Forums

Cyclocross - Carbon steerer flexing

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.

PDA

View Full Version : Carbon steerer flexing

darksiderising

11-01-08, 07:41 PM

I just installed a Ritchey WCS Carbon Cross fork and I can cause the steerer to flex quite a bit with not as much force as I would expect. I can make it flex in all directions (left/right, up/back, and twisting). Is this normal for carbon steerers?

bassplayinbiker

11-01-08, 08:38 PM

Thats never happened to me, but both my road and cross forks are the respective easton EC90 forks.

darksiderising

11-01-08, 08:44 PM

Does the EC90 have an aluminum sleeve on the inside of the steerer, or is is 100% carbon?

Saddle Up

11-01-08, 09:01 PM

How much does the steer tube extend above the headset? 40mm of spacers is the recommended maximum for carbon.

darksiderising

11-01-08, 09:50 PM

There is a 10mm spacer and a cable stop that acts as a 10mm spacer, as well. So in all, 20mm of spacers.

MIN

11-02-08, 07:40 AM

I hear that is prone to flexing in addition to the Easton EC90x.

bassplayinbiker

11-02-08, 10:39 AM

I dont think that my easton has an aluminum sleeve. It dosent seem to flex, and I never get any fork shudder.

Just for reference I weigh about 150# so I'm about average sized

jbucky1

11-12-08, 12:46 AM

I have an EC70X, no flex, alu steerer. I suggest you take it to the shop and be safe. You don't want this to happen:

http://jamesbuckroyd.blogspot.com/2008/10/first-cross-race-of-season.html

darksiderising

11-12-08, 03:20 AM

I have an EC70X, no flex, alu steerer. I suggest you take it to the shop and be safe. You don't want this to happen:

http://jamesbuckroyd.blogspot.com/2008/10/first-cross-race-of-season.html

Mine is a Ritchey, with a carbon steerer.

Saddle Up

11-12-08, 08:57 PM

What stem are you using? Could it be contributing to the flex you feel?

rOOster14

11-12-08, 09:32 PM

how much stack do you have on it?

i have been on an orbea with a front end that flexy though, sometimes its just how it happens...but i might take it to a shop just to check it out.

Bike4More

11-12-08, 10:46 PM

I test rode a Ridley CrossWind with the renowned 4ZA fork. Carbon steerer, flexed more than I thought a cross fork should.

Most carbon steerers flex a little bit. The ones that dont have staggered bearings size (madone, SL2).

Carbon is designed to flex in a designed direction and be stiff where needed. Have a good shop check it out.

But its probably the nature of the beast.

FlashBazbo

11-13-08, 06:05 AM

If it's flexing easily, I would assume that it's cracked. You shouldn't be able to flex it. Have it checked out.