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Help finding a fork for commute on road bike

by moncalves
Fri, Oct 04, 2019 17:05
8

Hello everyone,

I'm building a new bicycle based on my current road bike that I really use for commute.

I'm getting a steel frame made to measure and I'm still trying to solve 2 main aspects

 

1. Type of brakes to use. Canti, caliper or disc. Rain and hard braking is not a big concern where I live. But I do have mudgards and want to add rear and/or front racks.

2. Where to buy a great fork that would do almost everything, looks good on a road bike, aluminum hopefully (weight?). 

Any thoughts on where to buy it online and if go to disc brakes?

(Budget is low and practicity is key)

Thank you!!  

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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8 comments

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Spangly Shiny | 5 years ago
1 like

Quite a selection of forks here: https://www.planetx.co.uk/c/q/components/forks-and-shocks/rigid-forks

Enought to help you decide which way to go regarding disc/caliper/canti with the whole bike.

Avatar
Boatsie | 5 years ago
0 likes

https://www.wiggle.com.au/surly-cross-check-cyclocross-forks/

1kg uncut 1-1/8 inch steer .
Fits 45mm. Fits guards.
Unsure whether helpful or bothersome.
Not sure about racks.
Knowing less than many another reading site of sales.
Looks strong. Durability. If road bike being built has wide stays maybe wide forks would suit?
Unsure of brakes.. Reads cantilevers, maybe minivs can use cantilever fulcrums? I think so but dumbed out at moment.

Avatar
Boatsie | 5 years ago
1 like

https://www.cyclingdeal.com.au/buy/single-speed-cr-mo-road-bike-lugged-f...

I don't know your steer tube. Here's a 1 inch at 1 kg.
Just a quick look but a question to trader would find tyre width acceptances. I'm sure normal brakes with long arms are around that'll roll 32mm. I'm guessing at 40quid low mark.
Fronts not so susceptible to punctuation though. I rode years with a 23mm front on a huge volume 28 rear carrying 30kg tools. Nowadays if I had to I think I'd go over a year without puncture on a 32mm rear, 28 mm front.

Funny thing is that after 2 years I hadn't punctured the 28mm. (Huge volume compared to a Maxxis Refuse 28mm but a slower tyre and I don't think they're made now. Can't recall name, cost me nearly half the price of my bike for 1 tyre).
Anyway, we all ride different. Mates bike was stolen, he borrowed my old bike. Blooming punctured it. Lol. )))

Best of luck man..

Avatar
Boatsie | 5 years ago
0 likes

https://www.chainreactioncycles.com/mobile/tektro-926al-mini-v-brake/rp-...

I think these are the units I use.
Rolling a 38mm tyre.
Wouldn't fit guards though due to clearance however.. Depending upon if someone could be bothered..
Can always cut a guard across brake section and bridge with a short span bridge of alloy as coincides with mount anyway.
I've taken my pannier rack off. Needed a filing job to seat better on the stays. If I needed to winter use that bike I'd probably bother spending an hour seating the rack properly and use scrap alloy or plastic to guard spray, attaching to rack and seat tube. Rack takes a lot of spray.
Brakes work on dropbars. Rolling without friction. Doesn't skid/clamp as easily as normal twin pivot centre attached brakes do. (Mine anyhow).
Carbon offer aero which is nice but are rubbish after use and aren't as durable.
Chromoly is really nice, durable, these have rack mounts. Picture is set with 38mm between miniVs. Ain't overly heavy

Discs are probably better but pricier. Hub, disc, brake unit. Forks are needed regardless of choice

Avatar
srchar | 5 years ago
2 likes

Can your framebuilder source a suitable fork for you? I'd be looking at carbon - your framebuidler could paint it to match your frame too.

If budget is low, stick with rim brakes. Calipers rather than cantis.

Avatar
moncalves replied to srchar | 5 years ago
0 likes

They only produce steel ones and don´t look good at all. To robust and "tubelike".

So i guess aluminum or carbon is the way to go, even if more expensive. But can´t find a reliable builder online for a decent price.

 

Thank you!

 

srchar wrote:

Can your framebuilder source a suitable fork for you? I'd be looking at carbon - your framebuidler could paint it to match your frame too.

If budget is low, stick with rim brakes. Calipers rather than cantis.

Avatar
Boatsie | 5 years ago
1 like

If in Adelaide you can have my alloy fork from a 2016? Felt wreck.
It's a normal rim brake and doesn't fit guard yet my storm bike hasn't a front guard. I find the frame does the job well.
With cantilever type brakes. I changed to dropbars on my other wide tyre commuter and used miniV brakes disabling the use of guards. Dropbars don't pull enough cable to use the longer armed brakes.
I've never used disc brake bicycles and don't know.
3 of my commuters use chromoly forks. I like them.
I'm not sure if there are long arm normal brakes that would house a guard. I'm sure there are some around that will roll a 32.
Chromoly is a steel end of alloy material. I believe it is a premium material. Mating to 2 alloy bikes and a chromoly bike here and they mate well.

Avatar
moncalves replied to Boatsie | 5 years ago
0 likes

Thank you very much for the offer,,, i'm almost in the antipode of Adelaide but thanks anyway.

 

Very appealing the miniV brakes, never seen them before but definetely will research them some more, although mudguards are important so i'll check if it's possible to make them work together.

Thanks again! 

 

Boatsie wrote:

If in Adelaide you can have my alloy fork from a 2016? Felt wreck. It's a normal rim brake and doesn't fit guard yet my storm bike hasn't a front guard. I find the frame does the job well. With cantilever type brakes. I changed to dropbars on my other wide tyre commuter and used miniV brakes disabling the use of guards. Dropbars don't pull enough cable to use the longer armed brakes. I've never used disc brake bicycles and don't know. 3 of my commuters use chromoly forks. I like them. I'm not sure if there are long arm normal brakes that would house a guard. I'm sure there are some around that will roll a 32. Chromoly is a steel end of alloy material. I believe it is a premium material. Mating to 2 alloy bikes and a chromoly bike here and they mate well.

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