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Post by Tim_L on Jun 10, 2009 9:12:15 GMT -8
After my garage leaped into the way of my bike while on my car's roof, I gave the bike the once over this AM and it appears straight, with the exception perhaps of the fork.
it's a carbon fork and there is a spot where the roof rack rail came up after snapping off at it's weak point, and scratched through the paint to the carbon. It's deep enough that the paint's completely gone and I can clearly see the carbon. I dont see any broken fibers in the carbon itself, but the carbon is scratched lightly.
I've read conflicting stuff on scratched carbon; wondering about ponying up the $ for new forks or not. Opinions would be welcome.
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Post by Mike S on Jun 10, 2009 9:16:00 GMT -8
FYI, when Alan dropped his bike off a car, he had to buy a whole new fork. I think his damage was a bit deeper than a scratch though.
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Post by DaleP on Jun 10, 2009 11:16:56 GMT -8
Glass only needs to be scribed to break. Carbon is notorious for becoming weak if scratched (apparently). The hard question to answer is will a minor scratch weaken the carbon to failure. The easy question to answer is how safe do you feel traveling at 52 mph down Four Mounds Road with the knowledge of the scratch. The chance of failure is difficult to calculate but the cost of potential injury is easy to calculate. Roughly tens of thousands of dollars...and that just the medical bills. Recovery may never happen.
I glad I was able to put a positive spin on this for you Tim.
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Post by Tim_L on Jun 10, 2009 12:23:28 GMT -8
Thanks Dale. I can always count on you to go all Yoda on me and dispense the wisdom :-)
You're right, I'm a cheapskate. A few hundred in savings would look rediculous in light of potential consequnces of a fork failure at an even moderate pace.
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Post by DaleP on Jun 10, 2009 12:43:34 GMT -8
Thanks Dale. I can always count on you to go all Yoda on me and dispense the wisdom :-) You're right, I'm a cheapskate. A few hundred in savings would look rediculous in light of potential consequnces of a fork failure at an even moderate pace. What's the point of being as old as the dust on them thar hills if you cannot dispense such provound wisdom. It's all we...let's see, how did Alan put it...oh yeh..."crusty old fisherman" have left to offer you young bucks. Seriously though, I have no idea how much damage the fork took and/or what it will take from here on out. Just the knowledge the so called pros write about carbon. Therefore, you know as much or more than I do. I know one thing though. Early this year when we were riding the winter roads back from a Cheney ride, the guy next to me had his handlebar break off in his hands...and that was an aluminum bar! I decided then and there that I would replace my carbon bar every 2 years regardless. I hate to spend those kind of bucks but I fear the potential wreck more that I fear the loss of funds. Perhaps it's my job that makes me so safety minded but I can tell you this. ALL accidents happen at the WORST possible time and when you LEAST expect them. Crusty Old Fisherman |
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Post by lonniemower on Jun 10, 2009 20:23:31 GMT -8
chances are if its just a scratch it is fine....its when the fork is overstressed when you need to worry. being as you cant see this type of damage. some bike shops offer inspection of carbon components after a crash, but chances are pretty good that since a car was involved they would all recomend a replacement.
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Post by aj1152 on Jun 11, 2009 10:41:00 GMT -8
When I busted my fork it transformed into the kick-ass bottle opener, compliments of Lonnie. Maybe you'd be so lucky...
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Post by lonniemower on Jun 11, 2009 20:32:56 GMT -8
beer pretty much rocks!
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