Hello!

I have a 1970's era Columbia tricycle. One of the front forks is badly bent, and I need to replace the forks. With it being an older trike, the fork tube(I'm not sure the actual name of the part) is a different size than most of the bicycles you encounter and will not fit. I'm having a hard time finding information that will alllow me to find the part or the size or any information to help educate myself. If possible, I would like to replace the forks with something sturdier and beefier than the OEM tubular forks that come stock.

Here is a picture of the trike:

need replacement forks
I'm sure that there is someone out there that is familiar with this and knows exactly what I need to look for. Like I said, I'll take a set of stock forks if I can figure out exactly what I need to order, but surely somebody makes forks that have wider or deeper dropouts and is sturdier than the original.

If anyone can provide some insight on this I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to assist me with this.

Hello!

I have a 1970's era Columbia tricycle. One of the front forks is badly bent, and I need to replace the forks. With it being an older trike, the fork tube(I'm not sure the actual name of the part) is a different size than most of the bicycles you encounter and will not fit. I'm having a hard time finding information that will allow me to find the part or the size or any information to help educate myself. If possible, I would like to replace the forks with something sturdier and beefier than the OEM tubular forks that come stock.

Here is a picture of the trike:

need replacement forks
I'm sure that there is someone out there that is familiar with this and knows exactly what I need to look for. Like I said, I'll take a set of stock forks if I can figure out exactly what I need to order, but surely somebody makes forks that have wider or deeper dropouts and is sturdier than the original.

If anyone can provide some insight on this I would really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance for taking the time to assist me with this.

I have a 1970's era Columbia tricycle that I attempted to install an ebike front motor wheel on. The axles on the ebike wheel are larger than normal, stock bike axles and would not fit in the dropouts. A little filing widened them enough to get the axle to fit, however the dropout were not deep enough. That, combined with my stupidity, resulted in the motor hub torqueing itself right out of the dropouts when i gave it decent throttle. Fortunately, I wasn't going very fast, and with it being a tricycle, wasn't that bad of a crash. But it woke me up. It also bent on of the fork legs beyond repair. I'm still going to make an e-trike out of this thing, but I need to replace the forks. The problem I'm having is that this older model of tricycle has a different sized fork steering tube than most bicycles you encounter, so I can't just rob parts. I am having trouble finding information about what size fits. I would like to replace the forks with a set that would be better suited for the ebike wheel. Surely there is someone who makes the part that I need. Here is a picture of the trike:

need replacement forks
If anyone can provide any insights on what the size I need is, or where I can find a set of forks that will take an ebike wheel, it would be awesome! If anything, information on or where I can find a stock replacement set would be great too.

Thanks in advance for anyone who takes the time to help me with this. It is very much appreciated.

You did not tell us where you are located, but you may find it is easier/cheaper to buy another functioning trike, than to match & find & replace this one. If the fork is "badly bent" there may be other damage to the frame or other parts, which could be additional hassle/expense.
If you want to replace, you will need to know the wheel size, the steerer tube size (diameter) & length, oh, and rake for good measure. These will determine what replacements might be available. Wheel size should be written on rim and/or tire. I am assuming it is a 1" steerer tube? maybe someone will know for sure? The steerer length you will need to measure, to measure accurately best to have the fork off, which would also give opportunity to measure diameter. With this info in hand, folks here could help you find a replacement.

If you don't have a sentimental attachment to this bike, I would honestly start by looking at your local craigslist/offerup/facebookmarketplace for "Trike" or "Adult Trike" and see what is available. Where I am there are numerous functional trikes available for about the price of a replacement fork.

One more thought, if you have a bike co-op near you they might be able to help with the swap and finding replacement. Good luck

Edit: OP buried the lead, Fork was bent from torque of electric hub motor on front wheel. Wants beefier fork to handle motor.

What about straightening the existing fork? It's not like this is a high speed, hard cornering rider.
https://www.google.com/search?q=bike...ih=529&dpr=1.1

So 3 threads for the same bike/issue is not helpful. You fail to mention in this one & the one in C&V that you put an electric hub on the front and that is how the fork got destroyed! and that you are still planning on using the electric hub, important information. There are a lot of helpful & knowledgeable folk here but you need to give them good/clear info to work with. You can click the red button on the left side of any of your posts and ask the Mods to merge your 3 threads so all the info is in one place.

I'm going to repeat SoCaled advice to check the frame and look at the tubes that attach to the head tube for any bulging from the incedent. If the frame is good and the only damage is to the fork, a bike co-op is the best bet. A lot of trikes have 24" wheels. You might want to either remove the fork to match it up at the bike co-op or, if you can, bring the whole trike there. Those forks can also be bent back enough to ride it to a co-op. There is some concern that the fork isn't as strong after getting bent it twice.

If it were mine, I would use a unicrown fork on it. It changes the geometry of the trike because it is a little taller, but the fork is stronger than the type that you have and the unicrown forks might be more available. You might also have to change your brake to a cantilever or linear pull brake caliper. This would also be worth it, in my opinion. You will have a better trike after this.

I know this trike is not from when Columbia was at it's peak, but if a used fork from a co-op could get it running again. Then great. You might even find a better trike at the co-op, or this can give you time to keep your eye out for something better.

As SoCaled mentioned, if you let us know were you live we could direct you to a local co-op. Hopefully there is something close to you.

Most bike forks are either 1-1/8" or 1" diameter, and in your case I see they are threaded forks.

Looking at your bike picture, it seems like this would work, Am guessing that your bike is 1", but they also sell the bigger diameter. The main question is whether the steerer threads are the right length to match your steerer tube. You have to report the length of your current tube, as well as its diameter,.

Representative Fork for discussion,
https://www.modernbike.com/product-2...xoC1XYQAvD_BwE

This is a steel fork, but you will also need a pair of torque arms to prevent the motor from spinning out.

Torque Arms: I have used this guys products in trhe past, including the torque arms. THere are better quality available from other sellers, but they worked for my smaller motors.

https://www.amazon.com/EBIKELING-Uni...T=1&th=1&psc=1

I've often wondered if people should even ride these trikes above 12 mph. Some owners have told me they will tip over at speed. The brakes are weak too,

I would not mount any sort of motors to this bike. If you want to ride it your local shop may have a fork especially if they have an account with J & B Importers as they sell trikes and a lot of odd ball components but they also have electric trikes if you are desperate for an upright e-trike. Have fun on two wheels.

"Oddball fork"... hmm.. lets start by measuring the diameter of the Steering Stem (AKA: Gooseneck" ) just above the big nut holding the fork in the frame... this will tell us whether the fork is a 1" threaded, or a 1 1/8" threaded fork.

next... measure the length of the Frame Tube that the fork mounts through... just the painted blue frame part, not the bearing cups.

report the dimensions you record, ok?
metric is better, but Accurate inches/fractions will also work...

Merged three duplicate threads.

Please do not cross post. One thread is enough.

Available on order through your local bike shop:
https://www.jbi.bike/site/product_de...t_number=27439

Or for something "beefier:"
https://www.jbi.bike/site/product_de...t_number=28632

Beware that some of the "beefier" forks offered have different threading and crown race diameters that might require a new headset. Let the shop measure your trike to make sure everything fits.