Titanium forks: any experiences?

[XXtwindad]

I'm going rigid with my 29er, and contemplating a Ti fork. I was really intrigued by some of Merlin's offerings at NAHBS. Presumably, I'd gain some damping at the expense of stiffness and weight.

Anyone ever used a Ti fork before?

[pbarry]

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=219766&highlight=Titanium+fork

Dean owns the Merlin brand now, and they have a fair bit of experience making Ti forks.

[XXtwindad]

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=219766&highlight=Titanium+fork

Dean owns the Merlin brand now, and they have a fair bit of experience making Ti forks.

Great. Thx. Should've searched more thoroughly before posting ...

[hollowgram5]

Dave from Ti Cycles also makes them. They even do semi custom and full custom. Check out their website.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[pbarry]

Nah, this a fun topic. :) In that thread: Black Sheep has been building Ti mtb forks for a long time. Never heard anything but praise for their work.

[kingpin75s]

Have a Black Sheep Ti 29er fork. Nice fork for rigid riding. Take a bit of the sting out the way Ti does but not tons of flex.

Stiffness is about intent and design more than material.

I have a Jones Ti Truss 29er fork that is plenty stiff, while my Igleheart Steel BOI 26er fork has flex to it. They each suit the bike they are on.

[nmrt]

had a black sheep ti fork. it was mated to a 1 1/8 HT frame that was set up as a single speed. the fork felt great!
eventually sold the frame but kept the fork for a couple of years hoping it would go on my next single speed. but then i bought a 44 mm HT ti frame and the fork just did not look good on this oversized HT. so, sold the fork here.

conclusion -- get a ti fork. but get one that is made for your weight and riding style or else it might not feel right.

[gintas_ce]

hmm. recently got this kocmo style 1" threadless ti fork.. wondering if it is a safe choice for my aggressive riding style

[tuscanyswe]

I had one of those kocmo forks. Well not branded kocmo but from the same factory.

It was a bit flexy under braking but otherwise i liked it. Rather comfy :)

[gintas_ce]

I had one of those kocmo forks. Well not branded kocmo but from the same factory.

It was a bit flexy under braking but otherwise i liked it. Rather comfy :)
hmm some other make? do you have a photo of it? Just curious whether it is the same

[tuscanyswe]

hmm some other make? do you have a photo of it? Just curious whether it is the same

As i understood it at the time kocmo had their bikes made in a russian factory. Same as Burls had his titanium frames made for him.

Its the one pictured in this thread:
https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=91081&highlight=merlin&page=4

[PETER REID]

I had Davis Carver (Carver Bikes, Woolrich, ME) design a Ti fork for me to go with my TI travel bike. It came with clearances for a fender and a bigger tire if I wanted one. Very nice and not ungodly expensive...

Peter

[SlowPokePete]

James made me this.

Still need the correct axle then I'm good to go...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49115565243_55e76672a6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQb7op)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQb7op) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116068026_9923833465_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFR5)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFR5) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116068021_7a6a7c1361_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFQZ)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFQZ) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116257822_cb6c24d5e7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQeEgq)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQeEgq) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116068566_436c156f6b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdG1o)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdG1o) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

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SPP

[AngryScientist]

This is SO good Pete. Definitely giving me some crazy ideas floating through my head this morning.

[oldpotatoe]

James made me this.

Still need the correct axle then I'm good to go...



https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49115565893_8237fce14d_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQb7zB)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQb7zB) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

SPP

Isn't that rack supposed to be level? Or is that an optical delusion?

[tuscanyswe]

Isn't that rack supposed to be level? Or is that an optical delusion?

Edit hmm had the same thoughts.

It looks like the bike is in the stand with the front wheel pointing down. If i look at the headtube thats is likely to lean slightly backwards when standing on the ground the rack looks close enough to level i think .) Or maybe its just suppose to be closer to the headtube before its fastened correctly.

Anyways i could really use something like this. Im bit envious .)

[SlowPokePete]

Yes, it's in a bike stand...


SPP

[NHAero]

Which bike is that on, Pete? Looks terrific. Who is James?

[joosttx]

James made me this.

Still need the correct axle then I'm good to go...

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49115565243_55e76672a6_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQb7op)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQb7op) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116068026_9923833465_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFR5)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFR5) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116068021_7a6a7c1361_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFQZ)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdFQZ) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116257822_cb6c24d5e7_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQeEgq)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQeEgq) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49116068566_436c156f6b_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdG1o)November 23, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hQdG1o) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

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SPP

Whoa! That is cool.

[SlowPokePete]

Which bike is that on, Pete? Looks terrific. Who is James?

This fork and rack are for my lynskey.

It was made by James Bleakley at Black Sheep Cycles.

I just mounted up some Juniper Ridge tires.

Gotta wait for it's first ride until the thru-axle arrives.

I had a Paul axle, but it doesn't play nice with the Paragon hooded dropouts.

SPP

[pbarry]

That is epic, Pete!!! 👌⚡️

[kingpin75s]

This fork and rack are for my lynskey.

It was made by James Bleakley at Black Sheep Cycles.

I just mounted up some Juniper Ridge tires.

Gotta wait for it's first ride until the thru-axle arrives.

I had a Paul axle, but it doesn't play nice with the Paragon hooded dropouts.

SPP

Great fork. Really nice to see.

I am near in queue with James for a fork right now as well. Next.

Based of this one:

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?t=42669&highlight=black+sheep

[SlowPokePete]

Finally sorted the thru-axle etc and the fork rides exactly as it should...

perfectly.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49145185468_8b265fb688_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hSMVrW)November 29, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hSMVrW) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49145880582_3f9de6dbab_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hSRu5E)November 29, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hSRu5E) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49145678726_1e31673e46_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hSQs5o)November 29, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hSQs5o) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49145185463_4824f36ca9_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hSMVrR)November 29, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hSMVrR) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

SPP

[Aaron O]

I have one on the Passoni...the whole bike feels flexie, especially the front end, and is probably best ridden by someone thinner than me. A Sean Kelly.

[kohagen]

Looks like you could pack a chainsaw on your rides.

Finally sorted the thru-axle etc and the fork rides exactly as it should...

perfectly.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/49145185468_8b265fb688_c.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2hSMVrW)November 29, 2019 (https://flic.kr/p/2hSMVrW) by SPP™ SlowPokePete (https://www.flickr.com/photos/156678813@N02/), on Flickr

SPP

[pbarry]

Really well thought out and executed rig.