Putting A Chinese Carbon Fork To The Test | DIY Carbon Rigid MTB Fork Review

[@scherzo0o]

can you provide a link to the website you bought from?

[@RideYearRound]

www.diycarbonbikes.com/collections/rigidmtbforks

[@jamessher6956]

I bought a Trifox rigid fork for my steel SS mtn bike. After 3 months no issues and great performance. $165 delivered.

[@kingsalami142]

I converted my Salsa Timberjack to a rigid urban grocery-getter with a set of DIY Carbon MTB wheels (w/ Novatec hubs) and the carbon Enve knockoff fork you've got. After about 2 yrs. and a few hundred miles, I'm extremely impressed with the weight, functionality, build quality! The fork dampens road chatter pretty well, and the geo is dialed to replace a 120mm fork. The wheels have been great, too -- no issues at all, and the weight savings for the $ I spent is pretty impressive. Highly recommended!

[@asher1371]

Diy carbon is a reseller, and their RDO style fork is from ICAN - they have the same exact blueprint/diagram, and I CAN has a US warehouse and $17 cheaper (not sure about the difference after taxes and fees) LaMere Cycles in MN also sells rigid carbon forks for about the same amount.

[@billydeewilliams8909]

I did a lot of shopping like this to replace the 130mm Fox 34 on my 2020 Santa Cruz Chameleon. I ultimately settled on the Trek 1120 fork (I actually bought the RSD aluminum 510mm atc fork but returned it), which is also 510 atc, and it's been fantastic. It's more expensive than the DIY carbon fork options, but it was only like $50 more than the RSD aluminum, and $200-ish less than the other big brand carbon forks. It also helped me support my friends at my local Trek.

[@outbackwack368]

I've been running 2 sets of Light Bicycle Chinese carbon wheelsets for gravel and MTB (MTB was $570 and gravel was $1000) and they both are excellent. Light, fast, true and so far reliable. I can't complain and fully trust them. And I have Topeak Versa cages mounted on my MTB forks and downtube that are bombproof. They haven't moved 1mm thanks to using 3M 2228 tape as a backing. Thanks!

[@RideYearRound]

I've heard good things about Light Bicycle...been pretty interested in their fat bike wheelsets.

[@samj1185]

It almost seems the DIY, BXT and Trifox products came out of the same mold. All review well and the price is very attractive. Detailed review though I do wish you had showed the DIY fork in detail.

[@michiganstate149]

My 220# twin brother has been running the DIY Carbon hardtail frame for the last 2k miles without issues. We race XC and have FTPs of 350+w. Safe to say that's confirming a good build.

[@liamdayetti]

Any updates on how it's going?

[@michiganstate149]

​@@liamdayettiit cracked around the BB at about 3000 miles. Bear in mind this was raced hard and in areas an XC hardtail probably shouldn't have gone. It was warrantied. Ended up selling the frame and getting an aluminum frame. For what it was, it was great. And if not being pinned all the time by a big guy, I suspect it would last a long time.

[@MikeinCC]

Great video! I have a 2019 Salsa TJ sitting in my garaged that I’ve stripped most of the parts from, including the fork. Seth (Berm Peak) put a cro-mo Surly fork on his but the steel is way heavier than the carbon, and almost the same price. I like what you did and will probably go this route. Also like how you show both your MTB version and the gravel-iced version. The TJ has so much versatility. Now you gave me some ideas! Edit: Looks like DIY Carbon only no carries one 15x110 variant.

[@jasongordon761]

I've got the same. Have taken it on enduro rides down steep terrain. No issues whatsoever.

[@wizzelhoart]

thank you for this. I'm trying to convert my mtb to a city all-arounder and all the cheaper ebay rigid forks don't go past 470mm. Would love to see a "how-to" from you on how someone can do it themselves

[@ssmtb]

Great video, any comments on the ride quality? Harsh vs Compliant?

[@mbinzayed]

Hey thanks for the video, what is your experience after 2 years of use ?

[@terryhollands2794]

Thank for the review, I am looking to do the same with my hardtail. 😊

[@kris8165]

145€ for that fork atm... I found a exactly the same looking fork,on the German Amazon,priced 139€ + 21€ for shipping! Planet X Selcof fork is around 180€! I can't afford another beyond that price range, because I don't have money for anything more expensive! Money is always tight 😌 Greetings from the everyday bicycle abuser from Croatia 😎

[@SamEagle17]

Interesting video. Have you taken the fork out and given it a full inspection? I’m very leery of carbon fiber frames and especially forks. Catastrophic failures are rare, but I have seen way to many videos of discovered cracked steerer tubes from even the most lauded brands. I’m sure you will keep an eye on it. I’m impressed with your mechanics skills and enjoy watching all your tinkering.

[@RideYearRound]

Yeah I took the fork out the other day when I swapped to flat bars. No visible issues at all. I used to be leery of carbon as well but after riding a "cheaper" carbon fat bike for a couple years and taking some good spills/having a lot of rocks fly up with no damage I feel a lot more confident now.

[@sepg5084]

@@RideYearRound any update on the fork's condition? I plan to buy one of these but around 90% of my riding is on asphalt-paved hillclimbs and downhills. If this breaks on me, i might actually die ☠️ that's why i am kinda reluctant.

[@RideYearRound]

@@sepg5084 I haven't been using it the last few months (sold the frame it was on, still deciding what I want next), but it did great all summer on trails, dirt roads, and pavement. I don't see any signs of stress or cracking.

[@AK-oz4ew]

Chinese rigid carbon forks to test are $49+ forks sold on eBay or Amazon, this $155 is a super high end one compared to those :))))

[@quintonomous11]

Did you use the Wolf Tooth Crown racers or the "Wolf Tooth Lower Headset Cup Extender"? Thinking of doing a similar build but not familiar with the headset extenders.

[@RideYearRound]

The extender. It’s just a taller lower headset cup.

[@Whereisshellymiscavige]

Moloko bars for the win!

[@wizzelhoart]

hey can u make a video on how you measured your fork? having a hard time figuring out which size i need. I saw you also added some kind of ball-bearing spacer between the fork and frame?

[@Out2pedal]

What’s the travel of your original fork? Did it make a big difference in geometry? How’s the bb drop? Cheers!

[@RideYearRound]

It had a 120mm fork on it before, but since I added the 10mm lower headset cup, it wasn’t far off from the original geometry so the bb drop wasn’t even that noticeable with pedal strikes.

[@Out2pedal]

Im planning to get a rigid fork for my hardtail, the concern is my fathom has 130mm fork travel. Maybe I’ll try the lower headset cup as well. Cheers mate!!

[@jasongordon761]

Haha same thing happened to me regarding the wrong fork from diy carbon! 😅

[@nonypeneyra6811]

im also planning to convert my old MTB to a gravel bike, this was very helpful. by the way, what is the handlebar on your bike that has yellow bartape? Thanks~!

[@RideYearRound]

Glad it helped! That bar is the Surly Corner Bar.

[@eda0076]

Great info thanks 👍👍

[@NeRR2]

How is the fork a year later?

[@VictorCevallos-e6k]

Is it possible jump a drop with that type of fork?

[@liamdayetti]

Any updates on this? How's it holding up?

[@joema2044]

How did it ride?

[@billnu]

Are you a full corner bar convert now? I’m agonizing over a choice with the Moloko or the corner bar. Or the terminal bar.

[@RideYearRound]

I love the corner bars, but if I could only pick one I’d still pick the Moloko (for what I ride most). I love switching them out though and using the corner bar for a few weeks here and there.

[@billnu]

@@RideYearRound I just picked up one each of the corner bar and the terminal bar from my LBS. I was planning to give the terminal bar to my wife but after trying both on my 2012 hardtail the terminal bar stayed there. Love the sweep back and it’s really nice for commuting, I will need to get either another terminal or a Moloko for that bike so my wife can have one too. I didn’t like the corner bar on that particular bike but I have a 90s mtb and a multitrack that will get it next. I’m sure I can find something to use it on.

[@MarkoSimenc]

How is the fork doin today. Do you still riding it on your bike?

[@RideYearRound]

I haven't been using it for awhile now, I sold the bike it was on. I still have the fork and plan to use it on another build soon. It did great while I used it though.

[@MarkoSimenc]

@@RideYearRound Thanks for you answer

[@Nicky_Pin_It]

I know alot of guys building fatbike wheels using the chinese knockoff carbon rims and having zero issues with them.

[@nendinosaurus]

180 standard rotor size or? Did you have to pay customs/import duty?

[@RideYearRound]

No unfortunately it’s 160mm so you have to use an adapter. No customs/import duty, free shipping, no tax.

[@bsn1n-diezjohnkzee116]

What’s the size of your frame?

[@RideYearRound]

Large

[@kevindean9613]

I've noticed the whiskey is also made in China

[@gotboostedvr6]

Not only did you ride one Chinese carbon fork but several? You are a legend sir. Maybe consider posting your go fund me page so we can contribute to your future medical bills.

[@nendinosaurus]

Did you measure the AC height? Spec sheet on their website says 485, but on the drawing it says 480

[@RideYearRound]

Just measured but it’s hard to get a super accurate reading since technically the measurement goes through the center of the fork. From the front measured 481, on the rear measured 486.

[@alexaex1146]

Great attention!!! 😡😡😡😡 Order only if you are ready to lose money!!! On 02.01.2024 I ordered a bicycle fork from them and I still haven't received the product until today 13.02.2024. I did not receive a tracking number for the package. After I contacted them, they promised to return my money, but they didn't do that and they don't answer my email anymore. You cannot write negative reviews on their website. Be very careful with this store, I do not recommend it!!! 😡😡😡

[@testdirver]

aliexpress cost $50 to $100 usd that cheap

[@IVANMTB]

Hi friend! good video and I give you my like! greetings #ivan_mtb