The forks on my old 531 frame have cracked - what are the options?

[Danny]

The forks on my old Orbit Gold medal frame have cracked just below the point where the steering tube joins what I think is called the crown - the bridge piece which the two side forks go into.

Is this something that can feasibly be repaired by a frame builder, or am I really going to need a new pair of forks?

If the answer is I need new forks then, I will have to pay up to £195 (plus shipping) for a new pair of forks sprayed to match my existing frame (prices taken from Bob Jackson and Mercian's websites).

I believe my bike was first purchased around 1985. As far as I can tell, the rest of the frame is in good condition, and the bike has got reasonable components so I would ideally like to keep it on the road. However I worry that it may not be worth investing £200 to keep a bike that is nearly 30 years old on the road.

Are there cheaper options I could be considering?

 

[raleighnut]

The forks on my old Orbit Gold medal frame have cracked just below the point where the steering tube joins what I think is called the crown - the bridge piece which the two side forks go into.

Is this something that can feasibly be repaired by a frame builder, or am I really going to need a new pair of forks?

If the answer is I need new forks then, I will have to pay up to £195 (plus shipping) for a new pair of forks sprayed to match my existing frame (prices taken from Bob Jackson and Mercian's websites).

I believe my bike was first purchased around 1985. As far as I can tell, the rest of the frame is in good condition, and the bike has got reasonable components so I would ideally like to keep it on the road. However I worry that it may not be worth investing £200 to keep a bike that is nearly 30 years old on the road.

Are there cheaper options I could be considering?

Nah Mercian, Bob Jackson or Dave Yates but maybe uprate to 853 if this is in budget I certainly wouldn't go carbon

 

[smokeysmoo]

£195 divided by the current age of 29 years is £6.72 per year.

If it lasts another 30 it sounds like bloody good VFM too me

 

[Spoked Wheels]

The forks on my old Orbit Gold medal frame have cracked just below the point where the steering tube joins what I think is called the crown - the bridge piece which the two side forks go into.

Is this something that can feasibly be repaired by a frame builder, or am I really going to need a new pair of forks?

If the answer is I need new forks then, I will have to pay up to £195 (plus shipping) for a new pair of forks sprayed to match my existing frame (prices taken from Bob Jackson and Mercian's websites).

I believe my bike was first purchased around 1985. As far as I can tell, the rest of the frame is in good condition, and the bike has got reasonable components so I would ideally like to keep it on the road. However I worry that it may not be worth investing £200 to keep a bike that is nearly 30 years old on the road.

Are there cheaper options I could be considering?

If you like the bike and the bike is still good then £200 is reasonable - of course there will be people that think only the latest technology is worth keeping.

 

[Danny]

£195 divided by the current age of 29 years is £6.72 per year.

If it lasts another 30 it sounds like bloody good VFM too me

I think I had to replace them once after a crash - but point taken.

However I am more worried about whether there is a risk that I could start to have problems with frame given its age. I don't want to spend £200 on new forks only to find that something more serious breaks in 6 months.

 

[Cycleops]

I guess you have to think that maybe a complete new frame might be a better investment. 531 frames can go for a long time but you have to consider the worst case scenario given your present problem.

 

[presta]

How many miles has it done, out of curiosity?

 

[Hacienda71]

Couldn't you get some nice chromed generic 531 forks?

 

[Danny]

Couldn't you get some nice chromed generic 531 forks?

Is it possible to source new chromed generic 531 forks?

The only ones I have been able to find online are second hand forks on eBay, which are mostly as old, if not older, than my forks that have just cracked.

 

[Ian H]

My fixed is a 50 yr old frame with 30 yr old forks from another bike. Still going strong. Rode Paris-Brest on it in 99.
If you get new forks you can always add a new frame later.
Oh, and Dave Yates will tell you that 853 will make for unforgiving forks that'll rattle your eyeballs out.

 

[Fab Foodie]

Oh, and Dave Yates will tell you that 853 will make for unforgiving forks that'll rattle your eyeballs out.

He's just told me that too!

I'd replace the forks and keep the old gal going.

 

[Hacienda71]

Is it possible to source new chromed generic 531 forks?

The only ones I have been able to find online are second hand forks on eBay, which are mostly as old, if not older, than my forks that have just cracked.

I have seen them in the past, but I suspect they will have been NOS. Might be worth a look in the classifieds on Retrobike.

 

[Pennine-Paul]

Brick Lane Bikes do em,I bought some when the steerer tube split
on my old Peugeot,
https://www.bricklanebikesshop.co.uk/t/Category/forks

 

[dan_bo]

Have you tried getting a quote for a fork repair yet? Id be surprised if you weren't pleasantly surprised.

 

[tyred]

I would just buy some secondhand forks of Ebay but I am a cheapskate. If you have any long established bike shops local to you, ask them, you never know what they might have lying around.