keep serotta F1 or go full carbon?

[cmg]

I have a chance to replace the Serotta F1 fork with a reynolds full carbon ouzo pro. i believe the F1 is a 52 mm rake and reynolds will be 50mm. steerer tube is 1" on both. the reynolds is black and i'll have to get a shop to paint it if i want it to look as good as the F1. So what's the opinion of the forum? buy and change, lose a pound of steerer tube weight or keep the one i have?

[thirdgenbird]

I wouldn't bother, it looks great as is.

[Ken Robb]

this is like asking us what you should have for dinner. They are both good performers. I think you could fit slightly bigger tires in the Ouzo.

[thirdgenbird]

I forgot about the narrow clearance with those forks. The weight alone wouldn't be worth the cost and hassle for me. If you can go up a tire size or two AND loose weight, that's worth thought.

[rwsaunders]

Love the one you're with...stick with the F1 and buy the Reynolds for a spare, as 1" dia. forks are a pita to find.

[buldogge]

Buy it, paint it, change it.

The weight difference up front will be quite noticeable and the ability to run 25mm tires will be a big plus IMHO.

I don't know how good a deal you're getting on the Ouzo…but…I would look closely at the Columbus Minimal as well.

I have used the Minimal on both my Chesini Innovation (bought frame only) and De Rosa Pro (kept, but swapped, stock steel fork) and the ride is quite nice.

-Mark in St. Louis

[DRZRM]

This! Though the truth is that I replaced an 1" F-1 with an F-3. Saved over a pound and can fit a bigger tire. The F-1 is a great riding fork and I'm not sure how tangible a difference it made, and I didn't get it painted. to match, but If I had it to do over I'd probably do it again.

Love the one you're with...stick with the F1 and buy the Reynolds for a spare, as 1" dia. forks are a pita to find.

[Neil]

I'm fairly sure that I have an F1 fork- threaded, 1", steel steerer, carbon blades, Ti dropouts.

Reason for my slight confusion is that I have always run 25c tyres.

[Louis]

Assuming you can use the tires you like with the F1, I would only change if I were planning on using the bike for lots of climbing or racing. Other than that, I'd leave well enough alone.

Looks nice as it is now.

[djg]

Looks great, as it is.

If you're keen to get more clearance, spring for the Reynolds, which is a very good fork. Keep in mind that this gets you what it gets -- it's still a modern road fork. If you go that route, maybe try the new fork before you pay for paint?

[dekindy]

Wider tires would be the only thing I would consider. From what I have read an F1 fork is one of the best ever made.

[Black Dog]

The F1 fork will take 25c Tires.

[Elefantino]

The F1 fork will take 25c Tires.
Barely, if they're Michelins.

[Ahneida Ride]

The F1 fork will take 25c Tires.

maybe and maybe not ..... I had a F1 ....


Keep the F1 .... It's a great fork. :banana:

[Black Dog]

Barely, if they're Michelins.

I should have qualified my statement…It will just take most 25c tires with little room to spare. I have run 25c Conti GP4000s and it just fits.

[Neil]

I did check, mine is an F1- I can confirm that 25c Veloflex Roubaix work fine, as do 25c Sprinter Gatorskins.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7354/11137141663_c20ee0de8c_b.jpg

[bluesea]

My experience with a 1999 F1 / Campy Neutron rim / Conti 4000s 25mm, is ample side-to-side space but minimal vertical clearance. Ymmv on the vertical clearance. It'll run but I don't like tire spacing so close to the fork crown.

[carlucci1106]

Buy it, paint it, change it.

The weight difference up front will be quite noticeable and the ability to run 25mm tires will be a big plus IMHO.

I don't know how good a deal you're getting on the Ouzo…but…I would look closely at the Columbus Minimal as well.

I have used the Minimal on both my Chesini Innovation (bought frame only) and De Rosa Pro (kept, but swapped, stock steel fork) and the ride is quite nice.

-Mark in St. Louis

I changed my F-1 on my CSI to an Ouzo Pro, and hated it because it changed the head angle slacker about 1/2 a degree. Then I went with the Minimal, and it is a great improvement IMHO.

I thought you rode a smaller frame... I commented when you were selling your red CdA on the Bay, and I thought was a 51ish sloping?? Even in the smaller frames F-1 came in only 43mm rake in most of the geo charts in the catalogues. Mine is a '98 or '99. CSi number 1335. If there were rake options, I'm not seeing them. The difference in rake will greatly influence my opinion.

If that is a smaller frame (I ride a 50 C-t-C), go with the Columbus. If it is bigger than say, 55cm like Phillipe's Concours, I would say go with either one. It was his swap that inspired mine. Wiggle had the best deal on the Minimal. I paid $207 shipped.

[Seramount]

altho the temptation to drop a pound is somewhat enticing, I've continued to stick with the F-1.

it's a tank, but still a damn good fork.

[Neil]

Sorry to keep spamming- this is a 25c tubular (Veloflex Roubaix) in an F1 fork:

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3823/10597434313_196c0bacc4_b.jpg

[cmg]

interesting, the 1999 and 2000 catalogues show a 43mm rake for this size Legend Ti. Can't find the geometry table that i thought said it should be a 52mm. The red CDA i sold on the bay was a 51 sloping, sold it with a reynolds 50mm fork i found. Came with a bontrager 40mm and very slow steering. i've developed a taste for the 72 STA/ 50mm rake fork combo, my KISH is this way. the fork i've been offered is new and not really a deal, just rare, so i've decide to keep what i have and ride it. probably never run 25mm tires but it's nice to know i can. thanks for the comments.