A steel fork question

[beeemmjay]

I'm investigating a new fork, and would like to tap into the general knowledge base -

Aside from potential weight savings, is there a benefit to a steel fork with a carbon steerer tube vs. a steel fork with a steel steerer tube? Alternately, what are the pros of a full steel fork vs. mixed material?

Thanks for your thoughts & insight.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I believe the question is moot because (as far as I'm aware) it's not possible/feasible to have a steel crown and legs with a carbon steerer.

[Clean39T]

Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd

I believe the question is moot because (as far as I'm aware) it's not possible/feasible to have a steel crown and legs with a carbon steerer.

Though if it were, I imagine Rob English would be the man to see...

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

[beeemmjay]

Cicli Barco makes a stainless fork- the VIVA. It can be all steel, or steel blades and crown, with carbon steerer.

[CMiller]

You could use much more exposed steerer tube with steel versus carbon, other than that no functional difference I could think of, if you could get it to work.

[v531xc]

Probably not a ton of weight savings. Maybe there's some lessening of road vibrations, but I'm not sure that's really worth it.

The design seems similar to the Wound Up forks just with Stainless crowns brazed to stainless legs vs. aluminum crown bonded and socketed to carbon legs. I'm assuming there's a similar approach to bonding and socketing for the steerer on these Cicli Barco forks.

If you're curious, or entertaining getting a whole bike from these folks, it sure makes sense to ask them what the benefits are and how its made. I'd definitely be interesting in learning what you find out.

[Peter P.]

With a steel steerer, there's absolutely no concern that you may crack the steerer with excessive stem clamping force.

[93KgBike]

The Cicli Barco website shows off some lovely welds! The photo of the fork in question is pretty big, so I won't post it - but they don't describe it at all. Granted, the photo says a lot. Molto buono.

[572cv]

I’ve scant experience in this. That said, when you have a situation where the frame marker can design the fork and the frame as a cohesive entity, there would seem to be a benefit in that the fork rake can be fine tuned with the frame to best suit the needs of the rider. This is not the case with a fork (e.g. carbon) bought off the shelf from a good fork maker. In that case, the frame has to be adjusted to the geometry of the fork. It’s a subtle thing, but perhaps meaningful.

[unterhausen]

customization of A-C and rake are two real downsides of carbon forks. Also, there is the issue of mounting points, if that is important. But I really don't see the advantage of a carbon steerer over a steel steerer. There are some lightweight steel steerers. Maybe if we were talking about 1.5" tapered forks, but we aren't.

here is the link to the fork: http://www.ciclibarco.it/?portfolio=viva-fork

[oldpotatoe]

Can't find any prices..(?)Pretty stuff tho..

[tv_vt]

I once had a 1" Time fork with steel steerer and carbon blades. That was a great fork. Actually I think the Serotta F1 fork was built the same way, and early Kestrel forks too.

Never heard of forks being built the other way around.

[zzy]

Alpha q also did a ox platinum steerer with a carbon crown and legs. Never seen a steel crown with carbon blades but I suppose it's possible.

[beeemmjay]

Thanks for all the info. and opinions. Will see where I land and keep the post posted!