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Hit by a pick-up truck - carbon front forks concern

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Hit by a pick-up truck - carbon front forks concern

Old 06-10-11, 04:14 PM
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Hit by a pick-up truck - carbon front forks concern

I have a 2011 Specialized Allez which is not in as great shape as it used to be.

I was cycling on a cycle path today. The path runs parallel to the main road and occasionally stops where there is a side road then restarts. While slowing to cross a side road I got hit side-on by a flat bed pick up truck that swung in from the left behind me. It didn't stop and I didn't get the registration.

Fortunately I am pretty much ok. The mid section of the truck hit my front wheel. I was going at a slow speed (almost at a stop) and stayed on. The wheel seems to be fine but it was a big impact and turned the wheel so that when I point the bars straight, the wheel points left at a 45 deg angle.

What I am worried about is the forks. They are FACT Carbon. There is some flaking on the paintwork around where the brakes attach to the forks and a lot of black dust on one of the brake pads and around the S logo on the frame above the forks. I can see no cracks or fibres but am concerned the forks may be damaged.

I am going to try and take the aheadset apart and get the wheel aligned with the bars again. Even if that all goes according to plan (and I am concerned that when I start to look something will be damaged), should I trust the condition of the carbon forks even if I can't see any cracks or fibres? Is it possible that there is damage I can't see that makes riding on these forks dangerous? Or should I just assume the forks are buggered and get new ones?
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Old 06-11-11, 08:18 AM
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Paint flakes off the surface because the underlying material flexed enough for it to separate. I sure wouldn't trust that fork, write it off as totalled.

That sucks, sounds like you basically got 'right hooked'.
The same situation often occurs to bikes who ride on the sidewalk when they reach crosswalks. And to bikes riding in street who ride too close to the curb as right turning car passes.

It's unfortunate that the bike path design puts you in the same dangerous situation. Is there a sign or anything warning approaching cars to stop and check for path users before turning? Maybe write the city about that...
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Old 06-11-11, 09:11 AM
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No need yet to take the headset apart to straighten the bars
relative to the wheel.

You should be able to loosen the stem bolts and straighten the bars back
to being perpendicular to the wheel,
then take the bike to the dealer, and have them look at it,
order a replacement fork, etc..

you got the ID + Insurance information on the driver that cut you off, Right?
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Old 06-11-11, 09:50 AM
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Paint flaking = no way in hell I would continue riding that fork. A catastrophic fork failure is about the most dangerous kind of failure and it's not worth risking it for the cost of a new fork.

By the way: what a bummer! I can't believe the jerk in the truck didn't even bother to stop. Did he know he hit you you think?
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