Creaking and possible fracture on front forks

rflook

Hi,

About sixth months ago I started getting a creaking from my headset area on my 2012 Specialized Allez. It only seemed to start making the noise when I got up off the saddle and leant forward. Gave it a quick look over but couldn't see anything obvious (didn't open up the headset at that point). Stopped riding for a while and then got back on the saddle - obviously the creaking was still there. After getting fed up of it I had another look and there are what looks like hairline fractures around both of my front forks.



Is this a warranty issue or is this just the paint fracturing? I have never seen this before but then again I haven't seen that many road bikes before. And could it be the cause of my creaking or might that be something else?

Any comments gratefully received.

letap73

Have you had a crash or has the bike taken impact? The fractures look like paint problems - however, I would have this checked out by your LBS or if you really lucky a carbon repair specialist - I had a seat post checked out by a carbon repair specialist as I suspected this was responsible for the creaking I was getting, it was recommended that I replaced it. The conclusion my bike stopped creaking - the very minor looking damage on my seat post was actually fairly significant. You do not want forks to fail on you whilst riding.

rflook

No crashes at all, could it be a crappy welding job? I bought it from Evans about two years ago and will probably take it back sometime this week.

arlowood

One possible explanation is that your carbon forks are mated to an alloy section to form the crown of the fork/steerer. I'm guessing that you have an alloy rather than a carbon steerer in which case the change over from carbon to alloy might be happening at the top of the fork leg.

The hairline "crack" you see could just be paintwork movement at the carbon/alloy junction.

On a 2012 bike I'm not sure what your warranty rights are. If in doubt then take it or send it back for a proper assessment.

rflook

Thanks guys, indeed it is an alloy steerer so could be where the chageover happens. Just scanned online for warranty and found this

http://static.specialized.com/media/doc ... 968_r3.pdf

So hopefully am covered.

wishitwasallflat

Spesh give a lifetime warrenty to original owner so if you bought the bike new and have the receipt you've no worries on that front. That said movement at junction of carbon and alloy looks likely but take it to a Spesh dealer ( preferably one of their Concept Stores) and they will check it. Their warrenty is rock solid and they have no issues with honouring it - many threads vouching for that.

cycleclinic

if thats a crack it is bloomin od one, if you hada crack that long the forks would fall apart also the alloy crown does not noramll extend that far down. creaks come from so many things and it needs to be traced before you blaming bits that may or may not be at fault. If you can't trace the creak your self and fix it take it to a shop that can. A worn headset is normally quite obvious i.e the bearings do not run smooth.