Carbon steerer

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on December 17, 2008 at 7:29pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by Steve on December 17, 2008 at 9:40pm

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...

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Permalink Reply by cxchiva on December 18, 2008 at 3:06am

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.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on December 18, 2008 at 6:50am

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?

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Permalink Reply by Surly Bastard on December 18, 2008 at 12:14pm

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'.

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Permalink Reply by Steve on December 18, 2008 at 1:35pm

It's looking like all carbon is the way to go after all. I have a few days to reconsider...thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on December 18, 2008 at 1:59pm

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.

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Permalink Reply by Surly Bastard on December 19, 2008 at 9:12am

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.

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Permalink Reply by andrew on December 20, 2008 at 1:10am

you'd rather have a zornyc? i'm interested in trying your python. what don't you like about it?

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Permalink Reply by Chris Mayhew on December 20, 2008 at 12:40pm

I'd rather not lend out the fork. But yes, I'd like to have a Zornyc.

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