Introduced last year, we got our first look at Whisky Parts Co.’s lineup at Interbike. Now, we’ve got hands on with what’s quickly become one of their top sellers, particularly to the handmade crowd that’ll be exhibiting at NAHBS this year.
The No.7 carbon fiber disc brake cyclocross fork is one of several aftermarket disc forks ready to help you upgrade. Where it differentiates is in price -MSRP is $345- and features. It’s the only full carbon model we’ve seen that has post-mount disc brake mounts and fender eyelets and mounts. The latter gives it life well beyond the ‘cross racer, putting it into contention for lightweight (ie. non-loaded) bikes and bad ass stealth commuters.
Actual weight with uncut steerer is 546g.
It’s a straight leg design with fairly thick crown and legs, giving it a very different look than the glossy, wide 3T Luteus we also have on review.
Another difference between the Whisky and the new forks from 3T and ENVE is the inclusion of a bonded alloy sleeve at the base of the steerer tube. Brand manager Jason Grantz says it’s not structural, just designed to give that section a consistent diameter/tolerance for the crown race.
Our test model has the full carbon fiber tapered steerer tube. They offer a straight 1-1/8″ version with an alloy steerer tube, and they’re working on a full carbon straight steerer model for release later this year. Grantz says they’ve had to add a bit of material around the base of the steerer tube on the straight carbon version and beef it up to properly handle the inherent stresses at that location and pass safety testing.
The front of the crown is all business.
The back features a fender mount and brake hose guide.
The crown’s bulk should line up nicely with external lower cup bottom brackets, likely to be found on many 44mm head tubes from custom builders, and with inset bottom brackets on tapered headtube frames.
At the bottom, the dropouts have metal inserts to protect the carbon fiber. Fender mount eyelets give the fork more versatility. And lawyer tabs. Good ol’ lawyer tabs.
The fork comes in a very understated matte carbon. It includes black and white stickers if you want to gussy it up a bit. Personally, we like the stealth look straight outta the box.
One thing not included is an expansion plug or top cap. Grantz recommends FSA’s expansion plug because it has a metal surface that grabs the carbon better, but says any 28.6 plug will work. He says the plugs are really just to pull everything tight during assembly and that once the stem is clamped on properly, it holds it all together.
This fork will be going on several bikes over the next couple of months for testing.
