Trying to decide which fork that will accompany a new custom steel rig from Carl Strong. He mentioned these two as candidates for me. (He also mentioned the True Temper Alpha Q GS 10). Any input that can help me with this decision? In terms of fit to the frame, since this is a custom bike, either fork will work. I am more concerned about safety, durability, stiffness, etc. I weigh in at 180-185. The carbon fiber drop outs on the SLX scare me a bit, but thus far it’s getting good reviews. So again, any input?
I have the SLX on one of my bikes. It’s light, and it’s comfortable, but there’s a lot of flex in those blades. It doesn’t necessarily make me nervous, but it’s a bit too flimsy for my taste. I also weigh 30 lbs. less than you.
Well… The easton is the lightest. I have never ridden the others, but I currently ride the easton SLX and have ridden a full carbon Bianchi fork. Upgrading to the Easton from the bianchi was a massive improvement. It was much lighter and it feels like an aluminum steerer tube… there’s no squishy flex in it like most full-carbon steerers. Also, for cool factor and ease of use, easton includes an expanding headset spacer, eliminating the need for a star nut-type device in the steerer tube (these can be a royal pain in the ass w/carbon steerers). I would suggest getting one of those spacers regardless of what fork you go with.
I believe easton may have a deal where you give them any fork… even one off a 1970’s schwinn cruiser, and they’ll give you $100 rebate.
The SLX is a great light fork for climbing and training. i wouldn’t worry too much about the carbon dropout (yet) as the some in the pro peloton has been beating them up since the beginning of the season.
There is flex, so if you’re gonna do a lot of sprinting, go for the Ouzo fork as it’s stiffer.
I’m a climber, so the SLX works great for me.
I would choose the Reynolds personally, but I’m not a weight weenie with bikes. They are like Chris King, Thomson, and a few others that have mastered their craft, and just do it right. Reynolds does make the Pro Lite version of their fork, which clocks in at, I think, 360 grams. If you want a super strong, nice riding fork that you won’t have to worry about, get the Reynolds. One thing you mentioned about the Easton was the carbon dropouts- I don’t like this. I always file off the “lawyer tabs” on all my forks (which all have aluminum dropouts). I asked Easton if I could file off the carbon dropout tabs. Sure, they said, but it will void your warranty. Last thing- if it was my bike, I would go for the Ouzo Comp, which is the same fork, but with an aluminum steerer tube. No messing with compression plugs. I have a Reynolds on my tri bike right now, and the only complaint is that the compression plug keeps coming loose. I’d rather have a good ol’ star nut (which, incidentally weighs about 20g, vs 40 for a compression plug).
I have ridden both forks on identical custom road bikes and I weigh 185. SLX definitely has “some” flex and the first time I came bombing down Boulder Canyon, it got my attention. But it is not a “twitchy” fork; I’ve raced Boulder Roubaix which is mostly off-road hard pack with no probs at all. Climbs like a dream and the difference from 360gr on the Ouzo lite and 295gr on the SLX means something if you do a lot of climbing like we do here on the front range.
I’ve ridden most of the roads you are talking about, but now being down in Phoenix the good climbs are fewer and farther between. What is your opinion of the Ouzo Pro? I’m no weight weenie or anything, just trying to get the best fork. I haven’t heard too many complaints about the OP. It seems to get solid reviews. Question is whether the SLX is much better, especially with an extra $70 price tag…
liked both forks…Reynolds rode real well and withstood lots of miles and racing. But I am a 'lil bit of a weight weenie where I can get away with it; being 6’5 185lb. For me, it’s worth $70.
I had some initial concerns about the weight but I emailed one of the engineers at Easton who was built similar to me and he had 1000’s of miles on his SLX with no problems.
I’ve owned the regular Reynolds Ouzo Pro and the Ouzo Pro Peleton. They are both superb forks but I consider the Peleton to be the better of the two. It’s a bit stiffer and more aero, but is still a road fork. It also rides just as nice.
Both these forks as well as the Easton forks have a lot of reviews on roadbikereview.com
Notice any trends related to which forks are being spec’d on new bikes?
FWIW, I have both and like both. And I think I agree that the Reynolds is stiffer.
Agreed… the Ouzo Pro is to forks as King and Thomson are to headsets and seatposts respectively…
Now I wish they’d just make more of their forks in an aluminum steerer tube for lower price points (as of now they only make aluminum for the Ouzo Pro; the Aero Comp fork was discontinued I think).
Now I wish they’d just make more of their forks in an aluminum steerer tube for lower price points (as of now they only make aluminum for the Ouzo Pro; the Aero Comp fork was discontinued I think).
No more Ouzo Comp, which was the same fork but with an alu steerer?
Re-read my post. They DO still make the Ouzo Comp; they discontinued the Aero Comp.
I’ve got a Bontrager fork that came with my Klein and it’s a bit of a fattie at 580grams, so I’m thinking of upgrading.
Any idea if the Easton EC90 Aero is UCI legal? I didn’t see anything on their website. Anybody have any experience with this fork? Any reason one wouldn’t want to use a fork like this for road racing, if it is in fact UCI legal?
Traditionally, aero forks have been made of aluminum/carbon and have been heavier and stiffer than lighter carbon road forks. After many hours, they could amplify fatigue.
Also, they may affect handling adversely in crosswinds.
Other than that, see the new Wolf all carbon fork from Cervelo, UCI legal, great to put on a Soloist.