s4one

So I went to my LBS that I usually go to and the store owner is the mechanic as well. Authorized cannondale dealer.

Anyways I went in to get my steer tube cut, he didn't measure right and ended up too short. I didn't give him too much crap about it as he said he will try to obtain a new fork for me. Thing is, it is a 2011 HM fork, matt back with white and the red HM painted on. I know these are rare and hard to obtain.

So chances of obtaining one might be slim to none since its 2011 and cannodale is prob producing 2013 now.

He took a normal supersix fork off the show room and gave me that fork to use for now and said we can swap if he can obtain the HM fork.

If he cant... what should I do or what would you do? He is a pretty good friend of mine so I didn't snap on him and i know people make mistakes from time to time..

thinktubes 

Well, I would look for a new bike shop for any future mechanical work.

He should do whatever it takes to make it right, regardless of cost to him.

ahsposo 

Sounds like he's doing what he can.

This makes a strong case for doing it yourself.

And for always leaving some length on the steerer. Flush cut may look good but I like the option myself.

Water over the dam now though.

AngryScientist 

give him some time to locate one, shop owners sometimes have different avenues to get stuff that's hard to find. if he isnt able to find what you want, and you're really set on the paint you want, there are a few excellent bike paint specialists that will paint a fork however you want for not all that much $$, he should be fine with absorbing that cost.

echotraveler

Id give the guy a chance.

If nOt possible go posh! Buy something REALLY NICE!

John_V 

It sounds as if your mechanic and friend is trying to do everything he can to make the situation right. Until it is determined that he cannot find the correct fork, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on the situation. And if he can't find it, you should strongly consider if your relationship with him is really worth a fork.

s4one

This is why i didnt snap at him, i know the fork cost about 350-400USD new. Its the fact that I cant get one anymore that bothers me. Especially there are no HM supersix for 2012, only evos.

Myosmith

If someone screws up, admits that they screwed up, and does everything reasonably possible to make the situation right, I generally cut them some slack. If he can't get the exact same fork, a reasonable alternative would be an upgrade to the next higher quality in a fork that matches reasonably well.

kleinboogie

Patience. He's doing a lot more than many probably would. You or he may find one on the internet or he'll get one from a return at C'dale. Sure it sucks that it's not original but you probably would have snapped it in a race anyway so keep an open mind (seems like you are). I'd do business with him again. GL

WHOOOSSHHH...

Measure 2x cut 1x...pass it on..oh, never force anything...ever!

s4one

True

s4one

Here are some pics of the non hm fork on my hm frame, tell you the truth i like the non hm paint scheme better but its bs. its as if one has a ducati 999r but with a 999s motor.

ill just wait and see what the outcome is when the store owner contacts me, fiy i went for a 30mile ride today and couldnt tell the diff but im sure 80% of hm riders cant either.

whistler

fify

s4one

oops i meant 100% of average joes like me

s4one

So I got an update from the bike mechanic/owner. He said that there is no more stock of the himod fork and he himself is not able to obtain one. He did mention that if I can find one at another store or ebay etc, he is willing to cover the price for me. The problem is that I cannot find one either.

What would a logical way to solve this issue? I do not want to settle for a non himod fork as I will feel cheated in the end.

Should I ask him to pay the price of the fork, I believe it is $300-400 bucks but I would need to return the non himod fork that he gave me for now and is on my bike. if i go this route I'll have $300-400 bucks in my hands but a bike with no fork.

In the end I think that obtaining just a himod fork is pretty slim to none, only way is to purchase a new frame set.

rufvelo

Keep the replacement fork on the bike and get some reasonable IOU/coupon (couple hundred bucks) from him for future products or services.
Do get the new fork cut though - it looks ugly with the chin rest - and yes get him to measure twice and cut it for you.

s4one

Yea, I felt this is a good way to go since I need some new sidis as well.

The fork tube is pretty short, my bike is a 56 but the non himod fork he gave me is off a 54 so there isnt much "chin rest"

DRietz

The fork he gave you looks absolutely fine...is there a difference other than the red letters? Paint 'em on yourself.

Or just take the $400 and buy an Enve and be done with it...

2ndGen

That's EXACTLY what I was going to suggest. Get a better fork.
(and I agree...aesthetically? the replacement fork looks way better)

Only thing is you'll have to have it painted, but you'll save some weight,
increase stiffness and performance and if you were to sell the bike later on?
BIG PLUS to have a hot aftermarket fork like an Edge/Enve on it.
You can pick up a tapered Edge fork for about $250 right now on their site.
Since you're saving them duckets, have them spring for a matching paint job.
_____________________________________________________________________

With that being said, I'm about to have my fork cut.
I just did my carbon seat post and that came off well.
But, 1 or 2mm's off and I can screw myself and ruin my own Edge fork.
At least with an LBS, there are remedies if something goes wrong. Good luck.

s4one

the himod differs from the non himod, it isnt just the red hm letters. himod fork has carbon dropouts and stronger/lighter carbon lay up.

s4one

btw, i need a 1.5 taper

jeffpoulin

I think maybe you're obsessing too much about it. The shop owner made a mistake, he's doing all he can to rectify it, and the replacement fork is fine. What more can you ask? I would just let it go and bank the goodwill for another day.

s4one

No doubt, I understand that the shop owner made a mistake. However, there are two issues, first the fork replacement is not a Himod and 2nd I want to have at least 30mm under my stem so that I can make furture adjustments if needed in the future. As the replacement fork was taking off a smaller size bike, this only allows me to have about 20mm +/- total.

I even told the owner that if he can obtain the same matt non himod fork that comes with a 56cm frame, that will be fine since I can have the forks steerer cut to have 30mm below the stem. This is actually the main concern I have...