Ok i’m thinking of upgrading the fork on my Softride Rocket TT. Its used mainly for triathlons of all distances. Any pros or cons on either the Reynolds Ouzo Pro Aero vs Easton EC90 Aero?
I ride the Ouzo Pro Aero… I switched from a steef fork and couldn’t believe the difference in vibration dampening… Granted the entire bike changed from steel to ti with a full carbon front end… but I like the Ouzo… I’m sure I would like the Easton…
You choose…
i bought an Easton Aero SL for my new tt bike…have yet to install is b/c my bike is waiting in vancouver to get through labor unions…sorry, i digress.
the fork, on it’s own is VERY light and looks great…i can’t wait to install it…and right now, they’re all on sale…$350 is a very fair price…
I have the Reynolds Ouzo pro Aero. Best upgrade I ever put on the bike.
I imagine the Easton product would be good too.
Hey Rex -
How you been? What fork is on your bike now?
If you’re interested, I have a 650 Easton, aero fork new in box, never cut. It didn’t fit my Kestrel KM-40, wrong size, ooops.
I have the Easton EC90 Aero on my QR. The difference between the stock QR fork, which was also full carbon, was amazing. I had to replace my fork because I cracked my original in a collision with a dog.
I have never ridden on the Reynolds, but I have always heard great things. I think the Easton is more attractive, and it has a great ride. It works well in strong head winds, which is the purpose for the Aero model.
----->Trent
Hey jason, how have you been? I have a Profile BSC fork on my bike now?
tomd
Do you know what rake your fork has? And is it the Red colored Easton or the all Black?
Doing well. Anxious for spring.
You’ll definitely notice a difference upgrading from your BSC. I’ve had a few Easton forks (including one now). Top-notch stuff.
Are you primarily after a comfort improvement?
Sorry, I don’t know the rake. It is 60% black with a red highlight.
Actually: here==> http://www.tri-specialties.com/DisplayDetail.aspx?which=874
this is the fork and this is also the store I purchased it from 3 weeks ago. Don’t forget it is a 650.
I guess it depends what you are going for. I’d definitely recommend the Ouzo Pro - I have one on my road bike and it gets stellar reviews from all over. Easton makes good stuff too and it “looks” better (important to most triathletes unfortunately), but I have seen far fewer reviews. These things aren’t cheap, so I like the “tried and true” products that aren’t a fad in their lightweight, aero designed glory.
ShaRRky,
The aren’t necessarily compatible. I’d do some research first. The Easton fork has a lower crown height (I think this is the right term… it is the height of material between the brake caliper mounting hole and where the steerer tube starts) by about 1cm (it is close to that, and maybe more) relative to the Reynolds.
So if you put the Easton on, the front of your bike may be rotated down 1cm (if it is different than your current fork) or up 1cm with the Reynolds. Or something different if the crown height on your current fork is different than either one.
I think the rake may also be different between the forks and potentially between them and your existing fork, and one could make your bike very twitchy.
In any case, it is not just a matter of which fork “rides” well. I’d call Softride and ask them which forks would be acceptable for use on your bike.
Changing forks is not like changing other components; they are not plug-n-play.
If you already knew all this and have work arounds, sorry. I don’t mean to imply you didn’t know this… Just would hate to see you buy a fork and have it not work out.
The answer to your question is simple.
What color is your bike?
If it’s baby blue with white decals and you stick the black/red Easton on it, I will have to hunt you down and beat you with your old-lady cane you use to try and look like a posing pimp.
Red. No question asked, go for it.
Black, your call. What color wheels and tires are you using?
Silver/chrome. Get some balls man and buy a chromed aluminum aero fork of ebay. It’ll feel like sh!t, but you will be one hardcore playa.
Color coordination is so simple. How do people mess it up?
I love Easton forks. I have had two bikes that came with Reynolds Ouzo comps and replaced them with Easton forks with carbon steerers. I think the Reynolds forks are really nice but the ride is a little harsher and the Eastons are a bit more compliant. I have a Rocket and a Powerwing with Easton forks.
Jason
I’m looking for both a comfort and an aero performance upgrade. I think both forks would be improvements over the BSC fork in both categories. I’m with you the weather we’ve been having around here lately (windy, rainy, cold) has got to go. Come on spring. If I’m not mistaken I think both forks have the same rake.
Ze
I have a Red Rocket TT so the black/red easton fork would definitely would be color coordinated. But I’m looking for good compatibility besides looking good. I think either one would looke good on my Softride.
FYI. Here are some excerpts from an email exchange I had several months ago with a buddy of mine in the industry when I inquired about the Pro Aero:
“The quality of the few Ouzo Pro Aeros that were shipping this year was inconsistent. Many had alignment issues and had to be turned away for quality control reasons. We have had to do this with the Ouzo Pro Aero forks we have received in the aftermarket.”
“The Ouzo Pro Aero was declared illegal by the UCI/ITU and production actually stopped for a spell. The Pro Peloton was created as an aero based UCI legal fork for this reason and Reynolds upped production on it. For a time last fall, it was even rumored that the Pro Aero was going to disappear altogether as the Pro Peloton crossed over so much with it and was UCI legal.”
“The Ouzo Pro Aero violated the UCI’s chord ratio (width to depth) and fork to tire rules (too narrow) and was deemed illegal in 2003 (I think). Knowing that they needed legal forks, Reynolds modified the Ouzo Pro Aero design with the UCI’s rules and the latest build inclination in triathlon (to use 43mm rake forks) into account and the result is the Pro Peloton. The Pro Peloton is not quite as deep as the Aero, but is close and is still a deep aero bladed fork. It also has a slightly wider fork crown area around the tire to meet UCI clearance rules. Otherwise, the materials used on the two forks are identical and the aesthetics are very similar. Because the Pro Peloton uses the longer rake and because it is not as deep, it tends to have a more supple ride than the Aero.”
I provided this only for informational purposes only. I acutally ride an Ouzo Pro Peleton and cannot comment on the Easton as I have never ridden it.
Good Luck
We keep getting conflicting information on the availability of the Reynolds fork. I have heard more thn once that it is out of production or going out of production.
In the mean time, we have had excellent results with Easton forks. I can recommend those highly for a long list of reasons.
Chris, when your refering to "alignment issues, what specifically are you refering to? I’ve seen some good deals on Ebay for the Ouzo Pro Aero and wonder if they are suffering from these quality issues your refering to. Can you pm me with your source so I may inquire about this issue with them?
Thanks
Rex
FYI. Here are some excerpts from an email exchange I had several months ago with a buddy of mine in the industry when I inquired about the Pro Aero:
“The quality of the few Ouzo Pro Aeros that were shipping this year was inconsistent. Many had alignment issues and had to be turned away for quality control reasons. We have had to do this with the Ouzo Pro Aero forks we have received in the aftermarket.”