Trek 7.5FX - How strong are the carbon forks?

[rick123]

Hi,

I'm looking to buy a hybrid bike mainly for road / toepath, but I don't want it to fall apart if I find myself on the odd rougher surface that I can't avoid.

The guy in the shop recommended the Trek 7.5FX with carbon forks. It looks a well made bike and is very light. I asked the guy how the forks would cope if I found myself on unplanned rougher terrain, he said, 'carbon forks are stronger than steel'. My friend who is an engineer says this is a misleading statement.

I have since been to look at it again and there was a sticker on the forks that said that carbon forks are at risk of shattering without warning, and may cause death, etc. Add to this, Trek market this bike on their website as a 'bike path' bike.

Has anyone got any views on this?

This is swaying me to look at the Dawes Discovery 301, which I appreciate is not a bike on the same level as the trek 7.5fx, but has some great reviews, I have seen one and it looks really well made.

Cheers and thanks for reading,
Rich

 

[Gerry Attrick]

What materiel are the bikes made of which are ridden by the pros on the Paris/Roubaix cobbles?

That'll be carbon then.

 

[Browser]

True Gerry, but how often are their bikes checked/crack-tested/binned as they've reached the end of their 'life'? I don't know if professional racers do this but I'd be suprised if they didn't.
Carbon fibre composite is an excellent engineering material and, when designed, made and used properly is (gram for gram) far stronger than steel. It is, however, far less ductile, or in other words, it don't bend a fat lot! Steel will 'give' to a certain extent, carbon composite hardly 'gives' at all.
That said, ask your LBS bod and those on here with experience of them how many cases of CF fork failure due to stress fractures they've had.

 

[accountantpete]

I'd go with the 7.5 FX and it's carbon forks.

Just take it steady on any really bad ground you encounter - it's usually a sudden big impact at speed that may cause Carbon forks to fail.

 

[Steve Austin]

It will be absolutely fine for pretty much all riding. The forks will be tough enough for pretty much anything you can throw at it, as long as your wheels aren't leaving the ground.

 

[jimboalee]

I've got Reynolds Ouzo Pro in my SWorks.

They've got a short length of broom stick inside them.

Insurance policy.

 

[bonj2]

I've got Reynolds Ouzo Pro in my SWorks.

They've got a short length of broom stick inside them.

Insurance policy.

are you a witch?

 

[jimboalee]

You've rumbled me. The Nimbus 2000 propulsion system.


On a lighter note, read this.

http://www.charchaa.com/mattels_vib..._among_girls_mattel_pulls_toy_off_the_shelves