I'd like some carbon forks for my Pipedream Alice, but I'd also like not to spend more than I spent on the damn frameset
The dream spec would be 400-415mm length, with clearance for 29 x 2.1" and 27.5 x 2.4". Sounds unfeasible but various things do exist, albeit for crazy money (Enve Adventure fork, Rodeo Spork, Bearclaw) or at nearly the weight of a decent steel fork (see the Soma IRD MXC)
Anyone know anything for a semi-reasonable price?
https://www.enve.com/en/products/adventure-fork/
https://bikepacking.com/news/rodeo-labs-spork-3-preorders/
https://bearclawbicycleco.com/ramhorn-carbon-gravel-plus-fork/
https://www.somafabshop.com/shop/product/ird-carbon-fork-mcx-max-thru-axle-tapered-wolverine-5009?category=975
(I also know of the 3T Luteus things, but I'd like to fit full length guards and they are super rare anyway)
Kinesis ? https://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/Catalogue/Forks/Adventure/RANGE
https://www.bikester.co.uk/now8-mtb-rigid-fork-460mm-275-carbon-1354806.html#specifications
Any use?
29 x 2.1 is 728mm dia = 364mm radius
These are advertisd for 26" but say 375mm space axle to underside of crown so 10mm clearance. From other listings the a-c is 420mm
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32814091235.html
If you dig around aliexpress or the chinese seller websites you might find some with a bolt thru axle.
Didn't Pipedream ship the latest Alice with the option of a carbon fork? Might be worth a call to them and see if they have a pair about?
Ahh yes looks like they had some but all gone
Although from that picture and the 395mm a-c, I can't see how they really fitted a 29 x 2.0" in there
https://www.pipedreamcycles.com/shop/carbon-forks/
As for the others, I'm afraid the Kinesis is lacking in clearance and the Exotic a bit too long (at least with that short offset). And I don't know carbon well enough to be ordering from Ali...
Otso makes one with 420mm ac and 29x2.1 clearance.
For my custom frame I'd love to get a ~440mm with 29x2.3 clearance, not sure if a 27.5 fork can fit the job
Was going to suggest Fairlight but none until Feb
https://fairlightcycles.com/product/cempa-2-fork/?v=79cba1185463
I recently purchased the Carbonda CFO-606 version of the Pipedream fork - I wouldn't really want to go larger than 45c to allow for mud. I used an EC44 lower assembly which adds about 10mm to the A-C, so not as drastic a difference to the handling.
Obvious one which came to mind was this;
https://whiskyparts.co/forks/no-9-mcx-fork#/
Don’t think they’re cheap though.
IRD do a carbon monster cross fork (I had one a little while ago). Weight is in 850g+ mark though as it has an Ali steerer tube. Here's a photo with a 2.1 Vittoria tyre... Loads of mud clearance etc.
It's prob the best bang for buck with a true A to C around the 400mm mark.
https://southerndistributors.co.uk/product/carbon-gravel-bike-fork/
That whiskey fork doesn't fit a 29x2.1 (I've tried).
@monkeyboyjc, thanks for that, is that the tapered or straight steerer version? The tapered version is listed as having a fair bit more clearance
Good tip on the Carbonda, too, although if 45mm is the max it may not be quite what I'm after
Yep, It's the tapered version