WTB/source for: 700c 1"threaded fork

[Patch T]

Hi Bunch!

Found a decent (and free!) triple butted steel frame (85 Univega Maxima Sport Mixte) to start a commuter I'm building for a friend. Trouble is, no fork.

Looking for a used steel fork or recommendations for a new one. 

• 1" threaded
• Any color, but black preferred. 
• Lighter/lightish steel also preferred.
• Headtube is about 110mm w/o headset; with headset installed, about 135mm from bottom of crown race to top of top race.
• Caliper brake. 
• Fender eyelets a plus, 
• + rack eyelets even better!

I'm close to buying this Soma Fork, but the only color I don't want is chrome. If I find nothing, I'll go this route (and if I do, the 140mm will fit, right?) Although I'd rather spend less than 100 shipped...

Thanks for your help!

Patch

BK/NY

[George Schick]

http://www.bikeman.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Road_Fork&CpField=&CpValue=&SortBy=price-asc

[Paul Brodek]

It's not always easy to find hard numbers on replacement forks, but IME modern affordable replacement steel forks are not particularly lighter/lightish in weight. I think it's both for production cost reduction and for a mfr liability cushion in the face of gov't safety regs. I just checked some of the loose forks around here, all steel blades/steerer:

No-name replacement; Origin-8?: 1090g (long threadless steerer)

Nirve Fairfax production fork: 1010g

Soma/Tange replacement: 920g (long threadless steerer)

'90s Bianchi Eros production fork: 880g (for 61cm frame; threaded steerer)

'79 Fuji America production fork: 820g (for 61cm frame; threaded steerer)

'00s Zanconato custom fork: 800g (beefy big-boy build; frame's name was "Stomp")

'80s No-name Columbus SLX road fork: 770g (for 61cm frame; threaded steerer)

'82 Proteus 531 custom: 710g (for 61cm frame; threaded steerer)

I suppose "lighter/lightish" is always a relative thing, as in compared to what?, but I'd think you'd have to be getting close to 800g in steel to qualify as lightish. You're going to find those as used higher-end vintage forks, not off the rack from Surly/Soma/etc.

My Soma fork looks fine---built well, nice finish, inspires confidence. But I wouldn't call it lightish.

Paul Brodek
Hillsdale, NJ USA   

[Pete B]

I'd call or email Soma before buying the fork you linked to, and ask about brake compatibility and tire clearance. The one you linked to is made for short-reach brakes. Soma sells a 1" threadless version, in black, with fender eyelets. That one is designed for medium/standard reach brakes (which probably what the Univega came with) and should handle a bigger tire. If you haven't already, you might want to take a close look at the top tube and downtube for signs of damage. There's always a chance the original fork was irreparably damaged in a crash. That, or it was donated to replace a fork that was.

The frame might've been free, but if it costs you $200 plus labor to put a ho-hum fork on there, or you later discover frame damage from a long ago accident, it's not good value. I'd think you could pretty easily find a frame and fork of the Univega's quality for much less than $200. Sorry to be a downer.

Pete

Arlington, VA

[Patch T]

Thanks for your advice everyone!

Paul, I appreciate all of those weight comparisons! Weight is indeed relative. This perspective helps.

Pete, the frame looks true, I've checked and keep checking obsessively, but you're absolutely right about that possibility. 

Looks like the linked option isn't a smart one for the reasons provided. Good news is I have all winter to build, so I"ll definitely hold out for something low cost - the rest of the build is from the parts bin and I think I'll keep it that way (fortunately my labor is free, too!)

Anyone else have something lying around let me know. 

Thanks again

Patch

BK/NY