browniecharles

I have a used Specialized Langster Comp. I'm not sure if it's the 2006 or 2007 model.

In any case, I've read from here that the Comp is drilled for a front brake and the following photos confirm that.




But my fork seems to be different. It has a very tiny hole, but it's just an opening. Poking through it reveals it's solid. (Meaning, the hole doesn't go straight through the crown)...it's just a tiny indentation.

See pics below. I put my red road bike next to my Comp to help distinguish the size of a regular hole for a front brake and the much smaller opening on the Comp frame.





I've read numerous threads on the dangers of drilling a carbon fork...but in this case, if other Comps have forks with a drilled fork, then would it be safe to assume that this fork could withstand drilling? I have no idea if this frame/fork is an original bike or possibly a manufacturer's warranty replacement, but if the crown area is made of aluminum, what do you guys think if I take it to some framebuilder or metal shop and ask them to drill a hole?

I looked into that Dia-Compe BRS 101 brake that attaches to the fork, but I believe my fork is too wide and wouldn't fit. I may consider getting a new fork that is pre-drilled, but my first choice is to try to use the existing fork.

I will also try to find another Comp owner who doesn't use a front brake and maybe ask to swap forks; but that's probably a long-shot.

I'm a beginner/n00b to bikes...so for you framebuilders out there, does that small hole on the fork seem familiar? Is it a normal indication that it's a spot for drilling?

Should I follow the maverick, Sarah Palin, in the sentiment, "drill, baby, drill" ? Thanks.

RichPugh

Man that is odd. Dont bother with a fork mount caliper. I would assume the sleeve in the fork is there but without a clear detailed (macros?) pic, I cant tell LOL. My fork has a raised "ring" in the front and the standard recesses hole in back for an allen button head caliper bolt. That is missing on yours (the front at least, no pic of the back). I wonder if its not even in there? I know this might be a longshot but you could take the fork alone to a local Specialized dealer and ask if you could exchange it. I'm sure they'd have to send it back and receive a replacement before they'd dismantle any bike in stock (in the unlikely event they have a COMP in stock from 06 or 07). No 08 Comps but I would assume they still have 07 stock... maybe. I would swap you but I put my front brake on this bike now and again.

RichPugh

Wow and water bottle cage mounts!? Maybe it was an EARLY 06 production? There was a lot of fuss about these bikes coming with braze-on cable stays, bottle mounts, etc. I wonder if its just a really early one...

Nessism

My guess is that the fork could be drilled. Most likely a few bucks are saved by not drilling the forks that are going to be installed on track versions of the bike. This type of job is not for the home mechanic though. You should seek out a framebuilder that can do a proper drilling job. The rear bolt hole will have to be enlarged with a special recessed bolt counterbore tool. I've got one for building steel forks so most framebuilders should be able to do the work.

Of course all this assumes the fork crown is aluminum.

queerpunk

that's a tiny little hole! weird.

i'd wager it can be drilled. i mean, it's already drilled. all that needs to happen is that the hole be drilled out a bit further. bring it to a shop that can handle it, and go forward.

the problem with drilling some forks on alu/carbon track framesets is that some (bianchi pista concepts, if i recall correctly) have a bolt imbedded in the crown area - you don't want to mess with that. fuji track pros, on the other hand, have drill-able forks.

since the langster comp probably has forks that are very similar to specialized road forks, i'd guess they're manufactured to be drillable.

white folks

most forks have the brake bolt hole and the recess bolt boss drilled and milled before the crown is assembled to the blades. But without knowing if the crown is CF or alum, i'd look into replacing it rather than modifying it.