I'm looking for a new bicycle to replace my stolen gravel bike, and one of the options I have is a 12,6kg full CrMo steel framed gravel / trekking bike that seems cheap and robust enough. My only concern is that my previous bike was 9-10 kilos, with an aluminium body and carbon fork, and it rode really well, so i'm a bit worried it might not be as fun on longer rides.
So that got me thinking: how much weight could I reduce by switching from a steel fork to a carbon fork, and how easy is it to do it myself? Would it be worth it?
14 Comments
TheGoldenV@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 21d
My vote is skip it. The potential weight savings is not worth the cost and messing around with.
BCsven@lemmy.ca · 4 pts · 21d
Ride it and see. Depends on your personal frame too š.
Like I have fluctuated between 94kg and 83kg, depending on my powerlifting or couch sitting routine, so 3 kg on the bike frame becomes irrelevant
kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 21d
A carbon fork can save around a kilo, which is both a lot and not that much depending on perspective. Personally I prefer the ride characteristics of a carbon fork over a steel fork, so thatās also something to consider. I find steel forks to either be too noodley, or too harsh, or kinda both. Carbon forks more often feel stiff without feeling harsh.
A fork swap isnāt hard to do, but I would be surprised if the cost of that bike plus a carbon fork isnāt more than just buying a bike that already has a carbon fork. Also finding a compatible fork may or may not be difficult. For example if itās a straight 1-1/8ā steerer with disc brakes your options are pretty limited. Also need to keep the forks axle-to-crown height and rake in mind.
666dollarfootlong@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 21d
The bike I'm looking at would be 1100ā¬ new, 450ā¬ used, apparently in "good" condition
kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 21d
And it would be another ā¬400+ for a carbon fork from a reputable brand, unless you can find a used one that will work. I would not trust cheap aliexpress forks.
What bike are you looking at specifically? In that price range Iād rather get hydraulic brakes and at least an 11 speed groupset than a carbon fork. Unless that bike is just a killer deal and already has that stuff
666dollarfootlong@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 21d
https://activebikes.com/product/2022-active-sirocco-gravel-360-silver/
I'm just looking for a do-it-all bike, one that I can take on a train, ride in cities, roads and on gravel roads. 50% commuting, 50% leisure. My old bike was 2x10, I thought it was good enough but a bit hard going uphills
Edit:
I feel like 450ā¬ for this would be pretty good, I could afford to put on some nice tyres and invest in a proper saddle and somehow bags as well.
that_lightnin@lemmy.ca · 2 pts · 19d
just for fun HY/RD
simbico@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 19d
Juin tech is also a great option for hybrid brakes. If you go down this route you must install compressionless brake hoses (eg from jagwire)
666dollarfootlong@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 19d
I'll have to see how the brakes are before committing, but yea enough people have recommended hydraulics so I think eventually i'll have to get them haha
that_lightnin@lemmy.ca · 0 pts · 19d
Cable pull hydro best of both worlds. Never owned them but got to try them out though.
kahjtheundedicated@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 21d
Yeah ā¬450 isnāt bad. For a casual bike it will be fine, but I donāt think it would be worth changing the fork.
I donāt know what the Finnish used market is like, but I would be surprised if you canāt find at least a 2x10 gravel bike for a similar price. But if 9 speed is fine for you, yeah it looks like a good quality bike.
that_lightnin@lemmy.ca · 0 pts · 19d
9 speed chains are hella cheaper too
mmmm@sopuli.xyz · 3 pts · 21d
I feel like the punishment/weight ratio is rather logarythmical, as in it increases with route steepness but not in a linear way - you'll start noticing it on really steep gradients and with tiredness.
If you have a somewhat decent shape and don't ride over too much steep gradients I'll say just keep the steel fork. It's cheaper if you just lose a kilo yourself than in your bike. And depending on the builder, steel frames and forks can feel as flexy if not even more than carbon.
that_lightnin@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 19d
I don't think it is really about weight but more about ride quality. I think it is worth it. STEEL RENEGADE Side note SRAM 1 by systems are pretty cool. Snappy