I'm in the market for a fork to replace the one on my bike that is the incorrect rake. I've got a Specialized Zertz fork off of a Roubaix on my Chucksbikes Martec carbon frame (same as a Scattante CFR) and it's 49mm rake, on a frame that is meant for 43mm. I noticed that right now Supergo is selling their carbon forks for $60, which is a great price. I don't really worry too much about the quality of the forks, I assume their probably made by Martec as well or one of the large Taiwanese carbon factories. I have two questions, has anybody had any experience with Weyless forks, and are they decent quality like I expect? Secondly, should I go with a carbon steerer or aluminum steerer? That's mainly what I'm torn over, I know the carbon steerer would cut some weight from my bike, but I don't know, I'm skeptical. Should I be? Has anybody had any bad experiences with carbon steerers? I assume they must be fine, or all high-end bikes wouldn't be specc'd with them these days. Thanks a lot. Here's a shot of the bike in question:
TACSTS
Ridden Weyless for 3+ years- no problems
I bought a Weyless aluminum steerer'd fork to go with my Schwinn Fastback Factory frame that I bought at Supergo. No complaints about quality, and I had the same thoughts- must come from some Taiwanese carbon shop that probably makes forks with brand stickers on it for triple the price. I'm 190 pounds, been known to jump curbs & bunnyhop and otherwise abuse my bike, and its held up fine. Now that I'm deeper into road biking, I'm considering a carbon steerer'd fork with a nice sticker on it (like Easton) but I too am having second thoughts about it. The EC90SL also has carbon dropouts.... what does the lawyer who invented "lawyer tabs" think about that?
I bought a Weyless aluminum steerer'd fork to go with my Schwinn Fastback Factory frame that I bought at Supergo. No complaints about quality, and I had the same thoughts- must come from some Taiwanese carbon shop that probably makes forks with brand stickers on it for triple the price. I'm 190 pounds, been known to jump curbs & bunnyhop and otherwise abuse my bike, and its held up fine. Now that I'm deeper into road biking, I'm considering a carbon steerer'd fork with a nice sticker on it (like Easton) but I too am having second thoughts about it. The EC90SL also has carbon dropouts.... what does the lawyer who invented "lawyer tabs" think about that?
Yeah, I don't think I could ever do carbon dropouts either. Just seems like over time as you remove and put your front wheel back on again and again you'd begin to chew into it. Maybe that's taken into consideration, but it makes me leery.
Thanks for your response, that makes me feel better about it. I'm about 15lbs. lighter than you and ride my stuff pretty gently, so I don't guess I should worry, if you've not had any problems.
Thanks for your response, that makes me feel better about it. I'm about 15lbs. lighter than you and ride my stuff pretty gently, so I don't guess I should worry, if you've not had any problems.
Your fork does not appear to have 49mm rake. Never heard of a fork with a 49mm rake. Be that as it may, Weyless forks are most likely manufactured by Martec. There are only so many CF Manufacturing facilities. Check http://www.bicyclesb2b.com/ You will find your frame there.
The main complaint with carbon steerers is that the fork wanders. Depending on rider weight this may or may not be an issue. If you do much climbing, standing and hammering, you may want an aluminum steerer. Weight penalty is only 3 to 4 oz. or 60 to 90 grams.
Beautiful bike. Very fine sand paper (220 wet) will remove any stickers. Recoat with spray can clear coat and achieve a beatiful all black bike!
The main complaint with carbon steerers is that the fork wanders. Depending on rider weight this may or may not be an issue. If you do much climbing, standing and hammering, you may want an aluminum steerer. Weight penalty is only 3 to 4 oz. or 60 to 90 grams.
Beautiful bike. Very fine sand paper (220 wet) will remove any stickers. Recoat with spray can clear coat and achieve a beatiful all black bike!
Re: Slipstream - The Roubaix is spec'd with a 49mm fork due to its shallow 72.5 head angle and long wheelbase (the long rake reduces trail for a quick handling bike - tandems also use this sort of trick).
I've also heard that the Weyless fork was made by Martec and that it is considered a good value. I own a Performance Forte Axis Pro all-carbon fork (Kinesis Saber) and consider the Performance carbon forks to be a better value since they are lighter and made by a firm with a longer/better reputation, Kinesis. However, I'm not sure if a 43mm rake is offered (mine is a 40mm) or if they offer the right steerer for you.
I've also heard that the Weyless fork was made by Martec and that it is considered a good value. I own a Performance Forte Axis Pro all-carbon fork (Kinesis Saber) and consider the Performance carbon forks to be a better value since they are lighter and made by a firm with a longer/better reputation, Kinesis. However, I'm not sure if a 43mm rake is offered (mine is a 40mm) or if they offer the right steerer for you.
Weyless fork
My vote is for the aluminum steerer Weyless. I rode a carbon Weyless and while the ride was very nice, the carbon steerer cracked at the top where the stem clamped. With an aluminum steerer you can slather grease all over it to keep the creaking noises in check also.
Ed
TACSTS said:
My vote is for the aluminum steerer Weyless. I rode a carbon Weyless and while the ride was very nice, the carbon steerer cracked at the top where the stem clamped. With an aluminum steerer you can slather grease all over it to keep the creaking noises in check also.
Ed
Carbon can be durable too
I have a full carbon (Specialized C4) fork and have had none of the issues mentioned by Nessism. Coming from the MTNbike side of things, I do some stuff that most Roadies would never even consider attempting. Like wheelie drops off of curbs, bunnyhopping roadkill and other obsticles, and the occasional jump. No problems so far, but then again I only weigh 130#s.
I have a full carbon (Specialized C4) fork and have had none of the issues mentioned by Nessism. Coming from the MTNbike side of things, I do some stuff that most Roadies would never even consider attempting. Like wheelie drops off of curbs, bunnyhopping roadkill and other obsticles, and the occasional jump. No problems so far, but then again I only weigh 130#s.
Hmm...you all have got me thinking now. Should I go full carbon or stick with aluminum? I weigh 175, and have never been known to abuse my road stuff, (the mtn bike is an entirely different matter.. 
) so I feel I would probably be okay on carbon. I wonder what the real weight difference is between an aluminum steerer and carbon. The bike is 19lbs even in that picture with pedals and everything ready to ride. I'd like to drop a pound from it if I could pretty reasonably. I know the Specialized fork is over 500g so even the Weyless alloy fork would probably drop almost 100g right there. The seatpost is a stone as well, that's gonna go, probably 50g+ improvement possible there. I know it won't be cheap but I think it's definately possible, but every bit of help I could get would be great and if the carbon fork was significantly lighter it might be worth a shot. I just don't want to be worried about it busting in two if I hit a pothole or something. Decisions, decisions...
) so I feel I would probably be okay on carbon. I wonder what the real weight difference is between an aluminum steerer and carbon. The bike is 19lbs even in that picture with pedals and everything ready to ride. I'd like to drop a pound from it if I could pretty reasonably. I know the Specialized fork is over 500g so even the Weyless alloy fork would probably drop almost 100g right there. The seatpost is a stone as well, that's gonna go, probably 50g+ improvement possible there. I know it won't be cheap but I think it's definately possible, but every bit of help I could get would be great and if the carbon fork was significantly lighter it might be worth a shot. I just don't want to be worried about it busting in two if I hit a pothole or something. Decisions, decisions...-
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