Rake Ache

I'm looking to buy a Dolan Track Champion frameset to use both on roads and down at Herne Hill. Ideally I'd like to be able to fit a brake.

The track forks supplied have 30mm of rake but no drilling, and I'm having difficulty finding drilled carbon forks with less than 40mm.
As far as I can tell, 10mm difference in rake, plus the increased crown clearance will completely change the handling.
Here's where I'm lost - a lot of people suggest it would ride like absolute shit, while others say it would actually be more comfortable on the roads, though a bit sluggish for the track.

I've done extensive research on this, but most results prove either inconclusive or contradictory, and I've no experience of playing around with rake and trail on track geometry, so could anyone who's actually done this shed some light? Would they genuinely make it more comfortable on the road, or would it just fuck up the handling (or both)?

Is it worth investing in both forks and swapping around when need be?

i just read an article on dave moulton's blog that said that greater rake leads to less trail meaning snappier handling.

Is it worth investing in both forks and swapping around when need be?

I think it could be.

The road forks will probably work fine at HH and yes they will feel more "comfortable" on the road. The only time I have seen extra rake to be a problem is on indoor tracks at high speeds. It does also sometimes make a bike more prone to "speed wobble". My frame came with some shallow raked forks and the only time they showed themselves was at Newport on the last lap of a sprint at 35+mph, when I swapped out to the regular Alpina track forks, this problem didn't happen again, the bike also felt steadier at high speeds.

i just read an article on dave moulton's blog that said that greater rake leads to less trail meaning snappier handling.

Yeah, see this is what confuses me. That would mean putting the on road forks = increasing the handling on what's already track geometry = sketchy as fuck. But then RPM and many others say it would ride more comfortably on the road, which seems conflicting to me.

The road forks will probably work fine at HH and yes they will feel more "comfortable" on the road. The only time I have seen extra rake to be a problem is on indoor tracks at high speeds. It does also sometimes make a bike more prone to "speed wobble". My frame came with some shallow raked forks and the only time they showed themselves was at Newport on the last lap of a sprint at 35+mph, when I swapped out to the regular Alpina track forks, this problem didn't happen again, the bike also felt steadier at high speeds.

Thanks RPM, this is very helpful. In that case, I think my best bet is to buy road forks for now, and then if need be I can buy the track specific when HH opens again.

Alternatively, does anyone know of some similar forks that are drilled? I've looked everywhere I can think of, but they all seem to start at 40 mm +

These are track and drilled. Not sure of rake though, guessing around 35mm

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tifosi_Carbon_Pista_Track_Bike_Forks_2010/5360045775/

Yeah, I found those. Can't find rake measurement for the life of me though.
Doesn't look to steep, so I think you're probably right.

These are track and drilled. Not sure of rake though, guessing around 35mm

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tifosi_Carbon_Pista_Track_Bike_Forks_2010/5360045775/

Checked the Q&A section, Wiggle say they're 45 mm. Blah.

But in the geo for the frame they go on, it says 35mm
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/cycle/7/Tifosi_Pista_CX_Single_Speed_Track_Frame_2009/5360040537/

Lovely, thanks RPM. Wiggle guru fail.
Also just found out the carbon forks included on the Nelson track frame are drilled, 35mm rake.
£85 at CycleBasket.
http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m15b1s546p804&rs=gb

Lovely, thanks RPM. Wiggle guru fail.
Also just found out the carbon forks included on the Nelson track frame are drilled, 35mm rake.
£85 at CycleBasket.
http://www.cyclebasket.com/products.php?plid=m15b1s546p804&rs=gb

I was going to mention that as I have a pair! The Cyclebasket site wasn't working so couldn't confirm whether forks were available separately.

i have a similar problem.i have a track champion and ive stuck some steel claude butler forks that my local bike shop had lying around.
ive no idea what the difference in handling is like as i never had the correct track forks but it seems ok to me, there is an almighty gap which does bother me and the ride is a bit harsh without carbon

new forks from crc for £45 look a bit better

I thought steel forks had some spring in them and would soften the ride over a carbon one? I have not used carbon so cant speak from experience though.

I thought steel forks had some spring in them and would soften the ride over a carbon one? I have not used carbon so cant speak from experience though.

You're right, steel forks should be comfortable enough. Unless they are built for out and out strength (BMX forks or that style).
Carbon forks are also good as they seem to remove some buzz.

I have tried both a fair bit and like both. The only forks I have ever used that were noticeably harsh were the alu forks on the original Langster

The only forks I have ever used that were bloody harsh were the alu forks on the original Langster

me too

Is there anywhere that sells 1" threaded forks with a rake of less than 45mm?

what's the name of that fork? and what's the rake?

I believe they're these:
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=44419

Rake is unspecified, and white version that meek.tv has has been discontinued.

Ok, don't care about the color, just want a carbon 1 1/8 fork with less than 30mm rake.. And preferably under 110. Anyone knows where i can get one?

Well that's what we were trying to find in this thread. The closest would be the Tifosi Pista forks at £112, 35mm rake, or the Nelson forks, £85, 35mm rake; both shown above.
As RPM pointed out though, it shouldn't be a problem unless you're doing high speeds. The extra rake would make the handling very slightly faster.

I should point out this was almost a year ago though. There may well be new models available, so it's worth hunting around online. If the rake isn't already stated, you can email online shops and they will often be able to tell you the rake.
If you do find anything, please report it here as I would still quite like to find some!

Yes, i have been looking alot, and found one that's 30, but i really wanted to go under 30mm.

Have you got a link to the 30mm ones you've found?

http://www.italian-solutions.co.uk/product.php?productid=161645

Ah, they're not drilled for a brake. Are you after track forks then or road?