Newbie fork sacrilege

[Mackerel]

Hi all,

I've recently bought a lovely 1991-2 18" Explosif frame, without forks, and would like to try and keep the original frameset geometry of 390mm a to c.

BUT

I have a stiff back and would prefer to avoid threaded forks (in order to let me raise the bar height without resorting to crazy stems/stem angles, or unsafe steerer extension gadgets...)

I know this is totally wrong from a purist POV, but having bought the frame I want to have a go at building it up.

Please does anyone know of a current after-market fork with a 390mm a to c length available to just buy? I'd prefer a straight blade steel fork, but could go carbon if such a thing exists. I'd like to stay with canti/V brakes if possible, but might even consider a disc fork if it comes to it.

Thanks for your help,

Jason

 

[suburbanreuben]

Baj has a nice Reynolds 653 fork, with a long steerer, for sale.
Why do you stress "Current"? There won't be many, if any 395mm a-c forks currently on sale.

 

[Mackerel]

Hi and thanks for the quick reply.

I stressed current because it seems buying a used fork is likely to restrict the length of steerer available, and a current product would avoid that issue.

Also because, frankly, I should be riding or working rather than spending time on forums searching for fork solutions! If I can find a fork to just buy and fit then I can get on with the riding and working stuff instead...

 

[fatfixie]

I have a NOS Tange switchblade type (made by Fuji apparently) fork- 1" steerer threaded (but can be used ahead) with 220mm steerer...............

Andy

 

[Mackerel]

Hi Andy,

I've spotted the Tange switchblade forks and they look just the ticket - do you know how straightforward it would be to fit to a headtube meant for 1 1/8? I think SJS sell shims for the stem/steerer interface, but I'm not sure how I'd manage the headset?

The steerer length sounds OK - do you have any idea of the price, and any pics?

Jason

 

[Mackerel]

Hi suburbanreuben,

Baj's 653s seem to have just been sold, but they would have been perfect for me.
http://www.retrobike.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=741429#741429

Thanks very much for the tip-off. I'll give it a few more days on the forums and widen my searching away from P2s and Kona parts.

Jason

 

[hamster]

The other option is to chat to a framebuilder. They should be able to braze up a set of forks exactly to your spec, and I would expect it would be under £100, depending on what you require.

 

[one-eyed_jim]

A late-model Pace RC30 would fit the bill. They came in a 385-390mm option, with a replaceable steerer. Pictured here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/nickw3216/ ... t-1678336/

I happen to have one with a long (about 250mm) threadless 1 1/8" steerer that'll be for sale when i get back from France in a couple of weeks...

 

[dyna-ti]

Marin do an alloy 395mm fork.disc mount and blanks for bosses if you have v's
Its called their 'urban' series and are modern ,so theyre use offroad might be limited.

IE Dont try jumping with them

 

[Mackerel]

Kinesis also do a straight carbon fork at 400mm a to c, the DC19:
http://www.kinesisbikes.co.uk/product.php?id=50

Doesn't take very wide tyres though, and I'm not sure how robust it would be...

That could be a last resort perhaps - it's also about £120...