Carbon Fork strength

[DeeDub]

I'm wanting to lighten up my Soma Doublecross. I purchased this particular frame because I knew it would handle all the abuse I could throw at it. I've been looking at the Ritchey WCS carbon fork but i'm worried that using a fork like that will requre me to baby my bike. I ride my bike to work everday and race it during cross season.

[fogrider]

the thing about forks, its the only tubes on a bike that is not supported by other tubes, all the other tubes form a triangle with other tubes. fork blades need to be stronger than any other tubes on the bike. the thing about carbon is that is stiff and light but it can fail if it is damaged. Carbon can be damaged because it is so stiff. the good news is that forks on a bike are protected from falls by the handlebars. because of this, it doesn't make sense to use carbon for the handlebars. but, not all carbon is equal. carbon fibers are held together with epoxy, the more epoxy, the more stronger it can be. the bottom line is that every modern high end road bike is sold with a carbon fork and sure some people baby their bikes, but for the most part, if you don't abuse it, it should be fine.

[isotopesope]

i just put a ritchey wcs fork on my 'cross bike and absolutely love it. i agree with fogrider; as long as you don't abuse it and also inspect it for cracks and chips every so often, it should be fine.

[Elmar Schrauth]

in europe there have been several broken fullcarbonforks
at the wc , german rider malte urban, broke a fullcarbonfork


the python is now at 445 gramm
thats more than 10 % heavier.

i think brakeshuttering is a worse case for forks

guess why

[4130gibson@sbcg]

I'm doing the exact opposite; I have a Bontrager Racelite HCM fork on my Soma Smoothie [roadie] and am having a cromoly fork brazed to replace it. I've seen a few broken carbon forks and frames at the shop I work at, and all were the result of accidents, etc. I still feel safer with a steel fork, sure it weighs 1/2 lb more... I no longer race at the level where that truly matters.
If you commute, ride hard, trail ride and especially race, abuse, accidents, scratches, etc. happens... Look at what happened to Hincapie at Paris Roubaix [of course he crashed proir to the fork snapping] I guess I'm just saying consider what the risks and benefits are then make your decision.

[KeatonR]

I only need to hear about ONE broken fork to rule out the material for me.

[Elmar Schrauth]

i ride python and kuota fullcarbonforks,since years
but you have to take care of them
replacing after crashes,etc

[shapelike]

Semi off topic, but the logos on the FZA Python fork: are they painted on or stickers? I'd like to pick one up but I'm not a fan of logos on my bikes.

[Elmar Schrauth]

Semi off topic, but the logos on the FZA Python fork: are they painted on or stickers? I'd like to pick one up but I'm not a fan of logos on my bikes.
they are stickers under colour

[Elmar Schrauth]

i guess another problem for cyclocross forks is the shuttering while braking with cantileverbrakes

for me it looks like a fatiguestrengthtest ,when under braking the fork works
i didnt use the python all the time ,although i am a crazy weight weenie
but i was afraid of shuttering and having a broken fork
now i use mini-v rakes and ride the python on all my bikes



elmar

[joe v]

I only need to hear about ONE broken fork to rule out the material for me.
Well I'm sorry to be the one to tell you, but there have been numerous cases of broken steel, aluminum and titanium forks too, so I guess that's you on foot from now on ...
:D

btw, don't worry too much about carbon forks, I've got 1 on one of my roadbikes and once crashed head-on into a tree (having swerved to avoid a dog crossing the street!) at about 27 or so km/h and that fork's still fine 4 years later. I have since taken to wearing a helmet though!

[shapelike]

they are stickers under colour

Under the clear coat you mean? Not sure what you meant there.

[ejpres]

Under the clear coat you mean? Not sure what you meant there.
Yes, that's what he means or at least that's how it is.

[alreadyblue]

Okay, well cyclocross is not one of those sports where you make a lot of money racing. I think Ryan Trebon won $300 for Nationals back in December.

That said, I think the majority of the Elite men and most of the B racers have carbon forks on their rides. If carbon forks were that prone to failure, I can't see why they would be so ubiquitous in the world of cyclocross.

BTW, Trebon rides a Kona Major Jake. It's got a carbon rear.