Replacement fork suggestions (EC90slx?)

mhespenheide · #1 08-20-2014, 01:50 PM

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a replacement fork for my old-ish Lemond Victoire Ti bike. It's 1 and 1/8th inch, 43mm rake -- pretty standard. I'd bought a NOS Easton EC90slx off eBay thinking that it would be a nice upgrade. I brought it in to my local (good but retrogrouchy) bike shop, and [1] they're down on CF in general, claiming that the crappy local roads beat it up and it brakes and then [2] internet searches for reviews of the EC90slx say that it has a 165# rider limit. I'm relatively skinny but tall and 178#.

Any feedback on the Easton fork before I have them put it on?

Or what replacement fork should I go for, assuming I'm on a budget? Clearance for 28's would be nice...

Thanks!

hida yanra · #2 08-20-2014, 02:02 PM

oh good lord- just use the darn fork.

it'll be more than fine.

batman1425 · #3 08-20-2014, 02:10 PM

The ec90slx is a bit flexy compared to other current aftermarket fork options but will be just fine for you to use. Tell the shop guys to shut up and install what they sold you.

sandyrs · #4 08-20-2014, 02:25 PM

What shop can still afford to scoff at carbon forks?

tv_vt · #5 08-20-2014, 02:45 PM

Well, I'd be a little hesitant to use it if you're 178 and there's a 165# weight limit on it. Lots of other choices out there in that rake. Re-sell it and get something w/o the weight limit atmo.

hida yanra · #6 08-20-2014, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by batman1425

The ec90slx is a bit flexy compared to other current aftermarket fork options but will be just fine for you to use. Tell the shop guys to shut up and install what they sold you.

I'm confident that the issue is "stuck in 20 years ago" shop schmucks in fact DIDN'T sell him the fork, and are meaningfully incentivized to claim that steel is better, and then sell him just such a thing.

batman1425 · #7 08-20-2014, 02:56 PM

ah, yea re-read the original post and see he got it on ebay. I still think it would be ok to ride. A SLX wouldn't be my first choice for the application, but I think it will do the job just fine. LBS's with attitude like that can get bent.

BLD 25 · #8 08-20-2014, 04:22 PM

Isn't the ec90 sl a little bit more robust option? It might not have such a small weight limit

brockd15 · #9 08-20-2014, 04:24 PM

Maybe somebody knows more definitively, but I've heard that there's not a weight limit on the SLX.

mhespenheide · #10 08-20-2014, 07:37 PM

The guys at the LBS seem opinionated about carbon, but also seem to be really excellent mechanics. I only moved here a year ago, so I haven't used them much yet. They're definitely retrogrouchy, though.

I can't find a definitive answer on a weight limit. If there is one, and I'm over it, I shouldn't use it.

I'm just wondering if there's a consensus about a budget- or mid-level option for a relatively lightweight carbon fork. If so, if there's a clear recommendation, I'd be happy to turn around and re-sell the EC90slx and pick that option up instead.

Ken Robb · #11 08-20-2014, 07:47 PM

I don't give my $$ to any grouches retro or otherwise.

tv_vt · #12 08-20-2014, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mhespenheide

I'm just wondering if there's a consensus about a budget- or mid-level option for a relatively lightweight carbon fork. If so, if there's a clear recommendation, I'd be happy to turn around and re-sell the EC90slx and pick that option up instead.

I've got a Kestrel OS lying around that you could have cheap if you're interested in another option. 43mm rake. Aluminum steerer, though (about 280mm long).

odin99 · #13 08-20-2014, 10:50 PM

were the easton ec90 aero forks any better?

Louis · #14 08-20-2014, 10:57 PM

How in the world can any sane LBS be down on CF forks for road bikes?

Other than folks who go out of their way to buy frames with steel forks, nearly every new bike sold today has a CF fork. More than that, nearly every bike on the road today has a CF fork.

Unless we're talking about a boutique steel bike or a classic steel bike, I would walk out laughing of any LBS that tried to tell me that a CF fork was not appropriate for a modern frame.

rustychisel · #15 08-20-2014, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by louis

how in the world can any sane lbs be down on cf forks for road bikes?

Other than folks who go out of their way to buy frames with steel forks, nearly every new bike sold today has a cf fork. More than that, nearly every bike on the road today has a cf fork.

Unless we're talking about a boutique steel bike or a classic steel bike, i would walk out laughing of any lbs that tried to tell me that a cf fork was not appropriate for a modern frame.

+ 1