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I'm choosing between an Easton carbon bladed fork with either a carbon or aluminum steerer tube. This would be for a bike that is raced, albeit slowly in NorCal, and otherwise used as an everyday bike including road and cross-country mountain biking - single track and pretty fast descents over hard packed trails (some ruts, rocks, the usual).

Any comments about the longevity/durability of the carbon tube? I'm 6' and 195 lbs. Delta in price is minimal...

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The forks should be the same in those regards. What I would be concerned with is chatter. I don't know about your specific fork but it's definitely an issue with other full carbon forks.
You mean I'm paranoid about the carbon steerer? I know the carbon blades may chatter and am prepared to call the chattering a 'feature'... I guess I've seen a number of comments about never using carbon in the steerer or any other thing that gets clamped and trying to determine if the fear is justified or in fact loud corner cases...
Beware of what you read...many neg. forums on carbon fork chatter is by those who don't know how to, or haven't taken the time to eliminate the problem. Finding the right brake and being your own best mechanic is the key.
I'm not sure what causes the chatter. I have my own theories about what causes it on one of my bikes. Still, I ride that bike all the time. It is definitely not a feature.

Carbon being clamped is a not issue. Just be contentious and follow the torque specs for the stem.

And yes, you can be your own mechanic and set everything up right but the fact of the matter is a) it shouldn't be happening b) you can only toe in brakes so much. As they wear they get flat again. Then what?
If I had the dough I'd plump for all-carbon in a second. They're lighter, and well they're lighter. I've gotta believe they are the premium version of the fork from top to bottom, too. From my experience durability is great. You'll probably damage a leg or a drop-out before the steer-tube. Last time I saw a steer tube break was on George Hincape's Paris Roubaix bike. And that steer-tube was alloy.

IMHO wheel chatter has more to do with the wheel than anything else - okay maybe some sticky brake surface or rough pads or set-up might have something to do with it - but I notice more chatter with light-weight wheels than with heavy, stiff sets. I notice it on my road bike as well as the 'crosser. Not scientific, but just sayin'.
It's looking like all carbon is the way to go after all. I have a few days to reconsider...thanks.
Hey Surly, if you want an all carbon fork take my Ridley Python off my hands in trade for a Zornyc. Or trade me for an Alpha Q and I'll pitch in some money.
You want a carbon fork with an alloy steer tube? I've got a relatively new Redline carbon with alloy steerer (which ain't bad) and an old carbon Windwood with an alloy steerer that's nice but pretty heavy. Don't think any of those are good trades for you.

You don't like the Python? Too straight? Too carbon flavored? Don't understand the trade for an Alpha Q either. If I had an Alpha Q I wouldn't be letting that go for love nor $$$! Those are sweet forks.
you'd rather have a zornyc? i'm interested in trying your python. what don't you like about it?
I'd rather not lend out the fork. But yes, I'd like to have a Zornyc.

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