Talbot Path Racer

Mmm as I supposed, not really designed for that, so they might fail:

http://practicalcycles.com/products/234260--axiom-axlerunners-add-on-mudguard-eyelets.aspx

When was cost ever a concern to dammit?!

The bike in this thread is a prototype- a prototype for the Path Racer you can buy on the Talbot site, as such we need a fork that is affordable and repeatable.

If we take the ENVE fork on the Time Machine we have a £460 fork which Ryan charged me £200 to alter and £100 to paint. A £760 fork, which is as ridiculous as it sounds.

However, it's a one off, for a specific bike, and unique is never cheap etc etc.

But that means nothing when it comes to the Path Racer model which, if we are to offer it with a disc brake needs a fork in the £200 - £300 range I think.

If we could find one.

Surely for the production model, it makes sense to open a dialogue with a Chinese manufacturer? Get a sample sent over first, etc?

It's a question of volume and capital- we build to order, it's a very lean process in that we don't have lots of capital tied up in stock, which is handy as we don't have lots of capital.

To be taken seriously by a Chinese or Taiwanese manufacturer we'd need to order in a fairly significant number of forks- which a) ties up capital and b) creates a risk that we end up holding stock that has been rendered obsolete by, say, Columbus introducing a £190 road disc fork with eyelets that is freely available.

I would love to have a fork made, don't get me wrong- but we're not selling the volume (yet!) that makes it a practical proposition.

who's to say the forks need to be specific to the path racer? could you not sell the forks by themselves, thus fitting a niche in the market so you get them sold, creating more people who know about talbot frameworks, and you can then use them on the path racer?

regarding the "what if columbus..." - as long as you do things quick enough, enough people hear and you're not over what they charge, you'll probably be fine

The Randonneur needs the same fork, it is true, and it seems that as you say other people might want said forks.

I'll have a think about it.

Hmm.

I know Ed's already mentioned this and you've said no .. but if this is for the production version then considering offering a steel fork makes sense, at least in my opinion too. Practically, as it's built to suit the purpose .. and commercially, people considering this I think, would be looking to use it in the urban environment ? ..

What is the opinion of the Hive mind- would the people of LFGSS buy the Path Racer with a steel fork?

I would!

Personally I'd prefer a carbon fork if I were buying one, it would be lighter and I'd assume handle better. Also I think it would look more in keeping with the frame but scoble's elephant with the steel disc fork looks pretty damn good.

Probably best to let buyers have the option rather than fixie skidders determine it for your customers.

We could make a steel disc fork now, it'd be straightforward, insofar as these things are straightforward anyway.

I would.

Carbon fork for me

make it with a tapered headtube and you will have more options.

It's a 44mm headtube- can take a tapered steerer fork with an external bottom cup, just need to use a slightly shorter tube.

Everything DJ said.

I personally don't have a problem with steel. It's just usually carbon is lighter and more comfortable for less money. So accept for looks, say on Ed's Oak, why would you choose steel nowadays?

This seems like a unusually unique senario. If you only wanted carbon + 'guards there are quite a few options now.

What's the Enve one pictured?

I'd like to know- I have asked Solarider (for it is his bike)

ENVE CX fork, modified in a very similar way to my RD.

Release agent into the mould, twill and resin, then use the former to press it into shape whilst the resin goes off.
Sound about right?

Yes, although I wouldn't use the former or buck to hold it in place. Use some release film and peel ply, and then vac bag it. Oh, and don't use plaster of paris for the mould. Once you've made the buck, and polished it to a shiny polish, make the buck out of CSM glassfibre and polyester resin. For example, making my carbon fibre car seat

Buck:

Mould:

Seat (in untrimmed state):

@Dammit

What's the saddle wrap bag here? (couldn't find the specific CP thread for it)

Looks like an Arundel Tubi bag.

I'm looking at this bike and seeing an alternative to this Shand

https://www.flickr.com/photos/77395241@N00/14894636366/lightbox/

that's why I'm thinking it's a viable option to offer ..