Sito

hey guys, would be keen to hear your views on this: I moved out of my parents place in 1999 and left my road bike there, a Principia R700 frame that only had a few thousands miles on it then with a mix of old and reaaally old Ultegra parts. Since then I've only ridden the bike when I was visiting, so for its age the bike has very few miles on the clock. I am just back home again and yesterday went on a ride and just noticed that the alu fork feels super soft. It's a 1-inch threaded steerer and I think a, at the time very popular, Kinesis fork. I guess it has always been that way but I am only noticing it more now that I usually ride a bike with a very stiff carbon fork.

Would you be worried about riding such an old aluminium fork, even though it has not got that much mileage on the clock? I've been thinking about replacing it with a threadless carbon fiber fork but I am not sure if those are even still around in 1-inch and given that I only use the bike very sporadically I'd prefer not to spend much money on it anyway, so ideally I'd keep the alu fork for a long time to come

rpenmanparker 

Yes, you can get the 1" threadless CF fork, but they are relatively heavy and not much selection. Nashbar always has them (or did last I checked). I was lucky to get one from Performance that was 100% carbon composite and under 375g before it was discontinued a few years ago. I can't find that kind of thing anymore.

I can't see any reason to worry about the Al fork. I guess you are just reacting to the difference between the feel of such an old model and something more modern you have ridden. If a careful examination shows no structural problems, I don't see anything to worry about. Especially if the construction is welded, there should be no cause for worry. I could see some concern about a glued model after all this time, but once again, careful examination should put your fears to rest. Lots of glued Trek aluminum forks from that era and earlier are still being ridden with no problems.

cellery

If the paint is good, you know it has been stored well and the accumulated miles are low - you might as well think of it like it's a new bike. Might be a good idea to take a flashlight to the inside of the head tube or seat tube and look at the condition of the alloy (look for white powder, signs of oxidation or cracks, etc.

You'll probably be happier anyway if you switch out with a carbon fork - they do make 1" threaded ones still, although you will pay $$ to upgrade such an old bike.

https://www.google.com/search?q=1+in...w&ved=0CB0Qsxg

Sito

ok, thanks for the info! the fork is glued but here are no visible signs of any trouble, I was just wondering if the aluminium "degrades" over time. I had '91 Cannondale MTB frame that died on my in 2009 or so, rear cantilever dropout broke off, but that frame had suffered much more abuse during its lifetime than the fork in the Principia

hueyhoolihan

i have a twenty year old Kinesis 1" threaded aluminum fork with about 35,000 miles on it. it's has the same slightly disappointing qualities it has always had. i ride it all the time.

Sito

well, good to know, that under normal circumstances there is no need to worry. I might still replace the fork if I ever get the time to do it that is....is there anything to keep in mind when replacing a threaded headset/fork with threadless versions? Or can I just get the new parts and stick them into the old frame as they are?

Sito

great to hear that from someone who has first-hand experience with exactly my fork

cellery

RE: threaded to threadless -- I have no experience with this other than extensive internet research. I ultimately decided against it on my homebrew CX bike because according to the nerds over at the mechanics forum, using a threaded to threadless conversion places a great amount of stress on the top of the steerer tube in a way it wasn't designed to be loaded. This sometimes results in the steerer being sheered off at the stem when placed under the load of a rider resting on the bars. As you can imagine, that would be a most unwelcome experience while riding.

Sito

right, that does not sound to pleasant indeed! Well, might be on option to stick with the old fork (now I've been told it should be fine) and get one of those conversion things that allow me to use an aheadset stem...stiffer stem and bar should also help to give the bike a little more modern feel.

Campag4life

18 1/4 years is the line in the sand to start to be concerned. This generally varies by a week or so. So you have a bit of time to determine whether to replace the fork or turn your bike into a unicycle.

StanSeven

If you're talking about converting a threaded steerer to use a threadless stem, I can see how it might put stress like that. However I believe the OP, as well most people that do the conversion, is thinking about replacing the headset and fork. That shouldn't make any difference at all.

rpenmanparker 

To replace you just need the new fork, new headset, new stem and a handlebar that is compatible with the stem you choose. Considering that most moderns stems take an oversize handlebar (at the middle), you will almost surely need the new handlebar too. The crown race and races pressed into the head tube need to be removed and the new races installed (head tube ones pressed in, crown race swaged on). So if you don't have the tools, you will need help at the LBS. Unlike with threaded, you don't cut the fork until you are sure you have the stem at the right height. And even then you might make a preliminary cut and leave some spacers on top of the stem in case you decide you really need the stem higher. Bye and bye when you are satisfied for sure, you can make the final cut on the fork.

berner

The Beloved "Gooney Bird" Turns 75 | Defense Media Network The old C47 from the 1930s is still flying. If something is well designed and build it will last a very long time. Of course, we don't know if your bike was well designed and build but it likely was. A new fork though is not that costly so for piece of mind you will not regret a new one.

wphamilton

With these guys saying it's ok, odds are good that it is. But the soft feel would bug me and I'd replace it. If nothing else it's a good excuse to upgrade stuff, or modernize as the case may be.

Kopsis

No. Unless it's in an environment that will cause galvanic corrosion (salt water, acid, etc.) age has no effect (at least over the span of a couple human lifetimes). Fatigue life of an aluminum fork is much less than for other materials, but fatigue accumulates from use, not age. Under 50K miles, you should have no cause for concern.

Sito

Thanks! Very useful info!

OldsCOOL

I still enjoy the vintage Sakae Litage Fx alu fork on my '88 Cannondale Criterium.....now worries about that aluminum component, either.