What do you think of this fork? Does it actually do what it says it does? Would its aerodynamic advantage work at 20-25 mph? Is it worth 100 grams over other aero forks?
I’ve had one on my QR Aerial since Oct 04 just before IMH04. I have been quite happy with the change from the older but heavy highly regarded for it’s aerodynamics, Carbonaero fork. D Empfeld wrote extensively on its aerodynamics when it 1st and there just wasn’t much out there to match it until the A900 for aerodynamics. The one reason I repeatedly held off making a change as I didn’t want to give up an aerodynamics. The Easton Aero is about the closest but isn’t quite as aero but does weigh less.
It handled extremely well in the cross winds of IMH04 over the Carbonaero I used in IMH01. It felt so light compared to it I though the bike was running up the hills. Yes you will notice it at 20-25 but I am not sure you will notice something very measurable over another top aero fork. Depends on whats more important aero or weight and for a tt bike I’d go with the A900.
Barb
It is the best (read “most aero”) fork available for a TT bike. I’m surprised more bikes don’t use it. It’s a bit heavy, but it works. Also check out the Blackwell Research monster aero fork. Same “split” design as the A900, but MUCH deeper, as it is NOT UCI legal. But for triathlon, it will be faster.
This is a copy of an e-mail sent from our designer, John Cobb, to a customer regarding the Oval fork vs. others. Enjoy.
Our first model flow fork was very fast. I designed the Jetstream fork with the goal of building a fork that would fit into the UCI rules box that would be better than the old Carbonaero fork that was being used by Trek and several others at the time. None of these forks were as fast as the Lotus fork that was very popular until the UCI banned anything over 5cm wide. The competition the Jetstream had was the Reynolds Ouzo Aero and a “universal” aero fork made by Advanced in Taiwan. These forks are still spec’d on Cervelos, Felts, Javelins and many other bikes. The Jet stream was just a little faster, like 3-4 seconds on a 40k but it helped manage the airflow from the front wheel better. Our first Flow fork was designed to specifically help the front wheels. It is not UCI legal because it was 60mm wide, it was faster than the others by a margin of about 8-10 seconds on a 40k. I could not get the weight of that fork to where I wanted it and so I did a new design that incorporates the new Monocoque molding methods. Our new fork is totally badass. It’s 68mm wide, screw the UCI, its very definently the fastest fork out including the old Lotus fork. I further improved the wheel air flow mangement to reduce wheels watts an average of 5-7 watts and have greatly added to the steering stability of the overall bike.It’s pretty light, about 380 -390 grams and should cause quite a stir this coming season. Deliveries will start in March. Over a regular fork Like a reynolds aero, this should be worth 15 seconds on a 40k but at Ironman races with deep section race wheels it could total 5-6 minutes. This is a function of the watts saved by the wheel and the speed accumulates over a greater distance. Thanks, J Cobb
wow. i have to find a job real soon because i really have to have that fork and i want a blackwell 100mm wheel with that.
Do you happen to know in what price range the fork and the 100mm wheel will be (or is that a secret).
The fork will retail for about $450.00 and the 100’s for $1499.99 a pr.
How much for just the front wheel?
Blackwell 100 front–$699.99 Worth every penny. Fastest non-disc wheel ever made!!
Thanks for the info. When are they available?
mid feb. happy new year!!
wow thanks . I hope it will fit on my p3.
and a happy new year to you too.
Will there be a 650c version? 1" Steerer version?
Thanks!
Dave, what is the Front & Rear weight of the Blackwell 100 for the 700c’s?
Rex
I absolutly love my A900 fork. Unless you are trudging up a hill the fork rocks. It is a little heavier than others but it tracks like a dream and with wind and speed it definatly pays off. Sadly I am thinking of letting the fork go so I can build up a 650 bike and something has to give.
Our new fork is totally badass. It’s 68mm wide, screw the UCI…
I love this. 
700c 1 1’8 only. The mold was so expensive, we had to pick the most popular size. Sorry, maybe next year or you could call one of our fine Slowtwitch retailers and buy a 700c bike. Ha-ha
Happy New Year!!
No accurate weights yet. We have the rims finished and they look amazing. We are spec’ing the wheel with a different hub and super aero spokes (different from our original version), and they are not available yet. Stay tuned.