Carbon fork for steel frame - will it fit?

fearby
fearby Posts: 245
edited March 2008 in Workshop
Assuming the fork is 1 inch diameter and frame takes a 1 inch steerer - should there be a problem? Frame is Reynolds 653 and built 10 years ago.
Will I need to change my headset - currently has external Campag headset - about 10 years old.

:?:

Comments

  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    it'll fit.

    If the steerer on the new fork is unthreaded (which I'm pretty sure it will be) the you'll need a new aheadset and stem.

    You could keep the lower race I suppose but not much point really.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • maddog 2
    maddog 2 Posts: 8,114
    and make sure you cut the new steerer to the correct length - not the length of your old threaded steerer.
    Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true! - Homer
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    I have a carbon fork on my steel race bike. I like it. But remember that that steel fork was (probably) made for your bike, with exactly the right dimensions. Putting a carbon fork on will drop a fair bit of weight (if you get the right fork), but may not be an upgrade otherwise. It all depends on your exisiting fork.
  • fearby
    fearby Posts: 245
    Looks like I will get away with it :P
    It is not the weight saving but the comfort side of things I am interested in. The steel fork has no rake and is very unforgiving after 50-60 miles.

    Condor.jpg
  • feel
    feel Posts: 800
    Just a thought - have you consider a thicker bar tape. Also might be worth asking Condor what they think of your upgrade idea, as they fit carbon forks to some of their steel frame bikes and should know if it will improve comfort .
    We are born with the dead:
    See, they return, and bring us with them.
  • Adamskii
    Adamskii Posts: 267
    I considered upgrading the forks on my steel road bike until I read how to go about it in this months C+. The effort in assembly and the cost involved in purchasing a new fork, headset and stem has kind of put me off.
    It's all good.
  • JWSurrey
    JWSurrey Posts: 1,173
    I'm riding a steel Condor Fratello with a Deda Black Rain deep drop fork - Lovely bike, but I think the headset diameter on it is different.
    There was a similar thread recently, and I believe Bern from Condor sorted the guy out with a decent carbon replacement.
    The Deda. Wave fork is supposed to be very good.
    Give Condor a ring, and they should be able to sort you out with something, and all the ancillary components.
    Argos Cycles do a lot of old frame rebuilds, so they may also be able to suggest someone.

    Steel in itself is a nice forgiving fork material, however I agree that your particular fork is quite straight a la Colnago!
  • gundersen
    gundersen Posts: 586
    The steel fork has no rake and is very unforgiving after 50-60 miles.

    Untrue!

    The fork has rake - it is just straight. The rake is probably the same as most other forks (43 - 45)

    Unforgiving???

    In the 70's and 80's Colnago got Ferrari to test different ways to reduce road vibration (they were thinking about the likes of Paris-Roubaix)
    Ferrari's answer was a straighr fork and two layers of bar tape.
    That is why all Colnago's have straight forks.
  • binlinus
    binlinus Posts: 305
    If you want more comfort from the front end of the bike I'd look at the rim, the tyres, and the bar tape. You have a deep section rim which will be very unforgiving as it will be vertically stiff and will also reduce the length of the spoke which means less give as well. A Mavic Open Pro rim would offer a lot more comfort as it has a shallower section. Using a lightweight tube and tyre will also help: a Vittoria Evo CX tyre is a very flexible tyre and will absorb a lot of road buzz. Fit Cinelli gel bar tape. All these things add up to more comfort.

    It's a nice frame and fork combination.

    Try to borrow another front wheel with a shallower rim if you can and try it on a long ride.

    Bin
  • fearby
    fearby Posts: 245
    binlinus wrote:
    If you want more comfort from the front end of the bike I'd look at the rim, the tyres, and the bar tape. You have a deep section rim which will be very unforgiving as it will be vertically stiff and will also reduce the length of the spoke which means less give as well. A Mavic Open Pro rim would offer a lot more comfort as it has a shallower section. Using a lightweight tube and tyre will also help: a Vittoria Evo CX tyre is a very flexible tyre and will absorb a lot of road buzz. Fit Cinelli gel bar tape. All these things add up to more comfort.

    It's a nice frame and fork combination.

    Try to borrow another front wheel with a shallower rim if you can and try it on a long ride.

    Bin

    Those wheels have already been replaced with a Mavic Aksium (front) and Open Pro (rear) and it has not surprisingly made a big difference. Still think it could be better with a carbon fork though.....
  • acorn_user
    acorn_user Posts: 1,137
    Better send me those Atlanta wheels then :) What tyres do you have? I am using Challenge Criterium tyres, and they are lovely. I also use Specialized Bar Phat under the bar tape, which helps too.

    It sounds like you really want a carbon fork, but the one you have looks lovely :)
  • fearby
    fearby Posts: 245
    I will sell the wheels if you are really interested. Let me know.

    :lol:

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