Alpha Q Alpha Q Carbon Steerer

Price Paid:  $175.00

Favorite Ride:
Skiatook Lake

Bike Setup:
Burley Wolf Creek, DA10, Rolf Sestriare, King head set, Ritchy WCS carbon, flite saddle, FSA k-force crank, egg beater quatro pedals

Summary:
i am running Rolf Sestriare wheels with Conti Grand Prix 23mm and there is only about 1mm clearance between the top of the tire and the fork. if i run through sand, i can hear it rub the fork. My wheel had a slight hop in it but i fixed that. This will continue to be a problem as my wheel/tire has to be perfectly round.

Strengths:
good looking, rides nice, light.

Weaknesses:
very little tire clearance from the top to the tire to the fork. like about 1mm

Similar Products Used:
Icon air rail

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Price Paid:  $0.00 at came with bike

Favorite Ride:
any w/low traffic

Bike Setup:
Calfee Dragonfly w/Record Ultra 10 and Zipps (no apologies)!

Summary:
Sorry to those who experienced problems (below) but I disagree. This fork is great. Extremely fast steering that is ultra-precise. I now take the same turns that used to be really hard with ease. Also the fork is very light, although I haven't weighed it. The whole epoxy the sleve onto the steerer does appear to be kind of a pain but I didn't have to deal with that...I've heard they have a new system now.

Strengths:
Light, stiff, aero, excellent handleing, looks great.

Weaknesses:
None that I know of.

Similar Products Used:
Reynolds Ouzo pro (hate to burst your bubble but the Alpha Q is much better than that fork). Various steel, other carbon (Profile - not as stiff but still nice).

Price Paid:  $150.00 at missing link coop

Favorite Ride:
any of the berkeley hills

Bike Setup:
used on a steel handbuilt frame

Summary:
I would just like to send out a warning to those considering an Alpha Q carbon fork. Mine failed after 4k. The epoxy between the steerer and blades weakened after 4 years of use. I wouldn't consider myself a hard rider. Generally I go out for occassional 40-70mile ride which includes flats and hills (never crashed though I did fall at a few stop lights). I actually loved the smooth responsive ride while it lasted, however anyone who is considering this item should prorate their cost of the fork over only a few years.

Strengths:
lightweight, responsive,

Weaknesses:
durability(4years)

Price Paid:  $210.00 at LBS

Bike Setup:
Litespeed Tuscany, Dura Ace, etc.

Summary:
Just got this fork on an employee purchase from the shop I work at. My review covers the disappointing initial setup and results (it's been snowing here, no chance to ride it yet).

My motivation for purchasing this fork was, I confess, weight reduction and I have read that this fork is supposed to be ultra stiff. My current fork is a Litespeed 'generic.'

The Alpha Q Pro is indeed a light fork until (note until) you complete setup. You are provided with an aluminum sleeve with a star nut that fits inside the steerer tube of the Alpha. The weight w/o the sleeve was 370 G (with cut steerer tube). Once you apply the JB Weld and instert the sleeve, you are holding in your hands a fork that now weighs 420 G. This isn't speculation, this is directly from the digital gram scale at the shop. My Litespeed fork weighs only 6 grams more complete with compression lug.

I got the Litespeed fork for $35 bucks. When I compare the advantages weight wise for what I paid for the Q, well, I'm not to pleased-but weight isn't everything.

I will say that the fork appears to be stiffer than the Litespeed/other fork(s) but this is based only on observation and having the strong man at the shop flex the Alpha Q in relation to other carbon forks at the shop.

In conclusion-this isn't a fork for a weight conscious rider but it does appear to be pretty stiff. The Sub 3 made by the same co. might be another option if overall weight is to be considered.

Strengths:
stiffness?

Weaknesses:
If you are looking to reduce weight by means of this fork, look elsewhere. Forget about any alterations to fork steerer tube once JB Weld has been applied. True Temper highly recommends using this method to assit in maintining structural integrity of the steerer tube so you have no viable alternative.

Similar Products Used:
Reynolds Ouzo Pro, Time Millennium, Litespeed generic (does kestrel make those things?).

Price Paid:  $160.00 at Ebay

Favorite Ride:
All of them

Bike Setup:
Trek 5500 frame, Rolf Vector Carbon wheels, AME AlphaQ fork, USE Alien carbon post, Flite Evolution

Summary:
This fork absolutely knocks the socks off of anything elso I've ridden. Compliant enough to soak up the bumps and vibes on the flats, and stiff enough to be unbelievably responsive in the sprints and climbs. I've thrown everything I've got at this fork so far and it keeps saying "Is that all you've got?"

Strengths:
Durability, reliability, light weight, incredibly responsive steering (takes some getting used to), ease of set-up, competitively priced.

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
Trek icon, custom columbus genius fork, wound up