Does anyone have any suggestions where I might be able to get some simple lugged steel forks? I have some chrome ones at the moment but I'm getting my frame resprayed soon and I'd love to have matching forks.

1" threaded? 1" threadless? 1 1/8" threadless? Need to run brakes? Rake an issue?

Needs more info.

I know Barrie Witcomb builds a mean set of forks, but you probably want something less than 100 quid right?

1 inch threaded with short rake. Need over 21cm steerer and drilled for a brake, allen key fitting. Looking for £50 or below really.

How much does Barrie do them for? I was contemplating some straight steel forks

ikea has some nice steel forks

habitat?

First I'd speak to Roberto as he's the King of Forks (as well as other 2nd hand stuff).

Basically, the market has become very barren of decent 1" threaded forks, let alone interesting ones with little rake etc. Probably the best/easiest one to get is the Soma Rush fork (will have to speak to Mosquito bikes). Should set you back about 60 quid and has an ok crown lug - but as its imported it may be more. You can also buy the Steamroller fork separately (but I think its threadless). I don't know of too many others that are easily available in the UK.

This is a decent fork (rake is a little slack) for the money, but you'll have to order from the states:
http://www.bikecult.com/works/parts/FKgenSB.html

However, pretty much feel 2nd hand/NOS is your best bet esp if you're going to get a new paint job anyway. Roberto often has fancy Colnago straight blades for not too much.

Rakan: Barrie's pricing structure really depends on materials, finish etc I'd expect to pay 100-150 quid for a fork from him.

I thought the Soma forks were threadless? Looks that way in the pics. I don't own one so can't confirm.
http://www.somafab.com/rushpix.html

Hippy your right, that is threadless. But they used to offer 1" threaded forks but maybe no longer? Still worth asking Mosquito as they're ok forks for the money (and a nice 31mm rake too).

when I was looking for a fork a couple of years back...nearly every bike shop in London had Tange threaded forks...chromed.....

That's progress for ya! :)

I had a real hard time trying to find a rigid mtb fork back in Oz since now EVERY friggin' mtb is at least hard-tail, even if the fork weighs 18kg and acts more like a pogo stick than suspension fork.. grr

I'm not a huge fan of the generic tange road forks. I had one on a frame for a while but it really did nothing for the handling. Replacing the fork with more sympathetic to the frame made huge difference to the responsiveness of the bike. It was like riding two different frames.

If you do go this route, don't get the unicrown tange fork, get the crowned one. The unicrown one is like a unibrow - it makes you feel weird and people laugh at you :)

Speaking of fork crowns..



Someone with a plated fork crown obsession: http://platedforkcrown.blogspot.com/

tange chrome forks nice have had them on my raliegh for a ear or so now tey look nice nicely lugged and polish up a treat
sure they are pretty strong too tange used to make nice bmx forks back in the day them or tioga were every puberty stricken boys dream back then

Thanks for all your help guys. It's not looking optimistic.

I currently have chromed and crowned Tange forks, but I'm not so hot on chrome forks from a purely aesthetic point of view. On an 80s Colnago racer, yes, but on my fixie I want a complete paint job. I'm now pretty much settled on selling my frame and getting a Bob Jackson. Then it's an improvement all round. If I were to get some new Soma/Jackson/Witcomb forks my Peugoet track frame would probably feel pretty jealous ;)

i remember seeing a cabinet of forks at brick lane bikes. all shapes and sizes, so you might find something in there.