Ti Frame with Steel fork?

[c2a2d]

Just curious of what people thought or experienced with this combination. Ti frame with a steel fork. Any opinions or feedback?

[sbornia]

I think in the early '90s Merlin sold some ti road frames with Ritchey steel forks. I'll bet TK could weigh in on the ride charactestics.

[Kirk007]

I used one for years. Early Colnagos did as well. I don't see any difference between the question of using a steel fork with a ti frame than with a steel frame. It depends on what you want out of the fork. It often "looks" difference as most ti tubing is oversized these days compared to the steel fork tubing.

[David Kirk]

Don't do it! It will start a fire!


dave

[csm]

and if you don't use enough anti-seize it will corrode together.

[Peter P.]

I'm surprised no one mentioned the first iteration of titanium frames by Serotta, as featured in Bicycling Magazine YEARS ago, had a nude titanium frame with a red steel fork. If I remember the text, it said Serotta was trying to replicate the feel of a steel frame in titanium and at that point in time, no carbon fork gave the feedback that a steel fork did. They still don't!

But everyone is a whore to lightweight, which is why carbon forks rule.

I say get the steel fork and buy yourself a cheeseburger every time some yutz remarks that you should have a carbon fork instead because it's lighter. Buy yourself TWO cheeseburgers if you can drop them!

[Brian Smith]

I have a ti Serotta with a steel fork that I enjoy.
If you can accept the weight of it (and why couldn't you,) the steel fork manages to be rigid enough at the desired fore-aft travel limit without being super rigid near its rest position.
Bottom line - if you can accept a steel fork's performance on your steel frame, you'll also accept it on your ti frame.

[Blue Jays]

It strikes me it would be an advantage in most situations because steel imparts such wonderful and communicative ride characteristics.
Keep us posted on this project and please provide a ride report. :beer:

[NateM]

I had Dave Kirk make a fork for my Serotta Ti. The beauty of steel besides the ride is that it can be custom made to your bikes needs. I can run a fender and easily fit a 28mm or larger tire with the Tektro R538 caliper. He tweaked the geometry a little to slow the steering down. I use a carbon fork in the summer months when the roads are in better shape and I drop the fenders.

[BengeBoy]

My custom Davidson Ti road bike has a steel fork.

I'm pretty tall, and am not at all flexible, and I wanted an all-rounder that allowed me to get the handlebars up level with the seat. This produced a rather long headtube, and we were unable to find a carbon fork that would work with the fender clearance I wanted.

So: steel fork. Beautifully made, in my opinion.

Most comfortable bike I've ever owned, would be sinfully fast if it had a better engine.

[Marcusaurelius]

Derosa at one time offered a steel fork with their titanium frame. I think it was a stellar combination unfortunately I'm not sure they still offer it.

[William]

Don't do it! It will start a fire!


dave

I thought it was a matter/Anti-matter thing. One wrong turn and...POOF!!....you're gone.





William ;)

[Wiley J]

Has anyone ever seen a steel fork for a frame with an integrated headset? Could a builder make one? Maybe Dave Kirk could answer this?