I've got a 2004 Lemond Poprad which I like very much. It's primarily used for road and offroad recreational riding although I might race it a couple times this fall.

The Poprad is an 853 steel frame with an aluminum fork. I'm wondering what the overall effects would be if I swapped in a carbon CX fork. Has anyone done this to their Poprad?

I understand the advantages of carbon are primarily (a) lighter than a steel fork and (b) more vibration insulation than an aluminum fork. I don't necessarily think a carbon fork will be lighter than my stock aluminum fork and I'm wondering how much damping effect a carbon fork will have when I run 28mm - 35mm tires anyway.

If I was seriously going to bash the bike around, I'd probably pick up a steel fork from IF or Vicious (and I might do this anyway as I'm not really a weight weenie).

Thanks.

- khill

Ti fork or Morati Ti.
nearly as light as CF and over $100 cheaper if you are buying a AlphaQ, Reynolds or Wound Up and get some real shock absorbtion.
when Mark Gullikson chose the parts to build his 03 race bikes he chose a Sibex Ti Fork.

i had the same question. i was thinking of getting the nashbar cyclocross carbon fork...
does anyone know what size to get? 1" or 1.8"?

also curious if anyone upgraded the cranks to something more cross specific. can use the same bb?

I've been riding on a carbon fork on my Cannondale and I LOVE the absorbtion abilities, even with the larger tires. I ride on 28 commuter tires with slightly lower pressures and put near 100 miles/week on the bike on roads. There are a lot of places where the roads aren't great, but not smooth by any stretch and the carbon really helps with that constant buzzing in the hands after a longish ride.

To be fair, I have only had long test rides on alum and steel forks, never owned one and don't want one. I'm sure if you got a nice one and didn't like it you could always ebay it.