Titanium forks?

[d_douglas]

Does anyone do these (well)? What are the pros and cons of this? It might be cost prohibitive, but I am looking at having a ti disc CX frame made for me, and thought a matching material fork would be cool. That said, I recall only hearing bad things about ti forks, so I am wondering if anyone out there has figured it out and makes an outstanding fork?

[rphetteplace]

Dean

Black Sheep

[simple]

2nd on contacting James at Black Sheep.

Don't get a Sibex/Spicer

[d_douglas]

yeah, thats not what I want to see.

So, my question is not as much whether if CAN be done, but whether it should be done? I assumed that I would use an ENVE fork, then thought more about a nice steel one, and now wonder whether I should get all matchy and have a ti one built.

James is not who will be building the frame, but I suppose he isnt averse to putting his fork on a pretty handmade frame by one of his peers?

[drewgh2o]

Call Rody. He knows.

[rphetteplace]

Moots paints there's to match the ti. That's as good a recommendation against a ti fork as I could ever see. :)

[d_douglas]

Moots paints there's to match the ti. That's as good a recommendation against a ti fork as I could ever see. :)

Good point. They would be the masters, if any.

[sparky33]

Dean

Black Sheep

saw this Black Sheep ti fork while browsing Flickr:
Complete. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

[sine]

I have to believe that in order to get a disc ti fork to be rigid enough that it's going to have to be one big tube. Something like a Cannondale Badboy Lefty in ti might work. Won't be light. A carbon version (from Spain?) weighs 7-800g.

[rec head]

There's always stainless steel.

[turkish]

I have to believe that in order to get a disc ti fork to be rigid enough that it's going to have to be one big tube. Something like a Cannondale Badboy Lefty in ti might work. Won't be light. A carbon version (from Spain?) weighs 7-800g.

Yes, Black Cat Bone's Lucy


Several friends have XACD made ti forks on their mountain bikes with no problems at all. Sibex forks were too light.

[donevwil]

Check out Titanium Road Forks - do they work???, especially Tom Kellogg's response.

I researched this for months and found no conclusive feedback either way. For applications where no comparable carbon fiber fork exists, a Ti fork by a reputable manufacturer (Black Sheep) is appealing and it won't be considerably more expensive than a steel equivalent. My application would be for a road bike with post mount Paul Racers, but this appeared to not be the best utilization of Ti’s primary qualities (springiness). For a fork to be stiff enough for a 50+ mph twisty descent under my 240 lbs, the blades would have to be quite large (which is possible per Black Sheep), but you still have a fork made of a material that is inherently springy without the shock dissipative qualities of either carbon fiber or steel.

I’d say if a carbon fork exists for your application go that way. If the added weight of steel doesn’t turn you off then that‘s likely the best alternative. It’s not likely you’ll miss out on anything unless bling-factor is important.

[CWinters]

Seven Cycles will not make Ti forks for their Ti frames. Their explanation is that to do it right (=both sufficiently light and sufficiently safe) would be cost prohibitive. But if you're going to go that route anyway, everyone I know recommends Black Sheep.

FWIW I have a Ti fork on my Brompton; but with a small wheel bike it is a different ball game.

[rphetteplace]

2nd on contacting James at Black Sheep.

Don't get a Sibex/Spicer

lightest fork EVER!!!!

[d_douglas]

Yeah, I think I will scrap this. I own an ENVE fork that works great, so why mess with what works?

Also, if I lose 10 lbs by delivery time, it will offset the weight penalty of a steel fork ;)

[ewwhite]

saw this Black Sheep ti fork while browsing Flickr:
Complete. | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Yeah, that's a very nice bike ;)

The Ti fork is good. It's slightly-flexy, but I'm happy with how the bike rides.

[MisterDangerPants]

I had James at Black Sheep make me this:





No issues. Great fork.

Also had XACD (China) make this fork:



Super beefy. Quality is also super nice.

[darkmother]

I had James at Black Sheep make me this:





No issues. Great fork.

Also had XACD (China) make this fork:



Super beefy. Quality is also super nice.

Both of those forks are nice! How much does the beefy disc fork weigh?

[AngryScientist]

i've got a titanium spork...

(sorry, couldnt help it)

[nahtnoj]

The truss forks that Jeff Jones and Black Sheep are making are interesting. Not sure I'd want a traditional ti fork, but as always MDP has the goods...