bikingdad90
Guru
Why, that is like saying I would never buy a bike with a carbon fork? Can you expand please?
Are my forks cracked boardman comp.
- Thread starter bleubolt
- Start date
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Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Not really, aluminium is a soft more pliable material than steel. The fork is a critical load bearing component and gets a lot more abuse than any other part of the frame.
If you read the OPs initial comments he says ‘I did hit a curb and have to bang down afew curbs on my route’. I’m sure this has contributed to the damage.
Steel or carbon would be my choice but they too are not immune from damage through abuse.
If you read the OPs initial comments he says ‘I did hit a curb and have to bang down afew curbs on my route’. I’m sure this has contributed to the damage.
Steel or carbon would be my choice but they too are not immune from damage through abuse.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
The benefits of aluminium as a frame material (mainly weight reduction) cannot be realised in the smaller dimensions necessary for a fork blade.
This site (with only a modicum of bias) sheds light on the aluminium v steel considerations (but not for forks): https://wheretheroadforks.com/steel-vs-aluminum-bike-frame-pros-and-cons/
Text (adapted): "Aluminum can suddenly crack and fail without warning. A catastrophic failure of your aluminum fork could cause serious injury. Imagine bombing down a hill at 30 miles per hour when your frame or fork suddenly fails under you. While this isn’t likely, it is possible. Steel tends to crack more slowly and give you more warning before it fails."
Disclosure: My 'glued and screwed' ALAN (1981) has a fork with aluminium blades/tubes. It has not failed yet, and shows no sign of so doing (lugged crown).
This site (with only a modicum of bias) sheds light on the aluminium v steel considerations (but not for forks): https://wheretheroadforks.com/steel-vs-aluminum-bike-frame-pros-and-cons/
Text (adapted): "Aluminum can suddenly crack and fail without warning. A catastrophic failure of your aluminum fork could cause serious injury. Imagine bombing down a hill at 30 miles per hour when your frame or fork suddenly fails under you. While this isn’t likely, it is possible. Steel tends to crack more slowly and give you more warning before it fails."
Disclosure: My 'glued and screwed' ALAN (1981) has a fork with aluminium blades/tubes. It has not failed yet, and shows no sign of so doing (lugged crown).
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I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Looks a lot like a crack to me so definitely stop riding NOW. To be sure I would remove the front wheel and squeeze the forks by hand which should remove any doubt.
Cycleops
Legendary Member
- Location
- Accra, Ghana
Having said I'd never buy a bike with an aluminium fork your post reminds me I have. I also have an Alan (bought here for very little money) and despite being 40 years old shows no sign of failure.
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
Did you take the wheel off and try to squeeze the forks together like I suggested?
I like Skol
A Minging Manc...
- Location
- Sunny Ashton-under-Lyne
And it isn't a great picture but I still think I can make out a possible crack!
Drago
Legendary Member
- Location
- Suburban Poshshire
Is there no crack, or has the paint removal process peened over it?
battered
Guru
Can you get any ink or say petrol and black engine oil where the crack used to be or still is? Then clean it off with a dry clean rag. If there is a crack the ink or dye stays in it and can't be cleaned out. If the crack was only in the paint then you can clean ink off smooth metal.
