Bent Steerer Tube

[Gummo]

Comrades

I've bent the steerer tube (Giant Escape 0, carbon forks) in a high-speed crash. Should I go to my local forge to have it straightened or is the prognosis worse?

Gummo

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I wouldn't. Bin and get a replacement. Can't speak for anyone else.

If the crash was bad enough to bend the steerer like that I'm wondering what further damage there is to the frame.

I hope you've come out of this okay?

 

[rusty bearing]

Absolutely the right advice from Phil. That fork has had it. Get the frame checked as well.
I've seen the results of many front enders in the workshop but never a bent tube like that.....

 

[ColinJ]

The forks themselves must have taken a BIG hit.

The consequences of the front end breaking could be horrific so scrap it!

You can get replacement forks for under £100, which is a lot less than the cost of tooth implants or a funeral ...

 

[Mobytek]

'ts fuk-adiddily-ucked.

New forks please.

 

[Smokin Joe]

If Bin Laden had ridden a bike, the CIA would have switched his forks for those and got rid of him a lot sooner.

 

[Gummo]

Comrades, you've left me in no doubt as to my next step - thanks very much.

Is it possible to but these forks on-line - my searches have proved fruitless and dealers are very slow to provide a price.

 

[Gummo]

I wouldn't. Bin and get a replacement. Can't speak for anyone else.

If the crash was bad enough to bend the steerer like that I'm wondering what further damage there is to the frame.

I hope you've come out of this okay?

According to my app (RunKeeper), I was doing 43.4mph which I now know was excessively fast for a downhill country road. Severe grazes and burns required a few weeks of dressings which I realise was the best case scenario for such a crash and I'm thankful and much wiser (or, less dumb).

The frame looks as good as the day I bought it - checked the joints for cracks - none visible.

 

[the snail]

Check the tubes for ripples in the paint, might not be cracked but it could be bent/damaged

 

[Gummo]

Check the tubes for ripples in the paint, might not be cracked but it could be bent/damaged

Will do, thanks.

 

[Globalti]

Buy a replacement eXotic fork from Carbon Components. They're good.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

According to my app (RunKeeper), I was doing 43.4mph which I now know was excessively fast for a downhill country road. Severe grazes and burns required a few weeks of dressings which I realise was the best case scenario for such a crash and I'm thankful and much wiser (or, less dumb).

The frame looks as good as the day I bought it - checked the joints for cracks - none visible.

Very scary. I'm glad it wasn't worse than that.

I'll second the advice to look for ripples in the tubing and also to check there's no twist in the frame (have a look at whether the seat and head tubes are still in line). If in any doubt it might be worth getting a professional opinion.

 

[Gummo]

I'll have another look for ripples in the morning, Phil - thanks.

I've attempted to get a replacement from three different suppliers - still waiting - one of them says Giant aren't the quickest to respond!

 

[Globalti]

It took weeks and weeks to get a replacement fork in the right colourway for the Bianchi that we sold and TNT wrecked.

 

[screenman]

And people talk about carbon faling, that was some hit.