Aluminum Fork

[gsteitz]

So my 26" SS is now going to become a knock around bike. Almost exclusively street and lake pathways, which are very smooth gravel. Suspension fork is coming off and going to go rigid. I got a good deal on an exotics aluminum and am curious about all the aluminum warnings. Because of the gravel, probably always run a decent size tire.

Am I crazy?

[Bike Whisperer]

what "warnings"?

[gsteitz]

"warnings" regarding ride quality being too harsh etc.

[phsycle]

Street and pathways? Who cares? Aluminum will be just fine.

[Bike Whisperer]

Aluminum has a much shorter fatigue life than steel so it is made to be stiff by using oversized tubing. The exotic uses 34mm tubes so it will be pretty stiff, but if you run a large volume tire it will soften things up.

[borbntm]

I have the exotic aluminum fork on my beater 26" singlespeed......Great quality, works well for light trail duty, but can get a little harsh in the rocky stuff.

I would give it a thumbs up for your intended use.

[gsteitz]

Yes, intended use is super mild. Other choice is a Surly 1x1 but seems like Exotic will be fine.

Thanks for the feedback!