Rigid Steel Forks With Aluminium Frames - why?

[Bullpup]

As I look at a number of nice frames e.g. Zaskars etc, I have noticed that in most instances the original or indeed replacement non-suspension forks are steel.

Is this because it is difficult to make decent aluminium forks or is it because the steel forks provide the degree of flex that the alloy frames need to overcome the harshness induced by their inherent stiffness?

Are there any decent period suspension corrected aluminium forks with the exception of the P Bone or Fatty R and how good are these forks any how?

Many thanks

 

[dirttorpedo]

For me it was a combination of these two factors:

1. Steel frames are much easier to find - particularly suspension corrected ones.

2. A full aluminum retro bike is a very harsh ride.

I believe there was some concern BITD that aluminum forks weren't particularly strong as well - kinda like the whole carbon fork thing today. Could be wrong though.

 

[FluffyChicken]

Orange had an aluminium fork. I had one on my Prestige circa 92.
You could get them on the Alu-O and Elites as well.
I prefered it to the normal steel fork and it was much better than the Pace rigid fork i had too, they where horrible things. Looked cool though.

 

[legrandefromage]

What is forgotten is that a rigid fork is actually a misnomer as they are designed to flex providing a wee bit of 'suspension' for a rider.

I ran a much later set of raked aluminium forks on my Zaskar from around 2000, they were fantastic. Cannondales P-Bones are really good off road too but there are not many manufacturers who went all aluminium.

 

[rumpfy]

A stiff aluminum frame with a slightly more forgiving steel fork is a great combo.

Klein Rascal is a good example. Amazing bike for the money with that kind of set up (and the 1" headtube). Arguably a better riding bike than the Attitude.

 

[velomaniac]

Normally I like rigid bikes but an aluminium fork on an aluminium frame can only be tolerated with fat squidgy tyres or a flex stem. You'll lose your fillings and impact your spine with that much rigidity off road.

 

[Bullpup]

Thank you all for the comments.

Where do carbon forks fit in the scheme of things please?

 

[RichieB]

Because of the metallurgical properties of Aluminum (fatigue strength, modulus of elasticity, etc.) it needs to be used in much larger diameters in order to create a tube that is durable enough for bicycle use - and that include forks.

In order to build a fork that is string enough out of aluminum, much fatter tubes need to be used, and therefore, much stiffer and harsher-riding.

Just ask anyone riding an old Vitus aluminum fork - CRACK!

A lot of modern trials bikes utilize aluminum fork blades precisely for this added stiffness and light weight - at the expense of "ride quality", as trials riders tend not to worry about long-term arm fatigue over stutter bumps - we just want the fork not to break, and to be as stiff as we need it, when we need it.

 

[thesurfbus]

Bullpup are you looking for a fork? I have an Orange aluminium fork that I no longer need, I notice you are just down the road from me too.

 

[Bullpup]

I may well be.

I have a lightweight frame that I want to convert to rigid for commuting. I have a selection of forks - Marin, Tange and P2 but they are all steel and threaded and as I am out of headsets I thought I would think before acting!

I am not sure of the direction I am going in but do you have a picture and what length is the steerer please?