SEVEN DAY CYCLIST
CYCLING, BUT NOT USUALLY RACING

At 70 kilos, I don’t tax components in the same fashion as heavier riders might. However, no discernible flex when belting along dirt roads at 20 plus mph, or braking hard to avoid deer, kamikaze rabbits and other woodland animals along lumpy 1in 7 descents. A few exposed, low profile tree roots required a bit more concentration but only induced a gentle rippling through the fork legs. 

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Even in these contexts, with the heavier wheel and quick release (as distinct from thru axle), there was no discernible squirm at the dropout. Talking of which, the “lawyers' lips” sit just the right side of retentive, preventing unwanted release, without hampering intentional wheel removal. 

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Being lighter than the Cro-moly blades, while mechanical sensitivity is always a good thing. Sweeping around, or gently lifting the front end to avoid holes, kamikaze rabbits and other potential hazards proved that little bit easier.

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Clearance 

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Admittedly, going the front full-length mudguard route hoisted it a good deal higher than “ideal” and on a very windy day, will create a fair bit of air resistance. However, otherwise, its offered decent protection from wet, grotty stuff and clogging a moot point. I’ve run 1.9 and 2-inch mixed terrain/dual purpose models and could go to 2.3inch without causing mischief.

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Durability/Care 3.5/5

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Though cursory inspection suggested the fork was finished to a high standard, this has proven so. I placed some Zefal Skin Armor  where dynamo and brake cabling were tethered, or brushed against the stanchions. 

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A precautionary measure, since wet, gritty stuff tends to get trapped here during winter and rapidly becomes a paint and lacquer chewing abrasive. Despite the inevitable pings from stray stones and similar projectiles, the lacquer remains unblemished-not so much as a swirl several hundred miles later. 

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Ditto the painted ends. Washing and a periodic lick of high-quality automotive wax should lock the elements out. I periodically strip and inspect carbon forks thoroughly, usually coinciding with headset overhaul. I’ve had similar feedback from people who’ve run them for a few years, suggesting that Carbon Cycles have their quality control and bonding technologies well and truly sussed. 

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Value 4.5/5

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Ok, so you can still buy a packet-fresh rigid five piece, “school chair” Cro-Moly fork for £90 and lighter models with disc and touring friendly braze-ons for £120 or so. However, £160 for a carbon fork, one meeting EN and DIN standards is seriously good going, especially one catering for older mountain bikes running 26” wheels. There are some unbranded full carbon offerings cropping up on auction sites going for less than £100 but difficult to discern standards and with no official distributor things could prove very fraught, dare I say, expensive should something go wrong.

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Summary 

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The Carbon Cycles Exotic MTB fork with disc and V brake mounts is a relatively inexpensive way of bringing some extra zing to an older mid to higher end mountain bike. Especially during the winter months when suspension’s merits are less obvious, heft and complication less welcome. It's also a good bet for riders of older, mid-upper end mountain bikes that have been reinvented as gravel/cross machines.