The state of the cutlery
The cyclist of today has a myriad of components to choose from when it comes to keeping the front wheel attached to the frame and handlebar. Carbon contraptions with zero, or more than eight, threaded holes; tube-in-tube springy numbers, and even parallelogram-type suspension systems inspired by the likes of Girvin and Softride. Somewhere along the windy forest doubletrack of innovation, the pragmatist’s version of a bicycle fork was discarded in the weeds. A solid, dependable fork, that could handle real brakes, a compliant quick release skewer, and just the right size tires, is all but impossible to come by in today’s marketing literature and virtual trade shows.
Enter the Little Red Fork
ChmnyBoy Fab Lab have responded to the growing need for simple, functional, hard-wearing equipment with their first offering to the cycling marketplace: the Little Red Fork. With a blend of classic mode du randonneur inutile and early-2000s minimalism, the LRF brings a fresh design language into the crowded and often confusing bazaar of wheel-holders. Long a proponent of telescopic suspension forks for dirt-cycling, ChmnyBoy was reportedly inspired to create this rigid steel piece after experiencing the unyielding harshness of a state-of-the-art carbon linkage fork. They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery; that this fork looks nothing like that one should speak volumes.
The Little Red Fork may, at first blush, appear similar to many forks available today. However, its clean lines and unassuming paint hide a number of market-leading features that promise to uplift the LRF above its many competitors. First, it boasts clearance for 29×2.4″ tires, a figure unheard of in the world of gravel-grinding all-road 650beaters. I don’t know what kind of axle-to-crown measurement this requires, but suffice to say it is nearly the same as the industry standard Toseek full carbon Mountain Bike fork. The LRF intensifies its rough-and-ready intentions with a minimum brake disc allowance of 160mm, and no option whatever for cantilevers. ChmnyBoy has also inserted a small nut or pebble into the non-drive side blade, which rattles loudly to alert the rider that they have reached the minimum-acceptable #monstercross threshold.
Moving down the blades of the LRF, we see ChmnyBoy Fab Lab’s nod to the touring crowd: three bottle mounts on the drive-side, and two on the non-drive side. This 5-pack layout has quickly developed a following among discerning (some say radical) cyclists, but ChmnyBoy Fab Lab are the first (that this publication knows of) to bring a 5-pack fork to market. The mount strategy is perfect for attaching a water bottle cage on one fork blade, and another water bottle cage, at a slightly different angle and height, on the other.
Ride impressions
I took delivery of the Little Red Fork at the Fab Lab HQ, and ChmnyBoy and I were easily able to install it above the top tube of my Karate Monkey after a few minutes and half a Rainier. I now have over 30 miles on the LRF in this configuration, and while I cannot comment on the fork’s longevity, I have formed some initial thoughts that I can share now.
Knee clearance is tight, but no untoward rubbing has been observed thus far. 
The LRF has adequate aerodynamic performance.
Although I intially experienced some knee interference while grinding out of the Fab Lab, this disappeared once I hit a significant crack in the road and the fork settled into position. From there on out, the LRF really came into its own. I experienced nearly the same handling characteristics as with my trusty Toseek carbon fork, which was still on my bike. I even came within a second of ChmnyBoy’s Strava time on the infamous Burnside 5k Warmup segment, which has claimed many aspiring Mercer Island CWTTKOM’ers’ pride.
Thus far, the Little Red Fork from ChmnyBoy Fab Lab has been a stellar companion on the one outing I brought it on, before I took it off and put it in my basement. If I can figure out how to put on the crown race, I will ride it some more and post a long-term review. Don’t hold your breath, though.