Easton EC90 SL

Price Paid:  $229.00 at beyondbikes.com

Bike Setup:
'98 Litespeed Vortex w/'08 Record 10, self-built wheels (tubulars) w/Conti Sprinters, FSA K-Force Light compact crank, BRS-200SL calipers, Moots post, E3 Ti Saddle, Ritchey WCS stem, Modolo X-Tra bars, Speedplay X-1 pedals

Summary:
This review is for the 1" steerer version of this fork. I'm 6', 175# and ride a 59cm frame. Bear in mind that frame size, steerer diameter and rider weight will affect the feel of a fork significantly.

The original Look HSC that came with the frame is known for being very light but rather flexible. Mine always creaked as it flexed when climbing out of the saddle. After 10 years of use, I figured it was probably prudent to replace it. I was hoping for a fork that would provide a similarly smooth feel without the excessive flex, the elusive "stiff, yet compliant" holy grail of carbon fiber.

I should have known better.As the saying goes, "there's no such thing as a free lunch".


The Easton fork is well made and lighter than advertised (335 vs. 350 grams) as it comes out of the box. It came with the "beartrap" headset adjuster and press-in top cap, but no compressor plug, despite the fact that it's required according to the installation instructions. Easton also recommends a 10mm spacer on top of the stem, which is not included either.

Squeezing the fork's blades revealed a significant increase in stiffness compared to the HSC. My initial impression after installing it was that when putting pressure on the bars, it was at least as flexible in the steerer as the Look fork, if not more so. On the road, there was no apparent difference in that regard. The EC90SL is noticeably stiffer than the HSC when braking. Where the Look fork flexes visibly under braking, the Easton doesn't budge. This improves front brake feel and modulation considerably. There is also less lateral flex when out of the saddle and rocking the bike. It carves turns nicely and feels very solid overall. Plus, the annoying creak is gone!

The downside to this increased stiffness is a major increase in road buzz at the handlebars. Where the Look fork seemed to flow over rough pavement, the Easton fork bounces over it and seems to fight every ripple. Instead of absorbing pavement irregularities, it seems to be trying to flatten them. Although I can't say for sure, it actually feels slower on "chip & seal" surfaces as it buzzes over the gravel.

I'm going to put more miles on this fork before deciding whether the trade-offs are worth it. I definitely do like the handling and braking improvements, so if I can get used to the buzz, I'll stick with it. Otherwise, I'll move it to another more flexible frame that currently has a rather heavy and stiff Kestrel EMS fork with a threaded steel steerer.

Strengths:
Stiff, light

Weaknesses:
Transmits lots of road vibration, some steerer flex, no compressor plug or spacer as required by the instructions.

Similar Products Used:
Look HSC, Kestrel EMS, Profile generic carbon forks

Price Paid:  $200.00 at new from guy on RBR

Favorite Ride:
hilly

Bike Setup:
Clark Kent ti frame, EC90 fork, CK ahead, thompson stem, fsa wing pro compact bar, Campy record carbon seatpost, Selle smp glider saddle, ultegra group, ultegra hubs with mavic rims, and conti gp 4000 tires.

Summary:
I bought this to replace my old time equipe carbon fiber fork. I let it set in the box for a couple months because I was ascared, yes ascared, it was going to be stiffer than my old fork. I'm glad to say I was wrong. It isn't as stiff as my old fork, which is a good thing. It still corners nicely and sucks up bumps and buzz from the road. I really like the way it sticks to the road while cornering on rough stuff as opposed to some forks skipping across the road in the same situation. I have no idea how anybody can find this buzzy or twitchy, unless it's the wrong rake.

Strengths:
Light + comfy which makes it fast and confidence inspiring for me. My 1" model weighed in at 330 grams.

Weaknesses:
bear trap which I didn't use.

Similar Products Used:
reynolds ozuo, giant cf, old time cf, bonty cf, Kestral ems + lots of steel and aluminium. But only a kestral and time on this frame.

Price Paid:  $0.00

Favorite Ride:
Fast Centuries and long climbs.

Bike Setup:
Carbon frame, EC90SL fork, Shimano parts. Easton Alu drop-bars and wheels.

Summary:
Bought this to replace a flexy fork. Now this fork follows me when I change bikes. I like the rake which makes it stable at high speed. Feels stiff and stable. It has a feel like the steel forks that I used to use, but absorbs the road vibrations while being very light at the same time. High speed descents and hard cornering handled well. Even out of the saddle sprints feel good. Using the straight-leg model.

Strengths:
Light, good damping, firm handling, high speed stability.

Weaknesses:
It's the best for me and makes me want to go out and buy a BMC Pro Machine, Time Machine.

Similar Products Used:
stock carbon forks.

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Parts from all over

Favorite Ride:
DB Prevail TT

Bike Setup:
DA/105 Titanium Diamondback. 32 spoke open pro rims to DA hubs. One sturdy/light bike!
King headset

Summary:
This is a GREAT fork, super light, around 290 grams with the 1". Excellent vibration dampening. However, I have to give Easton an F for shipping the fork with that retched "bear trap" kind of tightening system. By lowering the bearing adjustment system below where the stem tightens makes it so bumps and vibration loosen the headset! I felt that I was ruining my Chris King every bump. I had to stop every couple miles to tighten it up (then just started doing it while I was riding). Would have given it a 4 or 5 had it shipped with a working preload device. Now I have to purchase another gizmo for my bike, lets hope it matches the sexy look of the fork.

Strengths:
Very comfortable, responsive, and extremely light. And with the notch in the steer tube (RAD) you can tighten your stem down without fear of damage. Paid around $140 for it new.

Weaknesses:
I mean is the Star fangled nut that bad? At least ship it out with a compression nut so we can pre-load our headsets, tighten the stem and forget about it! The bear trap is like a left pedal thats not reverse threaded....its bound to come loose and ruin something (mainly your day).

Similar Products Used:
Carbon Time Club 1" threadless
Various 1" raked steel forks threaded
Trek aluminum 1 1/8 threadless

Price Paid:  $1500.00 at Parts from all over

Favorite Ride:
DB Prevail TT

Bike Setup:
DA/105 Titanium Diamondback 32 spoke open pro rims to DA hubs. One sturdy/light bike!

Summary:
This is a GREAT fork, super light, around 290 grams with the 1". Excellent vibration dampening. However, I have to give Easton an F for shipping the fork with that retched "bear trap" kind of tightening system. By lowering the bearing adjustment system below where the stem tightens makes it so bumps and vibration loosen the headset! I felt that I was ruining my Chris King every bump. I had to stop every couple miles to tighten it up (then just started doing it while I was riding). Would have given it a 4 or 5 had it shipped with a working preload device. Now I have to purchase another gizmo for my bike, lets hope it matches the sexy look of the fork.

Strengths:
Very comfortable, responsive, and extremely light. And with the notch in the steer tube (RAD) you can tighten your stem down without fear of damage.

Weaknesses:
I mean is the Star fangled nut that bad? At least ship it out with a compression nut so we can pre-load our headsets, tighten the stem and forget about it! The bear trap is like a left pedal thats not reverse threaded....its bound to come loose and ruin something (mainly your day).

Similar Products Used:
Carbon Time Club 1" threadless
Various 1" raked steel forks threaded
Trek aluminum 1 1/8 threadless