Cross fork for winter bike

Lead Pantani
Lead Pantani Posts: 2
edited October 2009 in Workshop
Im planning re-build my old road bike, a Trek 1500 from 2003, to a winter bike by putting on 35mm cross tires, so I can go on some sand roads.
This means that I have to put on a new fork I assume, in order to fit the wider tires. Anyone knows what measurements I need to look for before ordering the fork to get one that fits? I have seen different sizes 1 or 1 1/8, not sure what fits my bike?

Any recommendations on a fork? I was thinking of a low end carbon fork, but they seem to be pretty expensive.

Furthermore, Im not sure if I need to change the brakes as well, I have Shimano Ultegra currently, and it looks like I might be able to fit the wider tyre. Any thoughts or tips?

Thanks!

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Trek stopped doing 1" forks on road bikes about 1999 - so 1.125" forks it is. In terms of brakes, choice is cantis or mini-vees. Mini vees are easiest to fit / set-up but don't offer much clearance for mud. Cantis are trickier to set up correctly. Tektro CR720s are good.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • APIII
    APIII Posts: 2,010
    Have a look at the Kinesis Crosslight Pro. I've just put one on the winter bike I'm building, so can't tell you how good it is yet, but Kinesis are rated highly by most people. Cost me £115 from Wiggle.
  • John.T
    John.T Posts: 3,698
    You may have clearance problems at the rear as well with 35mm tyres. I would check that you have clearance both front and rear before you do any more. If the tyres fit then you do not need new forks or brakes unless you are doing CX fairly seriously and ride in mud. You do not need the bigger cleances of a CX bike for just sand road riding. If mud collection becomes a problem you need a CX frame, fork and brakes.
    You could also consider 28mm CX tyres.
    My Fleet.

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