aluminum despite being lighter, it is stiffer than steel.
in layman term steel can absorb shock better than AL. hence a self-conscious assembler will not use al fork with al frames.
Do not pry al fork wider. it is a bad idea. in layman term it-is-a-bad-idea.

Hi guys, greetings!

I am SerioseCat a beginner adult cycler.  I am 32.  I usually do jogs, between 4-5km daily whenever its not raining.  Until my knees started to show signs of....hurt.  So I needed something low impact high calorie-burn and I dont prefer stationary stuff like threadmills/static bikes (unless to build strength, on rainy days) cause i love fresh air, sunlight(and sunburn), wind and everything else outside the house.

By beginner, I dont mean just beginning to start cycling again, I am beginning to start learning how to cycle!  Before this month I have almost zero experience on a bicycle, never had a bike during my childhood, always drove a car and not a motorcycle etc.

So i bought a cheap MTB (because they are tough and learn2gears) and learned how to balance and pedal, knowing very well and accepting I (and my bike) would eat the asphalt sooner or later. 

So, I loaded my MTB into my Kembara and brought it to a deserted end road (still asphalt) at the edge of my housing estate.  I am doing this all alone btw.
Luckily, first few days of doing so I managed to ride without fall.  Did stopped short and grazed the wheels/pedals to the curb though. 

Then I cycled to the nearby Surau once I can maintain a straight line, stop/start quickly, and able to apply the brakes confidently.

Then I cycled around my Taman.  Initially early dawn at 6am so not much cars with helmet, gloves, and front/rear blinking lights.  And theres light at the back of my helmet too. 

Then i cycled in the afternoons to expose myself to the traffic to build confidence.  Had been doing like 2-3km per day when I had my first fall when i hit one of those housing area small tall bumps which are not painted properly.
I tried to stand on the stock slippery pedals and I had some hesitation.  Next thing I know I was on the ground impacting my chest with knuckle and knee abrasions.  So yeah, it eventually came.  My pants and gloves didnt tear surprisingly.  And I am quite relieved i didnt injure myself too badly.  I was concerned of a pneumothorax due to the chest impact.  Hurts like hell.

So I had a Root Cause Analysis- Change the pedals to a more grippier one, wear padded shorts so if i didnt manage to stand in time i can just absorb that evil bump, and get a knee protector.  And most importantly do not stop trying.  There.  Im ready to fight another day lol.

Then I slowly increased my distance bit my bit and I think I am ready to do what I wanted to do all these while- ride on trails/paths (which is safer, more scenic, and adds more distance) like Putrajaya Botanical Gardens and maybe FRIM or anywhere else I can pack and drive a bicycle to.

So next step is to get a good folding bike once I have done my falling dues on the cheap MTB.  And start the scenic riding to pump up the spirit!

So thats there, just sharing around my experience as an adult cycling noob.  Never too late to try and....fail early and fail often (i think thats something i read along the federal highway).

Any cyclists just starting out like me?

Nice to meet ya all!

lots of carbon fork. even got carbon frame…
very personal preference, just try and see if you like them or not.

im using carbon fork 

1st of all
u need headset (litepro will do it) for dahon/tern/java and compression plug for ur handle post to tighten it. u also need to cut the stearer tube according to ur current fork.

2ndly
after the completion of the installation, after few ride u need to tighten back. the compression plug will come outside stearer tube after few rid. but now no problemo. dont know what my friend do

if u wanna used carbon, i recomended u to used half carbon like java ira. the stearer tube is aluminium. easy to maintain..

but for the riding experience,
the best for what i can get when using small tyre like durano

mine are vbrake. since i already change to 451 wheelset, i need to use caliper brake and it fits well..



normally caliper disc hole are universal. but still there is an adapter to fix it if cant fit.u also can use caliper brake (long arm type) like tektro r559 on ur current wheelset. it is nice to have both vbrake and discbrake compatible wheelset.

from ur pix i saw ur bike didnt use threadless headset like dahon (normal bike) does. maybe need to study how to clamp the fork.

there are 2 types of handlepost.

this one is normal for dahon, tern, java and few other bikes. this handlepost used threadless headset

where else

this handlepost look like ur bike. same handlepost with trinx folding bike using threaded headset

when converting ur fork to carbon fork
its imposible to use ur current handlepost. look at the green label. those parts will damage ur fork if tighten.



when using full cabon fork with carbon stearer tube u need special compression plug to tighten the handlepost with it (left image). and if u using aluminium sterer tube, u need to use this starmut (right picture)


this is the look of normal dahon bikes (same as tern and java) that using threadless headset.

currently ur headset also are different. this is the sample of threaded headset



IMHO ur frame will not fit the carbon fork.try check 1st what type of ur headset and handlepost u are using right now before buy..

p/s: my previous problem as using full carbon fork (carbon stearer tube) is this compression plug alway loosen after few ride.



but now my problem already solve (dont ask how, my friend do it for me)

oh ya, when playing with carbon do remember to find torque special tools to tighten ur carbon things. if over tighten the carbon wilk break 😵

in that case, u can use the carbon fork.

try find brand like mosso or java, i've seen before this brand do carry alu stearer tube.

happy hunting bro!

Hahahaaa    That's why the Rohloff internal hub gearing systems has only 14 speed. And the gearing ratio has almost if not slightly more spectrum than a 30 speed conventional derailleur setup. I have a friend who used the Rohloff on his MTB and I can't catch up with him during our ride in Cameron Highland. And no fuss over the front chainrings/FDs as well.

PS/And he uses the Gates belt drive system too. No need to lubricate his drivetrain at all !

but the price for Rohloff is .........

i prefer heavy bike… am looking at ways to double my bike weight. would appreciate all suggestions.

Hi sifus, I roughly make up my mind on what to get as my first foldie. One more question, to get steel frame or aluminum frame? Which one easier to be taken care of? Thanks for all the guides

Mind to share your build setup? Hehe

Nice, at least you how what parts you needed.
I am still long way in learning about bike.
How much total cost of your bike?

hi bro, actually what frame do u use. I try to source at taobao, but seems like i cannot achieve RM800 budget for similar setup..

happy weekend everyone!