Hi All,
I'm in the process of talking with the LBS about placing an order for an Axiom SG and was wondering what everyone thought about their fork and other components. Is it worth it to buy the stock Seven spacers, handlebars, fork, stems, and seatposts? The shop will of course recommend it for the best possible fit but how much of that is just an upsale tactic?

It seems like I could shave off a few hundred bucks by going with some other products and I've heard that the fork can shimmy a bit when braking downhill, so I thought I'd ask people who might know more about these products.

Thanks!

Reynolds make the Seven 5E forks. I'd say the main benefit is they come in a wide range of rake lengths which allows them to pick the rake to suite you needs but thats about it.

When you get fitted, I'd ask for them to spec the fork and stem/spacer etc for you. If they come up with something fairly standard e.g. 42mm fork rake etc then you can look elsewhere. It is nice to have matching fork and finishing kit though...but you're definitely paying a premium and most certainly can find similar fitting finishing kit for less.

Doubt the shimmy is due to the fork per se, how widely has this been reported?

Seven spec'd a 43mm rake for me and I prefered a carbon weave finish so I went with a Reynolds Ouzo Pro. I do have a Seven Wound Up fork from another bike if anyone is interested (added an Alpha Q sub 3 to that bike.) The wound up is in very good condition, is off an Axiom frame with 16cm headtube, has a King crown race on it. Let me know if you would like to give it a try. Stiffer than either the Reynolds or the Alpha Q.

Is it worth it to buy the stock Seven spacers, handlebars, fork, stems, and seatposts? The shop will of course recommend it for the best possible fit but how much of that is just an upsale tactic?


I have the Seven bars, fork, stem and seatpost... in my mind it made the bike look "clean" and well put together. I didn't like the look of other brand components with the bike, they just didn't match right.

I've never had a shimmy problem, but I don't generally brake downhill because I love descending. I did have to brake very hard once (it was brake or hit a car) but I don't remember any shimmying.

Whether it's worth it or not to you depends on what your goal is. My goal was primarily aesthetics, since any fork/stem/seatpost/bar combo would do just as well. There's no reason you can't go off-brand and get the same exact fit. If you need to save a few hundred bucks that's one place you can do it.

Given that other manufacturers have frames with the same angles, top tube lengths, and chain stay length (give or take 1-2mm), why do some spec a fork with a 40mm rake and others with a 43mm rake?

i noticed seven used a 40 mm offset on their larger frames...so i switched to a 40mm fork on my 58cm top tube Titus and it was definately better. it is more stable due to the increased trail I guess but it also turns better. so what does turns better mean? can't really describe it but i have more confidence that i'm not going to wash the front end in corners.

Seven spec'd a 40mm rake on my 56cm frame. After riding it for 4 years, I switched to a 43mm rake as I could only recently find an Ouzo Pro Lite in 43mm. I noticed the exact opposite as you did. The bike seems more stable and less "twitchy" than with the 40mm rake.

I was interested in going with the Wound Up as I had heard they were generally stronger forks. Also had a unique look. My LBS and Seven convinced me to go with the 5E. I happened to stop in at Seven (lucky enough to be in Boston) when they were building my frame, and saw all the 5E boxes marked from Reynolds. That iced it for me.

BTW, they adjust the rake on the forks by using different dropouts. Likely have a few different forks, but then fine tune between them with the dropouts.

Regarding stability, my 5E has been rock solid descending, braking, etc. I have a 43mm rake, and am 6'5" 240lbs. Besides, it does complete the package. Not the cheapest, though.

i have a wound-up carbon fork and carbon steerer on my axiom. i weigh 260 and my seven corners like it was on rails. i had a cannondale cadd5 and i can say the seven DEFINITLEY corners better. i also have campy electron wheels and that might add to the stiffness. my cadd5 has race-lites (bontragers) and i felt they were noodley

Oval Concepts is the maker of their bar and stem. Very nice kit. On par with other offerings from FSA, Ritchey, ITM etc. Big advantage is that they look better on a Seven frame than any other bar/stem would.