Steel forks that look good with 1-1/8" headsets

[tv_vt]

Occasionally I'll see a steel fork on a frame with a 1-1/8" headtube. Most of the time, they look funny because the headtube and lower headset piece are so much bigger than the top of the steel fork. It's a poor transition in comparison to, say, how an Enve carbon fork looks under a 1-1/8" lower headset - the front to back depth of the Enve fork matches the diameter of the headset very well. With steel forks, the front to back depth is much shorter than the headset width and it looks weird to me.

So, can you point me to certain steel forks that work well visually with 1-1/8" headtubes and headsets? Are there certain crown lugs that work better? BTW this would be for a road frame with caliper brakes.

Just thinking ahead a bit if/when the time comes or need arises when I need to replace my current fork, which is carbon.

Thanks.

[seanile]

Interestingly, I’d personally say the size ratio awkwardness is less of a concern of the head tube, but more of the downtube and the top tube sizes. A skinny front end on a thick mid section looks odd to me.
Older Columbus and Reynolds tubed bikes, like Merckx, looked good because they were smaller 25.4 tubes.
Just my thoughts, though I’ll always recommend a segmented fork if you’re looking for some thickness in the front end that isnt carbon

[tv_vt]

Segmented forks are just too clunky and overbuilt for a road bike (IMO).

It would be cool if there were some very ovalized fork blades and a matching fork crown that had a smooth visual transition with 1-1/8 headtubes. Most of the crowns seem to be designed to work with 1 inch headtubes.

[Blue Jays]

Tom Kellogg and Jeff Duser of Spectrum Cycles can easily address that question. They love forks.

[seanile]

Segmented forks are just too clunky and overbuilt for a road bike (IMO).

It would be cool if there were some very ovalized fork blades and a matching fork crown that had a smooth visual transition with 1-1/8 headtubes. Most of the crowns seem to be designed to work with 1 inch headtubes.

Columbus max forks with the samson crowns are good at that intent, but unfortunately built to a 1”. If there were a 1 1/8 version id be on that so quickly..
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxTZawDPS-I/VgXhTcZUNkI/AAAAAAAAl04/3c7qPshTrU8/s1600/curt%2Bgoodrich.jpg

Sklar has also managed to add a nice touch to his segmented forks by matching the steerer tube extension to the diameter of the head tube: https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYQtIIACrH/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=19uxv9rtbf6p3

Then winter did the best of both worlds with this:
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=167179

[weisan]

Tom Kellogg and Jeff Duser of Spectrum Cycles can easily address that question. They love forks.

oh they do!

I love the fork more than the frame, to be honest. :rolleyes::p
It's so light, I couldn't believe it when I first pick it up. It makes a world of difference to the ride.


http://alicehui.com/bike/Spectrum/IMG_2213.jpg

http://alicehui.com/bike/Spectrum/IMG_0378.jpg

[Peter B]

It's the top side of any 44mm HT that bothers me. I've yet to see a clean HT-to-stem transition with this spec.

[Peter P.]

I agree with tv_vt; I was tempted to buy a Ritchey Road Logic, but I didn't want a carbon fork. The problem is, there's no replacement fork custom or otherwise which would match the transition from the integrated lower headset cup to the fork crown.

[ERK55]

It's the top side of any 44mm HT that bothers me. I've yet to see a clean HT-to-stem transition with this spec.

Couldn’t agree with this more. While the 44mm headtube may have structural advantages, it is flawed IMO asthetically. It have an otherwise very nice ti road bike but all I see is that big cylinder staring at me.

[unterhausen]

It's the top side of any 44mm HT that bothers me. I've yet to see a clean HT-to-stem transition with this spec.

I'm okay with a beer can headtube look on a mtb, but on a road bike, give me a tapered head tube. Like that Winter linked up-thread. There are choices for a tapered head tube for steel, not sure about Ti.

[ERK55]

I happen to be the owner of a road bike version of the above Winter you reference. The tapered head tube is indeed beautiful. The accompanying steel fork is very stiff, and heavy, however.

[jmoore]

Columbus max forks with the samson crowns are good at that intent, but unfortunately built to a 1”. If there were a 1 1/8 version id be on that so quickly..
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxTZawDPS-I/VgXhTcZUNkI/AAAAAAAAl04/3c7qPshTrU8/s1600/curt%2Bgoodrich.jpg


Oh my. Soooooo good. ooof

[skiezo]

This one seems to flow nicely into the HT junction. The steer tube is 1 1/8".
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=211813&highlight=sketchy

[AngryScientist]

the fork on my Swan is 1-1/8 and i think it looks pretty fluid with the rest of the bike...


https://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/7b1fb0a82eb81ffffaaa40ca3edadb3b/5CDF61E3/t51.2885-15/e35/37853447_937302069805395_5631067381959753728_n.jpg ?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com

[bitpuddle]

Columbus max forks with the samson crowns are good at that intent, but unfortunately built to a 1”. If there were a 1 1/8 version id be on that so quickly..


That is really nice.

[everbeek]

16979747661697974765

[adampaiva]

OP is asking about 1-1/8" head tubes not 44 mm, right?

I know you said you also don't like segmented forks on road bikes but I feel like mine came out quite nicely and the ride is very good. Does not feel overbuilt at all. The tapered fork blades help with the proportions vs some other segmented forks I've seen on road/cx bikes.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/13018408034_ca0489d434_c.jpg

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7342/13018189813_235b4a0ed9_c.jpg

https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3549/13018217783_dce432ce1f_c.jpg

[tv_vt]

the fork on my Swan is 1-1/8 and i think it looks pretty fluid with the rest of the bike...


https://scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/7b1fb0a82eb81ffffaaa40ca3edadb3b/5CDF61E3/t51.2885-15/e35/37853447_937302069805395_5631067381959753728_n.jpg ?_nc_ht=scontent-lga3-1.cdninstagram.com

That Swan does look pretty good. Do you know what that fork crown lug is called and where it's sourced? What size tires do you run with that frame?

[unterhausen]

that's a modified fork crown. Swan does that a lot. I asked him which crown he starts with usually, but he's keeping that to himself.

[AngryScientist]

What size tires do you run with that frame?

anywhere up to a 38c tire works in this frame. i usually run 25's though.

[weisan]

Making it "beefier" to fill the aesthetic gap might make it heavier or stiffer than it needs to be....so bear that in mind. There's no free lunch.

And our aesthetic standard changes over time.
This used to be acceptable at one point :

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn%3AANd9GcRuxVYQ_QrA3znz1sjrR6hqrTNblVB FN2w6bjKQfSsxZLIoGb2m

But now...you get ridiculed if you don't at least follow this template, nevermind the fact that they all looked more or less the same :

https://cdn.road.cc/sites/default/files/styles/main_width/public/2019-bmc-timeachine-road-one.jpg?itok=QNghzCLV

[ERK55]

Don't think I'd be physically capable of riding either of those bikes above.

[jasonification]

Columbus max forks with the samson crowns are good at that intent, but unfortunately built to a 1”. If there were a 1 1/8 version id be on that so quickly..

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pxTZawDPS-I/VgXhTcZUNkI/AAAAAAAAl04/3c7qPshTrU8/s1600/curt%2Bgoodrich.jpg



Sklar has also managed to add a nice touch to his segmented forks by matching the steerer tube extension to the diameter of the head tube: https://www.instagram.com/p/BIYQtIIACrH/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=19uxv9rtbf6p3



Then winter did the best of both worlds with this:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=167179I know a dude who does max forks for 1 1/8 tubing. Making one for me as we speak. Will post a photo here when it's finished!

Sent from my ONEPLUS A6003 using Tapatalk

[dvnzzz]

16979747661697974765

OP is asking about 1-1/8" head tubes not 44 mm, right?

I know you said you also don't like segmented forks on road bikes but I feel like mine came out quite nicely and the ride is very good. Does not feel overbuilt at all. The tapered fork blades help with the proportions vs some other segmented forks I've seen on road/cx bikes.

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7321/13018408034_ca0489d434_c.jpg


Resurrecting an old thread!:) I was wondering if the owners of these bikes can confirm if the steerers are 1-1/8?

Also, nice bikes!:banana:

[hampco]

Here's a Columbus MAX fork we did for a Moots frame - looks pretty balanced, imho:

[robt57]

It's the top side of any 44mm HT that bothers me. I've yet to see a clean HT-to-stem transition with this spec.


Agree, the tapered HT does a much more fluid/aesthetic looking transition.

I have one 44 straight, and it is bright green which makes it even more noticeable.

Also, the Linskey [tapered HT Helix] I just got I used the CC 40 but used the tall tapered top HeadSet bearing/cap. It makes it even more fluid looking that my Pro-CX Mongrel with tapered HT and standard flatish bearing/cap.

[jasonification]

Been encouraged to share some before and after photos [emoji4]https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200606/ba582fbe2fbaa536c5db5049894568e5.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200606/ab89c899fa96ea42d5b410919d607ede.jpg

Sent from my HD1907 using Tapatalk
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200606/b52cec680690cf8de7e086034ab55084.jpg

[slowpoke]

Dang that's nice! Are those two different Bob Jacksons, or is that color correction?

Also, who made the fork? :D

[jasonification]

Dang that's nice! Are those two different Bob Jacksons, or is that color correction?



Also, who made the fork? :DSame Bob Jackson! The last photo was color filtered on Instagram (it was easier to find on my phone). The builder was Earl Glazer from Memphis TN! Here's his website: http://www.earlglazercycles.com/

Sent from my HD1907 using Tapatalk

[robt57]

Don't think I'd be physically capable of riding either of those bikes above.

I'd try. Should be obvious which one the crash would be from altitude though...

[Dekonick]

Occasionally I'll see a steel fork on a frame with a 1-1/8" headtube. Most of the time, they look funny because the headtube and lower headset piece are so much bigger than the top of the steel fork. It's a poor transition in comparison to, say, how an Enve carbon fork looks under a 1-1/8" lower headset - the front to back depth of the Enve fork matches the diameter of the headset very well. With steel forks, the front to back depth is much shorter than the headset width and it looks weird to me.

So, can you point me to certain steel forks that work well visually with 1-1/8" headtubes and headsets? Are there certain crown lugs that work better? BTW this would be for a road frame with caliper brakes.

Just thinking ahead a bit if/when the time comes or need arises when I need to replace my current fork, which is carbon.

Thanks.

Have a custom fork made. Kelly Bedford built my touring bike and it has a custom steel fork - I think it is a fantastic match.

[wongmic75]

Bob Jackson for the win!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DeBike]

Check out Soma maybe.

[ERK55]

Here's a Columbus MAX fork we did for a Moots frame - looks pretty balanced, imho:

Very handsome fork and works so well with the welded ti frame.
What’s the rake there, about 43?

[Cy Trivialities]

https://bikerumor-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/hunter-cycles-steel-disc-brake-road-bike-02.jpg

[flying]

Here's a Columbus MAX fork we did for a Moots frame - looks pretty balanced, imho:


I like that! :beer:

[wkeller79]

Thomas at Horse Cycles built be some pretty beefy ovalized fork legs which flow nicely with an 1-1/8" headtube. The downtube is 35mm Columbus Spirit.

[Big Dan]

Any steel fork coming out of the Hampsten shop is a winner.
Yeah better than carbon. I got a couple of them.

Let me shut up before I get in trouble again.

:eek: