more than a carbon one and with the stock diameter sizes, be quite flexible (I would think). You can find titanium ones, yes, but there is a reason you don't see many of them.

Same reason you don't see titanium drop handlebars (road bike bars). They 'can' be made, but the ability for them to be stiff enough, they would have to be hugely oversized, and expensive (and ugly and unnatural to hold). Let alone the stem needed. The jigs needed to create the road bend(s)?? whew. It's just not practical - and for the most part, is not a practical application for forks - heavy and way expensive.

Dean had an interesting one at the handmade show - A ti fork with the purchased 'Isogrid' technology from Titus. Very trick, don't know if they are to go into full production or not.

Paraphrasing, I recall Kent Eriksen (who used to make forks with his steel bikes - road and mountain) saying: "Forks are as much work as the frame, and other people make ones better than me for less money".

Posted 1 year ago #
Drdan1
Member

Thanks, 29er... Your answer addresses what are probably corporate considerations, but I'm still questioning what would be the best material for a fork!

I'm looking at purchasing a Psychlo-X,, and am aware that Moots will soon have their own carbon fiber fork specifically made for it, and ostensibly their road bikes. I assume that only a 29er version will be made, it will have only one available rake, be made for Cantis only, and will be generic, being able to be used by all riders, regardless of their weight.

Why doesn't Moots make their flagship fork out of titanium, being that an excellent "one size fits all" fork could be made? They might even offer a disc or canti version. I don't think the niche of customers attracted to Moots in the first place would balk at the $700--$1,000 price tag that Moots would ask for. If weight overrides the other factors, then I can see why they've decided to go with carbon.

I would be purchasing the Psychlo-X, being that I consider it to be the very best cyclocross frame there is, and it's bombproof at that. I'd be matching it with a Moots stem and seatpost, because I'm also convinced that they're the ultimate for the Psychlo-X. I still stuck on my decision for the fork.

I'll most likely order a Black Sheep unicrown titanium fork with .070" walls, a 47° rake, and set up for cantis only. If the workmanship and welding is flawlessly executed, it will be a nice match for the bike. I'm wondering though if I'd be better off with the Moots carbon fork, being that inconsistencies do occur...

Thanks again!

Posted 1 year ago #
teamfubar
Member

I think you hit the nail on the head when you mentioned weight overriding other factors. As Keith Bontrager said "weight, strength, price...pick two". I think if you made a fork that was strong enough and light enough for most buyers tastes, the price would be astronomical AND aesthetically it wouldn't keep the "sexy" lines that a good carbon fork has.

FWIW, back when carbon forks were a high end road only item and maybe in the most hard-core fringes of the CX world, Moots used to show their bikes built with an Independent Fabrications steel fork on it. I think a good steel fork is the way to go. They can be tuned to whatever ride quality you want through tube diameter, thickness and shaping without being too expensive, although I think the prices for steel stuff anymore is getting kinda silly.

If you have to go with a Ti fork, I think Black Sheep makes a nice one. But, you might wanna check with BS to see what the lead time is right now. There were some production issues in the past. It might behoove you to get a IF fork to start out and get a BS fork down the road.

Posted 1 year ago #
29ner
Member

Well, now you threw everything I said above out the window - because when I see 'rigid', I assume mountain bike because there are very few suspension roadies. And 29 refers to the mountain world. I am a big fan of carbon on road/cross frames. Lightweight, absorbs chatter and bumps, and sweet looking with ti (or any material). Steel is fine - I had a IF steel fork, but perfer carbon. WIth all the new head tube diameters getting bigger, a corresponding steel steerer tube, etc., - you're adding serious weight. I am no weight weenie - but you're talking a good amount.

I'm sure I saw the BS fork at the handbuilt show - but I'll be darned if I remember it. BS is in Ft. Collins, CO and they have a good reputation, if not a bit esoteric. Lots of swoopy, curvy tubes, trussed forks, etc. But, nice and interesting stuff.

The Moots fork (I think) is available and is a phone call away to ask about rakes, etc. I've no idea what will be made available but would assume the standard. I understand the cross one is similar, but more robust and with the canti studs. WIll Moots make a disc fork for 'cross?.....no idea. Also, understand that Moots is not making the fork(s). These are being produced overseas to Moots spec. (as 99% of the bike world does). As for Moots ever making a fork (road, mountain, cross or otherwise), don't hold your breath. Read above - too much time, money, weight, expense to set up, for a very limited product and audience. Like Kent said....

There is a reason 99 out of 100 bikes at the cross races (and road) are riding carbon forks.

Posted 1 year ago #
Drdan1
Member

Thanks so much for the replies. I much better understand Moots' choice now... 400 + grams savings IS substantial.

Posted 1 year ago #
JonC
Administrator

Thanks for the great input to all. Yes, ti forks are sexy and super bomber...the weight and the price tag are the big drawback. In order to use ti in a fork setting and get good performance we would almost double the weight of a carbon unit....Carbon does have its place and the fork is one of them.

Thanks!

Jon@Moots

Posted 1 year ago #
kalamath
Member

Wound Up carbon forks seem to be very highly rated by users. If I were building a CX bike right now, thats what would go on mine, a Team X Disc.

Only bike I think I'd go for Ti would be a street bike, ala a CoMooter, just for style.

Fun thread btw. =) Similar discussion on seatpost, steam, bars could be instructive as well.

Nino
2010 Ibis Mojo SL
2005 Moots Compact

Posted 1 year ago #

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