JT101

Hi everyone

Had this pair for Fox Float F100X forks for several years. Been off road with them, but not been crazy abusing them. I just noticed the other day a crack appeared in the crown. I haven't ridden the bike for a couple of years, and it's just been hanging up in my shed. I'm sure the last time I used it there wasn't a crack, so it is rather odd.

Here is a link to photos of the crack: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1...ExUY1VwbHhvZ1E
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1...2VWU1cwcWhIaGc

Anyway, the question is, would you repair it or has anyone tried to repair a crown before? I know a welder, but I'm guessing this is some sort of bespoke alloy, not sure how easy that would be to weld. Only reason I'm really considering this is because I really like these forks and I haven't got loads of money to replace them at present, though clearly I don't wanna knowingly risk my head on the trail!.

Just some opinions wanted. Cheers

wschruba

Not a good idea. Call Fox and see if any of the current upper assemblies will fit your fork.

HillRider

Are you sure the crack is new? Some headsets with cartridge bearings come with intentionally "split" crown races (more correctly baseplates) that can be installed with no tools. Both FSA and Velo Orange make this type of crown race and there may be others.

dsaul

The crown is made of a cast material and should not be welded. Unfortunately, that fork is unsafe to ride and not practical to repair.

SquidPuppet

It's not the race, it's the lower triple clamp (in motorcycle jargon).

OP, not safe, don't ride, don't repair. Replace.

sch

Full face bike helmet would be a little cheaper than a new fork.
If it breaks, you are in for a fall.

Thumpic

That's what a catastrophic fork failure looks like before it's a catastrophic fork failure.

jimc101

Why not just ask for/order the correct CSU (thats what Fox call the the part the OP has broken, the Crown Steerer Unit) for the year of the fork?

No point in even thinking about putting the wrong CSU on a fork when there should be no issues with correct part availability.

wschruba

Because Fox does not produce spares for forks after several years... Hence the suggestion to call them asking about 'B' fits.

HillRider

Whoops, I've got to read more carefully. I fully agree that the fork must be discarded or the cracked crown replaced.

Mr IGH

OP, time for a new fork or a lightly used one from ebay or the classifieds on mtbr.com.