New fork made in north Portland. (Photos courtesy Echos Communications)
Portland-based builder Chris Igleheart has teamed up with another bike industry legend on an old fork design made new again. The Yo Eddy! Road Fork is based on the 1995 version first released by Chris Chance of Fat Chance. Now the two bike-making veterans have updated its design to modern standards.
Igleheart works out of his shop on Page Street in North Portland where he specializes in frames and forks. Check out the official release below:
Fat Chance Releases Yo Eddy! Road Fork
Chris Igleheart.
A Timeless Segmented Fork For The Road Less Traveled
Monday, April 17, 2017 — Ashland, OR: Fat Chance Bicycles announces the release of the new Yo Eddy! Road Fork. First released in 1995 by Fat Chance, the Yo Eddy! Road Fork was the first segmented steel fork on the market, fast forward 20 years and she is back with a vengeance! The Yo Eddy! Road Fork has been updated to modern standards, handmade by frame building icon Chris Igleheart in Portland, OR. Igleheart has worked with Chris Chance, founder of Fat Chance since it’s birth in the early 80’s.
Fat Chance relaunched in 2015 producing new versions of their iconic and historic line of bikes, reimagined for modern components and spec. The Yo Eddy! Road Fork is a natural extension of the line, updated to accommodate a 1 1/18 steer with laser cut top caps and struts. The struts themselves are expertly welded onto the Reynolds 853 fork blades. The Yo Eddy! Road Fork responds predictably in its resilience, steel has the ability to flex with road input while inspiring confident cornering and sprinting.
“Since relaunching Fat Chance, the Yo Eddy! Road Fork has been one of the most requested products. More riders are opting for bigger tire clearance and using their road bikes for more than just racing, and the fork speaks to those folks. It’s a durable, light and responsive fork, that just looks downright awesome.” says Chris Chance, owner of Fat Chance. “ It’s been a pleasure working with Igleheart again. We have a great history and he has been making forks for my bikes for decades.”
Yo Eddy! Road Forks are available for purchase either a la carte or with a Slim Chance Road Frame. The forks will be offered in black, as well as a variety of single color options. Contact Fat Chance for full custom paint offerings. While the fork was designed to work as a frameset with the Slim Chance, the Yo Eddy Road Fork is a great upgrade for any bike.
Founder of BikePortland (in 2005). Father of three. North Portlander. Basketball lover. Car driver. If you have questions or feedback about this site or my work, contact me via email at maus.jonathan@gmail.com, or phone/text at 503-706-8804. Also, if you read and appreciate this site, please become a paying subscriber.
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Thanks. I saw a great recent video of Tom Ritchey, talking about the fetishization of bicycles. He basically said bikes are tools for transportation and enjoyment. When pressed about his feelings about the ‘artiness’ of the bike culture, he would not take the bait, other than to say that was not his focus. A $600 fork confirms his view; but, hey, just a couple hundred more than I paid for a pristine Ibis steel frame on Craigslist!
Trying to really understand your viewpoint. You do realize that an Asian market Ritchey carbon cross for is 400 bucks, don’t you? Sure we can all find great used deals on bikes all day long as well. Steel bicycle builds are surviving the long circle of interest away from them. The craft is, and will always be more expensive to provide and enjoy. The Chance fork seen he is very much a functional piece of work. In many ways it is made at the heart of an ascetic that I believe Tom Ritchey would appreciate. I don’t wish to get snarky with you, but I think you’re way off base.
Let me guess…you would pay that amount for a phone. Ride that hard! Yo! J Maus, please remember that your “readers” have zero interest in bicycles, or riding them.
This fork design is well established. In the hands of Mr. Igleheart it’s execution is surely top rate.
Harth Huffman
7 years ago
Always liked the look of this fork on mtb’s. This narrower version seems even more stylish. Beautiful bend to the legs and a svelte overall look. Seems like they could also offer a slightly wider version for more of an all-road and gravel option, with tires up to 38mm. But this is cool as-is.
todd boulanger
7 years ago
Yes, I too wish more bike companies offered the “out dated” curved fork sweep like one used to see of french bikes etc…vs. the ramrod straight fork
Clodhopper
7 years ago
My heart! Chris is a true craftsman. It’s totally unfair that Portland has access to so much talent, quality and pedigree in bicycle fabrication. Another reason to be a proud bikie Portlander.
Thanks for reading.
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Please subscribe today to strengthen and expand our work.
Let me guess…$500
Wow first post even. You know nobody has to buy if it they don’t want it right?
You don’t have to guess; you can follow the link. It only takes seconds to do. Less time than to type a comment.
You were optimistic (by $100).
Thanks. I saw a great recent video of Tom Ritchey, talking about the fetishization of bicycles. He basically said bikes are tools for transportation and enjoyment. When pressed about his feelings about the ‘artiness’ of the bike culture, he would not take the bait, other than to say that was not his focus. A $600 fork confirms his view; but, hey, just a couple hundred more than I paid for a pristine Ibis steel frame on Craigslist!
Trying to really understand your viewpoint. You do realize that an Asian market Ritchey carbon cross for is 400 bucks, don’t you? Sure we can all find great used deals on bikes all day long as well. Steel bicycle builds are surviving the long circle of interest away from them. The craft is, and will always be more expensive to provide and enjoy. The Chance fork seen he is very much a functional piece of work. In many ways it is made at the heart of an ascetic that I believe Tom Ritchey would appreciate. I don’t wish to get snarky with you, but I think you’re way off base.
….sorry for the spelling mishaps.. Typing on the bus.
Let me guess…you would pay that amount for a phone. Ride that hard! Yo! J Maus, please remember that your “readers” have zero interest in bicycles, or riding them.
What would be a good price for you?
Will there be a disc brake version in the future? Seems like that will have a larger market…
Not to be a downer, but envisioning the transfer of torque into that weld doesn’t inspire confidence in me. Cool ‘retro’ look though.
This fork design is well established. In the hands of Mr. Igleheart it’s execution is surely top rate.
Always liked the look of this fork on mtb’s. This narrower version seems even more stylish. Beautiful bend to the legs and a svelte overall look. Seems like they could also offer a slightly wider version for more of an all-road and gravel option, with tires up to 38mm. But this is cool as-is.
Yes, I too wish more bike companies offered the “out dated” curved fork sweep like one used to see of french bikes etc…vs. the ramrod straight fork
My heart! Chris is a true craftsman. It’s totally unfair that Portland has access to so much talent, quality and pedigree in bicycle fabrication. Another reason to be a proud bikie Portlander.