Well I guess I wasn't expecting a consensus reply, it is stw after all 😉

I'm going for the QR fork I reckon, that gives me spare wheel options and lower initial expense…..

cookeaa – I don't think I've ever read in a mag that QR forks are dangerous.

A few people on here may suggest it, but it's not much of a concern for me.

20mm axle forks really are a lot stiffer though, the magazines aren't lying and the marketing people must have a pretty easy job selling the idea.

It's a bit like 31.8mm handlebar clamps vs. 25.4mm though. Nothing wrong with the old version, it's just an improvement that's worth having if you have the money to spare and do the kind of riding where you'd notice the difference.

My bikes all have 20mm axles, but I'm happy to leave my wife's 80mm XC hardtail with QR because she only rides mellow stuff.

You can make a 25.4mm handlebar as stiff as a 31.8mm handlebar. Probably weigh more though.