1" Threaded Steel Fork Recommendations

[SFP]

Figured lets ask the roadie crowd as I am the first to admit, I am not a full-fledged roadie.

I have a '96 Softride Solo frameset (700c, non-disc) coming home in the next couple of weeks with the stock Kinesis aluminum fork and I am thinking of swapping in a steel fork instead.

Ideally I'd like to find a Ritchey but they are rarer then hensteeth by the looks of it here on the west coast of Canada.

Thoughts & recommendations for something to look for?

Thanks in advance folks.

Scott

 

[bikeworkshop]

Did you consider a period carbon fork? Time perhaps?
It would be a lot lighter, look about right and be a softer ride.

You'd probably want a unicrown fork for a visual match, most of which are strong but heavy in steel.

Forks are often rarer than frames, so the owners don't want to sell them much.

Good luck

 

[Canuk]

I've got a penchant for Reynolds 753 forks. They have that 'just right' balance of lightweight and plush ride. Carbon 1 inch forks can be pretty 'wibbly wobbly' and twitchy if they've not got steel steerers, which kinda defeats the purpose of light weight.There's an nos set on eBay, looks like they were made for the Peugeot Perthus 753, legendary frame imo.

https://ebay.us/m/VxvtiM

 

[SFP]

I've got a penchant for Reynolds 753 forks. They have that 'just right' balance of lightweight and plush ride. Carbon 1 inch forks can be pretty 'wibbly wobbly' and twitchy if they've not got steel steerers, which kinda defeats the purpose of light weight.There's an nos set on eBay, looks like they were made for the Peugeot Perthus 753, legendary frame imo.

https://ebay.us/m/VxvtiM

LOVE my Reynolds tubing. My dream bike is a Bob Jackson Elite 753 .

A friend has located a fillet brazed by Tom himself Ritchey fork, but has yet to get me a price.... from the pics it is beautiful looking, although a faded yellow paint job... if I had to guess I would think 86 to 92 maybe as the era (not sure there is a way to date them exactly).

My MTB rigids I have ridden Ritchey Logic forks since the early 90's... love the feel of them, which was what got me thinking about a pair for the new rode bike.

Not a fan of carbon anything myself.

I know that the Kinesis aluminum fork was used on top builds like Merlin's and such, and I have ridden them before they just never did anything for me.

As for the extra weight, hell this is a Softride Solo (aka beam bike)... I'll be lucky to get her under 24lbs without spending a small fortune.