posted by Graham on january 16, 1997 at 17:47:21:
in reply to: re: Carbon forks over aluminium for Merlin posted by Eugene on december 21, 1996 at 20:15:25:
My experience with the difference between the aluminum fork and the Time fork is as follows:
I have ridden the aluminum fork for 3 years and was totally unhappy with it. It really reduces the handling and general feel that you paid super big bucks for. It s#*s! The faster that you pitch it the better! I have ridden the Time fork for 1 1/2 years with generally good results. The handling and feel is improved but not to the point of all the hype, riding and flying, not really. The Time fork is an improvement for sure, a "safety device" for the reasoning that the aluminum fork will fatigue with age and use. I saw a broken one, not from an impact but from coming unglued at the crown.
I can remember the first 50 feet of riding my new Merlin EL, huge happy grin and all, and the first impressions of the new toy. I can remember the "what is wrong with the ride, I was expecting more responsiveness" disappointment. The aluminum fork was slow and sluggish, I could see the fork deflecting and flexing. Urgh! Net cause of the disappointment, the s%@tty fork! I don"t know why I went for three years and 10000 miles with it.
Conclusion, it is time for the Time. The Merlin folks would recommend it over the Look or Kestrel. The Time fork comes in several rakes including a straight blade one, mine is a 43cm rake.