How to Buy a Road Bike Fork

If you've damaged your old fork or want to upgrade to a new fork to save weight and smooth out the ride, there are many things to consider.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• All-purpose Bike Tools
• Bike Helmets
• Bike Jerseys
• Bikes
• Road Bike Forks

1. Consider going threadless, which will allow you to buy a fork with a carbon fiber steerer and save weight (generally an extra 150 grams.)

2. Understand that going threadless will make changing your stem height more complicated and will require you to buy a threadless headset and stem.

3. Consider the rake of your old fork. You'll want to match this as closely as possible to preserve the handling characteristic of your frame.

4. Think about materials: Steel is traditional and very durable; aluminum is reasonably priced and will give a slightly more compliant ride; carbon fiber is the most popular choice for upgrades but is generally the most expensive.

5. Consider steerer material. Carbon forks often come with a choice of steel, aluminum or carbon fiber steerer. Steel is recommended for heavier riders.

6. Consider design. Do you want light weight? Do you want solid braking performance? Do you want compliance? Do you want stiff, solid cornering?

7. Ask around about the particular characteristics of each fork you consider. There are always tradeoffs with every design.

8. Consider tire clearance. Some carbon forks don't offer much tire clearance, limiting your tire options.

Tips & Warnings

• If you like the bike the way it is now, don't change it. When you buy a new fork, you always risk the possibility of strange handling characteristics, high-speed shimmies, etc.

• If you're not 100% sure of what you're doing or don't have all the right tools, have your new fork installed by a qualified mechanic.