Ritchey's long history of supporting the need of cyclocross racing includes fork development of all kinds, and the Tom Ritchey-led company has also produced some of the lightest, sweetest riding carbon road forks for the last two decades. Bringing all of their carbon development and construction experience to bear in the WCS Carbon Tapered All Road Cross Fork, the company has produced a very capable440 gram 1⅛ to 1¼ tapered steerer full carbon fork that shrugs away the forces and impacts of cyclocross or gravel racing, as well as managing the power and torque of hub mounted disc brake forces.

The specs are up to date, with a 12/100mm thru axle interface and direct mount disc brake caliper standard. You have the option of 140mm rotors, but can adapt the caliper to space out for 160mm. The rake is 45mm, while the axle-to-crown measurement is 395mm, which should give you room for a 700x45mm tire from most manufacturers. 6mm of clearance is on either side of the tire, so Width As Measured (WAM) once mounted on the rim is the best way to asses fit. The slightly curved legs offer a little give and attenuate vibration nicely, yet fully resist twisting and deflection under load. The full carbon legs use an aluminum insert system for your threaded thru-axle. Ritchey molds on a housing guide for clean external brake hose routing.

The fork is considered a full carbon model, and is built with UD carbon fiber, laid up as a full monocoque construction. The 49mm diameter crown features an integrated 45 degree headset crown race, and is compatible with any integrated or external cup headset that employs a 45 degree lower bearing angle. Despite the light weight, the WCS Carbon Cyclocross Tapered Disc Brake Fork is impressively stiff, and as expected from Ritchey, rides like a dream. The rake and axle to crown also matches up well with many 1¼" headtube gravel and adventure bikes. Just check your specification carefully. Ritchey finishes the fork as a Matte UD carbon effect with a simple WCS logo down the fork leg, so it will complement virtually any frame color or material. One of our favorite expanding carbon steerer compression plugs is included.