Post42K

I've had this fork for a few years and it was never damaged or subject to any falls. Today I noticed a hairline crack that goes all the way around *each* dropout. The cracks are at the same location on each one and I'm guessing they're at the seam of the aluminum insert. It appears that only the clearcoat is affected but I'm probably going to replace the fork and not take any chances.

Has anyone seen cracks like this on any carbon fork with aluminum inserts? And, if you have one of these forks, please check it carefully and let us know if you see any -- they're tough to see unless you're looking for them.

Kelly.Fisher

Did you get these on EBay? I remember reading about counterfeit WCS carbon forks being sold on fleabay that were cracking exactly like these are. If I remember right, Ritchey stated that the genuine WCS forks had a pure carbon dropout and that any aluminum in the dropout area was a sign of a counterfeit item.

Regardless, I'd be VERY wary of riding a fork in that condition.

rollin

Similar story here

Siu Blue Wind

Oh that sucks. Pretty sad story there, rollin. I hope the OP didn't get it from that guy Sting something from ebay.

HigherGround

I would strongly recommend not riding that bike until either:
a) you replace the fork, or
b) you send the fork back to Ritchey for inspection and they can say with confidence that it is just a cosmetic issue with the clearcoat.

Having any fork fail will be a spectacularly bad day.

I had a Litespeed fork that developed cracks a few years ago. They were near the unicrown area, where the carbon fiber legs wrapped up towards the steerer. The unicrown section was painted. It is possible that the cracks were isolated to the paint layer, where the legs had been flexing as they joined the crown and the base of the steerer tube. However, I didn't want to take any chances and I replaced the fork. I'd rather spend a few hundred dollars on a new fork than a few thousand on reconstructive surgery. Besides, I had gotten the fork for free when I purchased the frame, so I didn't feel like I was "owed" anything.

Good luck!

Mike V

Your fork looks like one of the copies to me because of no paint on the crown of the fork.

Read the below link

https://weightweenies.starbike.com/fo...ht=ritchy+fork

bsyptak

The 2008 WCS fork has black painted aluminum dropouts.

Post42K

Mine was purchased off ebay . From the WW thread it's not exactly clear where these forks came from but I am going to replace it.

The important thing is that if anyone here rides the same fork please inspect it regularly. In fact, I'd recommend replacing it immediately either way. I was lucky that I noticed the cracks so I had some warning. But, it just as easily could have been a catastrophe if the fork suddenly failed while I was riding.

shabbasuraj

why not sand through the paint and see if it is really cracked?

Post42K

My concern is that if the paint around the insert seams are cracked then the inserts aren't properly bonded to the carbon, no?

Cyclist0383

Does anyone have an executive summary of this thread?

Val23708

eBay'd parts don't come with any guarantees, including saftey. if your parts came from an authorized dealer, they should be fine. save your recepts.

Cyclist0383

I gathered that much. What does it specifically say about the forks in question?

shabbasuraj

no..

sand it and look for yourself.. if you were gonna trash the fork anyways..

I have a feeling that the crack that you see, is just the paint.

Post42K

Agree, it appears to be just the paint for now. But even if the carbon isn't cracked, why would the paint crack all the way around both inserts unless they were starting to lose their bond with the carbon?

ted ward

Because the different materials have different elasticity. You wouldn't see paint failure from losing the bond unless the joint separated suddenly.

The carbon seatstay bond on one of my bikes did this, cracked all the way around.

shabbasuraj

Lots-o-things can happpen...

Carbon might be flexing in a manner that the paint does not want to... per se.

Hence a crack...

Carbon might be completely fine.

Thus sand it and take a look if there is a crack underneath.

Val23708

well it looks like thats where the alu meets the carbon... therefore a joint. and if the joint is fracturing thats probably not a good thing.

ravenmore

As others have mentioned I'm pretty sure that is an immitation fork and not the genuine article. Bad mojo. Do NOT ride it further.

We'd like for you to be around and posting in the future.