Depending on the use, it seems like gravel bikes are getting bigger tires all the time. Whether 650b or 700c, volumes are growing and tread widths are increasing, which is good news for certain segments of the sport. It’s not so good news if you have a fork that doesn’t offer the same amount of tire clearance as the frame.
When Otso Cycles launched their Warakin gravel bike last year, it came with an excellent carbon fork, but it didn’t offer the amount of tire clearance they wanted for the bike. Over the past year or so, we’ve seen a number of sneak peeks in terms of Lithic Components on Otso builds, but we haven’t actually gotten the official word on the brand becoming available. That seems to change with the new Hiili carbon fork which should solve all of your tire clearance woes for the world of gravel…
Now the third brand under the Wolf Tooth Components roof, Lithic Components is described as a project of Otso to create very specific products for the cycling world. Those products naturally line up perfectly with Otso bikes like the Warakin gravel bike and Voytek fat bike to fill in gaps where the Otso team couldn’t source the right part from other vendors – because they don’t exist.
The Hiili fork looks to be that exact type of product with a rigid full carbon design that clears up to a massive 29 x 2.1″ tire with a 400mm axle to crown length. Sold in one offset at 47mm with a 1 1/8″ to 1 1/2″ tapered steerer, the fork features a 15mm thru axle, flat mount disc brake tab, and fender mounts on the inside of the legs above the brake caliper.
Specs:
- 512g uncut
- 15mm Through-axle
- Flat-mount disc brake
- Tapered steer tube, 1 1/8”-1 1/2″
- Max Tire Clearance 29×2.1 (54-622)
- 400mm axle to crown length
- 47mm offset
- Full hidden fender mounts
Moving forward as standard equipment for the Otso Warakin, anyone who already owns a Warakin can upgrade to the new fork for a reasonable $200. Otherwise the Lithic Hiili will sell for $490 and is available now. Otso is also adding new fork upgrade options to the Warakin builds with the Lauf Grit available at $350 and the Fox AX an additional $650.
