Carbon fork safe to ride or not?
W12_Lad
Posts: 184
I noticed a chip in my fork today.
I have no idea how long I've been riding it like that as it's easily missed with the bike on the ground and the wheel in.
I noticed it today as, for the first time, I hung this bike on the top rungs of my storage frame above head height. Bike has done 3500 miles.
There are no visible cracks coming from the chip to elsewhere on the fork.
The "coin tap" test seems fine around the chip.
Comments welcome.
Thanks.
I have no idea how long I've been riding it like that as it's easily missed with the bike on the ground and the wheel in.
I noticed it today as, for the first time, I hung this bike on the top rungs of my storage frame above head height. Bike has done 3500 miles.
There are no visible cracks coming from the chip to elsewhere on the fork.
The "coin tap" test seems fine around the chip.
Comments welcome.
Thanks.
0
Comments
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Its more of a gouge than a crack. The dropout itself is aluminium and is bonded into the carbon. I'd say its safe enough but just keep an eye on it in case any more material would break off. If there are any carbon repair places near you, you could ask them to repair it, I'd imagine its a simple enough fix and would only be a matter of filling the gap with some form of bonding.0
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Its more of a gouge than a crack. The dropout itself is aluminium and is bonded into the carbon. I'd say its safe enough but just keep an eye on it in case any more material would break off. If there are any carbon repair places near you, you could ask them to repair it, I'd imagine its a simple enough fix and would only be a matter of filling the gap with some form of bonding.
This. I'd add that I'd only really worry if the damage moves around to top half of the alu dropout insert.2012 Cube Agree GTC0 -
Looks to me like a broken off "laywer lip" and as such of no consequence whatsoever. You still have three left anyway! (Not that you should need any if your QR's are done up properly)0
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Don't worry about it. That whole zone, below the dropout, is adding nothing to the structural integrity of the fork. Nor does it help retain a properly secured wheel, in operation.To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.0
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Don't worry about it. That whole zone, below the dropout, is adding nothing to the structural integrity of the fork. Nor does it help retain a properly secured wheel, in operation.
Some pro mechanics file them off, to give you an idea of how irrelevant they are.2012 Cube Agree GTC0 -
Looks like an excuse for a shiny new bike to me
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Thanks for your replys.
Just what I was hoping.
I'll keep riding but keep an eye on it.0 -
Don't worry about it. That whole zone, below the dropout, is adding nothing to the structural integrity of the fork. Nor does it help retain a properly secured wheel, in operation.
Some pro mechanics file them off, to give you an idea of how irrelevant they are.
Not anymore. UCI regulations now state that all bikes need to have them present and correct.0 -
I think it is safe to ride, but only if you don't exceed 98km. 0
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Don't worry about it. That whole zone, below the dropout, is adding nothing to the structural integrity of the fork. Nor does it help retain a properly secured wheel, in operation.
Some pro mechanics file them off, to give you an idea of how irrelevant they are.
Not anymore. UCI regulations now state that all bikes need to have them present and correct.
I thought the rule was the teams cannot modify the forks for a quick release. The forks can be without the dropout lips if they are designed that way, they can't disturb the structural integrity of the forks especially with the terrain and speed those guys go at .
I think the OP should get them checked by a mechanic for peace of mind.0 -
It's just paint scraped off on those forks. Nothing wrong there.0
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It's just paint scraped off on those forks. Nothing wrong there.
To get them checked out and all cleared would be a lot cheaper than a dentist bill....or worse. Be safe.0 -
Well there is that - but its just paint. I'd ride it no worries.0
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Well there is that - but its just paint. I'd ride it no worries.
The final picture makes it clear that some of the dropout material is missing too. The kind of damage you get if the bike is dropped after removing the front wheel, or if the fork is dropped from the frame when removing the headset etc.
I agree that it's likely still safe to ride with a properly clamped front wheel.0
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