F3 fork question

[scottcw2]

Is the stiffness of an F3 rated at 6.5 similar to the feel of an Ouzo Pro? Or would that be the 8.5? Thanks.

[Smiley]

I think its better really then my OP. Hard to discribe, its not as soft for sure. many heavier riders complained about how mushy the OP was, The F3 has no weight limit.

[Pete Serotta]

F3 at 6.5 is not same as OP. It is not mushy in any way. I am biased and have OP and F3s and prefer the F3 when in mountains. (around Raleigh I can not tell a meaningful difference)

...... As to 8.5 is more stout...


If you let me know what frame your are putting it on, frame size, your intended ride preference, and your weight (as smiley say F3 does not have a weight limit)

but I want to make sure the fork gives the ride preference you want.


PETE

[scottcw2]

So a 6.5 would be stiffer than an OP?

[ThirtyEast]

An F3 6.5 fork uses the same layup as an Ouzo Pro - the number of carbon plies, resin density, steering column, etc is exactly the same. The shape is obviously different and the larger diameter upper legs of the F3 do make the fork ride different. My impression is that the F3 has a slightly livelier feel than the Ouzo Pro. I doesn't necessarily feel stiffer, but it does tend to give me a bit more road feel and feedback, which I like. The F3 8.5 uses a stiffer carbon fiber layup altogether and is more tuned for a heavier rider or one who likes an extremely stiff fork.

[TimD]

This is useful info.

My new-to-me Ottrott came with an F3 10.5, which I found way too harsh. Swapped for an Ouzo Pro and am much happier, but would be interested in trying something in between.

If someone has an F3 8.5 with at least 325mm of steerer I'd be willing to do a trade. Black with clearcoat, 43mm rake.

Tim

[Ahneida Ride]

I ride an F1 ..

I demoed a 10.5 F3 ...

Love both forks .... at my weight I need these beasts ...

[Smiley]

I ride an F1 ..

I demoed a 10.5 F3 ...

Love both forks .... at my weight I need these beasts ...
Actually there is no difference between the 10 and the 8.5 aside from the steerer length being 400 vs 350 .

[Pete Serotta]

That is the real unknown here. The F2 was almost a copy of the OP, except BEN had it speced 20% stiffer. (this is from Mike Lopez who runs the west coast carbon operation), I have an F2 on one bike, an F3 another and a F1 on the last one. I am hard pressed to tell the difference in ride between an F2 and F3 (6.5) - but I am told by folks who I respect tremendously that there is a difference. Now the F1 is another story - stiff, (I like it) but is not a lightweight and I can tell a subtle difference. :D :D


So a 6.5 would be stiffer than an OP?

[Ahneida Ride]

Let's just say the F1 is a beast ...

I met a guy who claimed to have built em ... He claimed they were
tested against steel forks and ever bit as strong.

[Elefantino]

My 2 forks, and cents:

F1 fork: Marvelous, a benchmark, the fork on which all others follow and are judged.

F3 6.5 fork: Equally and yet differently marvelous, a next-gen take on the original.

Serotta Russ told me I'd like the 6.5 better than the stiffer 8.5 or 10.5. I take his word for it.

[Pete Serotta]

In regard to forks, I asked Mike Lopez to give a summary. The information he provided me is below.

(Please keep in mind that the fork, the tubes, the butting, the "layup" of the carbon, frame angles, and size of tt/st/dt/stays are custom to meet your needs. A custom is just not a tube length or angle change. :D )

The F2 is a modified OP with some additional attention
given to Ben's desire for 15% more lateral stiffness. (see below that round 2006 the OP became lighter are more compliant (less stiff)

This leads to an historical interesting fact. The stiffness of the "standard" Ouzo Pro changed over time as market demand for lightweight became more of a selection criteria than performance varaibles (stiffness)

This occurred around 2006 or so. We "lightened" it up which resulted in a change in stiffness as well as lighter weight.

In the case of the F6.5 thru 10.5 The 6.5 is made with lighter materials and is somewhat more
compliant and the 10.5 which is just downright burly as intended for larger riders.

There is more to the difference between an 8.5 & 10.5 than
just the steerer tube length. There are also more full length plies in the fork body as well giving additional strength & stiffness for the big guys.


Fprks are all quite unique from one another in more ways than just the label & steerer length.

Mike Lopez
Director of Composite Development & Manufacturing
Serotta Composites