fork condition

[beanboy99]

I know this gets discussed a lot but here's a real world example with pictures. Said fork has been ridden for a while in this condition with no issues. But I know loss of clearcoat sometimes can be indicative. And the joint between metal dropout and carbon is less than smooth.

Would you hesitate to keep riding on this fork? A cursory tap test didn't reveal anything odd.

[AngryScientist]

that fork has got to be over 20 years old, yes?

time for a new one IMO.

[beanboy99]

i think right at 20 years. that's helpful advice, but i'm wondering if you are saying that because of condition or age?

And would you still ride it until you can procure a replacement in the next year or you'd stop riding immediately?

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by beanboy99

i think right at 20 years. that's helpful advice, but i'm wondering if you are saying that because of condition or age?

And would you still ride it until you can procure a replacement in the next year or you'd stop riding immediately?

it's a tough call. to me that fork just looks old, and the condition leads me to believe it's suspect enough that i wouldnt continue to ride it - but that's easy for me to say because i have a bunch of bikes and i can be OK with one of them out of commission for a while.

it may very well be fine for years to come, but there really isnt any definitive way to tell, so it depends on your risk tolerance i guess.

[72gmc]

Now that you’re thinking about it, you will probably keep thinking about it. Unknown risk + worrying when you ride it = replace it.

[beanboy99]

yep it's hard to put a price on peace of mind. and not thinking twice about how i approach a bump in the pavement. thanks for your input.

i'm currently updating parts of the bike (tires, chain, shifter clamps, cages, handlebars) and am already over budget so I don't want to replace the fork if I don't need to, but I'm coming to the conclusion that it's as good a time as any and then i don't have to worry about it for a while.

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by 72gmc

Now that you’re thinking about it, you will probably keep thinking about it. Unknown risk + worrying when you ride it = replace it.

I don't ride any fork I am unsure about. Even if I'm pretty sure my worries are unfounded.

[batman1425]

I'm in the replace camp, but admittedly, I'm probably more risk averse than most. I'd say it had a good service life and move on to an new one. That said, if you know it's complete history, and the problem hasn't gotten worse in a noticeable way after watching for a bit, you'd probably be OK to continue with riding and monitoring.

[batman1425]

Originally Posted by unterhausen

I don't ride any fork I am unsure about. Even if I'm pretty sure my worries are unfounded.

I think James Huang said in an article once that he doesn't use any second hand forks. If he gets a frameset used, the fork goes in the bin and he puts a new one on.

[brewsmith]

Originally Posted by batman1425

I think James Huang said in an article once that he doesn't use any second hand forks. If he gets a frameset used, the fork goes in the bin and he puts a new one on.

I wonder why.....

[Dave]

The chips are just the cosmetic clear coat, but with bonded aluminum tips, be sure that they're still bonded. The result of one coming loose could be deadly.

I'd start looking for a good deal on a new fork.

[KJMUNC]

not arguing with any of the perspectives above, but man, I'm definitely NOT showing any of my stuff around here and asking "is this ok to ride?"

I wouldn't even blink at that fork.....but of course, YMMV (literally)

[charliedid]

Yeah I dunno...

That fork have an aluminum steerer? I'd maybe yank on those fork dropouts every so often but that thing is as much aluminum as it is carbon isn't it?

[beanboy99]

Originally Posted by Dave

The chips are just the cosmetic clear coat, but with bonded aluminum tips, be sure that they're still bonded. The result of one coming loose could be deadly.

I'd start looking for a good deal on a new fork.

How would I be sure they were still bonded?

[unterhausen]

Originally Posted by KJMUNC

not arguing with any of the perspectives above, but man, I'm definitely NOT showing any of my stuff around here and asking "is this ok to ride?"

I just don't like to worry about my equipment when I'm descending at speed. I'm not the type to ask if something is okay, because if I had a question about it, I would have already retired it.

When I see, "is this okay to ride" in a thread title, I say "no" before I open the thread.