Suspension fork/Carbon Steerer Tube?

Question

Im wondering if there are any aftermarket carbon steerer tubes out there for MTB forks (suspension). I have seen some late model forks that come with carbon steerer tubes straight from the factory.

Is it still a developing idea or is it tried and trued?

Answer 1

Do mean like replacing your existing steerer tube with a carbon one? No. Nobody does that.

If you mean, are there forks you can buy that have carbon steer tubes, sure. The bikes that come that way from the factory, find out who makes the fork and contact them. If it's a Trek/C'Dale/Giant/whatever, ask at the bike shop. You'll probably have to special order it.

Or, cruise the internet. The only one I found was the RockShox SID carbon.

Me... I wouldn't do it. For that kind of cash, you'd save, what, a half pound maybe? On some bling that nobody can see, and gives you a higher risk of sudden failure, landing you on your face... not for me, thanks.

Scott

Answer 2

You can't change the steerer tube, although you could conceivably change everything above the stanchion on a fork to get the effect. It's pretty much pointless though. You're not going to get any noticeable difference worth the investment and effort. You are better off upgrading to the fork of your dreams when you are ready.

Answer 3

you may be able to upgrade your crown, stanchion and steerer assembly for one that is carbon within the same manufacturer & model of fork e.g. upgrading an existing rock shox reba with an alloy steerer to the reba carbon steerer.

The problem with this is that it is pointless; carbon steerers weigh less, but you need a special steerer plug with carbon steerers instead of the traditional star nut assembly, these 'bungs' weigh more than a star nut, and so overall a carbon steerer assembly is probably less durable and weighs no less.