I have recently replaced the carbon fork on my Planet X tempest with a fox tc (which is ace). I subsequently have the old carbon fork going spare*
I also have a Caad X which I occasionally use (mainly in road) that has a heavy alu steerer fork, with a post mount brake. I’d like to upgrade the groupset to full hydro by buying one of those ltwoo group sets, however they are flat mount (rear of Caad X is flat mount). If I fit the old selcof fork that’ll solve the brake issue and also reduces weight
the key issue is the selcof fork has a rake of 45, the Caad X of 55. How will it affect handling. Given I plan to use the Caad X mainly as a spare winter roadie, will it actually improve handling for that purpose?
* ignoring the fact the selcof fork has recently been in the news for snapping in two..
You have the fork. You have the bike. It wouldn't take many minutes to temporarily fit it without the front brake and take it for a cautious spin around the block. You'll then know what it does to the handling.
Shortening offset is the same as slackening the headtube angle, increasing trail which will slow down handling a touch - you may notice it the first time you ride it, but will probably get used to it.
Ah that’s not so good. The Caad X already has a 71 degree ha, so I want to steepen it, rather than slacken.
Its not the same as changing head angle - rake is head angle, offset is what you are measuring that has an effect on trail - shorter offset = longer trail = more stability and slower steering
Personally I cannot tell the difference with 44 or 55 mm offset. maybe just me being an insensitive clod
Something else to consider is toe overlap - your front wheel will be closer.
Personally I cannot tell the difference with 44 or 55 mm offset. maybe just me being an insensitive clod
Doesn't really make any difference to me either. Bike feels a bit different on first ride (probably because I know I have changed it so am looking for differences), after that I have forgotten all about it.
What's the A-C of each fork?
I've done back to back on a road bike (same model fork available in two different rakes) switched back after a couple of weeks and 500 miles, wasn't fun...
Wouldn't worry about it. Three road bikes with different rakes/geometry and can't tell.
They (Cannondale) had a recall on the CAADX for the fork a few years ago. Make sure you've been done as (IIRC), the spontaneous failures were quite exciting...
They (Cannondale) had a recall on the CAADX for the fork a few years ago. Make sure you’ve been done as (IIRC), the spontaneous failures were quite exciting…
I was going to say that, but that applied to the older post mount framed bikes, not sure it included the newer ones.
Still worth checking though as I got a new carbon fork for mine and I wasn't even the original owner. Just had to send a few photos and serial numbers to my local-ish Cannondale LBS. Only complaint was they re-fitted the original knackered headset, if they'd mentioned it at the time I'd happily have paid for a new one rather than have to prise the rusty crown race off a new set of carbon forks.