bent forks

[e-rider]

so, we all know that cycle sportives are full of newbie idiots
today whilst riding said sportive, some idiot cycled past me on a fast decent, cut straight in front of me and then 5 seconds later, didn't bother to inform me that there was a foot deep pothole
I hit it hard, really hard but didn't crash
After inspecting the bike for damage, it looks like the forks might be slightly bent.
The wheels both seem fine. The forks are carbon with an alloy steerer and to be honest, I've never inspected them this closely before so it's possible that they were always like it.

My question - is there a way to determine for sure if forks are bent?

 

[Ian H]

Carbon fork blades won't bend. An alloy steerer might. Is the steering smooth and free without play, all the way side to side?

 

[e-rider]

Carbon fork blades won't bend. An alloy steerer might. Is the steering smooth and free without play, all the way side to side?

yes, I was referring to the base of the steerer tube. Play has developed in the bearings since the incident. However, I tightened it up and it seems smooth without play all the way round. If they are bent, it is only by a very small amount. I looked at new forks and that's about £250 for similar!!! Well, actually £250 would get an upgraded fork suitable for the bike from 3T (not that I can afford to spend that much right now, but for future ref.)

 

[accountantpete]

"The forks won't bend" +1.

The alloy steerer is a tube and is extremely strong whilst the carbon forks (which are are glued onto the base of the steerer) will snap or crack but won't bend.

You might be looking at the rake of the forks - where the forks run at a slight angle to the steerer. This is part of the design to throw the position of the front wheel forwards.

I'd just check for cracks in the CF and look carefully at the weakest point - where the alloy droputs are glued into the bottom of the forks.

 

[Rob3rt]

Further to visual inspection you can do a bit of a tap test. Tap the forks, either with your finger nail, or an implement like a hex key (tap don't whack) and see what they sound like. Work from top to bottom or bottom to top on both forks. Near the bottom where the dropouts are, it will sound rather dull (especially if they are aluminium or steel inserts) as you move up you should get a nice hollow plink, then as you get up the top, again you will get a dull sound where the alloy steerer is joined. Both sides should sound about the same.

You could also take the forks out, clamp the steerer and then pull on the forks a bit and listen for any creaks or clicks.

This is all superficial as you would need to X-ray the forks to be completely sure.