Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Busted Dog Fork and Face

The fork on my Gunnar Street Dog broke, uh, snapped, off clean at the top of the crown on my way to work this am. This was a 2000 model, I've had it for like two weeks. Paul neo retro brakes on the front were really strong, causing alot of vibrations. I even said and thought "they might break the fork"- but I was poo-poohed for saying so. Well, it happened, I was going pretty slow and didn't apply the brake very hard at all, not an emergency stop but just slowing down to navigate some stopped cars. I am beginning to think that the fork was cracked already when I bought the bike.

I knew what it was the second it happened and instantly I was on my face on the pave. A passing cyclist came to my aid and helped me gather myself up, and made sure I was ok. My freshly laundered gloves (really) were nice and clean for stopping the bleeding.

Anyway, damage? Fork is toast. One paul cantilever brake arm is broken. ma2 rim bent, chainring bent, chris king headset fork crown race bent. And My Face, my beautiful face. hahaha...

PM if you want to see my stitches. It's not that bad.

I guess its too late to post the pre crash pics in the FGG...

later
dave"pave"

you sir have my condolences.
tough break man, that ***** sucks.

this morning huh?
it was humid as bollocks this morning. and you had to walk? all busted?
where did this happen?

guess you won't be able to make the rum runner on sunday...

tanks.

at 8am it was bright, cool, and breezy. I was quite enjoying my ride as a matter of fact.

my gf picked me up and took me to ER for stitches and face-gluing.

I was on 11th st. NW headed south, just north of W St. One woman ran out to check her car cos she thought I hit her parked car. thanks, lady...

as for the rumrunner...trying to get the lotus a little more ridable. ve shall see...



you sir have my condolences.
tough break man, that ***** sucks.

this morning huh?
it was humid as bollocks this morning. and you had to walk? all busted?
where did this happen?

guess you won't be able to make the rum runner on sunday...

wow, that's no good... sorry to hear about all the damage, to your face and to your components. possibly a fork worthy of recall??....

thanks again.

I spoke to waterford and they said to send them the fork. no promises as I am not the original owner.

They said they may cut me a deal on a new one. At least they will be able to tell whatthehell happened.



wow, that's no good... sorry to hear about all the damage, to your face and to your components. possibly a fork worthy of recall??....

That is awful.

Maybe you should tell the seller he/she can keep the fork. In his/her... er... you know...

yeah you should check the area where the metal seperated and see if there was any oxidizing... itll indicate possibly how long the crack was around...

good luck.

consult with a lawyer,you be awared $1,000,000,00

Breakage is bad.
Is that fork one inch steerer tube, or 1-1/8?
If waterford can't hook up the free replacement I might be able to cut you a good deal on a VERY similar fork. It's new and 1-1/8.
PM if you need some assistance.

it is a 1" steerer. I'd like to stick with the gunnar fork but I guess I'm open to suggestions. one friend suggested a beefy 'cross fork. It doesn't seem like a "beefy" fork should really be necessary even for city riding, and the waterford fork SHOULD be plenty strong. in retrospect I believe this fork was in a an impact some time before I owned it and the flex I was seeing under braking load was caused by that crack. I'm not sure I'll ever really know, but the front tire and wheel on the bike were totally different than the back. not that unusual but a 'cross tire (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7173387006) on a fix gear commuter? hmmm...

I'd say contact the seller, ask if he hit something head-on hard, esp. if there's corrosion on the broken surface. Maybe he sold you the bike knowing that it was damaged, maybe not. If he is a nice guy, you could get some compensation. If not, try to get him sanctioned by eBay. That sh1t is dangerous. If the fork was flexing under normal braking from day1, it was definitely compromised (unless you weigh a ton).

It should go without saying, check that frame over [i]carefully[i] before you ride it again. If the bike was involved in a collision that damaged the fork, there's qutie possibly damanage to the frame as well.