Hybrid Bicycles - NEWS: Specialized Sirrus/Vita Elite CF Fork stop-sale

Word from the grape vine...I was just told by one of the Specialized dealers that the manufacturer has put a "stop-sale" on 2011 Sirrus/Vita carbon fiber forks, and so too the elite model and above that they come on. The story is that the brake mount post on the fork is separating on some of them...yikes...but the dealer didn't know more. The stop-sale only came out last thursday and so he advised me to tell my friend who bought a Vita recently to not ride it for now to see if there is a recall on the fork. BUMMER!

EDIT: Here's the official notice- http://www.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/pdf/Final%20Carbon%20Fork%20Recall%20Poster.pdf

Heard the same thing Friday when I went in the local Spec dealer to pick up my Sirrus Elite Disc, with alum fork.....
He has a couple of the CR models sitting there.

UPDATE

new forks will be sent out soon to specialized dealers, est. 2 weeks out. They advise to not ride until you have a new fork.

UPDATE

Specialized has asked dealers not to order replacement forks until the shop has the bike in for the replacement...but the dealers I've spoken to are less clear about the timeframe for replacements than they were a few days ago, saying that Specialized wants to see the forks from the bikes that get brought in.

Stop-Sale orders on remaining 2011 elites now means that test-rides are a no go too.

I have a Sirrus Elite that I purchased in the spring. I have been in touch with my LBS and they spoke to the Specialized rep. What I heard so far was:

"They are investigating. It may only effect a certain run of bikes...."

I am waiting to hear further.

Thanks for the info. I'm thinking about to get a Vita Comp this week.

my friend dropped her vita off on monday, they called today to ask her what finish she would like on the new fork, said it should be there and installed by early this coming week.

my friend just got her Vita back, after about 2 weeks...white and red bike now has a BLACK fork!! WTF!? this is a resolution!? She says it's ugly, I'm inclined to believe her....WTF Specialized!? I thought you guys had good customer service!!

here's a pic...thoughts?

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/monkeydentity/photocopy2-2.jpg

I think it looks fine.

this is how it's supposed to look...
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/monkeydentity/2011_VITA_ELITE_REDWHT_10.jpg

"my friend just got her Vita back, after about 2 weeks...white and red bike now has a BLACK fork!! WTF!? this is a resolution!? She says it's ugly, I'm inclined to believe her....WTF Specialized!? I thought you guys had good customer service!!"

You asked for comment, so ... granted, the black fork doesn't 'match' the colour scheme, but that aside ... how is this a major issue? After all, 'black goes with anything'!

Seriously, surely not a major issue, and surely not one worth a "WTF"? Also doesn't really speak to the quality of Specialized's customer service, which on balance here (2011 Sirrus/Vita carbon fork recall issue) seems pretty good.

Seems to me the questions, if any, ought to be directed to the dealer who asked your friend what colour she wanted, then didn't supply that colour, and/or to your friend. Was there in fact a white/red/black replacement available? If not, why did they ask her what colour she wanted? If yes, a) why didn't they get and install the right colour, and/or b) why did your friend accept the installation of the black fork?

Black or chrome forks generally indicate the owner has crashed head first into something. While this is not always the rider's fault, there is a stigma associated with the use of a black fork. I would demand a matching fork. If they can't produce a fork that matches the frame, I'd consider accepting a new frame and matching fork. It they were not agreeable with that compromise, I'd return the bicycle for a full refund.

THe bicycle was defective and if they cannot supply what the customer thought she was purchasing, a bicycle with matching frame and fork, they should refund her money!

The matching fork does look nicer imo, but the black fork looks like it's custom/modified in a good way.

"Black or chrome forks generally indicate the owner has crashed head first into something. While this is not always the rider's fault, there is a stigma associated with the use of a black fork."

Really? One pictures emotionally traumatized cyclists riding around worrying about how they are perceived by other cyclists ... very odd!

"I'd consider accepting a new frame and matching fork. It they were not agreeable with that compromise, I'd return the bicycle for a full refund.
THe bicycle was defective and if they cannot supply what the customer thought she was purchasing, a bicycle with matching frame and fork, they should refund her money!"

Good luck with that! Specialized and the dealer have cured the material defect; absent a representation by the dealer as to colour of the replacement (and there may well have been such a representation), they've met their obligation.

"Black or chrome forks generally indicate the owner has crashed head first into something. While this is not always the rider's fault, there is a stigma associated with the use of a black fork."

Really?

Yes really. You learn something new every day.

Yes really. You learn something new every day.

:lol:

"Black or chrome forks generally indicate the owner has crashed head first into something. While this is not always the rider's fault, there is a stigma associated with the use of a black fork."

Really? One pictures emotionally traumatized cyclists riding around worrying about how they are perceived by other cyclists ... very odd!


I think qmsdc1 meant when selling a bike, people aren't really going to want to buy it because it's easy to identify a bike that has been in a head on crash. When in a head-on crash, most people replace the fork. And forks that match the paint job of a bike aren't readily available, so most people settle for black or chrome (both of which are very easy to find).

Seriously, surely not a major issue, and surely not one worth a "WTF"? Also doesn't really speak to the quality of Specialized's customer service, which on balance here (2011 Sirrus/Vita carbon fork recall issue) seems pretty good.


I'll be the judge of whether my abbreviations are appropriate thank you very much

I tried buying this model, different color, and was unable to finalize the sale due to he recall. When I called Specialized (weeks ago) the rep said they were working on replacements and would be getting thm out to dealers ASAP. But the rep said, even then, that the fork would likely be black. TBH, I was thinking WHY?? The models don't look bad with black, but they look terrific with the original color scheme. And, ya, that's pretty disappointing to get it back with a different look. What did the LBS question mean about choice of finish? Is that like a matte/gloss kind of thing? Um, ya... how about just matching?

I'm assuming it must be extremely difficult to color match when they've ended production on the model?? Still, it seems like if you can bring a sample of old paint to Lowe's and have them color match, a bike company could make forks to match the models they just stopped making. Maybe it's just really expensive and time consuming? I feel for your friend and her frustration.... :(

I hadn't heard this yet as I have a Sirrus Comp. If they want to replace it with a glossy black, it's going to look really bad with my black matte finish. Thanks for the heads up and I'll call my dealer tomorrow. As good as they are, I'm surprised they haven't said anything yet.

I have a 2011 Sirrus Expert (Gunmetal color). I was in my LBS today where they have two new Expert's in stock - both forks have been replaced and are gloss black with the same Zertz inserts. Doesn't look too bad but I'm debating if I will change mine as I ride flat terrain roads with minimal braking.

I also have a 2011 Sirrus comp, I'm not going to bother with the switch. To long to wait, and frankly an overblown issue.

Black or chrome forks generally indicate the owner has crashed head first into something. While this is not always the rider's fault, there is a stigma associated with the use of a black fork.

What you say makes sense, and I see the point. But when a lot of base model bikes come with aluminum or steel forks, couldn't a carbon fork also be considered an upgrade? If I put a $300 Easton fork on my base model Sirrus, I have decreased the value because the paint doesn't match? Are upgrades to stock wheels viewed the same way? If a bike doesn't have OEM wheels, it must have been crashed?

I see what you are saying, and agree with it that that is a valid way to look at it. I, however, never looked at it that way. If I see a Honda with a carbon hood, I don't expect that to be painted either, and do not assume a crash.

EDIT: In truth, I assume a Honda with a carbon hood to have been abused and possibly crashed, but for totally different reasons.

A little righteous indignation *might* be appropriate, but I'm left wondering how much time a manufacturer might be willing to waste on setting up a multiple-color carbon fiber paint station, when some their customers are probably already hunting lawyers to sue them for producing a defective product.

In unrelated news, I've thrown my 2004 Coda into the dumpster, because the OEM natural-carbon fork does not match the brushed-steel/clearcoat finish.

I had a 2008 Specialized Tricross that had fork issues. It am surprised 3 + years later and we still have to talk about this. What is it with Specialized and their forks? Why do they not know about these issues but right after the go on sale then the problems come up? Sounds like someone better up the Quality Control budget and actually do some testing!

My LSB called and asked me to bring my 2011 Sirrus Elite (gray) in and make a decision on the fork. I don't like how the black forks looks at all.
Is it possible to get a refund on my bike? Wonder if refund will be from LSB or Specialized. The bike is 2 months old with very low miles on it.

my friend just got her Vita back, after about 2 weeks...white and red bike now has a BLACK fork!! WTF!? this is a resolution!? She says it's ugly, I'm inclined to believe her....WTF Specialized!? I thought you guys had good customer service!!

here's a pic...thoughts?

http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/monkeydentity/photocopy2-2.jpg

I think it looks ugly!

Did she try and ask for refund instead?

she bought the bike in a different state. her plan is to just suck it up.

My LSB manager told me they could do nothing and I should take it up with Specialized if I needed a refund.

If you guy's don't like the black, the simple solution is a cheap can of white paint, some masking tape and you could pretty well match the original. To be honest if you didn't show me the original bike, I'd think it was normal. Black fork, black stem and bars, black seat post and saddle, black bottle holder....all is good.

edit..
If you do decide to paint, make sure you wear a mask and glasses when you sand, to stop breathing in the carbon fiber dust. It'll kill ya!!! (I hear)

my replacement on a grey looks good. I have no problems with it. I suggest getting it fixed. if you have a failure u are in for a major head first kiss of the concrete. it would be quite a legal battle especially since being advised by dealer of the recall.




My LSB called and asked me to bring my 2011 Sirrus Elite (gray) in and make a decision on the fork. I don't like how the black forks looks at all.
Is it possible to get a refund on my bike? Wonder if refund will be from LSB or Specialized. The bike is 2 months old with very low miles on it.

my understanding is that the forks aren't failing in the way you're implying...they don't just snap, the mounts for the brakes are coming apart. the risk is that your brakes will go mushy when you need them...not quite as dramatic (but in my mind still worthy of a swap, just wish it was painted to match)

my replacement on a grey looks good. I have no problems with it. I suggest getting it fixed. if you have a failure u are in for a major head first kiss of the concrete. it would be quite a legal battle especially since being advised by dealer of the recall.




Hi Franky, do you have a picture of your bike w/ the new fork? Thanks!

My LSB told me that they don't have replacement forks in stock and were told by Specialized it could be weeks or months. Anyone else have the same issue?

Never buying a Specialized again