How the heck...bent steerer tube?

Gobs
Gobs Posts: 296
edited November 2016 in MTB workshop & tech
I've just taken the Epicon forks off for an overhaul and being confronted by this. The top 1/3 seems to be slightly bent but there is absolutely no indication of this when the bike is together. Had I not taken them off I would have never known. She feels completely solid and without play. Expert opinion?

1610200130030103.png

Comments

  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    I can't see the picture.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

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  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    I can - you (or someone) rode into something hard - it happens.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    I can see it now - edited after I posted.

    I agree hit something hard, or you are superman.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

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  • Gobs
    Gobs Posts: 296
    I'd expect some sort of sign though in operation, or at least a visual clue. I bought it (as new) but it looked like it hadn't even been ridden. I'm assuming it's not terminal considering I've been riding on it for over a year without issue.
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    It will not be as strong as it should be, and it will steepen the geometry, personally I wouldn't be riding it.

    The nature of the crown race and compression wedge is you get a mild self aligning effect, so the headset will work fine.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Gobs
    Gobs Posts: 296
    Can you get spares for Suntour forks? I don't seem to be having much luck searching online
  • Arthfael
    Arthfael Posts: 30
    This is my previous fork, notice anything wrong with the steerer?
    a39be3ba0a9e44249652174bf5f4db38.png

    Its a Suntour aswell. Found out also other people having bent steerers with suntour forks.
  • Arthfael
    Arthfael Posts: 30
    Gobs wrote:
    Can you get spares for Suntour forks? I don't seem to be having much luck searching online
    you could try contacting their tech support, but from my personal experience with them I would just get an other fork from Rockshox or Fox or anything thats not suntour
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    I wouldn't be repairing that, but as its a bent steerer would suggest any other similar fork (for the same usage) would have bent.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.
  • Gobs
    Gobs Posts: 296
    Steerers can't be replaced can they?
  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    They can, but with a press in it's a bit of a specialist thing, and unlikely to be worth it.
    I don't do smileys.

    There is no secret ingredient - Kung Fu Panda

    London Calling on Facebook

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  • 02gf74
    02gf74 Posts: 1,168
    never seen anything like this before :shock: the fork steerer is held in place by the races at the top and bottom of the steerer tube so fail to see how it can bend midway!!
  • rockmonkeysc
    rockmonkeysc Posts: 14,774
    Steel steerer tubes are more likely to bend than aluminium.
    I've seen quite a few bent stanchions on various forks so if one thing doesn't bend the something else will.
    Transition Patrol - viewtopic.php?f=10017&t=13070235
  • The Rookie
    The Rookie Posts: 27,812
    02GF74 wrote:
    never seen anything like this before :shock: the fork steerer is held in place by the races at the top and bottom of the steerer tube so fail to see how it can bend midway!!
    Because with lower of the fork being pushed rearwards and constrained by the lower headset it will bend above it - bloomin obvious really! Try it with a plastic ruler, pinch top and middle to replicate the headset then push the lower end against something and watch it bend between the pinch points.
    Currently riding a Whyte T130C, X0 drivetrain, Magura Trail brakes converted to mixed wheel size (homebuilt wheels) with 140mm Fox 34 Rhythm and RP23 suspension. 12.2Kg.

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