Bike Weights, Carbon Stiffness and steel Comfort

  I suppose I can post this [here] since no one really looks at this page anymore.  Probably one of the darkest corners of the web there is.  Who's going to read this?  Just a handful...

  Thank you for your patronage.  Both of you.

 

  If you're a bicyclist and you involve yourself in the many forums dedicated to riding, or even one, then you know there's a debate about carbon framed bikes versus steel framed bikes.  Lightness versus comfort.  

  For a long time something hasn't made sense to me.  The idea of putting stiff carbon forks on frames of metal.  Whether it's aluminum, steel or titanium.  The concept seems backwards.  Like taking the front suspension off a car or motorcycle.  Only in the world of bicycles is the basic equivalent done.

  A steel fork is compliant.  It gives when enough force is applied to its design because, well, it's designed that way on purpose.  It's meant to give a little.  It absorbs energy whereas a stiff carbon fork transmits that same energy away from the source in all directions equally.

  A possible solution?  Take that carbon frame and stick a fork in it.  But make it a steel fork.  My (uneducated) guess is you'll have a very light frame and much smoother, more compliant ride for a nominal weight gain you may not even notice.  Or maybe you will at first, but I bet that ride will be less punishing.