While a steel bike frameset will probably never be as aero as a carbon one, I think the fork is probably a big part of the aero frameset equation, being on the leading edge, so why not try to maximize the aero-ness of a carbon fork on a steel bike?
I'm looking for:
- minimal fork leg thickness
- aero cross section (airfoil/kammtail, not a plain oval)
- minimal fork crown
- No "lip" behind the fork crown designed to mesh with the frame, should be round-ish like the SL7 (or at most a small lip)
- supports 32mm tires
- internal routing from steerer
I'm assuming most manufacturers will allow me to buy just the fork from a frameset, but I'm not actually sure that's true.
Ideally I would just get an Aeroad CFR or SL7 fork as those frames test quite well in the wind tunnel and have minimal/round-ish crowns, though obviously you can't just buy those.
Options I'm considering:
- Workswell WCB-R-306 / WCB-R-309 (not sure they would sell me one)
- Carbonda/Flybike FM1056
- Carbonda/Flybike FM1136
- Dengfu R12
- Elves Falath Evo
- Ican/Triaero A22
- Speeder SC-R52D
- Velobuild VB-R-168
- Yoeleo R11
If anyone has any measurements on fork blade thickness/depth, I would love to know. It's pretty hard to tell based on photos.
If anyone else can think of any other options, I'd love to know.
Thanks!
