Have I done a daft thing?
Sea_Green_Incorruptible
Posts: 431
Always been a bit frustrated by the forks on my bike which are an alu/carbon mix so decided to invested in some full carbon ones instead.
Was looking at all sorts and finally settled on these 'Reynolds Type' (e.g. copies) forks off Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Carbon-Fiber- ... dZViewItem
I managed to get them fo 36 quid in the end. Which is ridiculously cheap for full carbon 376 gramme forks.
Then I started thinking about Keith Bontrager's old adage about cheap light and strong: pick two, and wondered whether I've done bad. Having said that, the feedback (of which there is quite a bit) on the seller is 100% positive from people who've also bought the forks, including a number who say that - amazingly - the forks actually are light and strong and basically do exactly what they say on the tin.
So... anyone have any experience of these? Have I got myself a bargain or just chucked away almost £40?
Was looking at all sorts and finally settled on these 'Reynolds Type' (e.g. copies) forks off Ebay: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-Carbon-Fiber- ... dZViewItem
I managed to get them fo 36 quid in the end. Which is ridiculously cheap for full carbon 376 gramme forks.
Then I started thinking about Keith Bontrager's old adage about cheap light and strong: pick two, and wondered whether I've done bad. Having said that, the feedback (of which there is quite a bit) on the seller is 100% positive from people who've also bought the forks, including a number who say that - amazingly - the forks actually are light and strong and basically do exactly what they say on the tin.
So... anyone have any experience of these? Have I got myself a bargain or just chucked away almost £40?
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Comments
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It all depends on how long after buying the forks that the feedback has been written.
Strong will take two years to find out."It must be true, I saw it on the Internet!"0 -
Quite. Or a hard corner! Ulp.0
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100% posative feedback means nothing. Most people won't leave bad feedback as they know that the same will be left for them.
Hypocrisy is only a bad thing in other people.0 -
Indeed. Still it does perhaps indicate that nobody appeared to fundamental concerns with the forks once they actually had them in their hands: i.e. that they were essentially as described in the advert.
Guess I'll just fit them to the bike when they arrive and see how they feel. If my spidey senses tell me they're dodgy then I'll just whip 'em off again and put it down to experience. Hey ho at least it wasn't £200...
UPDATE: They've just this minute arrived. They certainly look the business and are light as a feather. Let's just hope they ride as well too...0 -
when fitting the new forks you will probably need an expanding nut rather than the starfangled one that came out of the alu ones.0
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Thanks Term1te. Duely noted.
I also understand that if I cut the steerer down a) the carbon dust is toxic; + b) the bit you chop off needs to be properly disposed of. Does anyone know where? Is this something a council recycling centre might be able to take care of do you think?0 -
why would carbonfiber be toxic - almost everything on this planet is carbon based
and the epoxy it is set in is cured - should not be toxic0 -
I wouldn't be so sure..a quick google of health risks of inhaling CF "dust" chucks up a range of theories, a range big enough not to discount any of them without proper research. I'd choose not to inhale it if I could avoid it. It might not be toxic, but its hardly a good thing to fill your lungs with, even as a non cyclist.0
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some fibers are small enough to stick in the lungs - like asbestos
carbon fibers are too big - they don't stick0 -
No harm in sticking your hoover by the fork while you make the cut, and using a face mask if worried. Wrapping adhesive tape around the point you are going to cut may also make the cut easier and reduce splintering.0
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Hi folks,
I’ve put a hundred miles on this fork now and thought I’d update you… Bottom line is that I’m pretty happy with it.
Got the LBS to fit it to my Orbea in the end and have been riding it every day since. Weight was as advertised and it feels stiff and tight on the bike. The bike is noticeably lighter, and the ride is more comfortable – the carbon really takes the edge of the bumps. So, performance wise everything seems to be in order.
Bad points. On closer inspection the finish isn’t wonderful. There’s a faint mold line (I guess?) down each fork leg and small sections of the carbon weave are a bit smudgy. Having said that, I got some Orbea decals off ebay (these are great by the way: really professional looking) and stuck them on. They cover up the blemishes nicely.
So. Overall then, I’d give it a provisional thumbs up and tentatively point to the ‘Carbonissimo Reya’ as a potential ebay bargain. Having said that, it’s probably too early to tell about the strength issue… but I’ll be sure to let you know if it snaps on me…0
