Cycling Equipment · Public discussion

Bontrager Race Lite Road Fork

Andrew Martin · 2003-08-13T21:13:23+00:00

I asked questions about this fork before the season. It did ok, but has developed some very slight surface cranks on the dropouts. When I clean it up, it doesn't look as if they go into the aluminum at all (superficial only), but that just doensn't make much sense to me. Regardless, it has me worried enough to get a new for for next season. Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light without the hassle of the carbon steerer. Other options would be to go Ouzo, EC90, etc... Thanks -a

Started by Andrew Martin · 13 August 2003 · Last activity 25 August 2003 · 10 posts · 1,093 views

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01 / Original postBontrager Race Lite Road ForkAndrew Martin · 13 Aug 2003 02 / This pagePosts 1–10Page 1 of 1 · chronological order 03 / Latest replyPost #10Mike Jacoubowsk · 25 Aug 2003

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Original section: Cycling Equipment
Published: 13 August 2003
Last activity: 25 August 2003
Original author: Andrew Martin
Posts: 10
Discussion status: Public discussion
Total views: 1,093
Views / 30 days: 0
Topics: Torque wrenches

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Original post
Andrew Martin
Archived post

13 August 2003, 21:13 UTC #1

I asked questions about this fork before the season. It did ok, but has developed some very slight
surface cranks on the dropouts. When I clean it up, it doesn't look as if they go into the aluminum
at all (superficial only), but that just doensn't make much sense to me. Regardless, it has me
worried enough to get a new for for next season.
Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light without the
hassle of the carbon steerer. Other options would be to go Ouzo, EC90, etc...
Thanks -a

Report
Mike Jacoubowsk
Archived post

14 August 2003, 05:13 UTC #2

Quoted message said:
Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Quoted message said:
Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light without
the hassle of the carbon steerer.
steer tube, but apparently with an aluminum section at the top (where it's clamped). The problem
with carbon is that it really doesn't like to be squeezed, so you have to be very careful with the
stem clamp and really, really, really should use a torque wrench when tightening a stem onto one (as
if anybody does that!). TREK is a very conservative company, recognizes that people don't use torque
wrenches, and so came up with a way to build a really light fork but still minimize the problems of
over-tightening a stem... and thus the aluminum section on the steer tube.
I haven't seen one in real life yet, so I'm just going on what was leaked to me a while ago.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.com
"Andrew Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I asked questions about this fork before the season. It did ok, but has developed some very slight
surface cranks on the dropouts. When I clean it up, it doesn't look as if they go into the
aluminum at all (superficial only), but that just doensn't make much sense to me. Regardless, it
has me worried enough to get a new for for next season.
Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Quoted message said:
Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light without
the hassle of the carbon steerer. Other options would be to go Ouzo, EC90, etc...
Thanks -a

Report
Robin Hubert
Archived post

14 August 2003, 14:43 UTC #3

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light without
the hassle of the carbon steerer.

Quoted message said:
steer tube, but apparently with an aluminum section at the top (where it's clamped). The problem
with carbon is that it really doesn't like to be squeezed, so you have to be very careful with the
stem clamp and really, really, really should use a torque wrench when tightening a stem onto one
(as if anybody does that!). TREK is a very conservative company,

recognizes
Quoted message said:
that people don't use torque wrenches, and so came up with a way to build

a
Quoted message said:
really light fork but still minimize the problems of over-tightening a stem... and thus the
aluminum section on the steer tube.
This sounds suspisciously like True Temper's Alpa Q. (and I don't think Trek "came up with" it.).
Any connection?
Quoted message said:
I haven't seen one in real life yet, so I'm just going on what was leaked

to
Quoted message said:
me a while ago.
--
Robin Hubert <[email hidden]

Report
Mike Jacoubowsk
Archived post

16 August 2003, 00:13 UTC #4

Quoted message said:
This sounds suspisciously like True Temper's Alpa Q. (and I don't think Trek "came up with" it.).
Any connection?
Which version of Alpha Q? I went to True Temper's website, and couldn't find anything like what I
described (although there are a number of different Alpha Q forks, so it could be I missed it).
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com

Report
Robin Hubert
Archived post

16 August 2003, 03:44 UTC #5

"Mike Jacoubowsky/Chain Reaction Bicycles" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
This sounds suspisciously like True Temper's Alpa Q. (and I don't think Trek "came up with"
it.). Any connection?
Which version of Alpha Q? I went to True Temper's website, and couldn't find anything like what I
described (although there are a number of different Alpha Q forks, so it could be I missed it).
I mean, regarding the glued-in steer-tube insert.
--
Robin Hubert <[email hidden]

Report
Andrew Martin
Archived post

16 August 2003, 06:13 UTC #6

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light without
the hassle of the carbon steerer.

Quoted message said:
steer tube, but apparently with an aluminum section at the top (where it's clamped). The problem
with carbon is that it really doesn't like to be squeezed, so you have to be very careful with the
stem clamp and really, really, really should use a torque wrench when tightening a stem onto one
(as if anybody does that!). TREK is a very conservative company, recognizes that people don't use
torque wrenches, and so came up with a way to build a really light fork but still minimize the
problems of over-tightening a stem... and thus the aluminum section on the steer tube.
I haven't seen one in real life yet, so I'm just going on what was leaked to me a while ago.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.com
"Andrew Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
I asked questions about this fork before the season. It did ok, but has developed some very
slight surface cranks on the dropouts. When I clean it up, it doesn't look as if they go into
the aluminum at all (superficial only), but that just doensn't make much sense to me.
Regardless, it has me worried enough to get a new for for next season.
Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light without
the hassle of the carbon steerer. Other options would be to go Ouzo, EC90, etc...
Thanks -a
Looks like Al Steerer to me...?
bontrager.com03BT fork tripleXLite.jpg Alloy steerer works with all
stem clamp styles OCLV110 carbon crown substantially reduces weight

Report
Mike Jacoubowsk
Archived post

17 August 2003, 05:44 UTC #7

Quoted message said:
Looks like Al Steerer to me...?
bontrager.com03BT fork tripleXLite.jpg Alloy steerer works with all
stem clamp styles OCLV110 carbon crown substantially reduces weight
I agree; from the photo, it appears that most of the steer tube is aluminum, not carbon. I'll know
more next week, after my latest visit to the land of cheese, brats & beer.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.com

Report
Mike Jacoubowsk
Archived post

24 August 2003, 08:13 UTC #8

carbon fork does, indeed, have a nearly full-length aluminum steer tube bonded onto a carbon-fiber
stud that comes out of the top of the fork. It is also very much a Bontrager/TREK creation and not
made by an outside fork company.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.com
"Robin Hubert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light
without the hassle of the carbon steerer.

Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
steer tube, but apparently with an aluminum section at the top (where

it's
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
clamped). The problem with carbon is that it really doesn't like to be squeezed, so you have to
be very careful with the stem clamp and really, really, really should use a torque wrench when
tightening a stem onto

one
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
(as if anybody does that!). TREK is a very conservative company,

recognizes
Quoted message said:
that people don't use torque wrenches, and so came up with a way to

build
Quoted message said:
a
Quoted message said:
really light fork but still minimize the problems of over-tightening a stem... and thus the
aluminum section on the steer tube.
This sounds suspisciously like True Temper's Alpa Q. (and I don't think Trek "came up with" it.).
Any connection?
Quoted message said:
I haven't seen one in real life yet, so I'm just going on what was

leaked
Quoted message said:
to
Quoted message said:
me a while ago.
--
Robin Hubert <[email hidden]>

Report
Andrew Martin
Archived post

25 August 2003, 22:24 UTC #9

"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
carbon fork does, indeed, have a nearly full-length aluminum steer tube bonded onto a carbon-fiber
stud that comes out of the top of the fork. It is also very much a Bontrager/TREK creation and not
made by an outside fork company.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.com
"Robin Hubert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
> Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
> Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with my frame, but it's light
> without the hassle of the carbon steerer.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
steer tube, but apparently with an aluminum section at the top (where

it's
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
clamped). The problem with carbon is that it really doesn't like to be squeezed, so you have
to be very careful with the stem clamp and really, really, really should use a torque wrench
when tightening a stem onto

one
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
(as if anybody does that!). TREK is a very conservative company,

recognizes
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
that people don't use torque wrenches, and so came up with a way to

build a
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
really light fork but still minimize the problems of over-tightening a stem... and thus the
aluminum section on the steer tube.
This sounds suspisciously like True Temper's Alpa Q. (and I don't think Trek "came up with"
it.). Any connection?
Quoted message said:
I haven't seen one in real life yet, so I'm just going on what was

leaked to
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
me a while ago.
--
Robin Hubert <[email hidden]>
Thanks Mike - good to have the insiders here. Did they mention color options? I've got a 5500 frame
now (USPS Blue fork) and the black may look a little rough. I'm a [censored] for the aesthetic of my
ride, so - any chance it will come in Silver or a matching blue?
-a

Report
Mike Jacoubowsk
Archived post

25 August 2003, 22:24 UTC #10

Quoted message said:
Thanks Mike - good to have the insiders here. Did they mention color options? I've got a 5500
frame now (USPS Blue fork) and the black may look a little rough. I'm a [censored] for the aesthetic of
my ride, so - any chance it will come in Silver or a matching blue?
TREK will paint forks in different colors, to take care of those who need a new one because they
crashed etc. However, the color palette is relatively limited, typically just the current colors
they're painting carbon road bikes. There will also be a bit of an upcharge, typically about $50 or
so. Your local dealer can run things down for you without too much trouble.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com
"Andrew Martin" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:<[email hidden]>...
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
carbon fork does, indeed, have a nearly full-length aluminum steer tube bonded onto a
carbon-fiber stud that comes out of the top of the fork.

It
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
is also very much a Bontrager/TREK creation and not made by an outside

fork
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
company.
--Mike-- Chain Reaction Bicycles chainreactionbicycles.comchainreactionbicycles.com
"Robin Hubert" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
"Mike Jacoubowsky" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
"]news:[email hidden]...
> > Which brings me to my follow-on question: Any word on the new
the
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
> > Klein fork? It's black with red, so it will look like hell with

my
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
> > frame, but it's light without the hassle of the carbon steerer.
>
carbon
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
> steer tube, but apparently with an aluminum section at the top

(where
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
it's
Quoted message said:
> clamped). The problem with carbon is that it really doesn't like to

be
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
> squeezed, so you have to be very careful with the stem clamp and

really,
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
> really, really should use a torque wrench when tightening a stem

onto
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
one
Quoted message said:
> (as if anybody does that!). TREK is a very conservative company,

recognizes
Quoted message said:
> that people don't use torque wrenches, and so came up with a way to

build a
Quoted message said:
> really light fork but still minimize the problems of over-tightening

a
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
> stem... and thus the aluminum section on the steer tube.
This sounds suspisciously like True Temper's Alpa Q. (and I don't

think
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
Trek "came up with" it.). Any connection?
> I haven't seen one in real life yet, so I'm just going on what was

leaked to
Quoted message said:
> me a while ago.
>
--
Robin Hubert <[email hidden]>
Thanks Mike - good to have the insiders here. Did they mention color options? I've got a 5500
frame now (USPS Blue fork) and the black may look a little rough. I'm a [censored] for the aesthetic of
my ride, so - any chance it will come in Silver or a matching blue?
-a

Report

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