Is it delamination?

pivi
pivi Posts: 8
edited February 2011 in Workshop
I am very concerned about carbon fiber parts and always check my bike thoroughly.

Mine is a 2010 Giant Defy 1. I was cleaning my fork today, and noticed these 2 black stains on the fork:

dsc07577r.jpg
dsc07578s.jpg

I did the "tap test". I lightly tapped the area with a coin, and I haven't noticed any weird sound. No difference on texture. Every time I notice a scratch in the fork, I use nail base (as the mechanic at the LBS recommended). So, the next photo may look worse, but it's because of the nail base. The surface still looks smooth, like the previous photos. They were taken after this one:

dsc07574k.jpg

Is this fork still safe to ride? The bike has about 700 miles, and never crashed.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • andrew_s
    andrew_s Posts: 2,511
    I'd carry on using it if it was mine, checking for deterioration at intvervals.

    Most of the horror story fork failures are at the crown or base of the steerer, where a failure means the entire fork coming off.
    If a fork blade fails, there's still the other blade to keep things bike shaped.
    I once rode around for an indeterminate period with one of the dropouts only held in to the end of the fork blade by the axle and other dropout, and I've been shown a steel fork that had been ridden until there was a crack 95% round the blade (level with the tyre, on a slight spiral so the ends of the crack missed joining by about 1cm).
  • Karl2010
    Karl2010 Posts: 511
    Whats nail base? Is it Nail Polish that women wear on their nails?
  • pivi
    pivi Posts: 8
    Yes, I should have said "nail polish"... I cover any scratch in the carbon fork with that.

    I'm a 250lbs rider, think I wouldn't feel safe riding a full carbon bike...
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I think you're being over cautious - thousands and thousands of carbon forks are in use round the world. If you havent crashed it then I very much doubt your fork is damaged.
  • ADIHEAD
    ADIHEAD Posts: 575
    It's only done 700miles so it's under warranty? Just ride it in to the dealer you got it from and let him tell you it's ok for piece of mind hey?
  • pivi
    pivi Posts: 8
    I took it there (it's a Giant preferred dealer) and the mechanic said it's ok. Anything in the cosmetic layer is nothing to worry about.

    However, I'm real scared of carbon stories, and I already had my carbon seatpost changed on this bike myself. It began to crack in 2 months use. Interesting was the fact that Giant didn't send another Giant carbon one, but an Easton Havoc (aluminum). Don't they trust their own brand???

    However, the Easton is on business for 1 year and a half already, working perfectly.

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