Ebola! aka Damaged Steerer aka Teef

[beeatnik]

JRA, I noticed what appeared to be water staining on my steerer, parallel to the stem clamping area. Then, I could feel some crimping. Asked the manufacturer: Is this Rideable? Well, they claimed in their 6 years of manufacturing (or outsourcing) this fork they've never had one fail. I could have been the first!

Oh, it was professionally installed, a calibrated torque wrench was used and to be safe we went 1nm below recommended by Serotta (hahah, just kidding this company is still in bidness).

Paceline Carbon Experts, is this rideable? Ya, I know, I know; I'm too lazy to post on Weight Weenies or Slowtwitch.

Staining, flaking and crimping at what appears to be a seam
https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8180/29080925203_6f20970362_c.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8043/29080924553_2bda655b2f_c.jpg

Inside of steerer, indentation and delamination at 11ish o'clock (depending on pic)
https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8422/29080925943_f6bd3e0a09_o.jpg

https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8809/29080923233_5197dbd0e0_o.jpg

[mjb266]

If it were me, I'd find an old Alpha Q bond in insert (or have one made) to use in place of your plug. Then I'd ride the heck out of it. I don't see delamination in your picture but I do see some plastic deformation. If there isn't any crunchiness then I'm thinking it's okay.

[false_Aest]

Bruh,

This post is like typing "I have a cough." into WebMD: It's either a virus that will clear up in 2 days or you have stage 10 cancer.

[hellvetica]

Silly question, but was there an expander in there?

[beeatnik]

fa, i like your dx style. let's ride sun

[happycampyer]

Bruh,

This post is like typing "I have a cough." into WebMD: It's either a virus that will clear up in 2 days or you have stage 10 cancer.Or pneumonia.

[tigoat]

I don't want to tell you if it is rideable or not but I can tell you that I have seen that on some of my carbon forks and they were fine. I would clean it with a compatible cleaner and see if those lines are still there. The hoop strength of those carbon fiber steerer tubes are general very strong so it will take a very sharp edge with a concentrate load to crack them. It seems like the slot cut of most stems are very sharp and can be potentially damaging even if it is installed correctly. I usually carefully round the two inside edges on all of my stems for this reason. Ritchey stems have the best steer clamp in the business, as I have used many of them and have never seen a mark on the steerer tube on every removal.

[mjb266]

Oh yeah, switch to a bias cut stem like the ritchey as well.

[ultraman6970]

You can buy a and ITM super extra long expander just to be safer.

[beeatnik]

Bruh,

This post is like typing "I have a cough." into WebMD: It's either a virus that will clear up in 2 days or you have stage 10 cancer.

The flu can kill old people and children :(

[beeatnik]

Silly question, but was there an expander in there?

truly

[FlashUNC]

Given how that lines up with the stem, I'd say its going to fail sooner or later.

You've won the gift of shopping for a new fork.

[bicycletricycle]

I bet you could ride for a really long time with that "damage" based on what I have seen on customer bikes over the years.

For a permanent solution.


Get a riv carbo-no-mas fork


Problem solved


:)

[sw3759]

so is this a moots or enve fork ?

[staggerwing]

Hard to tell from static pics. If mine, I would carefully block sand the sawn end very smooth with silicon carbide wet-or-dry paper (320, 400, 500, 600). Then, in strong glare lighting, carefully begin to tighten your stem. mounted just like you show in your last photo, and see if there is any circumferential delamination occurring as you tighten. Don't tighten to the full 5Nm without a plug in place.

[weisan]

I bet you could ride for a really long time with that "damage" based on what I have seen on customer bikes over the years.


I am with Bi-tri pal.