Carbon forks to replace stock alloy ones on a Trek 7.3fx

skdotcom

I have a 2010 Trek 7.3fx which I use for commuting to work. When I first bought the bike I had issues with pains in my hands, and have sorted this to some extent with Bontrager carbon bar ends and spesh BG gel gloves.
It's still not prefect so was thinking about upgrading the forks to carbon ones.

Assuming this is a sensible upgrade (?), I'm at a bit of a loss as to what spec of forks I need that will be suitable for this bike.

I've seen these on CRC http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44284 , would these work?
edit , perhaps these would be more suitable, http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/FOVASLX/van-nicholas-vnt-slx-carbon-touring-fork-700c

Any help would be welcome

Thanks

AndyManc

I love my 7.3 fx , I've not had any probs with vibration.

I use spesh 'rubberised' bar ends, rarely use the flat bar grips.

Are you sure the bike is set up right for you, seat not too high, bars not too low ?

I'm no expert on forks either , but I would avoid buying till you've tried changing the set up.

.

skdotcom

I have changed the set up to make the bike a bit faster. I've put 25c tyres on and keep them at 120psi. Also I've rotated the handlebars round so I have a more stretched out riding position, and replaced the seat with a Specialized Avatar.

I have spent quite a long time adjusting seat height and handlebar position so that I've got a position that feels comfortable.

The only problem that remains is aching hands. The bar ends and gloves have helped alot, but given that I intend to keep hold of this bike for a while, I can justify spending some money on upgrades such as carbon forks to improve it more.

AndyManc

Looks like you've set up your bike for speed instead of comfort, skinny (ish) tyres and 120psi won't help.

I've always thought that steel absorbs vibration more than carbon :?

You could knock the psi to 100 but you're probably set on new forks.

A friendly knowledgeable LBS is always an advantage.


.

AyrshireBacon

I would agree that a rigid steel forks would help. Steel, after all, is real!

skdotcom

AyrshireBacon wrote:

I would agree that a rigid steel forks would help. Steel, after all, is real!

David, you need to get a new quote....

jomoj

what type of brakes does your bike have? Just checking because one of the forks you've posted has cantilever posts and the other doesn't. searching the web for that bike it appears to have v-brakes in which case you need you'll need something like the planet-x fork you linked to.

or this:
http://www.fatbirds.co.uk/detail.asp/sk ... Cross_Fork

or this
http://www.shinybikes.com/deda-black-cr ... -boss.html

I'm not endorsing these forks or the shops by the way but they are the type of thing you need

A carbon fork is not going to completely revolutionise your comfort though, they help but they only take a bit of buzz and shock out - so don't expect the world.


an alternative but probably more expensive solution would be to convert to using drop handlebars. Thye give you more positions to put your hands so you're less likely to end up numb. It's just one of the drawbacks of flat bars, that they only give you one place to put your hands - or a couple if you add bar ends.

skdotcom

Hey, thanks for the reply above. I've got a road bike, so wouldn't consider adding drop handlebars.

My parents in law live 50 yards round the corner from the fatbirds store, so think I may pay them a visit - the store, not my parents in law