Titanium frame, Steel Fork

[CMiller]

Hi all,

This was discussed before in 2009 I believe, I hope it's fine I bring it up again. NAHBS was a blast and had me thinking about a disc road bike.

I spoke to a few builders about building a titanium frame with a steel fork and got a few different answers. All were willing, some said it would look fantastic, others said it looks awkward.

Steve Potts had a few bikes with steel forks, and is even experimenting with titanium road forks (he is not comfortable selling them just yet).

Carbon forks just aren't my personal flavor, and I have absolutely nothing against them. Just curious to hear your thoughts on this. Do you think the proportions could look right, or would it look like chicken legs?

Thanks!


https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1671/25127104412_cc11c1e09e_z.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/EhoYJ9)Potts All-Road (https://flic.kr/p/EhoYJ9) by Black Mountain Cycles (https://www.flickr.com/photos/46195580@N03/), on Flickr

[sandyrs]

I think you got your title mixed up?

In any case, I think they look awesome for retro or weirdo builds. A Potts with a steel fork will always look great.

[bicycletricycle]

it would look fine, titanium frames have had all kinds of forks attached to them over the years.

as long as you don't put a steel fork on a huge 44mm ugly headtube. the drastic transition will look silly. Unless it is a huge steel fork of some kind like a big pacenti twin plate crown.

and obviously if the whole thing is painted then you wont even know what is going on, it will just look like a TIG welded frame and steel fork.

lots of types of steel forks available, lugged, segmented, unicrown, tapered, straight, etc.

if you want to go raw ti on the frame then you could get a frame and fork made and painted to match each other so that the fork isn't a color orphan.

I usually think the painted to look like ti forks (moots) don't look good because they don't really match.

[CMiller]

Fixed title!

[tuscanyswe]

Fixed title!

Press edit post and then "go advanced"

Then you should be able to edit the title.

[CMiller]

I'm thinking a brushed ti frame, black unicrown or segmented fork, and black components/cockpit.

Steve Potts was one of the nicest people ever, he is high on my list.

[bicycletricycle]

potts type II fork is a classic

cant go wrong.

[donevwil]

The Type II is an awesome fork and now Steve has a road specific one although it uses much smaller tubing which may exacerbate the chicken leg concern.

The "modified" MTB Type II on my Potts (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=136466&page=3)is a very beefy fork, but with the frame's 44mm headtube has a transition only a mother could love just as biketrike mentioned. There were no viable options for me without compromising ride (standard tubed front triangle) or adding pointless weight (tapered steerer & fatter legs), but unless you're 6'5", 240# and spec'ing oddball brakes you probably don't have to worry about that.

Fortunately for me the ride is sublime and that's helped me get used to the look.

EDIT: I also agree with Angry below, a steel fork compliments the ride and feel of a Ti frame brilliantly. From my experience I'll even say over that of a CF fork.

[AngryScientist]

my Moots rocks a steel fork. I know OldPotatoe's does too. We both are happy with them. i happen to think than unless you're chasing grams, the ride of a steel fork compliments the feel of a Ti frame brilliantly.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-541S5a2jlI4/VUJ1w6Ydn3I/AAAAAAAACBo/nYy8lyScYP8/s1200/IMG_0688.JPG

[jr59]

calling 007!!! I know he has 1, because I sold him my Spectrum.

http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=173758

[PacNW2Ford]

Have two such bikes. On one, replaced an ENVE Cross with an IF. Steel is a great material for a fork.

[DarrinNYC]

What is it you're trying achieve with the combo?

[d_douglas]

I started this thread: http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=179186&highlight=Redline

And the first bike is mine: a Redline ti with an Igleheart fork :)

[CMiller]

Great feedback everyone. That Spectrum is beautiful.

What is it you're trying achieve with the combo?

I am hoping for a fun and "spring"-like ride for primarily road riding and a bit of bay area fire road. Does that answer your question?

[weaponsgrade]

From a looks perspective, I'd prefer an 1 1/8" headtube and a Potts Type II. I like the segmented forks too but hear they can be a bit heavier than a unicrown.

[modernfuturist]

My friend has a custom Steve Potts "monster" randonneur TI frame with a steel fork (https://bonkifyoudontknowvelocio.wordpress.com/2014/04/28/titanium-pelican/):

https://bonkifyoudontknowvelocio.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/potts-at-inkwells.jpg?w=800&h=600

[ispy]

I like this Hunter (fork) + Moots (frame) combo (http://theradavist.com/2015/09/porcelain-rockets-moots-fatty-with-hunter-fork/#28).

[jpw]

i usually think the painted to look like ti forks (moots) don't look good because they don't really match.

+1

[roguedog]

All I can say is that I really liked the Potts bike with the mini type2 fork from nahbs. I kept going back to it.

[sparky33]

it would look fine...

as long as you don't put a steel fork on a huge 44mm ugly headtube. the drastic transition will look silly.

basically this^.

My pick would be the segmented crown fork, like SignatureJustin's Seven which I believe has a steel fork by Chris Igleheart... and a normal headtube. Looks perfect to my eye.
http://cyclophiliac.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/seven-cycles-custom-titanium-all-road-bike.jpg

[HillDancer]

Rocking the bike while hammering up hill out of the saddle, and cornering control, feel very direct with a 44mm head tube and stiff steel fork. For me, a honking large head tube is well worth added weight.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zRbD4C_ndOw/VtWmMzkfAMI/AAAAAAAACdA/ECHywhrj014/s800-Ic42/IMG_0006.JPGhttps://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-quMCbIhYlg8/VtWmNUHn1nI/AAAAAAAACc8/U1R0ZIKAdIU/s800-Ic42/IMG_0011.JPG


FYI, most cast crowns allow a shorter A/C than unicrown or segmented construction.