from Rookie’s keyboard,
Hello, friends
I have a confession to make. I genuinely prefer steel forks over carbon. Why? Because steel forks better “springiness” than carbon while being much tougher. The only downfall of iron forks is that they are heavier. But since I am not a weight weenie, I care not.
Some will say that this is a biased opinion and that wouldn’t be entirely incorrect, I guess.
So, let’s make a detailed comparison
Compliance
Steel forks are more compliant than carbon forks.
In this case, the term compliance refers to the vertical flex of the fork’s blades.
Compliant forks kill the “road buzz” (soften the ride) and subsequently reduce the stress on the wrist, elbows, and shoulders.
Many retro steel forks are extra flexible because at the time road racers had to cycle on unpaved roads. Besides tire settings, “flexy” steel forks were the only way to make the ride more “plush”.
The shape and thickness of the fork matter too. Steel forks designed for disc brakes are known to be stiffer because disc brakes put extra stress on the blades. As a result, disc brake steel forks are overbuilt and lose some of their springiness.
Weight
Carbon component’s main advantage is that they’re significantly lighter than steel models.
The table below compares the weight of steel and carbon forks:
| Model | Weight | Model | Weight |
| Ritchey Comp Carbon Road Fork 1″ | 467g | Surly Cross-Check Cyclocross Fork | 1000g |
| Ritchey Comp Carbon Road Fork 1 1/8″ | 540g | BLB Classic Fork Chrome | 720g |
| Ritchey WCS Carbon Cross Fork – 1 1/8 Inch | 478g | SPA CYCLES Steel Road Fork | 1005g |
| Salsa Waxwing 700C/650B Gravel Carbon Fork | 520g | TSUNAMI Steel Lugged Fork 700c | 730g |
| Columbus Minimal Carbon Fork – 1 | 340g | SOMA Lugged 49 Road Fork | 980g |
| Columbus Pista Leggera UD Carbon | 560g | Surly Steamroller Fork | 1000g |
| Simplon F-1010 Monocoque Carbon 28″/700C | 540g | Salsa CroMoto Grande 29″ | 1108g |
| Simplon F-10.2 Monocoque | 490g | Surly Disc Trucker 28″/700C | 1200g |
| Average: | 491.8g | Average: | 967.8g |
Conclusion: On average, carbon forks are 50.81% lighter than steel forks. Therefore, if your ultimate goal is to have the lightest possible bike, then carbon is the way to go.
Resilience
Steel is much tougher than carbon on impact. A quality steel frame or fork can take a lot of abuse and develop a great number of scratches before getting close to failure.
Carbon components, on the other hand, aren’t as strong when it comes to impact and have to be inspected for damage routinely. A scratch may turn into a crack and eventually lead to a broken fork.
Failure
Both steel and carbon components can fail suddenly, but this outcome is a million times more common with carbon. Steel is more likely to bend before failing whereas carbon gives fewer or no signs before breaking spectacularly.
Stiffness
Currently, carbon components are stiffer. The main benefits are increased responsiveness and greater efficiency.
Additional Benefits of Steel Models
- Plenty of Eyelets
A steel fork is more likely to come with eyelets for fenders and front racks. This may seem trivial, but it’s a big deal if you intend to use your bicycle for commuting or touring.
There are ways to circumvent the absence of fender eyelets, but the options aren’t as aesthetic and as convenient as having dedicated mounting spots.
That said, the model of the fork is more important than the material. Some steel forks have no eyelets at all (e.g., the models found on race bikes) whereas some carbon forks come with multiple eyelets (e.g., gravel forks).
Lower Anxiety
Carbon forks have to be inspected for damages regularly because even the slightest crack can cause the disintegration of the fork. Steel, however, isn’t as “needy” and does not require frequent exams.
Also, you’re more likely to find someone who can repair a damaged steel component than a carbon one. This is very important for touring cyclists who often visit destinations that lack the comfort and technological advancements of a developed city.
Elegance
Steel bikes have a vintage appearance that modern aluminum and carbon models cannot match.
A steel road bike looks elegant thanks to the smaller diameter of the tubes and their flow. If the frame and fork are lugged, the style points are even higher.
Meanwhile, carbon and aluminum forks and frames have a futuristic, somewhat robotic appearance lacking warmth.
Easier Modifications
A welder can easily add additional mounts to a steel fork. It’s also possible to turn a basic steel fork into a cargo fork with a little planning and welding. Thus, if you like to tinker with your bikes, steel components are a good, accessible option.
Lively Spring Feel
Traditional steel bikes are known for their lively spring feel. The entire bike feels like a resonating spring.
Conversely, carbon and aluminum components are a bit dead and stiff (in a bad way) because they don’t flex as much. Of course, a carbon fork can be made very compliant but even in that case, it feels a bit “artificial” and robotic/plasticky.
“Carbon Fighting Back”
Below are some properties of carbon that some riders enjoy:
Modern look
Some people find carbon highly aesthetic and appreciate its modern appearance. If you want your bike to look “up-to-date”, carbon will help you achieve that goal.
Aero
Steel forks are made of round tubing whereas carbon allows the production of more aerodynamic blades that cut through the wind better.
The decreased drag is so slim that one can even label it as inconsequential, especially when it comes to recreational riding.
Tire Suppleness > Fork Flex
Regardless of the material, rigid forks cannot match the comfort that a set of supple tires can provide.
А combination of a stiff fork and wide tires running at low PSI will smoothen the ride more than a flexy steel fork coupled with skinny tires operating at high air pressure.
If comfort is the highest goal, it’s wiser to look for a fork that can give you enough clearance to run wide tires. Only then the material comes into play.
For the smoothest possible ride (with a rigid fork), it’s best to look for a compliant steel fork supporting wide tires and operating with V-brakes or cantilever brakes.
V-brakes and cantis are preferred because caliper brakes greatly limit tire width whereas disc brakes require the fork to be extra stiff due to the greater stress on the blades.
The Extra Grams of Steel Components Don’t Matter…
The weight of a bicycle matters the most during acceleration. Once the bike is up to speed, the extra grams become harder to feel.
The weight difference between steel and carbon forks is substantial, but it matters only in a racing situation.
If you’re a recreational rider, your performance will not be hindered to a perceivable degree.
It’s also worth noting that those extra grams reach greater importance only when the cyclist is in top condition himself.
Someone who’s 35% body fat will be hindered a lot more by the extra layers of fat that they’re carrying than the extra 500 grams that come with a steel fork.
As the old saying goes: “You’re the heaviest ‘component on your bicycle.”
A Note On Carbon Marketing
At the moment, carbon dominates the high-end bicycle market. You will find it on top of the line road, mountain and gravel bikes.
For that reason, many manufaturer try to put a carbon fork on non-carbon frame.
By adding a carbon component to a bike and combining it with a classic steel frame, the industry is creating a hybrid bike that offers the best of the old and new.
That said, many enthusiasts consider the combo unsightly because carbon has a spaceship look that doesn’t compliment the elegance of a steel frame.
TL: DR;
- Steel forks offer more flex and reduce the vibrations reaching the rider. This quality, however, does not apply to every steel fork.
- Steel forks are more robust and can take greater abuse thanks to the resilience of the material.
- Carbon forks can be compliant but are usually built stiffer for extra responsiveness and efficiency.
- Carbon forks weigh significantly less than the widely available steel models. Their low weight and stiffness make them a logical choice for racers looking to maximize their time. However, the gains are not as important to recreational riders.
Until next time,
Rookie
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