Thru-axle steel fork unicorn - does it exist

[EB]

I have been idly looking around for something that I'm not sure actually exists in the current bike market, outside of custom work (e.g. I know Steve Potts could build something to these requirements).

Requirements are:

~ 395mm A-C
~ 51mm offset
35mm tire clearance with fenders, 40mm without
Mid-blade mounts
Low-rise mounts
Full fender mounts
IS disc mount
1 1/8" straight steerer
12mmx100mm thru axle spacing

The only thing I can think of that meets most of these requirements was the segmented fork on the first-gen Black Mountain Cycles MCD, but those forks were more gravel-ish in intention and had a lot more tire clearance - and they're no longer for sale anyway. The ModZero fork Mike has now is flat mount and 420mm A-C. Everything else I can find is intended for 9mm QR.

Anyone got anything?

[litcrazy]

The Soma Potts collaborate is awfully close to what you're asking, I believe:
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/232...gory=774#attr=


https://www.stevepottsbicycles.com/s...II_R_Fork.html

And the Soma Wolverine is close as well:
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/som...y=774#attr=406

[donevwil]

Others, but requires concessions to your spec:

Endpoint Search Light - 70mm (low trail) x 390-395 (? as listed ?) x flat mount

Surly Midnight Special - 50mm x 400mm x Flat

... or, customize to your heart's content:

Marino Bike Custom

[wyatt_]

A couple All City options that are quite close (but not exactly everything) to your spec:

https://allcitycycles.com/parts/forks/space_horse_fork
https://allcitycycles.com/parts/fork...ban_cross_fork

All City is closing up, but I bet there are a few of those forks still knocking around.

[EB]

Thank you all for these suggestions - I had looked at all of them except the Wolverine fork. The Wolverine is close but I think it's just too beefy (and uses a sadly outmoded axle standard - 15x100).

The Taiwan-made Potts Type II R is the closest one to my heart, but it lacks fender mounts, has way more clearance than necessary, and has a 420mm A-C.

The most common issue with the forks that do exist is flat mount. I get it, I'm a weirdo who likes thru-axle but hates flat mount - there was like a single year of production when thru-axles were around but flat mount had not completely taken over.

[unterhausen]

With flat mount you can get an adapter. Same for 15mm TA. Also, if you are going to be picky about weight, I think you're mostly going to have to go custom. But I think builders that make lightweight disc forks are being somewhat optimistic. Although I have been tempted by Reynolds lighter weight disc blades, because I'm a weight weenie at heart.

I wonder if Soma's web host charges by the bit, would be nice if their pictures were a bit bigger.

[spoonrobot]

The Fog Cutter fork is closer to what you want than the Wolverine fork, but also FM.

https://www.merrysales.com/shop/2310...lue-6848#attr=

I also think IS is the superior standard.

[boomforeal]

allcity spacehorse fork is your huckleberry. post mount, but you can get an adaptor

[PacNW2Ford]

TiCycles in Portland.

[EB]

Originally Posted by spoonrobot

The Fog Cutter fork is closer to what you want than the Wolverine fork, but also FM.

https://www.merrysales.com/shop/2310...lue-6848#attr=

I also think IS is the superior standard.

Yep the fog cutter fork is basically the unicorn, except that it’s flat mount, so it’s just a horse.

I definitely have a feeling custom is where this dream ends up if I want to make it real.

[GonaSovereign]

Originally Posted by litcrazy

The Soma Potts collaborate is awfully close to what you're asking, I believe:
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/232...gory=774#attr=


https://www.stevepottsbicycles.com/s...II_R_Fork.html

And the Soma Wolverine is close as well:
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/som...y=774#attr=406

Oh, that's nice. I didn't know that existed. Type 2 goodness.

[ColonelJLloyd]

I just removed this State fork in favor of a generic carbon one. It's flat mount and 405mm A-C, though.

https://www.statebicycle.com/collect...-raw-phosphate

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/02...a1f309dfbc.pdf

[EB]

Originally Posted by ColonelJLloyd

I just removed this State fork in favor of a generic carbon one. It's flat mount and 405mm A-C, though.

https://www.statebicycle.com/collect...-raw-phosphate

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/02...a1f309dfbc.pdf

Thank you! Yes, flat-mount steel forks are not hard to find.

[litcrazy]

Double check on the Potts. There’s the 420 mountain version and a gravel option that’s a bit lighter and has a an axle to crown of 401.

[tellyho]

Landyachtz was making one for a while but I can't find it on their site now. Buddy has it on his bike. Not as light as the Ritchey it replaced but has all the mounts.