Should i be annoyed?

rokkala

Got new winter/bad weather bike delivered yesterday and want to know if this is something I should be querying before i use it.

From description and spec list on website, it should have came with carbon fork+steerer, but what it looks like I have been given is carbon fork with an alloy steerer.

Is there any sound reason they would do this, and should I care? Is it likely to be much heavier or affect the ride quality in any way? Apparently the two biggest frame sizes come with alloy steerer, but it says the rest are carbon.

Can't upload pics from work but if you look on this thread:

http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtop ... t=12676673

Pics are there and you can see from shot of stem that there is that metallic looking steerer concealed beneath.

Cheers

amaferanga

I can't see the steerer in the pictures. Do you mean the headset spacers? :?

redddraggon

Are you sure the spec said full carbon fork - there aren't many full carbon mudguard fork.

ugo.santalucia

You're probably better off with a metal steerer anyway, so I would be glad it didn't come with a carbon one.

Plus, as Reddragon said, I'm not aware of full carbon forks suitable for mudguards

Wheelspinner

Hmm, it appears the Deda Black Rain forks can be had with a full carbon steerer, with alloy dropouts and mudguard eyelets.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/carbon-race-bike-forks/deda-black-rain-forks.html

So.. should you complain? Maybe, BUT... carbon steerers are not all they're cracked up to be. No pun intended... but they are MUCH more likely to give you problems long term. A good alloy steerer tube on a carbon fork will be a set-and-forget thing. Accept it and be happy!

Anonymous

Wheelspinner wrote:

Hmm, it appears the Deda Black Rain forks can be had with a full carbon steerer, with alloy dropouts and mudguard eyelets.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/carbon-race-bike-forks/deda-black-rain-forks.html

So.. should you complain? Maybe, BUT... carbon steerers are not all they're cracked up to be. No pun intended... but they are MUCH more likely to give you problems long term. A good alloy steerer tube on a carbon fork will be a set-and-forget thing. Accept it and be happy!

There have been two incidences of alloy steerer breaking from carbon fork in my club, but none of a full carbon fork so YMMV...

Wheelspinner

NapoleonD wrote:

Wheelspinner wrote:

Hmm, it appears the Deda Black Rain forks can be had with a full carbon steerer, with alloy dropouts and mudguard eyelets.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/carbon-race-bike-forks/deda-black-rain-forks.html

So.. should you complain? Maybe, BUT... carbon steerers are not all they're cracked up to be. No pun intended... but they are MUCH more likely to give you problems long term. A good alloy steerer tube on a carbon fork will be a set-and-forget thing. Accept it and be happy!

There have been two incidences of alloy steerer breaking from carbon fork in my club, but none of a full carbon fork so YMMV...

Sheesh, what the hell do you people ride on over there? Goat tracks??

Slow Downcp

My Enigma Etape forks are full carbon steerer, but it appears they now have an Alu steerer :?

rokkala

amaferanga wrote:

I can't see the steerer in the pictures. Do you mean the headset spacers? :?

Pics aren't great for showing it, but if you look at the ones where you can see the stem then you should be able to make it out.

The Deda Zero stem wraps around the steerer but exposes a circle of the steerer tube, the part that faces the saddle. So in the pics you should be able to make the alloy tube peaking out from the stem.

I will take better pic when I get home tonight and upload.

Are you sure the spec said full carbon fork - there aren't many full carbon mudguard fork.

Yea very sure. Can't get on the website because flash isn't installed on this PC and restrictions won't let me install it, but if you go to condor cycles page -> road bikes -> audax/touring section and click on the Fratello. It clearly states that it comes with Carbon fork and steerer, except the 61cm and 64cm frames, which come with alloy steerer.

I wouldn't have noticed if the stem i selected didn't expose part of the steerer tube, but it kind of ruins the aesthetics when bars, fork, stem, saddle etc are all black/grey and then have a random bit of dull alloy.

giant_man

I love carbon, but not for fork steerers. Give me alu every time ...

Tom Butcher

It probably weighs a touch more - the aesthetics are personal to you - apart from that neither type of fork is likely to give you problems. Alloy may come away from the carbon where it joins but it doesn't happen often - I've known people have problems with carbon steerers cracking when they are clamped - maybe their fault but well alloy is a bit easier in that respect - so there are swings and roundabouts.

In short I don't think it would bother me but if it bothers you I reckon you've got a right to ask for the full spec or at least a reasonable explanation of why it isn't as advertised. If they say that the forks are no longer made full carbon then to me that would seem reasonable - OK maybe they should have updated their advertising - I don't know where you'd stand legally but at least you'd know they weren't just trying to get away with it.

APIII

giant mancp wrote:

I love carbon, but not for fork steerers. Give me alu every time ...

How come?

LangerDan

What you might be seeing in the cut-out of the stem is the short alloy sleeve that used to fit a 1 1/8" stem over a 1" fork. The only way to tell for certain is to remove the headset top-cap and take a look.

nickwill

NapoleonD wrote:

Wheelspinner wrote:

Hmm, it appears the Deda Black Rain forks can be had with a full carbon steerer, with alloy dropouts and mudguard eyelets.
http://www.merlincycles.co.uk/carbon-race-bike-forks/deda-black-rain-forks.html

So.. should you complain? Maybe, BUT... carbon steerers are not all they're cracked up to be. No pun intended... but they are MUCH more likely to give you problems long term. A good alloy steerer tube on a carbon fork will be a set-and-forget thing. Accept it and be happy!

There have been two incidences of alloy steerer breaking from carbon fork in my club, but none of a full carbon fork so YMMV...

From what I've read the evidence seems to back you up on this. Full carbon forks would seem to have much better structural integrity due to the lack of a join!

keef66

They are consistent; they say the same thing for the Fratello, Agio and Gran Fondo.

If yours isn't one of the 2 biggest sizes then complain and get what you ordered.

rokkala

Heard back from the shop.

Seems that Deda are unable to supply any of the forks with carbon steerer anymore, so all frames coming with the aluminium option. Apparently should have been clarified at time of order & apoligies for that.

Least they weren't intentionally trying to shaft me(i think).

Must say though, Condor have been very good to deal with. Service has been excellent.

keef66

They should sort out their website then!

redddraggon

All information subject to change without notice, at any time. All details correct at time of upload.

johnmiosh

Legally, it may be seen as bait and switch, a tempting offer changed to a lesser one on delivery. Qualifying statements as above are not worth much in consumer law, which is why they should have made it clear at time of purchase.

John

sturmey

Alloy steerer will be fine.

Do you mind giving us a clue how much you paid for the bike?

dodgy

I have Mudguard compatible forks with a carbon steerer, it's a "True Temper Alpha Q Comp 25" quality fork imo.

rokkala

sturmey wrote:

Alloy steerer will be fine.

Do you mind giving us a clue how much you paid for the bike?

Was £1000 C2W voucher and then about £250 of my own hard earned.



So you can see it in all its glory there. If i wanted to paint over it to make it a bit easier on the eye, anybody have any recommendations of what to use?

dodgy

Black felt tip pen - seriously.

rake

black paint? :shock:

keef66

I can see that it would be quite irritating on an otherwise lovely bike.

TBH the easiest thing would be to swap the stem for one that wraps completely round the steerer. Maybe Condor could send you one??
Mine has black finishing kit and an alloy steerer, but I can't see any alloy showing.

Failing that, you're going to have to paint it properly, and to do that I'd strongly recommend taking the fork off the bike.

Clean the area thoroughly to remove any trace of grease. Couple of coats of primer and a couple of coats of gloss then a clearcoat to finish. 3 spray cans and a couple of days for an area smaller than a Pringle!

The black marker pen is starting to sound like an easier option!

cougie

I really dont think its a biggy.

I know Hincapies alloy steerer /carbon fork bust on Paris Roubaix, but thats probably quite extreme.

amaferanga

That stem is just wrong - who would want the steerer on display like that whether its carbon or aluminium? :?

I'd get a normal stem that properly conceals the steerer.