Mountain Biking - Metal Failed on Fork

Hi -

My son who is 13 had a nasty spill off of his Specialized Hard Rock disc a couple of days ago. He was riding to school and the front fork completely snapped off of the bike. He is ok but very cut up and bruised. Stitches etc. My question - have you ever heard of this happening? - this is the type of fork -

Adjustable RST Gilla Plus-T6 disc 100mm suspension fork with 30mm Cr-Mo stanchions

It did not break off where it connects to the bike - the metal actually failed - like a stress break. He has had the bike less then a year. he does ride hard.

Would like to hear from anyone who may have had similar issues

Thanks

Can you show us a picture or provide more details. I can't tell from your post whether the head tube of the frame snapped, the steerer tube broke, or whether the stanchions broke.

You son didn't take any large drops on his way to school, did he? While not a high-end fork, the model in question isn't known to spontaneously snap without a good bit of provocation.

i can't get a clear picture of what happened in my mind... would you happen to have a picture of said break?

having said that, the fork isn't exactly a quality fork. it's rigid at the best of times, and it weigh a LOT. this kind of break however, shouldn't have occured unless your son cases a lot. i rode my Gila T5 for over a year before i replaced it, never had any problems with the fork besides the fact that it never worked to begin with.

I still have the bike in my car so here are the pics - hopefully they upload ok

Dayum!

He was actually coming down 3 stairs doing a wheely when this happened - still I don't think that this should have happened.

HOLY CRAP. I can only imagine how painful that was.
Even this entry level fork should be able to do three stairs. In all likelihood though, it was probably the proverbial feather that broke the camel's back, unless the fork was brand new. Has he been riding aggressively for a while?
Spez, has a 1 year warranty on thier parts. Get it replaced/upgraded.

He was actually coming down 3 stairs doing a wheely when this happened

no handed and backwards?


I don't think that fork is designed for urban assault. Its a good thing he isn't really injured.

You should call the RST Warranty Service Center in Portland, OR at 1-971-255-0399 right away. Aaron will be the man to talk to. This should also be reported to the CPSC, as it may eventually need to go to a general product recall.

He rides very agressively - I believe he needs a more durable bike that can take the punishment - well of course this is an understatement. Thanks for the tip about the warranty. His uncle purchased the bike for him last April 20 so I better check into this. there have been a lot of upgrades to the bike since - do you think they will still honor the warranty if the bike is not totally stock? Also any suggestions on a more durable bike for under $1000?

I called the number that you gave thanks - they are out of the office until the 16th - left a message.

They should still honor the warranty as this looks like it's a case of stanchion failure (or was it crown? Picts are a little small to see it clearly) - -which should NEVER happen in any case. Granted it is probably more than a JRA (just riding along) thing, but pieces like this are overengineered to sustain over-and-above abuse from adventurous kids. Should not make a difference that the bike is not stock, as long as goofy things were not altered with the frame/fork juncture itself.

If they balk at all, play the CPSC card; but be prepared to report it anyway, as CPSC should be made aware of this (and may already be building a case file).

I called the number that you gave thanks - they are out of the office until the 16th - left a message.Probably took the day off to ride Post Canyon. Call them on Monday if they do not return your message. Stay on them about this. Good luck.

Looks like crown failure! :eek: Persue it.

I'm glad you son wasn't hurt more seriously.

What is the CPSC?

Consumer Product Safety Commission

According to a fork recall bulletin on the CPSC web site - RST is out of business. I did file an injury/unsafe product report though. This Fork comes stock on this bike.

Upgraded component's won't affect the warranty at all. Call up the shop it was purchased from. If they're unresponsive, call specialized. They have a really good warranty dept.

According to a fork recall bulletin on the CPSC web site - RST is out of business. I did file an injury/unsafe product report though. This Fork comes stock on this bike.They are incorrect. The number I gave you is current and valid. I will doublecheck it against the number Aaron gave me to be sure, though.

RST's North American warranty service ceter was moved out of Answer-Manitou's facility in Valencia, CA a few months ago when Hayes Group bought A-M. They have opened up a new facility in Portland, OR near the river staffed by people hired by RST, rather than the "lowest-man-on-the-totem-pole" A-M staffer. They are dedicated to improving RST's image and customer service and should repond quickly.

Gosh thanks - you have been very helpful! I will definitely pursue this.

Another question: What sort of fork would be best for this bike? If we are going to replace it I will have to have some sort of idea as to what fork will be able to stand up to aggressive riding. I'm getting the drift that bikes don't necessarily stay in the stock condition when used for mountain biking and that maybe this bike will be ok with a few more upgrades?

As a safe, and relatively cheap bet, I would look towards the marzocchi dirt jumper series.

Damn, that's a hell of a break. I'd hang those one the wall prominently!

As a safe, and relatively cheap bet, I would look towards the marzocchi dirt jumper series.
I second this opinion. Manitou gets a bad rap on this forum, but there are a few worthy lower-priced forks in their stable too.

Your son is very lucky, people generally get hurt pretty bad when a failure like that happens.

Wow. I'm glad to hear he's gonna be OK. It really shows the importance of having the right tool for the job.

Hi -

My son who is 13 had a nasty spill off of his Specialized Hard Rock disc a couple of days ago. He was riding to school and the front fork completely snapped off of the bike. He is ok but very cut up and bruised. Stitches etc. My question - have you ever heard of this happening? - this is the type of fork -

Adjustable RST Gilla Plus-T6 disc 100mm suspension fork with 30mm Cr-Mo stanchions

It did not break off where it connects to the bike - the metal actually failed - like a stress break. He has had the bike less then a year. he does ride hard.

Would like to hear from anyone who may have had similar issues

Thanks sorry, i think he was riding the bike beyond it's intent

You should call the RST Warranty Service Center in Portland, OR at 1-971-255-0399 right away. Aaron will be the man to talk to. This should also be reported to the CPSC, as it may eventually need to go to a general product recall.
doubt it

doubt itIt does happen. Certain RST Hi-5s went to a CPSC recall a few years ago due to stanchion problems. RST has been pretty responsive to such things and the CPSC stays on top of it.

It does happen. Certain RST Hi-5s went to a CPSC recall a few years ago due to stanchion problems. RST has been pretty responsive to such things and the CPSC stays on top of it.
i'm sure it does.

i still think he used the fork inappropriately and don't believe the company should feel obligated to change their product...nor do i feel the need to placate a mother on this forum writing about her son's mishap.

if he used the equipment appropriately, then i sincerely apologize. :)

(in fact, i think he used it BEYOND the overbuilt aspect you mention)

sorry, i think he was riding the bike beyond it's intent
i bet if you look on the fork their will be a sticker that says "not intended for freeride, dirt jump " i know thats what my Marzocchi mz comp says on it

I second this opinion. Manitou gets a bad rap on this forum, but there are a few worthy lower-priced forks in their stable too.


The Gold Labels from Manitou are not too highly priced either. I have one and I love it.

Hi all -

Sorry I was kind of a jerk last night. I was in a lot of pain hahahah :D

~ mx_599 ~

i'm sure it does.

i still think he used the fork inappropriately and don't believe the company should feel obligated to change their product...nor do i feel the need to placate a mother on this forum writing about her son's mishap.

if he used the equipment appropriately, then i sincerely apologize. :)

(in fact, i think he used it BEYOND the overbuilt aspect you mention)

In your opinion, since you seem to have a vast knowlege of this fork and it's appropriate uses, what would be the appropriate level of use for this fork. The particular bike in question is marketed to teenage kids as a "Hardrock Sport Disc" - the name itself says it can take some abuse. So my question -and I am not looking to be placated here - just curious - in your opinion what is the appropriate level of abuse?

i'll take this as a snide remark...dminor can answer you.

In your opinion, since you seem to have a vast knowlege of this fork and it's appropriate uses, what would be the appropriate level of use for this fork. The particular bike in question is marketed to teenage kids as a "Hardrock Sport Disc" - the name itself says it can take some abuse. So my question -and I am not looking to be placated here - just curious - in your opinion what is the appropriate level of abuse?

I have several kids in our mtnbike club that ride that bike. It's just an entry level bike. That frame can take a good bit of abuse....the fork is anothe story. It's just a very basic fork that develops a good bit of slop in it after a short period of time. Kids think becuse thay have a Specialized/Giant/Trek/Kona...they are bomb proof.False, everything will break if ridden outside the intended purpose. I have never seen one break in that manner but I have seen them fail. I think I would contact Specialized and RST to start as Dminor said.

Ouch, that looks pretty wild.

None of us can know if the bike was ridden outside of intended purposes or not. We weren't there and a description on a forum probably isn't adequate enough for anybody to determine absolutely. Some people are going to blame the rider, some the manufacturer.

Fact is it broke, there were injuries, and if it were me I would contact Specialized and RST. If they handle it in a satisfactory manner, I would drop it. If they don't allow proper redress, I would pursue other avenues, until I found some satisfaction. I have a feeling one or the other will do the right thing. Wasting time placing blame, and arguing about degrees of abuse is inane and fruitless.

Keep us updated though, I have a Hardrock with the exact same shock. I would be interested in knowing how it turned out.

I would think the bike had been crashed hard before and that part weakened. Years ago I had a brake cable break and I slammed into a tree. 6 months later the frame broke at the headtube.

If it was me I'd replace the whole bike. If not check it good for cracks. You should check it periodically anyway.

The original poster has stated online for everyone to see that the son rides very hard. If considering all avenues up to an including the CPSC, I would request a moderator delete the whole thread.

That's not something I would expect to see happen from the kind of riding your described, but that type of riding is beyond what the bike and fork are designed for, especially if he rides like that regularly. Generally the dealers will tell you the entry level bikes and their parts are good for moderate cross country riding. In truth, they will usually be able to take occasional small drops (less than 2 feet) or short stair sets, but doing that frequently fatigues the metal and it's hard to safely predict when it's had too much.

Still, since another poster was able to give you a name and number within RST, the contact is probably worth following through on to see if they can help you out, but if your son plans to continue riding hard, it would be in his best interest to pursue a stronger fork like others have recommended, and probably a stronger frame, too. While the hardrock may be pretty tough compared to a department store bike, it is still an entry level offering.

i dont think tisa came on here to basically get flamed about his son riding too hard and thats why it broke. its obvious that he pushed the fork beyond its limits, it seems tisa was asking if others have done the same, or if its a continueing problem with this model, some of the responses seem to me more of an "attack" than they need to be.

you say your son rides very hard, but very hard to you may be different than peole here are used to.so ask him his honest riding behaviours so you can figure it out.

for buying a fork look at these variables. how big of drops is he doing on a regular basis? how much does he weigh? is he dirt jumping, trail riding, or just "urban assaulting" type of riding. answer those questions then narrowing down the fork will be easier, there is such a wide variety to choose from, with a wide range of prices.

**** is obvisously gonna break sooner or later after use.

when i was into bmx my friend snapped his forks on his haro, he overshot a nice sized gap. not that big of a deal. How can it be product failure if u beat the crap out of it. it cant.

not to be a dick but suck it up and go buy a new fork.

I would give the headtube very close inspection after the fork failed like that.

Obviously this kid has been catching a lot of air on that bike, and the fork is not intended for that kind of abuse over and over. Once in a while sure, but if you do stairgaps to flat, or jump it all the time its eventually going to fail. It's designed to absorb bumps in the trail, not to be hucked.

Good luck with the warranty, and im glad he still has all his teeth.

The original poster has stated online for everyone to see that the son rides very hard. If considering all avenues up to an including the CPSC, I would request a moderator delete the whole thread.

Why? Are you suggesting the OP would be dishonest about the circumstances of the broken fork when dealing with the manufacturer or CPSC?

I think he's suggesting that the OP has sufficient resources now to pursue this properly and that the continued discussion is beating the subject to death needlessly.

However, for the sake of searchable archiving and its possible usefulness to others, it should not be deleted.

I think he's suggesting that the OP has sufficient resources now to pursue this properly and that the continued discussion is beating the subject to death needlessly.

However, for the sake of searchable archiving and its possible usefulness to others, it should not be deleted.

That's not the way I read it, but I agree that this thread might be beneficial to others down the road. I don't see any reason to delete it. If it has been beaten to death, just lock it.

FWIW, under the hardrock section of the 05 and 06 specialized dealer catalogs it showed kids doing wheelie drops off a loading ramp and manuals down an alley. Go figure.

Is your son a Clysdale (200+ lbs)? That may be one indication of possible failure.

There is a reason expensive forks exists for the freeride market. You hear of virtually no failures with Marzocchi's forks, even with guys doing big drops and riding them for years. Of course your going to pay, +/- $300 for a low end fork, but its worth the safety.

It does not surprise me those forks broke while hitting drops/stairs.

If you want cheap, get him a rigid fork, he wont break it and it will be under $100. Check them out:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=85

Blue Jays considers himself an unoffical mod for some reason thats all.

Ignore him.