ForkCAD videos

How to use ForkCAD, step by step: one short video for each part of the program.

00 Rigid steel fork design software: ForkCAD introduction

ForkCAD is web software for designing rigid bicycle forks (unicrown, crowned or segmented) and getting the measurements to build them. This video shows the interface and how to work with it.
01 Fork axle-to-crown, length and offset (rake)

How to set the length of a rigid fork in ForkCAD: the axle-to-crown, the length L parallel to the steerer, and the offset R.
02 Fork blade bend: start, end and radius

How to define the blade bend of a rigid fork in ForkCAD: where it starts (V), where it ends (Y) and its radius (Z).
03 Choosing the fork blade tube: diameters and length

How to set up the blade tube in ForkCAD: its diameters at the top and at the dropout, the taper, and the length of the tube as supplied.
04 Unicrown fork shoulders: width, height and crown

On a unicrown fork, the top is formed by the blades themselves where they join the steerer. In this video we set up that area in ForkCAD.
05 Crowned fork: measuring the crown and its sockets

How to set up a crowned fork in ForkCAD, with the blades fitted into the crown sockets. The crown dimensions are taken with callipers on the crown you're going to use.
06 Segmented (crownless) fork: arms and junction

How to design a segmented fork in ForkCAD: the arms that join the steerer to the blades, with a third view from above.
07 Fork steerer: 1", 1 1/8" or tapered

How to choose the fork steerer in ForkCAD: straight 1" or 1 1/8", or tapered to 1 1/2".
08 Wheel, tyre and hub: making sure the tyre fits the fork

How to set up the fork's wheel in ForkCAD and check that the tyre fits.
09 Fork dropouts: tab or round with a fin

How to set up the fork dropout in ForkCAD. There are four types: tab dropouts, with or without an eyelet, for quick release; and round dropouts with a fin, for thru-axle or quick release.
10 Fork brakes: disc, V-brake, cantilever and caliper

How to set up the fork brake in ForkCAD, and what it checks for each type: disc, cantilever, V-brake or rim caliper.
11 Fork mounts for racks, fenders and bottle cages

How to place the fork mounts in ForkCAD: for a rack, fenders or a bottle cage. There are three types: barrel boss, inserted boss and dropout boss.
12 Fenders on a rigid fork: making sure they clear the blades

If the fork is going to take a fender, ForkCAD checks that it fits between the blades and under the crown.
13 Measuring distances and angles on the fork drawing

As well as the dimensions, ForkCAD lets you measure whatever you need between points on the drawing, and change how the dimensions look.
14 Saving and opening fork designs, and creating models

How to save and open designs in ForkCAD, and how to create models with your own measurements.
15 Fork manufacturing sheet, mitre templates and 1:1 plan

Once the fork is defined, ForkCAD gives you everything you need for the workshop: the manufacturing sheet with the templates, the full-size plan and the DXF file.