Carbon fork with straight steerer and 3" tyre clearance - does such a thing exist?

[thenorthwind]

I imagine not, but if it did, surely one of you lot would know where to find it?

I've lost the love a bit for my rigid steel plus bike (Genesis Longitude). My fancy carbon full-sus has ruined me being more comfortable AND lighter. The Longitude still makes a nice bike for slower touring and in the winter when carrying more stuff, but I'd like to feel a bit more enthusiastic about riding it.

Specifically, I want to do the TNR on it in September, but the weight penalty over the gravel bike is tempting me to the dark side...

[faustus]

Something from exotic.cc with the right a-c measurement...think they all clear 3inch tyres. Dunno if you mean to fit the longitude, so will need a shorter a-c than regular 29er. Don't know the aTNR but from what I've seen maybe a gravel bike is better...? Or just fast 29 tyres?

Edit: these look about right at 465mm axle to crown against standard 455 I recall? And they're qr...
https://www.carboncycles.cc/?p=197

[thenorthwind]

Exotic is a good shout, cheers. I had considered them, I've had a couple of their forks before. I like the pragmatic use of aluminium steerer, crown and dropouts with carbon tubing, but it does make them a bit heavier than full carbon, which is roughly the same price now. I'm not wild about the aesthetic, but I can't really get hung up on that here, since they might well be the only option. I'm not sure the standard forks will have clearance for 3" tyres, but I'll have a closer look at their site. I remember they did fat bike forks too.

[faustus]

Yeah, they don't seem to have much detail on tyre clearance, but just going by the fact the fork legs don't taper inward, so should give decent clearance even with a 100mm dropout...good luck with the quest!

[substandard]

Plenty of early 26” fat bike forks would fit the bill as 29+ fits easily on a fatty.

All the on one fatty ones were straight steerer as were the surly ones, the on one forks ran a mixer crown race to step out to the tapered lower bearing size, Would require a wheel build onto a 135mm hub though.

I actually have quite a few forks lying around including an exotic one but it’s tapered unfortunately

[fatbikephil]

I did a similar thing with the Stragg, Dave. However the 500g Genesis placcy forks inspired no confidence whatsoever so I returned to the 2kg steel efforts....

Mebbes look at Carbon rims from light bicycle? spendy but actually add benefit in terms of durability as well as weight savings. Stuff like Ti rail saddles, fancy cranks and mebbes even carbon bars can shed 100's of grams at a cost.

[thenorthwind]

I see Exotic have started doing a full carbon monocoque fork, but only with a tapered steerer

Should have mentioned that I'm looking to run 27.5+, not that there's a massive difference in terms of tyre clearance.

Don't want to change my hubs, so that rules fat bike forks out I'm afraid.

Mebbes look at Carbon rims from light bicycle? spendy but actually add benefit in terms of durability as well as weight savings

Not a bad shout Phil, but one for further down the line I think.

Stuff like Ti rail saddles, fancy cranks and mebbes even carbon bars can shed 100's of grams at a cost.

Yeah definitely not opening that can of worms

[Wotsits]

Are you thinking of using the 3" tyre for the TNR Dave?

[thenorthwind]

Are you thinking of using the 3" tyre for the TNR Dave?

Can't remember if I've still got a 29er QR wheel, but if not, probably, yes, but only really out of reluctance to buy a tyre specifically for one ride, when I'm usually happy running 27.5x3 front/29x2.something rear.

[Scattamah]

Can't see you needing 3" for TNR. Climbing gears, 2.1's and GOOD brakes. You'll have a blast.

FWIW...I've done it twice on Niner RDO carbon forks...when I get another chance, I'll be taking front suspension to enjoy the rougher parts more. Can always lockout on the smoother parts.

Greetz

S : )

[Wotsits]

Can't see you needing 3" for TNR. Climbing gears, 2.1's and GOOD brakes. You'll have a blast.

Apologies if you've ridden the route before Dave, but this^

I think the balance of the route is towards the amount of climbing, on both road & gravel.
IMHO Something tubeless, robust, fast-rolling & around 50mm would be ideal & mean you should be ok on the rougher sections.
I used my usual bikepacking rigid mtb & fitted 'gravel' tyres on 27+30mm internal mtb rims..

Definitely do the Little Peru Hike-a-Bike 4.1 section, stay at Gardetta, & Via D. Sale 5.1 Section..

[thenorthwind]

Yeah, I realise it probably isn't the ideal tyre, but as I say, I'm not buying a tyre specifically for this ride. I'll see what else I've got, and if I've got a 29" qr wheel I could use.

Cheers for the tips! We've got nearly two weeks, so will be doing all the optional off-road sections, and maybe some other scenic diversions