CX Fork recommendations to tame chatter: Swiss Cross

[Lewis Moon]

For the first time in seven CX bikes I can't tame the canti brake shudder/judder/chatter. I've done pretty much all of the list of things folks say you need to do: short brake blocks toed WAY in, canti brakes with the springs out front, no play on the posts, long drop cable hanger, REALLY tight headset...
From what I've gleaned, the stock Ritchey Swiss Cross fork is known for this. IMHO the carbon fork is too light and flexi.
I use this bike as my commuter and having the front brake go all "anti lock" while in traffic is way uncool. What forks are out there that are more stout or at least have a brake hole to mount a crown hanger? I had no problems at all on either of my Ridleys, which had 4ZA forks or my Raleigh Hodala which had an Enve fork. The others had steel forks. All of them I could do stoppies on without chatter.
I would like very much to stay with cantis, as I have never had a problem with them before this. I'll use V brakes if I have to ( I really don't like the feel) but I'd rather address the problem than put a band-aid on it. I'll use discs if someone wants to give me a new bike.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

For the first time in seven CX bikes I can't tame the canti brake shudder/judder/chatter. I've done pretty much all of the list of things folks say you need to do: short brake blocks toed WAY in, canti brakes with the springs out front, no play on the posts, long drop cable hanger, REALLY tight headset...
From what I've gleaned, the stock Ritchey Swiss Cross fork is known for this. IMHO the carbon fork is too light and flexi.
I use this bike as my commuter and having the front brake go all "anti lock" while in traffic is way uncool. What forks are out there that are more stout or at least have a brake hole to mount a crown hanger? I had no problems at all on either of my Ridleys, which had 4ZA forks or my Raleigh Hodala which had an Enve fork. The others had steel forks. All of them I could do stoppies on without chatter.
I would like very much to stay with cantis, as I have never had a problem with them before this. I'll use V brakes if I have to ( I really don't like the feel) but I'd rather address the problem than put a band-aid on it. I'll use discs if someone wants to give me a new bike.

‘Mullet’ it with a v brake front. Some shorty ones from Tektro are only about $20.

[nooneline]

The Ritchey fork is a very nice fork, but yeah, it's got this issue. Some of the other forks you mention are oversized lower bearings, which provides some additional stiffness from the crown into the legs that, I've noticed, helps reduce the leg flex that leads to chatter.

If you want to save money, put a mini-v on the front and see how you like it.

If you want to spend money, put an Enve fork on the front and see how you like it.

If you want to spend even more money, get a new bike.

[Geekonbike]

Agree, use the Front V Brake. The'yre a little on/off type braking but no brake shudder.

Or you could sell me your ritchey carbon fork...I use V brakes anyway.

[AngryScientist]

which version do you have?

granted that i weigh 130#, but my newer ritchey with the integrated headset and carbon fork has zero chatter in any and all stopping conditions with Paul cantilever brakes...

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

which version do you have?

granted that i weigh 130#, but my newer ritchey with the integrated headset and carbon fork has zero chatter in any and all stopping conditions with Paul cantilever brakes...

I have the straight fork and a LOOOOOONG head tube (59 frame). I've heard that short head tubes are easier to tame chatter on.

[jtbadge]

Get a Paul Mini Moto and be done with it.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by nooneline

The Ritchey fork is a very nice fork, but yeah, it's got this issue. Some of the other forks you mention are oversized lower bearings, which provides some additional stiffness from the crown into the legs that, I've noticed, helps reduce the leg flex that leads to chatter.

If you want to save money, put a mini-v on the front and see how you like it.

If you want to spend money, put an Enve fork on the front and see how you like it.

If you want to spend even more money, get a new bike.

The X-Fire I had didn't have a tapered steerer, the Hodala and the X-Night did. None of them had a problem. I believe the X-Fire had an Alu steerer though. EDIT: Non tapered but a carbon steerer. I tell ya, I love the Ritchey but I'd trade it straight up for a canti X-Fire or a canti Raleigh RXC.

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by jtbadge

Get a Paul Mini Moto and be done with it.

IMHO...those are the ugliest brakes on the planet. I'll go with TRPs if I need to.

[echelon_john]

Worth a try for $15 shipped, plus half a pack of handlebar tape and a longer cable...

https://www.amazon.com/Tektro-926A-M.../dp/B002F91TP4

[Gummee]

I still get chatter with an older Easton fork with mini-Vs (TRP 8.4s) so they aren't a panacea

It was worse with my Ouzo Pro tho

HTH

M

[AngryScientist]

what about a brake booster? do these work at all to stiffen things up?

[echelon_john]

Not with the kind of flex he's getting. The long distance from the cable stop to the straddle cable + fork flex means the effective cable tension is fluctuating as the fork flexes, brake grabs, fork relaxes, brake lets go...vicious circle.

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

what about a brake booster? do these work at all to stiffen things up?

[Lewis Moon]

Originally Posted by echelon_john

Not with the kind of flex he's getting. The long distance from the cable stop to the straddle cable + fork flex means the effective cable tension is fluctuating as the fork flexes, brake grabs, fork relaxes, brake lets go...vicious circle.

Exactly.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by Lewis Moon

Exactly.

got it. how about one of these? is your fork drilled?

(just throwing out some suggestions...)