pros and cons of carbon forks vs shocks

[bgerould]

which would be better for tour divide carbon forks because of the wash board roads or shocks

[Ty]

Kurt Refsnider gave a thumbs up to the White Brothers carbon rock solid fork in this write up he did about his 2011 rig.

http://salsacycles.com/culture/kurt_refsniders_2011_tour_divide_setup

On the front end, I mounted a White Brothers Rock Solid rigid fork with an aluminum steerer and carbon legs. While it’s not the lightest rigid fork out there, the fore-aft flex in the round carbon legs absorbs washboard vibrations better than any other fork I’ve ridden. Should I ever race the Divide again, you’ll see me on this same fork.

From the picture below it looks like Ollie Whalley used a Niner rigid fork up front to win the race in 2012.



I've been looking into different ways to setup my own bike and a rigid fork will be one of the options.  Not sure which one yet.

[bgerould]

Thanks Ty ,
from what Ive been reading this seems to be the train of thought that because there is more wash board roads than rough single track carbon forks absorb more. I'm planning on racing the divide this year maybe I'll see you there.

[ascar_larkinyar]

i have not ridden "those" washboards, but we have them in my area and shocks only mildly make them more comfortable.  the main thing is that they go on for too long of a time that is comfortable. 
they are more annoying than anything else.  i tend to go as fast as possible just to get them over with.  they suck at any speed IMO

[benajah]

I've certainly not done anything resembling that distance but since 29ers became more common, going full rigid is more and more popular. I can't help but think at that distance the mechanical reliability of full rigid would be a selling point too.