Carbon fork on aluminum bike?

[pll]

Hello,

I would like your advice. I have a 2003 Felt F 85 (all aluminum), and, during long rides (50-100 miles), the vibration is very harsh on my hands. Has anyone upgraded an aluminum fork to a carbon fiber fork? Would it be worth the investment in terms of dampening 'road noise' a bit? This bike cost $500 when I bought it; I would like to do more centuries before upgrading the bike (not for a year, at least).

-pll

[Tuckervill]

My Trek 1000 is aluminum and has a carbon fork. I don't really know if it makes a difference or not. I prefer steel, but my steel bike isn't operational at the moment, so I can't test it out.

It can be done, though.

Karen

[pll]

Thanks Karen,

I think I should rephrase my question: has anyone tried an all aluminum bike and an aluminum bike with a carbon fork? comparing both, does a carbon fork make a noticeable difference in terms of vibration / smoothness of ride, or would the upgrade be marginal at best?

My next bike will not be made of aluminum for sure!

Patricia

[KnottedYet]

I have had one aluminum frame bike. It came with a steel fork. I have a feeling that most aluminum bikes have steel forks because alu is just too fragile to make forks out of?

You might want to check yours. Is the fork alu or steel? (kitchen magnet will tell you if it isn't posted somewhere on the fork)

If it's steel, you might be best off just hanging on until you can upgrade the whole bike. From what I've gathered just trading a steel fork for a carbon one won't make that much of a difference to a $500 alu frame bike.

After a year or so I traded my alu bike/steel fork for another full steel bike. Much kinder to my hands, and the rest of my body!

If it were me (and it isn't, but it's what I just did last month!) I'd save the $$ to put toward a new bike, then trade in the alu bike for a full steel.
(I traded up for a Surly Cross Check.)

[ehirsch83]

Another option is to upgrade your handlebars. They can carry a lot or a little vibration. I know when I was building up my new bike I had take off bars from another bike at the shop while waiting for mine to come in. The take off bars were the lowest of the line easton aluminum bars, and after a short 25 mile ride my arms and hands wouldn't stop shaking from all the vibration. Since I got my new carbon bars, I haven't felt one bit of vibration.

Another option is to get dampening bar ends put in(I think bontrager makes a set).

Just a thought, bars will be cheaper than a new fork and they might make a difference.

[pll]

Thank you Knotted and Emily!

Yes, unfortunately the fork is aluminum in this case, 6061 alloy (proudly displayed on each side).

The suggestion about the vibration dampers is really intriguing and, at the price point, very much worth a try. If found the Bontrager parts you mention: "Bzzzkill Harmonic Dampers."

-pll