Titanium forks: any experiences?

XXtwindad · #1 04-20-2019, 06:28 PM

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 · #2 04-20-2019, 06:52 PM

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...=Titanium+fork

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

XXtwindad · #3 04-20-2019, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbarry

https://forums.thepaceline.net/showt...=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 · #4 04-20-2019, 07:04 PM

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 · #5 04-20-2019, 07:07 PM

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 · #6 04-20-2019, 09:49 PM

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 · #7 04-20-2019, 11:22 PM

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 · #8 06-07-2019, 09:44 AM

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

tuscanyswe · #9 06-07-2019, 10:23 AM

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 · #10 06-08-2019, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

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

tuscanyswe · #11 06-08-2019, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gintas_ce

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/showt...=merlin&page=4

PETER REID · #12 06-09-2019, 09:55 AM

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