Wound Up Road X Fork or Hampsten MAX Steel Fork???

[gngroup]

I need a fork for an older Moots frame I picked up with a 1" steerer. I reached out to Moots and got the correct fork specs already. Stock Wound Up Road X Fork meets the needs. I also reached out to Steve Hampsten about building me a steel fork. He's down and suggested a MAX fork to match the thicker tubes of the titanium frame.

I've ridden both forks (the steel MAX only a couple times) but figured I'd throw it out there to the forum to ask opinions. I'll be using the frame for general road riding and in particular any nasty/rough/dirt road rides. 28mm tires on Belgium + rims.

Photo of the frame:

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_2031-e1503612678145.jpg

[choke]

I can't say in regards to a MAX fork but I love the ride of the steel fork on my Hampsten.

[merlincustom1]

I have a Wound Up. Replaced a Look HSC3. I like it. I have a Peg steel fork on a Peg fixed. I like that too. I think you'll like either.

[Cornfed]

A max fork painted white would look pretty cool on that frame, imo, but are you sure the rear will clear 28s? I have an older Moots and it won't go past 25s, and 25s on a HED wheel were tight.

[R3awak3n]

I say Max fork

[gngroup]

A max fork painted white would look pretty cool on that frame, imo, but are you sure the rear will clear 28s? I have an older Moots and it won't go past 25s, and 25s on a HED wheel were tight.

Yep. This is a 98' Vamoots so I suppose I got lucky. First thing I did when I pulled it out of the box was check tire clearance. Even the wheelset pictured has 27mm Pave tubular tires. I was pretty excited to find that my desired tire/rim combo would fit!

[ERK55]

Asking the forum??
Steve Hampsten would have the last say IMHO.
Stick with Steve.

[ultraman6970]

I like the bike with that easton fork... personally, if you go with the max fork please go with the threaded fork, 1 inch simply looks better with a quill stem man, specially max frames.

[R3awak3n]

I like the easton fork as well, paint it white and would look pretty damn good.

[gngroup]

I like the easton fork as well, paint it white and would look pretty damn good.

I don't mind the Easton but it doesn't fit the 28mm tires and I'm partial to that setup for the purpose this bike will serve.

[RobJ]

Strictly speaking from aesthetics, since we all know that is most important, MAX fork painted to match would look killer. And I have no doubt the ride quality would match the frame...

[gngroup]

MAX fork in white to match painted sections or 'titanium' grey to match the rear triangle?

Here is a photo Steve sent me that I'm sure he won't mind me sharing; MAX fork on Ti Hampsten painted to match.

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_2046-e1503636654996.jpg

[cadence90]

A Max fork is certainly a beautiful thing, but it is difficult to recommend a color without knowing the stem/bars/seatpost/gruppo.

[RobJ]

Definitely white. Forks painted in a ti color never seem to truly match unpainted actual ti. You could even do white fork with a thin horizontal band of ti paint on the fork legs (or tips). With the white fork you then could go black/black stem/post or of course ti/ti stem/post.

[gngroup]

A Max fork is certainly a beautiful thing, but it is difficult to recommend a color without knowing the stem/bars/seatpost/gruppo.

Probably a mix of DA9000 and Ultegra 6800. DA9000 cranks and FD. 6800 Shifters and RD. Stem and bar are Pro Vibe with the logos removed. Seatpost will probably be Moots Ti. White saddle and white bar tape. DA9000/Belgium wheels with Vittoria G+ 28mm tan walls.

[gngroup]

Paint detail:

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_2058-e1503671207791.jpg

[gngroup]

Here is a photo of the build. Hampsten built MAX fork. Dura Ace 7800 group with Nemesis wheels. I'll probably swap out the saddle for a white version and eventually use grey cable housing but otherwise it's pretty much complete. If I could find a moots stem that wasn't absurdly expensive I'd add that too.

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Snapseed-e1509226086522.jpg

[hollowgram5]

That looks real nice. Steve posted a shot of this in the Fans of Columbus MAX page on FB the other day.. it gathered some interesting feedback. :Banana:

[Ken Robb]

I love my Strada Bianca so I believe in Hampsten. I dislike the looks of Wound-Up forks so I would only use one if there was an over-riding performance advantage versus other options.

[gngroup]

That looks real nice. Steve posted a shot of this in the Fans of Columbus MAX page on FB the other day.. it gathered some interesting feedback. :Banana:

He asked if he could use it. I wanted to send him a pic with more appropriate wheels but I don't think he cared! Paint was hard to match to the powder coated white or the Moots Ti. Regardless, the fork rides great and I like the looks.

[hollowgram5]

I can imagine it would be tough to match. It looks even better with these wheels on it, as I prefer lower profile rims.

I really like my Koga and it's MAX fork; the ride is spectacular. I can only imagine how nice this frame rides with that stiff fork up front..

[R3awak3n]

wow, you did the right thing, this bike looks incredible with the max fork. The paint detail is great too.

[zzy]

Oh man I wish that fork crown had been masked white to match..

[R3awak3n]

Oh man I wish that fork crown had been masked white to match..

I am with you on that

[Big Dan]

Looks great.
Enjoy.

[gngroup]

Oh man I wish that fork crown had been masked white to match..

That would be perfect! Maybe in the future if I can find someone to match the white.

[eddief]

I could easily ride this thing. Aesthetics not everyday, but interesting, and good looking:

http://alliancebicycles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/IMG_0269.jpg

[moobikes]

Very nice.

Here is a photo of the build. Hampsten built MAX fork. Dura Ace 7800 group with Nemesis wheels. I'll probably swap out the saddle for a white version and eventually use grey cable housing but otherwise it's pretty much complete. If I could find a moots stem that wasn't absurdly expensive I'd add that too.

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Snapseed-e1509226086522.jpg

[teleguy57]

Love the look -- but tell us about the ride!

[gngroup]

Love the look -- but tell us about the ride!

I took it out this morning for my second ride on it; a short loop that is about 25 miles and about 2,300ft of climbing. It was a nasty wet and cold SF morning which I tend to enjoy! The bike was great! I'd describe it as smooth and solid. It's definitely a race bike but it's still comfortable; similar to my Colnago C40.

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Snapseed-2-e1509312483750.jpg

[Matthew]

If you don't mind, can you take a pic of the rear dropouts? I am only used to seeing Moots' with the Breezer style dropouts. Curious as to what they used to use. Thanks!! Matthew

[cadence90]

That would be perfect! Maybe in the future if I can find someone to match the white.
The straight-legged Max fork looks really good on this frame; great choice.

The white crown really would look fantastic, with the shorelines black and the cutout green to match the down tube details...and especially with that inexpensive Moots stem you'll find....;)
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[zzy]

That's what I'm talking about!

[cachagua]

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_2046-e1503636654996.jpg

Ohhhhhhhhh.

Does anybody want the cheezy worthless Enve off my Hampsten?

[R3awak3n]

The straight-legged Max fork looks really good on this frame; great choice.

The white crown really would look fantastic, with the shorelines black and the cutout green to match the down tube details...and especially with that inexpensive Moots stem you'll find....;)
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I would even go full white with the green crown. I think that woulda been even better

[cadence90]

I would even go full white with the green crown. I think that woulda been even better

Do you mean white legs and green crown? I have to disagree; I think it would look pretty heavy and imbalanced. Imo:
1) the "ti" fork legs work well with the bare ti parts of the frame; even more so given all the silver components.
2) the "ti" fork legs would work very well with an eventual ti stem; white legs not so much.
3) the crown alone in white is just enough to tie it all together.
4) the green cutout mirrors the subtlety of the green dt/st decals and the headset.
5) the crown shorelines are the natural place for the black fade, as on the dt, st, ss.

But, it's all subjective and five people would probably choose five different schemes.

I'm just trying to help the op visualize a ti stem and what I understood to be zzy's earlier white-crown suggestion.
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[gngroup]

The straight-legged Max fork looks really good on this frame; great choice.

The white crown really would look fantastic, with the shorelines black and the cutout green to match the down tube details...and especially with that inexpensive Moots stem you'll find....;)
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This is awesome! Thank you!!!

[gngroup]

If you don't mind, can you take a pic of the rear dropouts? I am only used to seeing Moots' with the Breezer style dropouts. Curious as to what they used to use. Thanks!! Matthew

I'll upload a pic but they are the standard Breezer style dropouts.

[R3awak3n]

Do you mean white legs and green crown? I have to disagree; I think it would look pretty heavy and imbalanced. Imo:
1) the "ti" fork legs work well with the bare ti parts of the frame; even more so given all the silver components.
2) the "ti" fork legs would work very well with an eventual ti stem; white legs not so much.
3) the crown alone in white is just enough to tie it all together.
4) the green cutout mirrors the subtlety of the green dt/st decals and the headset.
5) the crown shorelines are the natural place for the black fade, as on the dt, st, ss.

But, it's all subjective and five people would probably choose five different schemes.

I'm just trying to help the op visualize a ti stem and what I understood to be zzy's earlier white-crown suggestion.
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yes, white blades.

I think it would look more balanced. white goes almost till the end of the ST and DT so its weird that it just stops at top of fork. Again imo as well.

well I guess white doesnt go as long on the ST. This looks good as well but something feels off.

[happycampyer]

The paint on the Moots is interesting. The black edge appears to trace an arc, about the shape of the wheel shifted forward (although the paint on the dropout does not match that shape). In keeping with that, I think an all white fork would have been best, but understand that the color would be very hard to match. I think the solid silver is the next best alternative. The black also has a fade to white as opposed to being a simple band. It would be difficult to mimic that on the fork.

[sales guy]

The question I have is if it's a Hampsten, why have it repainted with Moots graphics?
I know who makes it. So I get having the Moots name. But why when you bought it as a Hampsten?
Not slamming you or anything. Just wondering is all.

[cadence90]

The question I have is if it's a Hampsten, why have it repainted with Moots graphics?
I know who makes it. So I get having the Moots name. But why when you bought it as a Hampsten?
Not slamming you or anything. Just wondering is all.

I don't think this is the case at all.

My understanding is that the op's frame, as pictured in post #1, etc., is in fact, as he stated, an original, older Moots frame, while the Hampsten frame pictured in post #12 was shown only because of the Hampsten Max fork painted to match a ti frame...the Moots and the Hampsten are not the same frame.
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[gngroup]

I don't think this is the case at all.

My understanding is that the op's frame, as pictured in post #1, etc., is in fact, as he stated, an original, older Moots frame, while the Hampsten frame pictured in post #12 was shown only because of the Hampsten Max fork painted to match a ti frame...the Moots and the Hampsten are not the same frame.
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This is correct. The frame is a 1998 Moots with original paint. It came with an aftermarket fork and I reached out to both Moots and Hampsten about a replacement fork. Steve was happy to build the fork and I just updated the thread yesterday to show the final build pics.

[AngryScientist]

i think the final outcome looks 100% fantastic. well done, good choice!

[sales guy]

I don't think this is the case at all.

My understanding is that the op's frame, as pictured in post #1, etc., is in fact, as he stated, an original, older Moots frame, while the Hampsten frame pictured in post #12 was shown only because of the Hampsten Max fork painted to match a ti frame...the Moots and the Hampsten are not the same frame.
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This is correct. The frame is a 1998 Moots with original paint. It came with an aftermarket fork and I reached out to both Moots and Hampsten about a replacement fork. Steve was happy to build the fork and I just updated the thread yesterday to show the final build pics.


Gotcha. I kind of skimmed thru the comments. More just wanted to see the bike and the build. It turned out nice.

[cadence90]

i think the final outcome looks 100% fantastic. well done, good choice!

No kidding.

I have always liked Wound-Up forks, but after reading/seeing the op's choices and final decision...that straight-legged Max fork looks brilliant, and very classy, on this frame. Very well done.

I that bet Mr. Hampsten gets a few more requests for that fork as a result of this build.
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[gngroup]

No kidding.

I have always liked Wound-Up forks, but after reading/seeing the op's choices and final decision...that straight-legged Max fork looks brilliant, and very classy, on this frame. Very well done.

I that bet Mr. Hampsten gets a few more requests for that fork as a result of this build.
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Thanks for the kind words and I definitely hope Steve gets a bunch of new orders as a result!

[donevwil]

... I definitely hope Steve gets a bunch of new orders as a result!

He will. I want one for my wife's GP Ti, the ENVE 2.0 clears 26mm vertically, but the rear clears 30mm +.

Yours has motivated me to act.

[teleguy57]

Put me in the "seriously thinking about it" camp. I bet a Max fork would ride wonderfully on my ti Gran Paradiso. This thread already answers the "I wonder how it would look" question.
Darn this forum! :beer:

If you're looking for an Enve fork I bet watching the classifieds over the next few months (based on how quickly the Hampco Towers team works through what's likely to be a new queue of fork orders) will be prove successful.

[weaponsgrade]

Excellent choice on the MAX.

[StephenCL]

I took it out this morning for my second ride on it; a short loop that is about 25 miles and about 2,300ft of climbing. It was a nasty wet and cold SF morning which I tend to enjoy! The bike was great! I'd describe it as smooth and solid. It's definitely a race bike but it's still comfortable; similar to my Colnago C40.

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Snapseed-2-e1509312483750.jpg

I just wanted to mention how bakanced this bicycle looks. This is the way proper race bikes are supposed to look...

So amazing...

Stephen

[gngroup]

I’m having Hampsten build another MAX for with a different rake. In the meantime, carbon fork and a newer group set.

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/80733EE2-18A7-4366-AA58-9542B761CB54-e1522544014437.jpeg

[velotrack]

clean!
ever think about a ti stem?

[gngroup]

clean!
ever think about a ti stem?

Yes! I have one on my other Moots but it’s the wrong size. I just don’t want to pay $300 for a stem but I do agree that it would look better!

[jtbadge]

Really dig this with the carbon fork and 11s Shimano group.

[R3awak3n]

I think you should paint the max fork white, I think the bike looks awesome with the white fork. imo of course.

[gngroup]

http://davidnelsonsf.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/C181851E-B361-4870-A579-33C9094A26F3-e1523140751951.jpeg

[teleguy57]

Really like the new look much, much better. What stem is that? Looks like silver alum but has a bit of that ti coloring to it.

And you can't improve on gumwall tires with a classic bike.

Well done. And with a new Hampco Max fork in the plans, yes? Even sweeter.

:beer:

[jtbadge]

Stem is a PRO Vibe with the black ano removed. Looks killer om this bike!!

[teleguy57]

Stem is a PRO Vibe with the black ano removed. Looks killer om this bike!!

Well, well, well.... I just happen to have one of those (7s) for sale! Maybe time to do some work on it for my Hampsten ti Gran Paradiso as I'm running the same Moots seatpost (custom brushed by Steve to match the frame finish).

Now to do some R&D on removing anodizing....

And yes, it does look killer!

[gngroup]

Stem is a PRO Vibe with the black ano removed. Looks killer om this bike!!

Thanks!

[gngroup]

I decided to put this frame / fork up for sale and considering the interest and comments it generated in this thread, I figured I’d post a link here:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=221757