I have nothing against well made aluminum forks but no one is making them. Two places in China are making ALL of the carbon fiber forks withy a couple of cottage industries making a small amount.

So I've been looking for a good steel fork for my Fondriest steel frame.

Since there is almost nothing I've bought everything from a fork kit to a unicrown fork which I absolutely hate but is better than nothing and finally found a Scapin fork today. This fork is chromed so I won't have to paint it.

?The total cost of all of this junk is less than half of what it would cost to have a Waterford fork made so I can actually ride the bike and see if I like it enough to have a custom fork made.

I looked into the Waterford and while a bare fork is only (ONLY?) $425, in the straight leg chromes version, it would be more like $600. Likewise from Tommasini.

Now while I haven't any problems improving a good bike I have plenty putting money into a bike that may be a stinker. My Tommasini rides very well with a fork that wasn't made properly and is a little long for a 700c wheel. I will eventually get a steel fork custom made from Tommasini. The slightly long fork gives it a little less trail than it needs so it steers well at speed but slower (my speed) it is a little quick steering.

The Basso is too long for me so that will be sold off. The Moser is a great bike but it needs 25 mm tires to fit the fear triangle and that is too narrow for someone 195 lbs.

The Scapin fork is a good fork by a good builder and should give me a good idea of how the bike will ride. Also it appears (from the photos) to have a little more trail than a stock fork would. So that makes it even better for a test platform.

I am trying to grasp this "need for speed" that seems to be presently grasping the sport of cycling. After I couldn't race anymore, I did ride with a couple of people that were fast but I also rode with a couple of people that while not slow were not intent on riding as fast as you could go and I enjoyed their rides more. What's more - the two fast guys no longer ride because it simply hurt too much.

I want to be able to ride fast enough to finish rides in a reasonable time. But I do not need to ride until I have leg cramps for three days. Averaging 11 mph over a metric century is fine with me and at 78 that's good enough..

On Friday, January 6, 2023 at 12:34:48 PM UTC-8, Tom Kunich wrote:
> I have nothing against well made aluminum forks but no one is making them.. Two places in China are making ALL of the carbon fiber forks withy a couple of cottage industries making a small amount.
>
> So I've been looking for a good steel fork for my Fondriest steel frame.
>
> Since there is almost nothing I've bought everything from a fork kit to a unicrown fork which I absolutely hate but is better than nothing and finally found a Scapin fork today. This fork is chromed so I won't have to paint it.
>
> ?The total cost of all of this junk is less than half of what it would cost to have a Waterford fork made so I can actually ride the bike and see if I like it enough to have a custom fork made.
>
> I looked into the Waterford and while a bare fork is only (ONLY?) $425, in the straight leg chromes version, it would be more like $600. Likewise from Tommasini.
>
> Now while I haven't any problems improving a good bike I have plenty putting money into a bike that may be a stinker. My Tommasini rides very well with a fork that wasn't made properly and is a little long for a 700c wheel. I will eventually get a steel fork custom made from Tommasini. The slightly long fork gives it a little less trail than it needs so it steers well at speed but slower (my speed) it is a little quick steering.
>
> The Basso is too long for me so that will be sold off. The Moser is a great bike but it needs 25 mm tires to fit the fear triangle and that is too narrow for someone 195 lbs.
>
> The Scapin fork is a good fork by a good builder and should give me a good idea of how the bike will ride. Also it appears (from the photos) to have a little more trail than a stock fork would. So that makes it even better for a test platform.
>
> I am trying to grasp this "need for speed" that seems to be presently grasping the sport of cycling. After I couldn't race anymore, I did ride with a couple of people that were fast but I also rode with a couple of people that while not slow were not intent on riding as fast as you could go and I enjoyed their rides more. What's more - the two fast guys no longer ride because it simply hurt too much.
>
> I want to be able to ride fast enough to finish rides in a reasonable time. But I do not need to ride until I have leg cramps for three days. Averaging 11 mph over a metric century is fine with me and at 78 that's good enough.

Digging around in the garage3 I discovered my propane torch and inside the box was also silver braze and flux. I have two bottles of propane and but since Andrew warned me that I couldn't get hot enough I've ordered the modern version of MAPP gas known as MAP gas. I received the parts to make a fork from Harry Havnoonian who if memory serves was a pretty good custom frame builder The crown was a little bit splayed so I put it in the vice and have it down to close to the correct size. I will finish it after I braze and finish the leg lengths and install the fork ends. The Threadless steering post is very long and fits perfectly into the cast fork crown. I am trying to think whether I should chrome the fork or try to paint it similar the rest of the frame.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/203968387393?hash=item2f7d769941:g:wdsAAOSw2xRYdTVT&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoPjoX2VAcxfl9y3oC19Zs0927yRJXLzXNg%2BbFuDwf5gOK%2BGy6e2PDLcTeycsj44udct3GQUMZ49dJQWk%2BZ5JqbjNgbUCS0sg6B8U7S%2Fp8CEwIBNXMcwTr5rp0um4SsQ7Z%2F2B7FV8C8BU7wV7IHku7da2fhiLm8c5YkYBkgNefSHaHMlPnoO862n9FuxTZGWLvD9RUduqoN6AGPTFbCmzIz4%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zupdezYQ

This is a complicated race team pattern but since there are some castings that would have to be finished before chroming it might be better off painting.

Any thoughts on the matter?

On Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 9:56:41 PM UTC+1, Tom Kunich wrote:
> On Friday, January 6, 2023 at 12:34:48 PM UTC-8, Tom Kunich wrote:
> > I have nothing against well made aluminum forks but no one is making them. Two places in China are making ALL of the carbon fiber forks withy a couple of cottage industries making a small amount.
> >
> > So I've been looking for a good steel fork for my Fondriest steel frame..
> >
> > Since there is almost nothing I've bought everything from a fork kit to a unicrown fork which I absolutely hate but is better than nothing and finally found a Scapin fork today. This fork is chromed so I won't have to paint it.
> >
> > ?The total cost of all of this junk is less than half of what it would cost to have a Waterford fork made so I can actually ride the bike and see if I like it enough to have a custom fork made.
> >
> > I looked into the Waterford and while a bare fork is only (ONLY?) $425, in the straight leg chromes version, it would be more like $600. Likewise from Tommasini.
> >
> > Now while I haven't any problems improving a good bike I have plenty putting money into a bike that may be a stinker. My Tommasini rides very well with a fork that wasn't made properly and is a little long for a 700c wheel. I will eventually get a steel fork custom made from Tommasini. The slightly long fork gives it a little less trail than it needs so it steers well at speed but slower (my speed) it is a little quick steering.
> >
> > The Basso is too long for me so that will be sold off. The Moser is a great bike but it needs 25 mm tires to fit the fear triangle and that is too narrow for someone 195 lbs.
> >
> > The Scapin fork is a good fork by a good builder and should give me a good idea of how the bike will ride. Also it appears (from the photos) to have a little more trail than a stock fork would. So that makes it even better for a test platform.
> >
> > I am trying to grasp this "need for speed" that seems to be presently grasping the sport of cycling. After I couldn't race anymore, I did ride with a couple of people that were fast but I also rode with a couple of people that while not slow were not intent on riding as fast as you could go and I enjoyed their rides more. What's more - the two fast guys no longer ride because it simply hurt too much.
> >
> > I want to be able to ride fast enough to finish rides in a reasonable time. But I do not need to ride until I have leg cramps for three days. Averaging 11 mph over a metric century is fine with me and at 78 that's good enough.
> Digging around in the garage3 I discovered my propane torch and inside the box was also silver braze and flux. I have two bottles of propane and but since Andrew warned me that I couldn't get hot enough I've ordered the modern version of MAPP gas known as MAP gas. I received the parts to make a fork from Harry Havnoonian who if memory serves was a pretty good custom frame builder The crown was a little bit splayed so I put it in the vice and have it down to close to the correct size. I will finish it after I braze and finish the leg lengths and install the fork ends. The Threadless steering post is very long and fits perfectly into the cast fork crown. I am trying to think whether I should chrome the fork or try to paint it similar the rest of the frame.
>
> https://www.ebay.com/itm/203968387393?hash=item2f7d769941:g:wdsAAOSw2xRYdTVT&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoPjoX2VAcxfl9y3oC19Zs0927yRJXLzXNg%2BbFuDwf5gOK%2BGy6e2PDLcTeycsj44udct3GQUMZ49dJQWk%2BZ5JqbjNgbUCS0sg6B8U7S%2Fp8CEwIBNXMcwTr5rp0um4SsQ7Z%2F2B7FV8C8BU7wV7IHku7da2fhiLm8c5YkYBkgNefSHaHMlPnoO862n9FuxTZGWLvD9RUduqoN6AGPTFbCmzIz4%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zupdezYQ
>
> This is a complicated race team pattern but since there are some castings that would have to be finished before chroming it might be better off painting.
>
> Any thoughts on the matter?

I keep my fingers crossed. Don't burn your house ;-)

Lou

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 6:12:54 AM UTC-8, Lou Holtman wrote:
> On Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 9:56:41 PM UTC+1, Tom Kunich wrote:
> > On Friday, January 6, 2023 at 12:34:48 PM UTC-8, Tom Kunich wrote:
> > > I have nothing against well made aluminum forks but no one is making them. Two places in China are making ALL of the carbon fiber forks withy a couple of cottage industries making a small amount.
> > >
> > > So I've been looking for a good steel fork for my Fondriest steel frame.
> > >
> > > Since there is almost nothing I've bought everything from a fork kit to a unicrown fork which I absolutely hate but is better than nothing and finally found a Scapin fork today. This fork is chromed so I won't have to paint it.
> > >
> > > ?The total cost of all of this junk is less than half of what it would cost to have a Waterford fork made so I can actually ride the bike and see if I like it enough to have a custom fork made.
> > >
> > > I looked into the Waterford and while a bare fork is only (ONLY?) $425, in the straight leg chromes version, it would be more like $600. Likewise from Tommasini.
> > >
> > > Now while I haven't any problems improving a good bike I have plenty putting money into a bike that may be a stinker. My Tommasini rides very well with a fork that wasn't made properly and is a little long for a 700c wheel. I will eventually get a steel fork custom made from Tommasini. The slightly long fork gives it a little less trail than it needs so it steers well at speed but slower (my speed) it is a little quick steering.
> > >
> > > The Basso is too long for me so that will be sold off. The Moser is a great bike but it needs 25 mm tires to fit the fear triangle and that is too narrow for someone 195 lbs.
> > >
> > > The Scapin fork is a good fork by a good builder and should give me a good idea of how the bike will ride. Also it appears (from the photos) to have a little more trail than a stock fork would. So that makes it even better for a test platform.
> > >
> > > I am trying to grasp this "need for speed" that seems to be presently grasping the sport of cycling. After I couldn't race anymore, I did ride with a couple of people that were fast but I also rode with a couple of people that while not slow were not intent on riding as fast as you could go and I enjoyed their rides more. What's more - the two fast guys no longer ride because it simply hurt too much.
> > >
> > > I want to be able to ride fast enough to finish rides in a reasonable time. But I do not need to ride until I have leg cramps for three days. Averaging 11 mph over a metric century is fine with me and at 78 that's good enough.
> > Digging around in the garage3 I discovered my propane torch and inside the box was also silver braze and flux. I have two bottles of propane and but since Andrew warned me that I couldn't get hot enough I've ordered the modern version of MAPP gas known as MAP gas. I received the parts to make a fork from Harry Havnoonian who if memory serves was a pretty good custom frame builder The crown was a little bit splayed so I put it in the vice and have it down to close to the correct size. I will finish it after I braze and finish the leg lengths and install the fork ends. The Threadless steering post is very long and fits perfectly into the cast fork crown. I am trying to think whether I should chrome the fork or try to paint it similar the rest of the frame.
> >
> > https://www.ebay.com/itm/203968387393?hash=item2f7d769941:g:wdsAAOSw2xRYdTVT&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoPjoX2VAcxfl9y3oC19Zs0927yRJXLzXNg%2BbFuDwf5gOK%2BGy6e2PDLcTeycsj44udct3GQUMZ49dJQWk%2BZ5JqbjNgbUCS0sg6B8U7S%2Fp8CEwIBNXMcwTr5rp0um4SsQ7Z%2F2B7FV8C8BU7wV7IHku7da2fhiLm8c5YkYBkgNefSHaHMlPnoO862n9FuxTZGWLvD9RUduqoN6AGPTFbCmzIz4%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zupdezYQ
> >
> > This is a complicated race team pattern but since there are some castings that would have to be finished before chroming it might be better off painting.
> >
> > Any thoughts on the matter?
> I keep my fingers crossed. Don't burn your house ;-)

I am more likely to burn my fingers cooking a hamburger.

On Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 7:30:24 AM UTC-8, Tom Kunich wrote:
> On Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at 6:12:54 AM UTC-8, Lou Holtman wrote:
> > On Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at 9:56:41 PM UTC+1, Tom Kunich wrote:
> > > On Friday, January 6, 2023 at 12:34:48 PM UTC-8, Tom Kunich wrote:
> > > > I have nothing against well made aluminum forks but no one is making them. Two places in China are making ALL of the carbon fiber forks withy a couple of cottage industries making a small amount.
> > > >
> > > > So I've been looking for a good steel fork for my Fondriest steel frame.
> > > >
> > > > Since there is almost nothing I've bought everything from a fork kit to a unicrown fork which I absolutely hate but is better than nothing and finally found a Scapin fork today. This fork is chromed so I won't have to paint it.
> > > >
> > > > ?The total cost of all of this junk is less than half of what it would cost to have a Waterford fork made so I can actually ride the bike and see if I like it enough to have a custom fork made.
> > > >
> > > > I looked into the Waterford and while a bare fork is only (ONLY?) $425, in the straight leg chromes version, it would be more like $600. Likewise from Tommasini.
> > > >
> > > > Now while I haven't any problems improving a good bike I have plenty putting money into a bike that may be a stinker. My Tommasini rides very well with a fork that wasn't made properly and is a little long for a 700c wheel. I will eventually get a steel fork custom made from Tommasini. The slightly long fork gives it a little less trail than it needs so it steers well at speed but slower (my speed) it is a little quick steering.
> > > >
> > > > The Basso is too long for me so that will be sold off. The Moser is a great bike but it needs 25 mm tires to fit the fear triangle and that is too narrow for someone 195 lbs.
> > > >
> > > > The Scapin fork is a good fork by a good builder and should give me a good idea of how the bike will ride. Also it appears (from the photos) to have a little more trail than a stock fork would. So that makes it even better for a test platform.
> > > >
> > > > I am trying to grasp this "need for speed" that seems to be presently grasping the sport of cycling. After I couldn't race anymore, I did ride with a couple of people that were fast but I also rode with a couple of people that while not slow were not intent on riding as fast as you could go and I enjoyed their rides more. What's more - the two fast guys no longer ride because it simply hurt too much.
> > > >
> > > > I want to be able to ride fast enough to finish rides in a reasonable time. But I do not need to ride until I have leg cramps for three days. Averaging 11 mph over a metric century is fine with me and at 78 that's good enough.
> > > Digging around in the garage3 I discovered my propane torch and inside the box was also silver braze and flux. I have two bottles of propane and but since Andrew warned me that I couldn't get hot enough I've ordered the modern version of MAPP gas known as MAP gas. I received the parts to make a fork from Harry Havnoonian who if memory serves was a pretty good custom frame builder The crown was a little bit splayed so I put it in the vice and have it down to close to the correct size. I will finish it after I braze and finish the leg lengths and install the fork ends. The Threadless steering post is very long and fits perfectly into the cast fork crown. I am trying to think whether I should chrome the fork or try to paint it similar the rest of the frame.
> > >
> > > https://www.ebay.com/itm/203968387393?hash=item2f7d769941:g:wdsAAOSw2xRYdTVT&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoPjoX2VAcxfl9y3oC19Zs0927yRJXLzXNg%2BbFuDwf5gOK%2BGy6e2PDLcTeycsj44udct3GQUMZ49dJQWk%2BZ5JqbjNgbUCS0sg6B8U7S%2Fp8CEwIBNXMcwTr5rp0um4SsQ7Z%2F2B7FV8C8BU7wV7IHku7da2fhiLm8c5YkYBkgNefSHaHMlPnoO862n9FuxTZGWLvD9RUduqoN6AGPTFbCmzIz4%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR5zupdezYQ
> > >
> > > This is a complicated race team pattern but since there are some castings that would have to be finished before chroming it might be better off painting.
> > >
> > > Any thoughts on the matter?
> > I keep my fingers crossed. Don't burn your house ;-)
> I am more likely to burn my fingers cooking a hamburger.

by the way, any opinions whether the bike would look better with a chrome fork or painted?